Curse

Although ' discography runs back to 1981, 1983's LP marks the point of intersection between the factors that will really generate the sound: a song-focused set (unlike , for instance) with a good balance between pop arrangements and sonic experiments, and decent sound quality (unlike on or ). Many fans will prefer making their furthest reach into the group's catalog than going deeper, into what could be labeled "very early material." This album yielded the fan-favorite already bearing the mark of a classic song: ornamented imagery, somber double-entendres, Gothic yet witty arrangements, and 's "deadpan doll" delivery. Other highlights include which remained a live staple for a while, and The only experimental or psychedelic track is the closing 12-minute a strange convoluted piece blending separate song materials and instrumental passages, almost in progressive rock fashion. Some parts of this track bear inferior sound quality, but it still works out as a whole, although at a minor level, compared to later, more exuberant epics. In fact, because of its form, treatment, and place in the group's history, could be likened to 's Out of the raw beginnings of the group and the early tape experiments, rises as an artistically successful album, already pointing straight at the ' best '80s LPs ( , ). ~ Francois Couture