Cure Join The Dots: B-Sides & Rarities 1978-2001 (The Fiction Years) CD

Subtitled - B-sides & Rarities 1978-2001 - The Fiction Years. First-ever collection of hard-to-find gems in a career-spanning four-disc remastered set. As The Cure nears its third decade at the forefront of pop culture, Universal, Rhino & Fiction/Elektra are celebrating the band's remarkable career with this collection. 70 tracks compiled by Robert Smith, 25 on CD for the first time & 10 tracks previously unreleased. Includes 76-page booklet featuring rare & previously unseen photographs & a complete Fiction discography. Packaged in long-digibook format. 2004.

Includes 76-page book.
The Cure includes: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar); Porl Thompson (guitar); Simon Gallup, Michael Dempsey (bass); Lol Tolhurst (drums).
Producers include: Chris Parry, Robert Smith, Mike Hedges, Dave Allen, The Cure.
Compilation producer: Robert Smith.
Recorded between 1978 & 2001. Includes liner notes by Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, and Johnny Black.
Audio Mixers: Robert Smith ; Dave Allen ; Steve Spencer; Mark Saunders; Mike Hedges; Paul Corkett; Paul Oakenfold ; Paul Walton; Steve Lyon; Steve Osborne; Tim Palmer; Bob Clearmountain; Bryan New.
Audio Remixers: Alan Gregorie; François Kevorkian; Mark Saunders.
Liner Note Authors: Robert Smith ; Johnny Black.
Photographers: Steve Gullick; Robert Smith ; Ralph Denyer; Peter ODonnell; Ebet Roberts; Richard Bellia; John Taw; Anna Pills; Paul Cox; Andy Vella; Fin Costello; Derek Ridgers; Claude Gassian; Ronnie Randall; Lewis Lee; Porl Thompson; Tom Sheehan.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Emily Cagan; Mark Leviton.
Normally speaking, a box set of nothing but B-sides and unreleased tracks would only be of interest to rabid fans, but the Cure have never really been a "normal" band. While their longevity alone -- nearly 25 years -- is certainly the most obvious clue to their uniqueness, Robert Smith's true charm lies in his ability to craft memorable songs that inspire nothing less than emotional fervor in his and the band's fans. Over the years, the band's singles have achieved high sales and chart placings in numerous countries while the albums have become icons in themselves, with thousands of once gloomy teenagers being able to remember things based on when, say, Disintegration or Wish hit stores. While this successful output would usually be enough to cement a band's place in the big picture, Smith is also blessed with the ability to compile his work in a fashion that is second to none. For example, one of the best moves that he and the band made was back in 1986, when they decided to pad the cassette release of their 1986 singles collection Staring at the Sea with most of the B-sides dating back from 1978 (the remaining B-sides from the era were collected on the Japanese Whispers LP). Now in most cases, this would have been a minor annoyance, pulling away from the strength of the singles (and those singles were not only strong, but incredibly diverse) and filling space with songs that are put on the backs of singles for a reason. But in this case, the Cure were just as good (and in some cases more outlandish) at making B-sides as they were hits. Unfortunately, when it came time for the Cure to do it again in 1997 with the Galore collection, the B-sides were nowhere to be found. While neophytes may not have even noticed, those in the know were disappointed, to say the least. Where was "A Japanese Dream" or "Harold & Joe" or "2 Late"? Subsequently, fans had to hunt down singles, soundtracks, and compilations for these gems, while others were left in the dark as to what the band wasn't making readily available.
So it's a blessing that the Cure's long and happy relationship with Fiction records came to an end. Wisely, the band decided to start fresh upon signing with their new label by cleaning house, remastering the old albums, and bringing their fans Join the Dots: B-Sides & Rarities, 1978-2001. Not only is it the ultimate companion to the official releases, but it is,Rolling Stone (2/19/04, p.72) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Many of the songs on JOIN THE DOTS would have fit perfectly on various Cure records..."
Spin (2/04, p.100) - "[I]t's a fine survey of their ambient pop sorrow, simultaneously pained and giddy."
Entertainment Weekly (3/5/04, p.68) - "[D]isc 1 is essential [and] even the lesser material leaves lipstick traces." - Rating: B+
Uncut (2/04, p.86) - 3 stars out of 5 - "This 70-song curiosity box mopes about the dank bus terminals and spooked back alleys of Curetown....In its own darkling way, this collection might even give you the best feel for the place."
Mojo (Publisher) (2/04, pp.106-7) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A] band whose influence is, against all the odds, still active, still oozing through the teenage consciousness into full-grown bands."