The Top

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

The Top is the fifth studio album by the Cure and was released on 4 May 1984 on Fiction Records. Robert Smith wrote it during the period when he was also guitarist with Siouxsie and the Banshees. He worked with co-founder Lol Tolhurst, who had switched from drums to keyboards, and with new drummer Andy Anderson. All the songs are credited to Smith; three he wrote together with Tolhurst.

The style is eclectic, with violin and flute among other things. Bird Mad Girl has a Spanish atmosphere and Wailing Wall Middle Eastern influences. The Caterpillar was the only single. The British press was mostly positive, Melody Maker spoke of psychedelia that cannot be dated, but NME found the record self-satisfied. Later AllMusic called the record a necessary step in the band's development.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Shake Dog Shake4:55Apple Music ↗
2. 2The Birdmad Girl4:05Apple Music ↗
3. 3Wailing Wall5:17Apple Music ↗
4. 4Give Me It3:42Apple Music ↗
5. 5Dressing Up2:48Apple Music ↗
6. 6The Caterpillar3:39Apple Music ↗
7. 7Piggy in the Mirror3:38Apple Music ↗
8. 8The Empty World2:35Apple Music ↗
9. 9Bananafishbones3:10Apple Music ↗
10. 10The Top6:51Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• The Cure