Dreamology

October 28th came and delivered the two albums that I have been anxiously waiting for over the past month. I have been a huge follower and supporter of the careers of The Cure and Ryan Adams over the years.

Each time anew album is presented by these artists, it is met with the same enthusiasm on my part. Thus, I waited until I had some time to absorb them and get over the initial excitement before I chose to write about these two albums. I have been listening to both ferociously and I still can’t get enough. Neither disappoints.


Cardinology is a laid back Cardinal effort. It is akin to Cold Roses in its kind of Grateful Dead feel. It is an album that isn’t afraid to blend aspects from numerous influences in subtle ways. Every song has its hook that sticks in your head and many of them build to triumphant endings. The band sounds so natural and intimate with how the guys play together and blend their instruments and voices. It is a complex album that feels quant. It is just fantastic.


4:13 Dream is the best Cure album since Wish. Dropping Roger O’Donnell and Perry Bammont for the return of Porl Thompson was the best career move that they have made, possibly ever. The three albums that they recorded after Porl’s departure didn’t hold up to the work that they had done with Porl. These felt a little phoned in. The songs were there, but the performances lacked energy. Porl’s return brought not only his fiery guitar squalls, but also a passion in Robert Smith’s performance. The songs are familiarly Cure songs without sounding like repeating songs that they have already written. It is complex and grand. Fantastic also.

Strengths in common:
Production! Both albums present a variety of types of songs, but there is a tone and texture established on each that tie all of the songs together to collectively form a bigger movement that is the album as a whole. This is something that both artists have struggled with trying to achieve on many of their albums. Cardinology achieves it through a stripped down, live in studio feel. 4:13 Dream achieves it through dense production and layering. The latest Cure album feels like a Wish or Disintegration era album.

Weaknesses in common:
Terrible album names and artwork. Cardinology is just a cheesy title, especially for an album by a group named the Cardinals. 4:13 Dream tries to be profound in its reference to the recently scaled back band of 4 members making their 13th album, but it is not very artistic. As for the artwork… well, take a look.