Today The Cure released their first album in sixteen years, Songs Of A Lost World. Two songs from the album were released before today, Alone and A Fragile Thing. I liked both songs, so I decided to preorder their white vinyl version of the album from the band's website, the deluxe CD (as it contains a Blu-ray with the album in surround), and a t-shirt. I thought shipping was a bit too pricey and I could get the items on release day if I waited. So I just closed the window without ordering. Several days later I received an email saying I could get free shipping on my cart. So I decided to go for it but the free shipping was only if you spent over $75. My cart total did exceed that but when I went to buy it, the deluxe CD was sold out. So I ended up not buying from their site but not wanting to miss out on the Deluxe CD, I preordered the Deluxe CD and the indie Marble vinyl copy of the album from one of my favorite record stores, Fingerprints Music in Long Beach.
I saw on The Cure's social media that Fingerprints was going to be one of several indie stores with posters and pin badges (free while supplies last). So I made sure to get to the store today around the time of opening. Usually, you receive a confirmation email that your order is ready for pickup and I had not received one but figured I'd go anyway. It was album release day I figured. I decided to play the new album on Pandora on my drive. I arrived and unfortunately, my order was not there. The marble vinyl and Deluxe CD were supposedly underproduced by the label. I did get a free poster but the record store is not near me. As of closing Friday night, they still haven't received the items. Not necessarily blaming either the record store or the label but it is disappointing that these days it is so much easier to just stream the album than to get a physical copy. Picking up an album on release day has been such a treat over the years. I still remember my Dad driving me to Music Plus to buy Black Celebration by Depeche Mode on the day of its release. I wasn't old enough to drive myself at the time.
I ended up finishing listening to the album on my drive home. Later I commented on a couple of social media posts on Facebook in which people weren't thrilled with the album. I stated that this is The Cure that I love! This album sounds like a continuation of Disintegration to me. I'm a fan of The Cure's darker music and not a fan of their pop songs like "Friday I'm In Love" or "Why Can't I Be You". There are only 8 tracks but all great. On my first listen, the standout tracks I hadn't heard yet were "Warsong" and "Endsong". I've now listened to it twice and I can't wait to listen on vinyl and in surround sound. I listened both times streaming the album via Pandora.