VS
Based on looks alone, I know that I should pick the Smiths in terms of my favorite influencial 80′s bands (Sam describes Robert Smith of the Cure as “looking like a pan of unbaked muffins”), but when it comes down to the music itself, my gut goes with the Cure every single time.
Some may argue (and when I write “some” I really mean “Sam”) that these two bands are ultimately incomparable because they both serve two different functions. At their core, the Smiths sound like a pop band and one is almost surprised that they never utilized the harmonized “yeah, yeah, yeah” motif that the Beatles made popular. Yet, despite their clearly pop-influenced sensibilities, the Smiths cut to the core of sadness. Take “Ask” for instance- the line “if it’s not love, then it’s the bomb that will bring us together” is an incredibly well-written line that cuts to the heart of a forced peace created by fear. Alone, it is one of the saddest and most tragically beautiful lines I’ve ever read, but it is hidden beneath that “gee-whiz, life is grand” melody. It takes an incredible amount of talent to be both poppy and melancholy, but Morrissey makes it seem effortless. But, deep down, it’s disingenuous.
On the other hand, The Cure don’t just cut to the core of sadness – they embody it. They embrace it. They champion it as their rallying cry. If it weren’t for the Cure, emo never would have been born (good emo, like American Football, Mineral, the Appleseed Cast, and Sunny Day Real Estate). Of course, “Pictures of You” is the easiest example of this, but really if one were to listen to their album “Disintegration” from beginning to end, the influences on early emo are not only apparent, but it’s clear that they have been borderline stolen from.
While this debate probably comes down to personal preference more than anything else, I settle it like so:
When I compare the bands that have been influenced by the Cure to the bands that have been influenced by the Smiths (Death Cab for Cutie, the Decemberists, etc.), the Cure is far and away a superior band. They inspired emo and the Smiths helped shape indie rock and at the end of the day, I’m still an old school emo kid through and through.
