Faith

Spin (p.109) - "'Primary' is as catchy as anything Ian Curtis managed." Uncut (p.124) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]here's a warmth and meditative quality to Smith's production and songwriting..." Alternative Press (11/01, p.104) - Included in AP's "10 Essential Goth Albums" - "...Epitomizes the Cure's sense of gravitas...It's short, but the earth stands still regardless."

Certainly not the "darkest" the Cure would eventually get, Faith is, as represented by the cover art, one of the most "gray" records out there. Melancholy and despondent (the feel of funerals and old churches just oozes from this record) without the anger that would over take Pornography, Faith comes off as not just a collection of songs, but as a full piece. "The Holy Hour," "All Cats Are Grey," and the spectacular "Faith" are slow atmospheric pieces that take the softer elements from Seventeen Seconds, and -- when sidled up next to faster tracks like the single "Primary" and "Doubt" -- paint an overall picture of the ups and downs contained within a greater depressive period. But it's not all gloomy keyboards and minimalist percussion, Faith is also a milestone for Robert Smith lyrically, branching out into questions of faith and spirituality he never quite touched on so well ever again. A depressing record, certainly, but also one of the most underrated and beautiful albums the Cure put together. They would not touch on this sort of lush sadness so well again until 1989's Disintegration. ~ Chris True