The Cure swayed into Portland during its Swing Tour on Wednesday, playing a lengthy -- if not lively -- set. Once the darlings of modern rock, the band will soon enter its 20th year together, and it showed. While other even older bands such as the Rolling Stones maintain a modicum of originality -- making up for the natural dissipation of talent with manufactured charm -- the Cure's slightly outmoded brand of dark pop offered no cure for what ails them: time. Playing songs mostly off their latest release, ``Wild Mood Swings,'' frontman Robert Smith and company proved the album's name, like that of the tour, to be a misnomer. While the band reportedly maintains an extensive song list to keep their sets sprightly, there was nothing unchanging about the show hadn't changed. As listless and uninspired as their new songs (with the exception of the punchy single ``Mint Car''), Smith and the crowd came alive only during old favorites such as ``Fascination Street'' and ``Lovesong,'' when Goth-rock guru Smith actually seemed surprised by the adulation such songs procured. Rolling his eyes as if shocked by the crowd, which filled the Schnitz almost to capacity, Smith was stereotypically sullen and ultimately couldn't captivate the audience, who sat and talked or wandered around between songs. Back in the '80s, the Cure inspired bands such as Siouxsie, Banshees and Joy Division, setting the tone and style of modern rock. Although the band hasn't fallen completely from fashion -- as evidenced by some easily identifiable fans who looked as if they still belonged in a medieval turret complete with mangy black mop tops, eyeliner, clothes and demeanor -- most of the crowd seemed to have naturally evolved into the 90s. While it may still be possible to relate to the Cure's existentialist angst, it seemed more than a little quaint. Rumors say Smith wants to quit and he should proceed while the band is still ahead. His once-cool detachment sounds dreary in pop's upbeat upsurgence, and while the band still manages moments of glory, the Cure's punchy pop fails to spark much more than memories.
There is no denying the musical and cultural impact The Cure have made. Though they certainly own a page of rock history, their stagnant show proved their story was finished some time ago. While Robert Smith can certainly handle his guitar and voice with acumen and grace, his demeanor was tepid and he occasionally appeared down-right bored. The lengthy set, which lacked any semblance of spontaneity or risk, was equally divided between tunes from their latest (and dullest) effort, Wild Mood Swings, and better-received throwbacks from their 20-year history. Although the near-capacity crowd took to its feet often, the only energy coming from the stage occurred during more upbeat, theatrical gems such as "Let's Go to Bed" and "Why Can't I Be You?," which were nicely fused with the playful "The Love Cats." What's obvious is that Smith & Co. are not the same alienated artists they once were.
The show was my first cure concert and it was EXCELLENT!!!!! They started at about 8:20................ Want - Energetic! Club America - Defintely not one of my favs, but sound pretty good live! Facination Street - Not the same without Porl, but still a great version. Pictures Of You - Ah....i love how Robert's Bass VI rings and the back drop was really cool. Really great version! Lullaby - Sounds almost like the wish tour version. Dressing Up - The lights are great on this one! I love this song. Robert is pretty energetic on this one. Numb - YES!!! I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! THE FIRST TIME ON THE TOUR! I FEEL SO PRIVELIGED! I was GREAT live. I never really liked the song before, but this changed my whole opinion on this song. I really like this song now! Robert used an acoustic guitar which seemed to have an alternate tuning of some sort... Lovesong - Roger does this song really well. The atmosphere on this song was very mello. The Walk - This is a great song and even better live. Near the end, Robert went over to Roger's keyboard, smiled at him and started pounding on the keys. Roger laughed. Mint Car - This is one of my favs and it has such energy when they perform it! Just Like Heaven - Everyone sang along on this one. If Only Tonite We Could Sleep - This was the first time they played this on the N. American tour. Piggy In The Mirror - I was hoping they would play this song! Jupiter Crash - Not one of my favs. Still pretty good. Primary - YES!!! Also very energetic. I liked the way Robert didn't use his Bass VI on the song, like on the wish tour. Strange Attraction - Good song, but not much better live. Friday I'm In Love - GREAT!!! Return - Ooohhhhhh!!! Great song live! Treasure - Good live song. One Hundred Years - The first time they played this on the tour!! I think Jason does the drums on this song better than Boris or Lol. Alot of energy and a great live song! Prayers For Rain - PERFECT!!!!! about 30 seconds! Inbetween Days - One of the best of the show!! Even better live!! From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea - Oooh! The Drama is great! Another great live one! Bare - I sat this one out. Great lights, though. Disintegration - Robert really got into this one. He knocked over the mike stand! great energy! Encore 1 Gone! - I like the way Robert plays guitar on this one. Let's Go To Bed - I love the way the keyboards sound. One of my favs. Close To Me - The lights were great! Keyboards sounded good too. Why Can't I Be You? - I was really wanting to hear this one!! This is my favorite cure song and they made it sound even better with Young At Heart and Lovecats. People were getting in the isles and dancing. Great lights and great energy!!! One of the best, if not the best song of the show!!! Encore 2 Boys Don't Cry - Almost no energy at all. Pretty dull. Good song, but performed pretty badly. I didn't like the way Robert put overdrive on his guitar. 10:15 Saturday Night - Very good. Killing An Arab - VERRRRY ENERGETIC!!! One of the best of the show! Forest - Good lights. Near the end, Robert was singing about an ice cream headache.... Well, overall, this was a very unique show and energetic. Robert was in a good mood and there was alot of audience reaction.