Though it’s certainly not the band’s first stab at a greatest hits record (Galore, Mixed Up, Show, and Standing On A Beach… have all been previous attempts), Greatest Hits wastes no time in cycling through the Cure’s undeniable singles. A special second disc offers new acoustic recordings of each track, offering a sense of cohesiveness to a long and epic career.

Opening with the timeless yet simple “Boys Don’t Cry,” the collection features the carefree and uplifting “Just Like Heaven,” the desperate and poignant “Love Song,” and the brilliantly classic “Friday I’m In Love.” And throughout the twenty-one year range of the included recordings, the music remains uniformly strong in each step of its evolution, the mark of truly talented artists. On the two new tracks, “Cut Here” and “Just Say Yes,” lead singer Robert Smith proves he’s still got it, and listeners are left thinking -- if not actually believing -- that it’s the eighties again.

(Included tracks: Boys Don't Cry, A Forest, Let's Go To Bed, The Walk, The Lovecats, Inbetween Days, Close To Me, Why Can't I Be You?, Just Like Heaven, Lullaby, Lovesong, Never Enough, High, Friday I'm In Love, Mint Car, Wrong Number, Cut Here, Just Say Yes)

The Cure

Greatest Hits

(Fiction/Elektra)

reviewed by Chris Kelly