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4.3
Average of 21 reviews
14
3
2
2
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The Top has frequently been labeled as a bridge album packed with unremarkable tracks, suggesting that either Smith or the Band had finally taken a tumble down the stairs without looking. However, looking back, this often-overlooked album's misconception lies squarely on producer Rob Robinson's shoulders; though, it's true that Smith opened the door, allowing Robinson to try and fit a round peg into a square hole ... and it didn't exactly pan out. Renowned for his work with acts like Slipknot, Korn, and Limp Bizkit, Robinson aimed to craft a neo-metal sound, blending the Cure with an edge that wasn't theirs, layering the music with forced melodrama and a chaotic mix of heavy guitars, stripping away the signature sonic keyboards of the Cure's sound, and leaving Smith's vocals floating high in the mix, making the record feel dangerously insincere and overly produced. It became clear that Robinson just didn't get the Cure.One might easily assume The Top is a Robert Smith solo project, as he played nearly all the instruments and penned most of the songs. But that's not all; Smith also brought in a recorder, violin, harmonica, and more to create a soundscape of dreamlike, hallucinatory particles from the conscious and subconscious realms, crafting a world that felt out of control, like being in a car crash as it happens, knowing it's all unfolding too fast to stop ... where all you can do is hold on or let go and hope for the best.Indeed, there are some gems here, like "Shake Dog Shake" and "Caterpillar," though I can't help but wonder how these tracks might have turned out under different circumstances. All of this results in an album that feels disjointed, perhaps unfocused, and largely lacking in continuity or a clear vision.There are certainly fans who adore this album, but I'd wager that's because they're actually metal music enthusiasts who happened upon the Cure for its fleeting nod to that genre here.
I'm baffled as to how this pressing only has a 3.73 out of 5 average rating. This is a 32-year-old record, yet my copy is FLAWLESS. It's dead silent, the instrument separation is incredible, and the bass is so lively. What more could you possibly want from a record? It even sounds better than half of the new pressings coming out today.
no question about it, this is the greatest album The Cure ever put out, with "Faith" being a very close contender. i first picked this up when it initially dropped through Columbia House record club, and i must've played it non-stop for a couple of years. managed to find a used copy of this particular ARC pressing with the promo stamp around 1990, and that's the exact same copy i still own today. never compared it to other pressings, but my copy is thick, flat, and has zero flaws, plays loud and clear, and sounds amazing on any of my 2 stereo systems and 5 different carts/headstocks. i cant praise this LP enough, especially for new Cure fans who think stuff like "Disintegration" is one of the darkest and most depressing records ever. HA!!! if you feel the same way, i urge you to grab a copy of this, and get ready to have your mind blown. then go explore earlier masterpieces like "Faith", "Pornography", and "Seventeen Seconds". but skip anything after "The Head On The Door". that one has its moments, but by the time they released the snoozefest that is "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me", the band had lost it, and it's all just cheap, mall-goth nonsense after that, and it's been downhill ever since.
The audio quality is decent, though there are some 'clicks' and hissing sounds during quiet moments.
Picked up at the market, now have all my Cure albums
| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
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| Mar 31, 2025 | $21.98 | $26.65 |
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| May 7, 2025 | $29.98 | $29.98 |
| Jun 28, 2025 | $21.98 | $21.98 |
| Jul 31, 2025 | $19.99 | $24.65 |
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| Oct 31, 2025 | $19.99 | $24.98 |
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| Jan 31, 2026 | $19.99 | $24.98 |
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| Mar 23, 2026 | $19.99 | $24.98 |