Staring at the Sea: The Singles

STARING AT THE SEA contains four tracks not available on cassette STANDING ON A BEACH.
The Cure: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Laurence Tolhurst (keyboards, drums); Porl Thompson, Matthieu Hartley (keyboards); Michael Dempsey, Simon Gallup, Phil Thornalley (bass); Boris Williams, Steve Goulding, Anderson (drums).
Producers: Parry, Robert Smith, Hedges, Thornalley, Steve Nye, Allen.
Recorded between 1979 & 1985.
STANDING ON A BEACH is the cassette equivalent to the CD STARING AT THE SEA, with 12 extra tracks.
Personnel: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Laurence Tolhurst (keyboards, drums); Porl Thompson, Matthieu Hartley (keyboards); Michael Dempsey, Simon Gallup, Phil Thornalley (bass); Boris Williams, Goulding, Anderson (drums).
Producers include: Parry, Robert Smith, Hedges, The Cure, Phil Thornalley.
Recorded between 1979 & 1985.
This compilation of singles represents the first eight years of the Cure's history, spanning 1978 through 1985. STARING AT THE SEA is a necessary volume in any Cure fan's collection, its 17 absolute gems ranging from the dark, minimalist "Killing an Arab" to the almost symphonic "A Night Like This." The collection traces the Cure's evolution from post-punk trio through the early years of the band's reinvention as gloomy and mildly psychedelic romantics.
STARING includes the catchy "Boys Don't Cry" and "The Walk," the Cure's response to New Order's early attempts at electronic dance music. Also present here are the hauntingly beautiful "Charlotte Sometimes," not available on any other compact disc, and "The Lovecats," one of the Cure's more unique-and most commercially successful-singles. This excellent compilation effectively summarizes the growth of one of new wave's most formidable forces. STARING AT THE SEA also serves as an ideal introduction to the Cure.