[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]
On May 4th, 1982, The Cure released what many consider to be their ultimate masterpiece, Pornography. From end to end, it was a suffocatingly dark piece to consume, loaded with intentionally difficult sounds, and lyrics that acted as brushstrokes in a confused and reluctant mural of existentialist horror.
Even for a band that was already playing what would later be labeled as goth and darkwave, their new direction arrived as a headfirst dive into unlit waters -- or, more to the point, the taking-at-once of every step between what they had been, and the extremes they could only endure for long enough to record what their own meltdown would sound like. It was the album that nearly destroyed them, but, in time, it was also the album that made them absolutely legendary.
For me, Pornography is the greatest album ever made. It's not something one can listen to every day. In fact, it doesn't play well with daylight at all. It's potent and relentless in its atmosphere -- but, when the mood is right, there is nothing like the transformation it brings. I dare say it helped to create a generation of goths. It certainly changed me.
In honor of Pornography's 30th anniversary, this entire episode serves as a tribute to the album's creation, its influence, and its undeniable longevity. As I'm sure that everyone is able to hear the original album on their own (if not, listen to it here), I have avoided playing more than one of the original album tracks, and instead filled this episode with live versions, demos, rarities, trivia, hand-picked covers by varied acts, and excerpts of Pornography-centered interviews with Robert Smith himself.
Ready to hear the podcast? Here's the link to download it:
On May 4th, 1982, The Cure released what many consider to be their ultimate masterpiece, Pornography. From end to end, it was a suffocatingly dark piece to consume, loaded with intentionally difficult sounds, and lyrics that acted as brushstrokes in a confused and reluctant mural of existentialist horror.
Even for a band that was already playing what would later be labeled as goth and darkwave, their new direction arrived as a headfirst dive into unlit waters -- or, more to the point, the taking-at-once of every step between what they had been, and the extremes they could only endure for long enough to record what their own meltdown would sound like. It was the album that nearly destroyed them, but, in time, it was also the album that made them absolutely legendary.
For me, Pornography is the greatest album ever made. It's not something one can listen to every day. In fact, it doesn't play well with daylight at all. It's potent and relentless in its atmosphere -- but, when the mood is right, there is nothing like the transformation it brings. I dare say it helped to create a generation of goths. It certainly changed me.
In honor of Pornography's 30th anniversary, this entire episode serves as a tribute to the album's creation, its influence, and its undeniable longevity. As I'm sure that everyone is able to hear the original album on their own (if not, listen to it here), I have avoided playing more than one of the original album tracks, and instead filled this episode with live versions, demos, rarities, trivia, hand-picked covers by varied acts, and excerpts of Pornography-centered interviews with Robert Smith himself.
As a bonus, I've included some great Pornography-era videos and images in this post. Just scroll down past the playlist to check them out.
Ready to hear the podcast? Here's the link to download it:
[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]
PLAYLIST
Format: Band Name - Song Title [Album Title, Year]
Format: Band Name - Song Title [Album Title, Year]
(each band name is also a website link)
"Out ov the Coffin" w/ Ichabod
Show recorded on: Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Opening Theme:
Elliot Goldenthal - Libera Me [from "Interview with the Vampire" (soundtrack), 1994]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - One Hundred Years [Pornography (Original vinyl pressing), 1982]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 1988)
-
The Cure - Demise (Rhino Studio Instrumental Demo 12/81) [Pornography (Deluxe)]
-
Nosferatu - 100 Years [100 Tears: A Tribute to the Cure, 1997]
Turn Pale - A Short Term Effect [Shameless Kiss of Vanity III, 2008]
A.F.I. - The Hanging Garden [A Fire Inside EP, 1998]
ZOOid - Siamese Twins [ZOOid, 2012]
Velvet Acid Christ - The Figurehead [Wound (single), 2006]
Strange Boutique - A Strange Day [The Kindest Words, 1994]
Amnistia - Cold [Blackguard, 2008]
Wreckage - Pornography [100 Tears: A Tribute to the Cure, 1997]
-
The Cure - Airlock (exc. 1) [Pornography (Deluxe Reissue) 2005]
-
The Cure - One Hundred Years (live) [Trilogy, 2002]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - A Short Term Effect (live, June 11 1982, Brussels)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 1988)
The Cure - The Hanging Garden (live) [Concert, 1984)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - Siamese Twins (John Peel Session Dec. 21 1981 - Airdate Jan. 4 1982)
The Cure - The Figurehead (live) [Paris, 1992]
The Cure - A Strange Day (live, 2000, The Roxy, Atlanta, GA)
The Cure - Cold (live 1982 - Olympia, Paris, France)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - Pornography (live May 7 1982, Nijmagen)
-
The Cure - Temptation (Rhino Studio Instrumental Demo 12/81) [Pornography (Deluxe)]
-
The Cure - The Figurehead (live Nov. 26 1981, Odeon Edinburgh Scotland)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - The Hanging Garden [Rhino Studio Demo, 12/81]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - All Mine (live, Hammersmith Odeon, May 1982)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - Temptation Two (aka LGTB) [Robert Smith studio demo 7/82]
-
The Cure - Airlock (exc. 2) [Pornography (Deluxe Reissue) 2005]
-
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
KEY:
Elliot Goldenthal - Libera Me [from "Interview with the Vampire" (soundtrack), 1994]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - One Hundred Years [Pornography (Original vinyl pressing), 1982]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 1988)
-
The Cure - Demise (Rhino Studio Instrumental Demo 12/81) [Pornography (Deluxe)]
-
Nosferatu - 100 Years [100 Tears: A Tribute to the Cure, 1997]
Turn Pale - A Short Term Effect [Shameless Kiss of Vanity III, 2008]
A.F.I. - The Hanging Garden [A Fire Inside EP, 1998]
ZOOid - Siamese Twins [ZOOid, 2012]
Velvet Acid Christ - The Figurehead [Wound (single), 2006]
Strange Boutique - A Strange Day [The Kindest Words, 1994]
Amnistia - Cold [Blackguard, 2008]
Wreckage - Pornography [100 Tears: A Tribute to the Cure, 1997]
-
The Cure - Airlock (exc. 1) [Pornography (Deluxe Reissue) 2005]
-
The Cure - One Hundred Years (live) [Trilogy, 2002]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - A Short Term Effect (live, June 11 1982, Brussels)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 1988)
The Cure - The Hanging Garden (live) [Concert, 1984)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - Siamese Twins (John Peel Session Dec. 21 1981 - Airdate Jan. 4 1982)
The Cure - The Figurehead (live) [Paris, 1992]
The Cure - A Strange Day (live, 2000, The Roxy, Atlanta, GA)
The Cure - Cold (live 1982 - Olympia, Paris, France)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - Pornography (live May 7 1982, Nijmagen)
-
The Cure - Temptation (Rhino Studio Instrumental Demo 12/81) [Pornography (Deluxe)]
-
The Cure - The Figurehead (live Nov. 26 1981, Odeon Edinburgh Scotland)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - The Hanging Garden [Rhino Studio Demo, 12/81]
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - All Mine (live, Hammersmith Odeon, May 1982)
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
The Cure - Temptation Two (aka LGTB) [Robert Smith studio demo 7/82]
-
The Cure - Airlock (exc. 2) [Pornography (Deluxe Reissue) 2005]
-
Robert Smith - (interview exc., 2005)
KEY:
(exc.) = excerpt
_____________
The Cure: "Siamese Twins" w/ the Royal Ballet (1983)
Thanks so much, Ichabod, for posting this. Jeremy and Wendy are checking it all out now. Peace and Love <3
ReplyDeleteThe download link no longer works.
ReplyDeleteThe album is not really simplistically suffocating or dark from start to finish: that's just online spin. The album has many many moods and it's very unique. It also has nothing to do with creating goths: goth was a joke, it was pantomime.
ReplyDelete