Rated 10/10
Disintegration is a gothic masterpiece composed by The Cure at the peak of their creativity. The album lures you in curiously with twinkling bells, and out of nowhere blasts off into a synth soundscape portraying the most beautiful skies and endless rivers. Something that Plainsong demonstrates and begins formulizing for the rest of the record is the band’s ability to build these incredible instrumentals, and that they’re not quick to bring in the vocals. They let these beautiful arrangements simmer and immerse you before Robert Smith’s gorgeous performance begins. Letting the music breathe is one of the best decisions that this album consistently makes, allowing the listener to take it all in before telling you the gloomy tales that pull you in even more. Roger O’Donnell’s synth sound he achieves on this song especially as well as the rest of the album is enormous, perfectly complementing the atmosphere. Smith’s horizontal approach to melodies is a very unique approach to guitar, something that is absolutely definitive and original to the Cure’s sound. Their simplicity makes this whole album incredibly catchy and demonstrative of how the easiest of riffs can be the most beautiful. Plainsong lets that huge synth simmer and fade as the record literally crashes into Pictures of You. This song alone makes the album a 10, as it is one of my favorite songs of all time. The two guitars glide along the fretboard as the instrumental begins to absorb you. Then when the main bass line hits, it just gives you chills. So simple, yet so beautiful. Lyrically, this track demonstrates Robert Smith’s inhumane ability to make you feel his emotions incredibly deeply, as his melodies perfectly sit atop the genius instrumentals. The little guitar motif that comes throughout the end of the song is just so good too, I could write about this song forever. One of the quickest 7 minute songs I’ve ever heard; it’s just so spell-binding. It ends abruptly on that echoing crash, like the Picture is being broken. Then the thundering drums come beating down seconds after as you’re pulled into the massive atmosphere of Closedown. O’Donnell’s synth part on this one just hammers in that reminder that the simplest melodies are the most effective. I love how this one sits before Robert comes in on his performance, which is just consistently perfect. He enters deep in the landscape and never overstays his welcome, delivering only what needs to be said. Then the poppier side of the album is displayed, as The Cure effortlessly proves their ability to nail multiple genres and styles. The guitar riff is so catchy, complementing the genius synth line and dancing bass. Then the string part is introduced, which is just so brilliant. The solos on Lovesong are just so good; truly one of the best pop songs of all time. Last Dance once again shows the band’s capability to create these huge murky soundscapes. The percussion is also incredible. Lullaby exhibits The Cure’s love of using all sorts of sounds and instruments, which is always refreshing to the ear throughout the listen. Then one of my personal favorites, Fascination Street eerily anticipates its entrance as the light squealing strokes the listener’s curiosity, just as it explodes into groove under Boris Williams’ thundering drums. The Cure is just genius at building and releasing tension, which when you’re a master at it, makes the music so good. One of Simon Gallup’s highlights, this track exemplifies his underrated ability of playing the lead while the guitars take the rhythm, which is something seen throughout the whole album, especially on tracks like Pictures of You and Disintegration. This bassline is just so nasty. As the guitars swirl and build with their effects, this track is composed as one of The Cure’s best. Robert Smith’s vocals on Fascination Street is also one of my favorites of his. On a side note, Boris Williams is one of the most underrated drummers of all time, and his tasteful playing and unconventional snare placements and grooves complement the other instruments so well, enhancing the emphasis of the best notes perfectly. His percussive work throughout the entire album is just incredible. The second disc shifts the album’s vibe to a more calming atmosphere, as the band dwells in their foggy jams once again. This whole record is perfect for a rainy day whenever you want to slip away in the gothic everglade. Prayers for Rain and The Same Deep Water as You are genius downpours of orchestration as you feel as if you are in these soaking wet marshes of emotion. These tracks especially, but nevertheless every song on Disintegration, perfectly audibly paint the record’s cover sleeve. The album art is probably one of if not my favorite covers of all time. It’s a gorgeous piece of work that brilliantly complements the music, visualizing the emotion and ambience of every song. The title track is another banger, featuring another killer bassline from Gallup and the genius intertwining of Robert and Porl’s guitars, along with the rocking arpeggiator. Homesick displays the fantastic piano work from Roger O’Donnell once again, as it gives the lingering sensation that the record is beginning to end. Then the accordion starts to play on Untitled, and the drums just come booming in with that perfect fill from Boris as the closing track explodes into beauty. Robert’s lyrics are just so alluring, probably my favorite of his of all time. The heartbreak that his words and performance convey is truly one of a kind. The final guitar solo that slowly gets teased more until it bleeds out and echoes as the track fades away as the accordion comes back into center is so genius. God I love this record. This is one of the best album closers of all time, and it impeccably ends the experience on a breathtaking note. My favorite thing that Disintegration can do is just plunge you into this gothic landscape, as every song is so murky and immersive that you’re only out once the album finishes and you realize 72 minutes have passed like nothing. Each song is just so vivid when you’re listening, as if you’re there in their swamps of haunting perfection. A brilliant album from a brilliant band.