Cure - Taking Off
by Anthony Strutt
published: 17 / 10 / 2004

Label:
Polydor
Format: CDS
intro
Classy new single from The Cure which finds them back at their hip-swinging best
'Taking Off’ is pure classic pop and hip-swinging the Cure at their best. The Cure get branded as Goths all the time, but people forget how good a singles band they really are. This is up there with ‘Friday, I’m in Love’, ‘Close to Me’ and ‘In Between Days’. ‘Taking Off’ has you dancing in no time at all. It is a hell of a pick you up song and immeditaely puts a big smile on your face. Six songs were recorded for their recent ‘The Cure’ album and not used. ‘Why Can’t I Be Me ?” and ‘Your God is Fear’ are two of them. I had heard reports that these songs are the best that the band has ever recorded. ’Why Can’t I Be Me ?’ is again classy, but is more reflective and moody and shows the other side of the Cure coin. It is slow with deep drums and jangly guitar, features elegant vocals from Robert Smith and, while totally original, sounds familiar in that way that only the Cure can do. ‘Why Can’t I Be Me ?’ is as soul searching as the album’s opener ‘Lost’. ‘Your God is Fear’ has that deep Cure vibe that is reminiscent of the point mid-Cure gig when they start playing their more intelligent soul-searching material and suddenly make your boring life seem worthwhile. It is a shame that this song is a B side because only the hardcore will hear it. This is classy Cure which is essential to life itself. It is also available as two different-coloured 7” inch picture disc singles.
Track Listing:-
1 Taking Off2 Why Can't I Be Me?
3 Your God Is Fear
4 Taking Off
Have a Listen:-
interviews |
Interview (2008) |
![]() |
Anthony Strutt speaks to former and founder Cure member Lol Tolhurst about his sixteen years in the band, and his current group Levinhurst, which will be releasing their third album next year |
live reviews |
Royal Albert Hall, London, 29/3/2014 |
![]() |
Anthony Strutt watches the Cure play en enthralling but massive 45 song set in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in London |
Fillmore, Detroit, 10/12/2011 |
Royal Albert Hall, London, 15/11/2011 |
02, London, 26/2/2009 |
Brixton Academy, London, 25/2/2009 |
Wembley Arena, London, 28/3/2008 |
Royal Albert Hall, London, 1/4/2006 |
Old Billingsgate Market, London, 17/9/20 |
Old Trafford , Manchester, 9/7/2004...10/7/2004 |
Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, 9/7/2004 |
Hamburg Color Line Arena, 9/11/2002 |
London Hyde Park, 27/7/2002 |
features |
The Cure (2010) |
![]() |
In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers describe the personal impact of music upon their lives, Tara McEvoy writes about the enduring legacy of the Cure |
Trilogy (2003) |
reviews |
4.13 Dream (2008) |
![]() |
Excellent first album in four years from the Cure, but which has to grow on its listener before being fully appreciated |
Hypnagogic States EP (2008) |
The Perfect Boy (2008) |
Sleep, When I'm Dead (2008) |
Freakshow (2008) |
The Only One (2008) |
The End Of The World (2004) |
Cure (2004) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
related articles |
Lol Tolhurst: Interview (2016 |
![]() |
Former Cure drummer and keyboardist Lol Tolhurst talks to Anthony Strutt about his memoir 'Cured' and his long-standing friendship with Robert Smith |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart