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THE REVIEW
It was March 9, 1992.
After 3 memorable EPs and a great single, the first album by Curve was released, perhaps slightly below expectations, but an album that deserved particular attention. Garbage did not exist and U2's "Achtung Baby" was spreading to the masses that wave of technological and/or industrial pop that had already started with the Young Gods and with the landmark work of Primal Scream, "Screamadelica".
The second album of Curve, "Cuckoo" from 1993, had already lost that bursting power that had placed them rightly among the cult bands.
After a long silence and after the seed they had sown in plowed fields had produced crops of new bands copying them, such as the aforementioned Garbage, they returned with a controversial album, "Come Clean" from 1998. Liked by many "industry insiders", used in advertisements and superhero film soundtracks ("X-Men", later also "Spiderman"), it was almost ignored by the public, despite various original sparks.
Then, secretly, "Gift" (2000) was released, an album reserved for the American market, then published also in Europe. A frightfully insignificant album.
That was yesterday.
Today, 11 years after their debut, this album "The New Adventures Of Curve" is released, purchasable only online through the linked site above. At first listen, one is truly baffled.
Overall it "sounds a bit more electronic". You can hear the MIDI in all its artificiality. But the strokes of genius from the years that were are really far away. Despite the touch of Alan Moulder who made great the Smashing Pumpkins with "Mellon Collie ..." and "The Fragile" by Nine Inch Nails.
The best song on the CD is definitely track number 2, "Till The Cows Come Home", with a nice guitar riff on the chorus that says:
Cos I knew they would
Cos I knew they could
So don't go letting me down
No don't go letting me down
I also really like "Star" and "Sinner" and the ninth song that closes the album, "Joy," which reminds of New Order in the sound and repeatedly chanting:
Looking back on my life
Joy
where's my joy
Smile
where's my smile
...
Overall, the album surpasses the dark sound of the latest releases. Dean Garcia worked more on the "highs," neglecting the great depth that had characterized them. Toni Halliday whispers the vocal section in a swirl of electronic sounds skillfully remixed by Alan Moulder. Something is missing. Probably some ideas.
Incomplete.
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Summary by Bot
The New Adventures Of Curve marks a return with a more electronic sound that shows some moments of creativity but lacks the depth and originality of earlier works. Production by Alan Moulder adds polish, but the album feels incomplete and misses the burst of genius that previously defined Curve. Standout tracks include 'Till The Cows Come Home,' 'Star,' and 'Joy,' which carries a New Order influence. Overall, a mixed effort balancing nostalgia with modern electronic touches.Tracklist Videos
Curve
Curve are a British duo formed in 1990 by vocalist Toni Halliday and multi-instrumentalist Dean Garcia. Blending shoegaze guitars with electronics and industrial textures, they debuted with a run of EPs collected as Pubic Fruit, followed by the acclaimed Doppelgänger (1992) and the darker Cuckoo (1993). After a hiatus, they returned with Come Clean (1998), Gift (2001/2002), and The New Adventures of Curve (2002) before disbanding in 2005.07 Reviews
