4:13 Dream...

So I got my copy of 4:13 Dream in the mail yesterday and I listened to it on repeat for a few hours. I must say, after hearing the singles, and then this, the recorded versions are better. I didn't really like the "Mix 13" version of Freakshow, and I was on the edge of "so-so" for the other ones. I do like them better on the studio version. I'm finding lots of their songs to be really great after a few listens, and they catch on quickly. I heard the whole Rome show and found the song order a bit odd. It's partly the sandwich of The Reasons Why, Freakshow, and then Sirensong. But I got over it. I just think the production quality could have been a little better as far as not trying to make everything above-the-red-needle loud! Plus, Porl's guitar work was so fuzzed out and wah-flangey, it was hard to tell what he was playing over the almost-too-intricate drum beats and constant symbol crashes. Other than that though, I think Robert's vocals were pretty good as far as not sounding like yelling into the microphone like I've heard people say about "The Cure" (I don't own that one yet).

On the other hand, there are some quite good songs on the album. I think Underneath the Stars is the best opener since Plainsong. I also really like The Reasons Why, Sirensong, The Hungry Ghost...and well, I actually fancy quite a few of them! The lyrics were kinda o.k. for me, they were just really long winded, not the simple stuff. Lots of almost 'image creating' lyrics that told somewhat of a story, kind of like on Wish with songs like Open. I definitely see a lot of similarities between Wish and 4:13 Dream.

Overall it was quite good. I'm not disappointed or anything, I'm sure I'll like it even more after a week of constant ear-flooding with it, so all is well in the Cure world. Just the way I like it to be! Bravo Robert, Simon, Porl, and Jason!