Robert Smith and his crew of hair-sprayed Goths are back and we are surely better for it. Fresh off their triumphant return closing the second night of the Coachella Festival, the cuddly man known affectionately as Fat Bob and his merry men have finally completed their first record in four years. Initially inked to Ross Robinsonís I Am Recordings through Artist Direct, that agreement fell through and Robinson took his imprint, and The Cure, to Geffen. Robinson also produced the bandís self-titled record, which is the work that theyíll be supporting during this summerís Curiosa festival and is the first by the long-term alternative kingpins since 2000ís Bloodflowers. Tracks like ìThe End Of The World,î ìLaybrinth,î and ìLostî break no new ground, but do we really need that from The Cure? We need Smithís telltale vocals over brooding guitars and dark atmospherics. And while youíre at it, throw in a poppy uptempo number along the lines of ìJust Like Heavenî or ìInbetween Daysî in ìTaking Off.î And thatís exactly whatís provided on The Cure. So enjoy. Itís The Cure to what ails you.

The Cure
I Am/Geffen

1. The Cure Announce Album Title, Street Date For New Record
2. They’re Baaack! The Cure Sign Deal With I AM/ARTISTdirect
3. Paul McCartney, The Cure, Possibly Strokes On Tap For Glasto 2004
4. Cure Album Ready For June 22 Geffen Release
5. The Cure To Enter Studio In January