"Ross Robinson has failed to produce anything but that horrible clean nu metal  sound. the Cure haven't really
sounded good in a real clean way since 82. i don't think they could do it now, they're too oceanic. it will be an
improvement on the schlock Plati is reknowned for. i reckon they would get a cool messed up organic feed sound
if Rob worked with Andy Wallace (sonic youth/mogwai)or  Kevin Shields (my bloody valentine/primal scream).
If they are going industrial-esque Flood would be good (with Bon Harris  programming!).
i'm sure it will sound great in any case. bloodflowers was purrfect."

- Andrew Smith
 

"I was hoping they would get Mark Plati for the next album.  I loved the work he has previously done with the
band, and his other body of work... but I suppose this guy will be great."

- -t~o~m~E
 

"Just wanted to throw my two cents in as someone who works in the music industry, has been around (and toured
with) some of the bands ross has worked with and first and foremost is a musician who puts the cure (in all forms)
as his number one musical influence...I read through all the comments made...I think everyone has valid points...
but a few of the points probably hit home the most...I guess the first is the automatic assumption the producer has
one role and will make any band sound like the flavor of the moment...I tend to disagree...a producer doesn't
necessarily do one specific thing...they could sonically guide the band with input...they could suggest recording
equipment and staff for the project...they could coordinate studio time and places etc...since the band effectively
have no label, they have no a&r representation (not that makes or breaks a project) and therefore I would
assume operate as any indie or unsigned band would on some level...I think with the current climate of music and
the resume ross has it will open up some cool avenues to pursue...do I personally think any of the sound will
drastically change- nope...but could a few new dynamics be explored- I hope so...I think that is where a guy like
ross can open up all new avenues within songwriting and technology...

in terms of his past resume...here are my thoughts...eliminate what you think of the other bands...think of him as
a fresh set of ears...I have been a cure fan since 1987 when I was (ugh) 13...being 28 (older) now, I have seen
them a ton of times and love the sound musically of the band and robert's lyrics...I would be the first to admit if
my album ever sees the light of day they played a huge part sonically in what I have made...but as the music
climate has gone downhill the last couple of years, I have found myself listening to (not writing) harder and harder
music...partially cause it is fun to let go a bit, but partially because korn and slipknot and like bands have a ton of
aggression, darkness and can pull an emotion from the listener...if you strip the distortion and singing/screaming
(at times) I think you might discover a lot of similarities a band like the cure and the others have in common...I
would challenge anyone who hasn't listened to cd's like slipknot's "iowa" and korn's "issues" to hear them and
listen to the guitar and drum sounds and how things are mixed and recorded...it is pretty amazing...so I guess all
in all I think this is a cool step and could lead to many potential things for the band...if there is one thing I would
be lead to believe from readings (guitar mags, this site, etc) and talking with the man himself, I think robert has
had and still does have a vision...I only look forward to seeing how the new project sounds in the future...
remember production and recording (if successful) capture some incredible moments...btw- if I could have picked
one myself for them I would have gone with steve lilywhite, a resurrection of hedges or billy corgan (or me)... "

- Jeff Bayard
 

"Bring it on, I say! A hard, fast and heavy Cure would be an interesting beast indeed.... Their live stuff is
generally wall of noise (eg 3 guitars, bass and drums for Open at Wembley 2000) and as most of you say, the
songs will shine through no matter who is producing. I like a lot of Korn and Slipknot etc (guitars like chainsaws)
and it will be interesting to see how much of an influence RR will have. Nothing wrong with a bit of variety anyway.
Maybe he has been talking to Bowie a bit more and will come up with an industrial jungle album in the mould of
"Earthling" - that would be a bit of a giggle for the purists..."

- Mike McCallin
 

"I just finished reading the feedback section on the subject of the new producer. Why is everyone so worried
about this? For one, a producer produces the album...helps with sound, not writing. The Cure have been doing
this for over two decades. Robert Smith is a brilliant person...WAY ahead of his time. He is a true artist...he
wants to expand his sound and the bands sound, not keep it locked in the 80's. Although my favorite works by
them are from the early 80's, I celebrate the fact that they are a band that redefines themselves each time
around. I think it's amusing that people are automatically quick to jusge a book by its cover. I think Ross
Robinson is a very talented producer. I am eager to hear what will happen with him helping them out.
Everyone who thinks the cure will change into something different than what they're used to should really wake
up and bury that old dead corpse known as the 80's and move on. The Cure are the best band in the world hands
down...so please show them some respect and open your minds. A true fan appreciates every turn and
change....enough said."

- Donald Ladd
 

"I am pretty excited about this Ross guy producing the Cure’s new album, for most of the positive reasons
pointed out below that I won’t bother to rehash. In my opinion, the last two albums were dismally produced (even
though there were great songs on both)–neither Steve Lyon nor Paul Corkett (along with Robert) were able to
re-create that spacious, ethereal vibe found on Disintegration, and to a somewhat lesser extent on Kiss Me and
Wish. Dave Allen captured a seemless blending and layering of sounds and modalities that the current line-up
has fallen well short of.

However, listening to the live recordings of the last six years, compared to the ‘85 through ‘92 shows, one thing
stands out clearly–the guitars have become much more loud, and moved much more to the forefront. Where
Porl awed us with his fretwork and seductively simple melodic touches, Perry and Robert are throwing out walls
of wailing sound, feedback, and a delirious effects not heard previously at nearly such ear-shattering levels.
Even ‘quiet’ songs like "Sinking" are becoming showcases for their brilliant, complimentary, guitar-work. This
being the case, Ross Robinson is probably a great choice for the new record. Say want you want about all that
nu-metal crap, the albums Ross has produced are brilliantly fucking produced! (and, hey, Linkin Park’s not that
bad!)

- Jeff Kovalski
 

"Over the years I have learned to trust Robert and the rest of the band and I personally am never disappointed!
This could be a very interesting move by the band and I don't think it being done to bring in younger "harder"
crowd, but maybe Robert exploring another creative side of his talent?? What do I know though!"

- Len "Cure" Caldwell
 

"One thing I've noticed among these arguments against Ross Robinson is a failure to understand exactly what
it is a music producer does. In truth, the music producer's job varies from band to band.   Britney Spears
producer basically writes all of her songs (he also writes N' Syncs songs too), and she just sings them, so you
could fault the music producer for the dreck that comes from Britney Spears. However, someone like the Cure
is still going to be 99% responsible for how the album is going to sound, because the band writes all their own
material.  A music producer in their case is more someone who helps the band stay on track, stay stylistically
consistent, and get the sound they're looking for in the amount of time they're willing to pay for.  In the case of
the Cure, I'd be more concerned with who's mixing the album than who is producing it, as most of their songs
seem more influenced by the style of the mixing engineer than the producer (listen to Dave Allen's mixing on
Disintegration in contrast to Alan Moulder's mixing on Want, and you'll get it).  And while Ross Robinson has
certainly produced some lousy acts, no one can blame him for the content of the songs.  And if you separate the
song content (what the band wrote) from how the songs are structured and how they build (what Ross did), then
you've got to admit the quality of the production value of his work is quite outstanding.   He didn't write Limp
Bizkit's songs, he just gave them advice on how to get the sound they were looking for, how to structure things,
and probably fed them drugs....

I sincerely doubt Ross Robinson could make The Cure sound like Limp  Bizkit if he tried, because Robert
seems to be so influential in the Cure's overall sound."

- Larry Wineland
 

"You  know, there is a considerable difference between  the production of  at  the drive-in's  casino in/out and
the ross robinson produced relationship of command.  though at the drive-in's song writing is there, there is just
more power, more emotion, a much needed sense of urgency that the previous album was lacking.  the melodies
are there on both albums, as well as cedric bixlers crooning/yelling, but on relationship of command (which is
probably one of the strongest albums of the new century), it seems that the band had finally taken that final step
forward to show their worth.  those are qualities in the recording process that i attribute to the producer. not "oh,
that guitar line sucks" or " those are stupid lyrics".  the producer does not write the fricken music. the artist
does.  do you really think that robert smith is going to have a producer tell him how to write a song?  take a
song like THE KISS. you could have 10 different people producing it and robert will still sing "get your fucking
voice out of my head" and finish off with his (or porl"s) amazing jimi hendrix influenced whammy solo.
you know, if you are not going to like the songs, you are not going to like the songs, regardless of who produced
them, and if you want to hear disintegration or faith, then go put on the cd, that is why he recorded them, not so
he could write them over and over again."

- Ron
 

"For starters.. those out there that say Wild Mood Swings is a terrible album can go to hell. As far as music
goes, that album, mixes more instruments and arrangements than any other Cure Album to date. A true fan can
understand, that new directions help to diversify music and not be the same thing from album to album. The Cure
are diverse, to think that the same band can do an album like "Faith", and then do an album like "Porography"
... is completely astounding. For those who are judging this new direction, under the wing of Ross Robinson,
need to ask themselves this.... "am i a fan of the Cure", if you say yes.. then it shouldn't matter what direction
the band desides to take...... Because a true fan has seen these different directions before. "

- Eric
 

"I think we are all suprise by the new producer.  I feel thats will be will get from the new album, a suprise. This
cure line up  has been steady since 1994, Bloodflowers was completed in 1999.  Over three years to work on new
material. This could be thier best work. Just to put my balls on the table, I will guess the new album will sound
like a hybrid of wish and disintigration and a touch of head on the door.  I do recall in a last years cof info, posted
a Robert Smith interview talking about working on new material for a future album. Robert said that he took out
intruments that he used on Head on Door and was working some ideas for the future or something like that. "

- Ignacio Salas
 

"Wow, sounds awesome. Yes, I love all the different styles the band has done, loved,loved them, but have always
leaned more toward the harder sound, with a heavier guitar edge, ie.," Fascination St.,Cut,The Kiss". This
direction that it "seems like the new album will be"  is one, I can so get into them doing!   Yes, I Say!!  can't wait"

- Barbara
 

"was Dave Allen booked?....
but on a serious note, I personally think the album will have a harder sound but it will never be a rap-heavy metal
album...
I think it is going to make a turn just like faith and devotion did on depeche mode a little edgier but still a
signature sound..I think everybody right now is jumping the gun... relax and enjoy the ride...Everybody knows in
the studio there is only one dictator and that is Robert..My philosophy right now about this topic is

"I DON'T THINK I'M ANY CLOSER NOW
THAN I WAS AT FIFTEEN
I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT I REALLY WANT
OR HOW I REALLY FEEL
SOMETIMES I THINK I'VE SEEN TOO MUCH
SOMETIMES NOTHING AT ALL
AND SOMETIMES I THINK I JUST FORGOT
WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR"

- Eduardo Pepe
 

"To those who care, I would like to rant about the producer of the next cure album:

  At first I was appalled at the fact that Ross Robinson was producing the next Cure album. It's wasn't so much
that I thought the next album would be bad, it's just that I find bands like Limp Bizkit so totally reprehensible
that it is hard for me to imagine that anyone who would work with them would be a worthy enough human being to
even step within fifty yards of The Cure.
  I then decided to be slightly more tolerent, considering that I don't know the guy.  Surely Robert must know him,
and if he thinks he is okay, who am I to argue?  Let's hope that I was being too judgemental of him at first, and
that the next cure album is not going to feature Robert screaming,
"I did it all for the nookie
    C'mon
    The nookie
    C'mon
    So you can take that cookie
    And stick it up your, yeah!!" etc. etc."

- Ben Sokal
 

"When I first heard a couple of years ago that Robert had virtually written another album and that it was going
to be along the same lines as Bloodflowers I thought, 'great'.  But then I thought, 'Hang on, I don't want a
complete rehash of Bloodflowers'.  I mean, every cure album is always completely different from the last.
That's what I love about them.  But, I think the reasons behind it were that by releasing something similar to
Bloodflowers, Robert and the band could continue to do what they love doing, Robert wouldn't have to come up
with a new direction for the new album and he wouldn't have to come up with believable reasons why the album
is a great last album for the band.  He could give the same reasons he gave when Bloodflowers was released.
Hence, Bloodflowers part 2.

But, since then, 2 years has passed, they have a heap more songs and I suppose the songs have evolved and
grown heavier and heavier.  So, when I heard the album was going to be hard rock, I was actually pretty relieved
and happy.  Thank god!  Robert has had his wake-up call.  He's come up with something totally different from
what they've ever done before.  I always thought in the past that I could imagine the cure playing any kind of
music with one exception.  And that one exception was hard rock / heavy metal.  But, after 25 years they're still
surprising us.  I think it's a great move.  Robert has said before many times that Hendrix was one of his biggest
influences if not his biggest, so now's his chance to show us musically how Hendrix and whoever else for that
matter have influenced him.  And like you said Craig, if they're going in the hard rock direction, then why not get
one of the best to produce.  Plus, it means tha t Roger's going to be playi! ng a lot more guitar than keyboards
which is very exciting.  Who knows, but I suppose the songs on the new album will probably sound somewhat like
watching me fall, end or cut.  I can't wait.  Bring it on. "

- Paul
 

"Let's stop trying to pigeon hole the band.  Let the artist be an artist and express himself with freedom!  Isn't
that why we like them in the first place?"

- Bill
 

"I do not see Robert rapping as one of those little young-americans...he is mature and I think is is looking for
some hard-rock structure to his new material....remember, Disintegration was a suicide at the beggining but now
is the best album ever. Robert & Co. are smart and this will be a very surprising record, cause Robert will be
there to place everythig in order. "

- Roberto Alcalde
 

"From the sounds of it (Robert's summer interviews) the next album will be chock full of rich, creamy guitars,
and I would expect the drumming to pound as well! (how good is Jason getting, y'all? C'mon, he was killer on the
last album and tour!!!)

Lets face it fellow Cure fans, the band could very well be the tightest (musically) that they have ever been. I
think we should all sit back, and lick our lips in anticipation of what is sure to be a most satisfying Cure album
in 2003!

Nu-Metal I don't think so, but as much as I hate a lot of the bands he has worked with (all of them?) , I would
have to say that Ross has golden ears and using him as a producer should suit the band and new album well!
Get ready fellow friends..........."

- George Wirth
 

"Alot of the comments i just read seem to focus on korn and the other 'nu-metal' bands. which, even though i
very much like metal, i can't stand. but what about  at the drive-ins 'relationship of command' that is one of the
best albums ever recorded. seriously. also, i like almost everyone of the cure's many styles but one of my
favorites, and one we don't  hear enough of, is that of the heavier songs like doubt and give me it and cut. i'm
really looking forward to hearing the new album (obviously) and think that on a technical/skill level robinson is a
great choice."

- Nathan Szilagyi
 

"Well, I guess that it is just a friendship movement, and not too smart...  Too risky and they may fall into that
crap like Bizkit and those nu-metal or rap-metal or whatever it could be.  In some way, it dissapoints me, because
it looked like they were coming back to basics with bloodflowers (and hopefully reach the Disintegration level in
the next album)...but this is just a bad sign, cause it could be lots of "other stuff" on Cure´s songs... Trent
Reznor should be the best choice, for sure. He is the right guy, not that Heavy-Metal -Head. I respect him and I
am sure he´s good in what he does, but hey!  Metal bands are in California, not England!  You´ve better got to
help Axl Rose and all that junkies...and keep your hands out of Robert Words and Music !!!"

- J. Eugenio Tena
 

"Being that Robert & Co. are big Thin Lizzy fans and have been recently playing Lizzy tunes live, I can see the
vibe they have going towards an 'edgier' sound.  I can think of many producers who would probably make for a
better choice than Ross.  I personally am not a fan of who he has worked with in the past.  The exception would
be Sepultura as they are seen in the Metal world as a 'real' metal band and are respected within that community.
I see the others (ie; Korn, Limp whatever, etc.) as being more the flavor of the moment type bands - the Hit Radio
breed.  Ross is however very adept in the studio and I'm sure Robert will be co-producing, so I think it could work
out to be a very interesting  (to say the least) collaberation - modern rock,Cure style!!"

- Coleen
 

"It's a great idea.  Worries about the Cure being made over into a nu-metal soundalike seem ridiculous to me,
I think Robert's ear always looks for its own muse...To me the current lineup, powerful as they have become
(especially live), has still not found a sound that's all its own the way past lineups have.  They have been working
with the natural sonic outgrowth of the kiss me/disint/wish style, but they are capable of something all their own,
which would be great.  Perry is not the kind of melodic guitarist Porl was, I think he's much more oriented toward
adding brilliant textures, and Jason is WAY different from the past drummers, very sharp, sibilant and un-bass-ey
despite trying for a "heavy" sound (that repetetive "Loudest Sound" cymbal for example) and I think such a
different producer could help them forge something really new and special out of these styles.  Though I will
always love the past records!"

- Justin B.
 

"Robert is turning it up to eleven...."

- Shawn T. Higgins
 

"Well what ever move the Cure does it is always a surprise to me, cause they always along with them bring out
excellent workers in their side.Well maybe the Cure have  something else in mind to use Ross as a producer? I
think what ever the Cure does next they always be respected to me even if is good or not. To me they shine like
Diamonds in the dirt just waiting to be discovered by more people and listeners,maybe they exploring something
new? But hurray!!! the cure is still alive and going!!!!!! :) "

- Dougie
 

"I think it will be cool to get a real motivator in - the band has been threading water since wish in my opinion and
this will be a new influence - why not work with Dave Allen(?) from Wish and Disintegration again?"

- Ronan Feely
 

"Robert has clearly stated that Cure's new stuff will be something hard. This doesn't mean necesarily that
we will have to cope with the usual rock crap our teenage brothers hear at commercial radio.

Regarding Robert extraordinary musical creativity, and the sensitivity of Simon, Perry, Jason and Roger, we
certainly can expect a new Cure era of wonderful posibilities.

I kinda feel as if we were tracking back to Cure's history, in the times where they switched from the dark gloomy
atmospheres of Faith and Pornography to the psychodelic pleasures of Japanese Whispers and The Top.

This is a wonderful experiment I wish comes to a memorable result!"

- Adrián Herrera
 

"I´m afraid, really afraid..."

- RCeremony
 

"Here are my 2 cents, about the new producer:

Time will tell. I have never listened to any of these nu metal bands, so I cannot criticize something that I haven't
heard. But I do know Vanilla Ice...

More seriously, I think that definitely a producer can "make" a band's sound, or at least create some kind of a
"trademark sound" to an album that can remain in the band's career forever and they will be always remembered
by that "distorted guitar sound" or things like that. Examples of producers that did this? George Martin (Beatles),
Roy Thomas Baker (Queen) - he has produced a couple of albums of The Cars, and you can easily hear these
Queen-ish backing vocals in some of the Car's tracks, that's him again -, Daniel Lanois/Eno (U2), Quincy Jones
(Michael Jackson) and many others.

Let's just hope for the best... the last word is always spoken by Robert anyway, so things will be sort of "under
control" I think. They won't become the "new Korn", just to get more fans. Not that they don't need that (to
gain new admirers, that is), it's always stimulating for a band to attract more and more people to know and like
their work, like even The Beatles can do, after 40 years. They are a band that never based their work on
"marketing techniques" like hiring the "coolest producer of the year" (which could be happening now, for some
people), they don't need that. It's a valid experience. A little bit of fresh air can't be so harmful. A brazilian band
once hired Jack Endino to produce their new album (right after Kurt C died), then they released their brand new
"grunge" record, sold a couple more CDs and then they came back to were they started 2 records later (ie., the
old pop songs). And they have survived too. If it was a mistake, who knows, or who cares.

Maybe it can be a little "unconfortable" or unexpectable at first like Let's go to bed and Lovecats were (to some
people) after such an intense and deep album like Pornography, but maybe this can become a classic too. Like I
said, let's not judge things we didn't know of yet. But... that Vanilla Ice reference still scares me..."

- BACO
 

"This is not surprising at all. Robert Smith has purposely reinvented himself on every album he has ever written.
Every album and his songs in general, all capture the same theme of love, and beauty in his ideal
romantic/symphonic sound. The whole history of the Cure has been a process of reinvention. "Boys Don't Cry"
was great,short pop songs. You have to start somewhere!! Theres no reason to believe Robert Smith is actually
rushing anything. He will be doing this until he is 60 years old, as a true musician, unlike Bono, who has to force
his art. "Seventeen Seconds" defined the Cure's Mantric/Circular darker  sound, that sets the stage for "Faith".
"Faith" is the beginning of the so called "Trilogy". Here is the beginning of the real Cure. The opening song
"The Holy Hour" is a declaration of his vocal range and a distinctive dark/atmoshperic sound. He then continues
the mood with "All Cats are Grey", and finishes with "Faith". The song "Bloodflowers" from the Bloodflowers
album, is his new interpretation of the old "Faith" song. "Pornography" was an experimental album, another side
of Smith's ability to create a new symphony. "Head on The Door" is the lightest album ever, making us all feel
happy and lighter than usual. "The Top" is an eastern influenced album, as is "Head on The Door". "Kiss Me,
Kiss Me,Kiss Me" is yet another symphony, showing a style and range darker and more beautiful than anything
previous. "Disintegration" is the "confessional album". "Wish" is Smith's attempt to begin to break out of the
heavy atmospherics of previous albums. He creates yet another Cure, still in the same tradition. "Wild Mood
Swings" is everything Robert Smith isn't. He shows exactly what he is capable of doing with his imagination.
This album is his biggest departure, because the songs convey his fictional, alter ego side. "Bloodflowers" is the
greatest album yet. Nothing could be more beautiful than this. "Out of this World" is the trippiest most perfect
song ever. The guitars on "39" and "bloodflowers" sound like Hendrix. Is there anything here that has not been
reinvented? Who cares about the new producer. If Robert  Smith thinks a harder sound is necessary, I'm
guessing more obvious guitar solos, but who really knows?  This album will sound something akin to "Kiss Me,
Kiss Me, Kiss Me", totally reinterpreted. Just like "Bloodflowers" is the new "Faith". The same sort of spirit,
but totally different.

- Richard Loewy
 

"I dont think it will hurt the band at all if anything they might gain something from it. Besides we all know that
Robert Smith is going to be the real producer of the album like he always has been, just from not a formal
title standpoint. The Cure is simply just too good to send out a bad nu-metal album and if they do go nu-metal
which is really doubtful it would purely and curely the best nu-metal album ill ever here. "

- bloodredtokyobed
 

"Last time Robert said that they have moved towards a 'heavy' guitarbased sound they came up with "Never
Enough". Personally, I think it´s one of the worst songs they´d ever recorded. So the new direction doesn´t look
very bright I think...

How about to give mr David Allen a call instead?"

- Rickard
 

"Comming from a pure fan, i think it definatly will be interesting to see what becomes of the new producer that
has a history in heavy metal.... i can envision the 'new' cure not to be a teeny bopper love infested pop band.
Everyone evolves and through out the career of the cure, it seems as though they had a taste for some heavier
more rapture moments.

it really isnt a matter of who produces it and what crossroads robert smith and the band choose to be influenced
by, hopefully they as a group will rememebr who they are and what they want to exploit to their fans, and not be
directly persuaded by the producer of a more 'fashionable' stance... "

- Pink Eyes
 

"Personally if the Cure is going to produce an "almost hard-rock" album, I would have liked to see either Butch
Vig, or most definitely Steve Albini.  Albini is by far the best engineer in the world."

- Andy
 

"Actually I'm positively surprised. I read a few years ago an article in Melody Maker (RIP) about his
productions at the time, and he did mention then that he'd love to work with the Cure and it would probably be
the highlight of his career.
I don't really mind what he's already produced, even if I don't like all of them. As long as his skills go well with
the Cure, I'm all for it. Could bring new exciting angles to the sound. I'm definitely for it."

- Liza
 

"Awesome!!! totally awesome! extremely...(voice trails off) i love heavy rock, not slipknot or korn or biskit
(they suck) but i love adema, fuel, and linkin park is ok, too go cure, whatever u think im right behind you :)"

- Furrever
 

"I'm sure robert and the band know what they're doing more so than any of us. i think it's pretty exciting and i
highly anticipate this new album because i think it'll be a fascinating departure from what we have come to
expect from the cure. perhaps this will also bring forth a barrage of cure fans from a younger generation as well,
who will ocme to appreciate the older material through the new. whatever the situation might be, let's support
the guys and trust that they didn't come to this decision after a couple of bottles of sake and a random drawing
out of a hat. "

- Christina
 

"You all make me laugh....I love you all
who gives a fuck who produces the album...?
if the tunes arent there you cant produce fuck all ( you can varnish a turd but it still looks like a turd)...lets be
more worried about whether it will be a good album to start off with ...or the same old same old  formula which
if you are going to be totally honest is wearing a bit thin .. I loveBlodflowers yes I do, because it is Cure at thier
accoustic guitar best and hitting every cure trick in the book at it's best way so far...but I'm tiring of the triology
shite ( who wants to go back 15 years ?) why do you keep asking for ANOTHER pornography or ANOTHER
Kiss.... lets rejoice in hearing (hopefully) something new and  in a new direction after all thats what we normally
champion about the cure ( that they're soooooh different) ...but they're in danger of becoming a parody of
themselves.. Lets hope this is a new CURE album (as WMS was) and not a Robert Smith Solo album ( as BF
was)...I really really hope we have a mid 80's situation where it's soooooh different you all shit your panty and
hate it for 6 months till you catch upto whats going on ( because they're back to being ahead of thier time)
Jeez.... Bowie has set a new standard with his latest album as have supergrass and radiohead and the prodigy
and The corals ...The dance scene is Dying a slow drawn out death(caused by it's own icons selling out and
demanding wages the scene can't support) now the Cure have something to aim for again the competition is
building...hopefully they will inspire the new bands with this album and not hold them back !!!
Long live stella Artois and cheap red wine !!! "

- Gary Curehead
 

"I think the appointment of Ross Robinson is a good commercial decision. He is one of the few producers of
recent years to have really made a name for himself, and at the very least, I hope this will mean a wider audience
for The Cure.

I will be interested to find out how he and Robert get along. They are both very determined characters and I
worry that it might end up in some big mess if their visions don't marry, especially since Robert has been so
"take it or leave it" about things recently (i.e. they're doing this new record but there's always a possibility
it won't "turn out right" and they'll throw it away - unreleased - he has hinted at this). However, I'm sure these
decisions aren't taken lightly, and they must have had some serious dialogue before agreeing to work together.
If they get on - I'm sure the outcome will be jaw-dropping.

Robert's voice was like a silver bullett at Hyde Park; it's clear the band are on their best form and they deserve
a special producer to get the best out of where they are right now."

- Jim
 

"I think this is a very good move by The Cure on two accounts:

1) Ross will bring a new angle to The Cure that they have never had before.  Phil Thornalley's production of
Pornography brought a harder edged sound to the band that they had not achieved until that time.  I don't expect
the new album to be as big a departure in sound/heaviness as Pornography was following on from Faith, as the
last album (Bloodflowers) is quite heavy in parts already, but I think there will be a "certain something" that we
won't have ever heard from the band before.  It'll probably be something we won't quite be able to put our fingers
on, they'll just sound somehow different !!!

I have no worries that they are going to sound "American-ised" all of a sudden (no offence intended to
American readers, but The Cure are English after all) and Robert isn't going to be rapping after all.  The Cure
write the songs, so the songs aren't ever going to sound like Limp Bizkit, etc, anyway.  Put it this way: Friday I'm
In Love would always be Friday I'm In Love, regardless of who produced it.

2) I think this potentially could be a very shrewd "business" move by The Cure.  I'm not sure of the situation
in the US, but in the UK media The Cure are often namechecked by bands such as The Deftones (not on
Robinson's list of credits I think, but not too far removed from that "sound").  It's a chance for the band to
monopolise, because current US alternative rock acts (such as those produced by Ross) have a large UK
following and it's all extra exposure for The Cure to be associated with these bands.

Overall, I think that the first listen to the new album will come across as much a surprise as Watching Me Fall
did when I first heard it - but ultimately it will still sound like The Cure in the way the songs have been written.

Following the disappointment of Wild Mood Swings I eagerly awaited Bloodflowers, but now I'm even more
excited and eager to hear the new album as soon as possible !!!

- Dave Ace
 

"I am pretty sure that this combo is going to kick arse (just getting in the mood). Maybe this album will expand
on some of the heavier sounds from kissme kissme kissme - I think its a good fit."

- Usman Ahmad
 

"I'm really scared of being a new Korn( but dont think it will come to that point.) , and kind of sorry ,I want 2 hear
songs like To wish impossible things,pictures of you and the big hand...again someday..Disintegratin,the song...
That sound i would like if they took back....or It  used to be me....
Its pretty strange 2 pick that producer,but I hope it doesnt get so much heavier than the bloodflowers sound....
And when I think about it Robert always talking, and in the end...it always turns away from the does words..like
when he says that this is the end and it always goes on...I hope this never ends........."

- Pontus
 

"I just thought I'd say that, even though I'm not at all fond of most of the bands he's produced, I'm glad to see
Ross Robinson at the production helm of the new album.  It sort of backs up Robert's recent comments about
the band moving in more of a hard rock direction.  I really think that the heavier side of the band is something
that's sort of been neglected since...well..Show, and I'd really love to see that old "wall of guitar"sound become
more prominent on the next album with less of an emphasis on the slower, moodier tracks that defined
Bloodflowers and the live shows of the last few years...  I felt that even some of the heavier songs on Bloodflowers
like "Watching Me Fall" seemed a little too slow, calculated, and proper.  Hopefully Ross Robinson will be able
to breathe a little more life and live performance energy into the tracks..

Basically, if the band said they were going into the studio to record Bloodflowers part 2, I don't think I'd be
excited at all.  However, all of this talk and now evidence of The Cure rocking out has me hoping for the heavy,
driving rock album I've been wanting them to make for nearly 10 years..."

- Josh
 

"The Cures new producer does not bother me in the slightest! I just hope that he sees Roberts vision and lets it
flourish naturally.  A new producer ---- A new Cure album. I look forward to the new release."

- Krystel
 

"Ross Robinson? blergh! i hope its just a nasty rumour...otherwise he'll have them all rapping and stuff!
omg...this so sucks. i hope its not true. can you imagine the cure sounding like any of the other bands robinson
has produced? exactly!!! jeez...this is the worst news ever... :(

lets all hope its not true!!!"

- Lauren
 

"I think this is a good move . Anyone who has the foresight to work with Vanilla Ice (and no i'm not joking) must
be a good producer . I think Robert wants to capture that heavy emotional sound that is Korn's trademark.
Although as usual Robert is a few yeras off the mark , as Robinson heyday was probably around '98-'99 , and
that whole nu-metal thing is experiencing something of a backlash at the moment, what with Limp Bizkit's Remix
album peaking at no. 26 on the Billboard charts and Papa Roach steering clear of the genre on their new album.
I only wish The Cure would record with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois and make a U2 "Achtung Baby-esque"
record . Well i suppose things could be worse at least its not Mutt Lange , Glen Ballard or god forbid The
Neptunes !!!"

- Andrew W
 

"A couple of thoughts-
It's safe to assume that the Cure's sound won't change that much.  A producer doesn't write the music.  (well,
certainly not in this case.)  Robinson's job will most likely be that of the producer/engineer.  It seems like the
Cure want a particular sound, not a style.  And someone who knows the miking techniques to get that bassy
crunch from a guitar cabinet, or someone who knows which ratio of direct/ miked bass cabinet will give the songs
more of an edge, will certainly help get this sound.  The Cure have written some great "hard" songs- Open, the
Kiss, Watching Me Fall, End, A Hundred Years... but sometimes the songs lack the dynamic that other, granted
sometimes crappier, bands achieve.  I'm talking about pure sonic dynamic- not musical dynamic, or songwriting
dynamic-... and a producer like Ross Robinson will know how to get a punchy, driven sound, without
compromising everything we love about the band.  I think that Cure are making a very good decision.  I'm not a
fan of new metal, and I know for a fact that record companies aren't keen on signing many more new metal acts,
but we must remind ourselves that we aren't talking about teenage Likin' Parkies (who incidently site the Cure
as a major influence) whining about not getting a Playstation 2 for Christmas.  We're talking about the Cure,
whining and introspective-yes, but deeper and more elequoent than Mudvayne???  HELL YES."

- Jeremy Thompson
 

"I'm not really big on the idea but I suppose Im more of a traditionalist. I was never a big fan of the Wish album
because of its "rock" flavor.  I thoughtkeyboards werent used enough...and the keyboard has always been an
essential instrument in the Cure "sound". However, Im not one to judge, so I will take a wait and see approach.
Who knows it may turn out quite nicely, because Roger will make the keys work with it  : )  "

- Mark Green
 

"I think it's a bold move for them especially now without a major label backing them.  As for what it will sound
like...one can only guess. Maybe Robert wants to take the sound from songs like 39 and Out of this world and
add a bit more OOmph to it. Sometimes a band needs to reinvent themselves a bit to get the musical juices
flowing again.  It worked for U2...I just hope it isn't some vane attempt to get the rap/metal kiddies listening to
The Cure.  I look forward to hearing it."

- Tomas
 

"It is a fantastic move to have a producer of this style and quality, mesh together the distinct and unmistakable
sounds of The Cure.  As long as the band stays "true" in their depth of lyrics, sound, and musical composition,
things will turn out splendid.  The Cure have made a fine art out of musical innovation over their illustrious
career, so why even begin to worry about what makes the band a continuous success after all these years?  If
you feel you, as a fan, must worry over their choice of producer, I would suggest that The Cure are most likely
one step ahead of us, and creating one amazing album!  Have a little Faith now...."

- David Majchrzak
 

"I think this a great thing for the Cure. As a huge fan of the "heavier" side of the cure, like Shake Dog Shake,
Give Me It, Cut, Doubt, Im really excited to hear an album that'll showcase Roberts ability to crank up the
decible level. Im big into metal (though nu and rap metal arent my thing), so its not a new thing to me, but a
mixture of the two worlds even if its ever so slight will be a welcome change. Bloodflowers was dark all the way
through, but i think it missed out on the dynamics such that disintegration had, so i think this upcoming album will
be almost the dynamic counterpart to Bloodflowers. Whereas BF was dark and slightly mellow, the new one will
be very edgey and heavy, hopefuly with a dark theme but you never know. "

 - Erich w/ an h
 

"I think its great. i mean if the new album sounds like a korn album i think ill be disapointed but if you actually
listen to a korn album or at the drive in, the mixing and producing is incredible. if you dont believe me go get at
the drive in's releationship of command, is one of my favourite albums."

- Joshua
 

"I'm quite excited about it to be honest with you all. Its a new era for The Cure, they are no longer a part
of Fiction, they've got more freedom. Robert and Simon are geniuses, much more so than Lennon & MaCartny
in my opinion, so whatever route they take The Cure they will do it in a very special way. I personally can't
wait to hear the outcome of this."

- Paul Jeremiah
 

"Well, I am not surprised so much about the choice of the producer. I know nothing about him but the
performances of the Cure of this summer reveal the direction of the band in that, as I've said in the review of the
Hyde Park concert, the songs sound very muscular and metronomic. Hard rock is just a label, let's wait for the
songs, the only thing that matter. This is the peak of cohesion of this line up, I think, since it's been 7 years now
that they are together and last time the Cure had a 7 years line up it came out Wish which I think it's damn good
as a collective work. So I think they found out that this is the best they can do with this line up, so why not give it
a try?

I don't think they are getting him because they want to sound like Korn, exactly the opposite, if you want to
produce a record which is really guitar driven you need someone who can help you to clean the sound though
being hard and so the whole thing can make more sense rather than a wall of indistinguishable distorted sounds.

It seems very logical to me and then who knows ... maybe instead of the Cure becoming heavy metal the guy
Robinson will nick some of Robert's secrets :)

I am also really curious to see how the style of Roger will fit in all of this. I am definitely excited and we are not
going to get Round&round&round ever more in a Cure record."

- Davide Consoli
 

"Smell that? it's fresh air! change is good, if only he could do something with Bob's eyeshadow.  Anyway I don't
think Robert would go in any direction too far from his own."

- Toni
 

"Imagine songs like pornography, give me it, cut, shiver & shake, open, the kiss, FS, wrong number, club
america !! Something like that but wayz heavier ! I'm curious and excited. Bands such as KoRn r full of
emotion 2 so i can't wait !!"

- n!c
 

"I think Robert knows what he is doing with his choice of Robinson, hopefully we will get yet another new sound
from the cure."

- Sean & Shauna
 

"I was a little worried at first, but then I realized that The Cure's sound will not change.  It never has and never
will.  Sure they have a very diverse back catalog, but there is a distinctive Cure sound (More than just Robert's
voice!) that is always present.  I think it is an exciting move to shake things up a bit and get a new perspective in
the studio.  When it comes down to it, Robert will be making the final decision.  I also really like the idea of
whiney Cure fans being put on edge and the band challenging the status quo.  Over the last few years it almost
seems as if they have been a fan driven band and Robert has even alluded to this.  Bloodflowers was a fan album
and the Dream Tour was a fan tour.  This is a similar move to releasing Mixed Up after Disintegration, but I don't
think it will be as drastic.  I can't wait to hear the result."

- John Peterson
 

"As not being a big fan of those Nu Metal Bands I'm not very familiar to him, but I don't have a good feeling
about this ... I read the Interviews of Robert saying that the new Album is gonna be harder and stuff but I would
never have thought of something as unusual as this.
You could see it coming if you look at the past Festival Tour you could see how much Robert enjoyed playing
songs like The Kiss, Open, 100 Years, 39 or End. So we all have to be ready for something new. Personally I fear
that it will sound more like Mogwai (Robert's favourite Band as we all now..). I tried to get used to their music a
bit and I saw them at the Hyde Park gig, but I still can't find any Sympathy for their music. I think it's just terrible
noise, really, but what do I now ...  Let's all keep our fingers crossed, that it will still be a really good Cure
album !!! "

- Benny Klose
 

"This news let me sad and worried: have we lost forever our beloved Cure? Are they going to become an
anonymous hard-rock band? We have already too many bands of this kind,all playing the same boring music,
and we don't need another one, they all play in the same horrible, sterile way. I can't believe the Cure will end in
this way....The Cure sound is something special, we can't lose it.
I hope they know well what they are doing. Better they'd have stopped after Bloodflowers than finish their
wonderful career with a horrid hard-rock album..."

- Rossana Migotto
 

"I think a lot of us are going to have the same initial reaction, that of "What are they doing?" But I think Robert
is making a very wise choice.  Too many of the Cure's more recent material bears the same sounds/stylings/influences.  Something that started way back w/the Wish album and carried on in various states.
What I mean, is that close to trademark sound they developed that included lots of feedback, slower paced
drumming, and layers upon layers of sound. (some of which is evident in Disintegration - but morphed enough
away from as Wish came to be)
I for one am very excited to hear that they're diverting in a new direction.  There's something thrilling when the
cure lay down some hard guitar tracks; Cut/Wrong Number/Fasc Str./Club America even.  And if you're gonna do
that, then certainly have the best producer with you in the booth.  Most definitely a great idea!"

- Steven Lopez
 

"I think that The Cure working with the new producer is a sound idea by the way - hopefully we'll get more songs
like Shiver and Shake and The Kiss."

- Steven Kilcline
 

"i was a bit shocked and freaked out too at first.  i hate those bands and i hate that ridiculous white-boy dominated
scene.  i don't like that guy's credits at all.  the only one i do like, though, is his last one.  he did at the drive-in's
'relationship of command' album which is really fantastic and nowhere even near the realm of metal.  there are
some really fantastic mellow tracks on it too, so when you look at it that way the cure's choice really makes a lot
of sense.  he really made at the drive-in sound a lot more massive and really captured them in a really raw setting
and i think that that is probably most likely why the cure have chosen him.  i also think that they are maybe
thinking more in terms of doing something like 'pornography' if they've chosen someone with his credentials,
which is kind of exciting because they will have access to a really massive sound through the producer they've
chosen.  plus he won't make them sound metal.  he didn't do it to at the drive-in."

- a boy