It's the Same, But It's Not Quite Right...

The Cure - Freakshow (Mix 13)/All Kinds of Stuff

"Freakshow" is the second single of four to be released once a month until the Cure's new album comes out in September. As with the "The Only One", this single sports a unique mix from the album version and a non-album B-Side. It's a neat plan I'd the monthly single schedule is getting me pumped for the new record.

To tell you the truth, when I first heard live versions of "Freakshow" a few months back, I wasn't impressed. Robert Smith performs it without a guitar, leaving the other three members to bash out the music on their own. Also, Porl Thompson plays more of a lead line on the guitar rather than a rhythm part, making the it sound sonically a bit thin.

The recorded version is a vast improvement. Porl's guitar parts are multiple and funky. Robert's vocals get layered during the chorus and drummer Jason Cooper's playing sounds tighter. There's even cowbell! Simon Gallup reins it all in with a solid bass line.

Lyrically I have know idea what the song is about. Something about a strange woman, some crazy dance moves, and an alien crowd. But the off-beat arrangement and odd words come together to make one of those "weird fun" Cure songs in the vein of "Hot, Hot, Hot!!!" or "Let's Go To Bed". The Cure haven't decent one of those since "Club America" back in 1996. This kooky little number is grower and more memorable than last month's "The Only One".



The B-Side, "All Kinds of Stuff" is another beast altogether. It's the kind of rock song I've been looking forward to ever since Porl Thompson rejoined the Cure. Porl does alot of the heavy lifting here, freeing Robert to deliver a rapid-fire vocal performance. If this is the kind of rock song that gets regulated to B-Side status, I can't wait to hear the other loud numbers that will be on the album.

As far as the lyrical content is concerned, this is another song about Robert's ability to create relevant material, similar to "39". Unlike the obviousness of "39", this one is simply a better song, both in words and music.

7 out of 10