Listening to the songs he helped create with SOALW, the Troxy versions especially, I find his style blends perfectly with the Cure. He’s really holding back and creating ambience most of the time and when Robert gives him the look, he unleashes into some of the greatest solos ever. You can really feel the tension between wanting to rock out and keeping it « curesque » as in slightly odd with a less is more approach, and it produces some brilliant work. Just listen to his solo on Drone, Warsong (this one is perfect) or Endsong. Amazing stuff!
He's a virtuoso guitarist, no doubt, but in some older songs he messes things up, because he throws in complex solos where before there was only melody and simplicity, which makes him sound out of place. So my advice to him would be: keep it simple!
What makes them so great is the simplicity. He does definitely try to shine too much.
I don't know. We've heard those versions so many times. I've been loving hearing the band breathe new life into the live songs. It's kinda like hearing Nils Cline in Wilco rework Tweedy's simple solos. Tweedy and Smith craft genius melody and I love their guitar work, but I also love they've both brought in guitar virtuosos to go wild live.
Reeves has been playing with the cure for many years. He’s a living legend.
I personally love what he brings to the performances.
Yes!
Same
I think Reeves brings little bits of new flavor to the band, while still paying respect to the original (albeit constantly evolving) sound. I’ve only seen Reeves play live with them once (SOALW tour), but I will add that I am also impressed by his energy and enthusiasm on stage. Nobody will ever match the constant bounciness of Simon, but I feel like it is evident that Reeves really enjoys performing and his on-stage energy is fun to watch.
Reeve is by far the best technical guitarist they’ve ever had. He’s great. And, they’ve never had a real guitar wanker in the band before.
Personally, I really like when they let him off the leash and let him rip.
What Pearl did was just different. Pearl is a psychedelic blues guitarist. I believe it’s in the Wish tour program where he refers to himself as a Hippy.
His work, especially live, contributed to a lot of their atmosphere. Give a listen to Show. His work on that album is, in my opinion, the best he’s ever done with the band. Partner his work with Boris’ and they elevated Show to one of the finest examples of 90’s guitar driven psychedelic rock.
This shit is all subjective. My favorite lineup was the Wish lineup. However, I didn’t get into The Cure until 1995. I’ll never get to see that lineup.
…….wait. What were we talking about?
The Wish tour, the band playing Edge of the Deep Green Sea with three guitars (Smith, Thompson, Bamont) was mind blowing. I love what Reeves does with it now, but the pyschedelia Porl brought was transcendent.
I really love what Reeves is bringing to the music table with the cure.
I think that with the songs they recently released he will shine more because he had a hand in creating it. But with a lot of the older songs the vibe isnt there
Reeves is an amazing guitarist, but I can’t stand him in The Cure.
Exactly how I feel.
He is a cool guy, he has great skills, he is always there for a chat with Simon...
But somehow I have the impression he does not quite fit. He always appears like playing with a handbrake and needs more rock-'n'-roll aura.
I like him, really. But I still feel he is not in the right place somehow.
Yeah we all have different tastes. At the end of the day I guess it’s up to the band to decide if he fits or not, and I feel it’s going pretty well
I love The Cure, but I'm not an OBSESSIVE DIEHARD, So can someone please point out some of these twists and guitar solos people have been talking about the last few days? Just to see what the complaints are about. I saw them twice on the last tour and didn't notice anything or think anything was odd. I guess I don't know every live version of every song from every tour to notice these changes that some people are complaining about.
I don’t think it’s that noticeable in person as a live mix will always be a bit washy. But watching back at home, you can hear Reeves get a bit noodly.
It’s not my personal style preference, but he’s also not playing that way 90% of the time anyway, so I can accept it. Robert obviously likes playing with Reeves, so why not?
But a good comparison is to listen to a bunch of versions of From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea. The studio version is Robert. It’s many layers of overdubbed Wah guitar where Robert builds a lot of tension. Kind of his classic psychedelic style. Nothing that technical, but he creates something that really advances the emotion of the song.
Then listen to the live version from Show. That’s Porl. He does a great job translating Robert’s studio wall of sound into a condensed live version.
Then listen to a version from 1996 or 1997 - there are a bunch on YT. That’s Perry, who’s a solid utility player but not a top tier lead guitarist. In isolation, his solos are just ok. Nothing wrong, but also not carrying the emotional weight of the song like Robert and Porl’s solo. But as someone who saw that tour, in person you didn’t notice because it fit well enough into the song.
Then to listen to a version from the last 10-15 years with Reeves. He gets really noodly with a lot of finger tapping. Definitely the most technical impressive of the four. But it also takes me out of the song a bit. I think that’s what bugs people about Reeve’s playing in the Cure. With something like Bowie, it fits the aloof, post-modern swagger. But with Robert’s anguished tension, the shredding feels like it comes from a different place.
Thanks I will check it out. Just saying the word noodling I now have an idea of what you're speaking about. I'll check out these versions. Thanks again!
I LOVE what Reeves brings in From the Edge of the Deep Grewn Sea.
I assume Robert loves it too. Plus, Robert has continually thrown out the past, even from 3IB>17S! But Reeves’ approach is definitely a stylistic shift. Some like it, some don’t.
Seeing him live in the Cure is what made me truly appreciate him and Jason Cooper. As a long time fan, I always looked at those two as hired guns not really bringing anything creatively to the group, but seeing them live definitely changed my perception of them.
I agree Reeves really brings something different and special to the Cure. Maybe I’m also a little biased because I’m obsessed with Bowie’s 90s work with Reeves on guitar
I totally agree and I posted a similar thing earlier and got a million people saying they can’t stand his playing.
Im so enjoying this last chapter of the Cure’s history. Too bad for them
I think his inclusion energized the band.
Great guitarist and I love what he brings to The Cure.
Reeves is absolutely great! Look at all his output and you’ll realize he is really holding back… until Bob says go.
I can listen to the album versions anytime, i appreciate the potential for expansion in a live setting.
Keep it to yourself.