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The 1984 Cure album that was almost Robert Smith’s first solo record
The article examines The Top, The Cure’s 1984 album, which Robert Smith initially considered releasing as his first solo record. It argues that the project emerged during a turbulent period for the band, making it an important transitional release between their earlier bleak work and their later commercial success.
Following the strain of recording Pornography and bassist Simon Gallup’s departure, Smith largely drove the album’s creation while working with shifting collaborators, including Lol Tolhurst and drummer Andy Anderson. Released in May 1984, The Top adopted a more psychedelic and varied sound; its best-known single, ‘The Caterpillar’, reached number 14 in the UK.
In short
- The Top was nearly credited solely to Robert Smith.
- It followed a difficult period for The Cure.
- ‘The Caterpillar’ became a UK top-20 single.
Explained simply
The Cure are a British rock band led by Robert Smith. In 1984, they released The Top, an album which Smith had initially considered releasing as his first solo record.
The album emerged during a turbulent time for The Cure, following the gruelling recording of their previous album Pornography and the departure of bassist Simon Gallup. With the band in flux, Smith took the lead in creating the album, working with various band members.
The Top marked a turning point in The Cure's artistic direction, adopting a more experimental and psychedelic sound compared to their earlier, darker work. This album proved important in the band's evolution, showing the path they would later take towards greater commercial success.