Well folks, we're nearing the end. Not long now until the final entry on February 19th, 2025. The last major theme to close us out revolves around the Passing of Time. If the first few months of this project were tough, they're actually a cakewalk compared to what we're about to go through. We're getting old and life perspectives are changing as they should - AKA we're closer to dying than when we were born. Some of these songs represent the heaviest weights that we've carried since knowing them. Some are as recent as 2023 and 2024, but I know in my heart of hearts that even if they came out in 1989 they would have made this list - they are that profound to me.
So if you're an artist that made this project from here on out you should feel humble and proud...you achieved what you set out to do...make music that people feel and love...thank you.
Larry’s Pick: Alone
Disclaimer: This song along with several others at the end of this project were released on November 1st, 2024 just as this project was entering the final few months. This album, Songs of a Lost World, has been one of my most anticipated releases given the facts that the last Cure album was released in 2008 and Robert Smith kept teasing over the years that he was working on it. It did not disappoint in several ways.
First, the Godfather of Emo, depressing music has released his Swan Song, much like Clockwork Angels is to Rush. I'm not saying it's their last release, but I can't imagine anything better.
Second, it's just another reminder of my own life's journey. The Cure has been a part of my musical tapestry for a long, long time. If the border of that tapestry is my string of fate with Shannon, each band on this project is woven into it - some more than others.
Third, where yes, most Cure songs are somewhat depressing and somewhat personal (one exception being Cut Here which is extremely depressing and extremely personal), this entire album is very personal and very raw. He has lost his parents. His brother passed away and it has affected him deeply. I believe he only has his sister left. Listening to this album you can feel this statement Shannon has shared with me over the years:
"One sibling will attend every sibling's funeral and one sibling won't attend any"
So all that being said, there are five songs featured on this project at the end. Reminder - they just came out three and a half months ago. Shannon fulfilled her role of editor / producer and repeatedly quizzed me "Are you sure?"
I'm sure. If they had come out in 1989 and I had listened to them for the past 30 years, they would have made this project somewhere.
BAM! Right out of the gate! The first song on the album lays bare what the fuck you are about to experience and it is not pretty. I can't help but draw a direct line from the lyrics to this entire song project.
Not much more to say - Shannon knows how this song affects me; affects her; affects us...
Shannon’s Perspective:
And the words
falling out of our minds
This was the first time I really listened to this song. Larry has been asking me to listen to this whole album since it was released a few short months ago. I admittedly put it off. I knew that it would not be a good idea until after I got through the New Years holiday. So here we are today and I'm finally giving it the listen it deserves.
Initially it reminds me of the song For a Dancer by Jackson Browne and in particular the lyrics..
No matter how close to yours
Another's steps have grown
In the end there is one dance you'll do alone
It feels like they both hold a similar message but this one is on a whole different level. For a Dancer is full of sadness while Alone is dripping in melancholy. Just listening to it fills me with a sadness I can't find the words to express.
Alone
The Cure
This is the end of every song that we sing
The fire burned out to ash, and the stars grown dim with tears
Cold and afraid, the ghosts of all that we've been
We toast with bitter dregs, to our emptiness
And the birds
falling out of our skies
And the words
falling out of our minds
And here is to love
To all the love falling out of our lives
Hopes and dreams are gone
The end of every song
And it all stops
We were always sure that we would never change
And it all stops
We were always sure that we would stay the same
But it all stops
And we close our eyes to sleep
To dream a boy and girl
Who dream the world is nothing but a dream
Where did it go?
Where did it go?
Broken-voiced lament to call us home
This is the end of every song we sing
Where did it go?
Where did it go?
Where did it go?
Where did it go?
Broken voiced lament to call us home
This is the end of every song we sing
Alone
30th Anniversary
Our Story - Shannon's Perspective
Our Story - Larry's Perspective
Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?
Ghost of a Chance 