The Top

by The Cure

The Top cover art

Recorded during a period of intense substance abuse and lineup instability, 'The Top' is a wildly eclectic, deeply hallucinogenic departure from The Cure's traditional gothic gloom. Robert Smith essentially functioned as a solo artist, layering Middle Eastern motifs, erratic synthesizers, and manic, surreal lyricism over swirling neo-psychedelic rock. The album is a dark, highly quirky, and profoundly playful transitional experiment.

Genres

  • Post-Punk
  • New Wave
  • Neo-Psychedelia

Tracklist

  1. Shake Dog Shake
  2. The Birdmad Girl
  3. Wailing Wall
  4. Give Me It
  5. Dressing Up
  6. The Caterpillar
  7. Piggy In The Mirror
  8. The Empty World
  9. Bananafishbones
  10. The Top
  11. You Stayed ... - Robert Smith Home Demo
  12. Ariel - Robert Smith Home Demo
  13. A Hand Inside My Mouth - Studio Demo
  14. Sadacic (M05) - Robert Smith Studio Demo
  15. Shake Dog Shake - Studio Demo
  16. Piggy In The Mirror - Studio Demo
  17. Birdmad Girl - Studio Demo
  18. Give Me It - Studio Demo
  19. Throw Your Foot - Studio Demo
  20. Happy The Man - Studio Demo
  21. The Caterpillar - Studio Demo
  22. Dressing Up - Studio Alternative Mix
  23. Wailing Wall - Studio Alternative Mix
  24. The Empty World - Live Bootleg
  25. Bananafishbones - Live Bootleg
  26. The Top - Live Bootleg
  27. Forever (version) - Live Bootleg