Seventeen Seconds

Robert Smith explains in the 2005 2 CD deluxe edition reissue of "Seventeen Seconds" that this is "the first record I felt was really The Cure", and although I feel this statement is pushing it a bit, it's still very understandable. Although Smith was just turning 21 around the time of "Seventeen Seconds"' initial release in April of 1980, the Cure had already made their first masterpiece. (It has now been reissued in single CD form in April of 2006.)It shouldn't be overlooked though that The Cure's 1979 debut "Three Imaginary Boys", a strong album in its own right, did point the way toward "Seventeen Seconds", in particular on tracks like "Another Day" and especially the title track. There's no denying though that "Seventeen Seconds" marks a major turning point for The Cure--the sound here is more thoroughly haunting, more claustrophobic, with an incredibly icy snare drum sound throughout, and with Smith's vocals often being pushed WAY back in the mix and never as upfront as on many of the songs from "Three Imaginary Boys".Smith also explains in the deluxe edition liner notes that the group made virtually no modifications to their 'basic set-up' throughout the album's entire 10-day recording session, and quite frankly, this method proved to be an absolute blessing. For one thing, it allowed the band to work quickly and affordably since they were still relatively low on money at the time. At the same time, it also accounts for the album's consistent sound which gives it an irresisible, mesmerizing flow. There don't appear to be that many overdubs at all on the album, which could be attibuted to the lack of time and money the band had at their disposal, but again, this proved to be an advantage--the starkness of the album is absolutely arresting.It appears that Smith pretty much had in mind exactly what he wanted when the band went into the studio to record "Seventeen Seconds". As the saying goes, there doesn't appear to be a note out of place anywhere on the entire album--the overall level of craftsmanship is astonishing. The performances themselves are nearly as precise--the only time the band sounds a bit 'off' is on the intro portion of "Play For Today" where Lol Tolhurst's bass drumming seems to be a tad behind the beat. Tolhurst's lack of technical proficiency on the drums has been well-documented, but aside from this extremely minor gripe, his limitations don't hinder the album whatsover. Frankly, on most of the songs you could almost swear the band was using a drum machine opposed to a real living drummer.Keyboardist Matthieu Hartley joined the band for just this one album before leaving. "Play For Today", "In Your House", "M", "A Forest", and the title track all use synthesizers in a mind-blowingly unobtrusive manner that enhances their moody feel.Every song here is in a minor key, and even with such a strong emphasis on 'mood', the band still managed to pile in catchy hooks and/ or arresting melodies into pretty much every song. Much of this is thanks to Smith's guitar work, which is brilliant throughout--check out his superbly 'rubbery' rhythm work on "Play For Today"; his dreamy arpeggios on "In Your House"; and his ingeniously dissonant chords on "At Night". "A Forest" is a thrilling uptempo epic that culminates in Smith's cathartic, frantic riffing, and the 8-note guitar riff that appears on the intro leaves such an impression that you might not even realize that it never reappears after the first minute & a half of this nearly-6-minute song.Like Pink Floyd before them, the Cure prove themselves to be masters of pacing. There are three instrumentals/ near-instrumentals here, and they each work as links in the chain as opposed to just album fillers. The album starts off with the gentle, yet creepy and contemplative instrumental "A Reflection". "Three" has a robotic kind of repetitiveness to it, and is basically an instrumental, although there are some extremely buried vocals that seem to be mostly spoken and are almost totally inaudible. The atonal, haunted house-style "The Final Sound", which is less than a minute, perfectly sets up "A Forest".There's just so much musical invention here... Smith's guitar kind of takes a backseat on "Secrets" which has a prominent, memorable bass line and extremely distant-sounding piano chiming. The beginning part of "Play For Today" features brilliant interplay between Gallup's bass and Smith's expert use of guitar harmonics.The only track on the album that comes up a little short is the album-closing title track. It's not BAD--it does have a neat build-up and build-down, but it feels a bit too sketchy and melodramatic, as if they couldn't quite figure out how to bring the album to a satisfying conclusion.The Cure would go on to make more elaborately-produced recordings later on, but "Seventeen Seconds" remains a key touchstone in their discography, and a phenomenal record in its own right.

When you see the same album listed for sale twice, and one is more expensive, get the more expensive one—there’s a reason for it

This, I consider, to be the album that sold me on The Cure in the first place. Back in the 80's, we had a club in Cherry Hill, New Jersey called "Emerald City". I had gone frequently to see various bands play live. The one and only time I had seen The Cure, was there. They had played several tunes from "Seventeen Seconds" as well as from their first album. They were a four-piece at that time and were very good live. The main song from this album that sold me was "A Forest". That tune had always blown me away whether it be record or live. I, however, proceeded to go out the next day to buy this album and when I got home and gave it a listen, I was floored and I couldn't believe how great it was. From there on I proceeded to purchase their other album, which was their first, and the same with that album. You should get this deluxe edition before it gets away and can not be caught because it is great. The audio quality is great and the tunes are great!

I had never listened to this entire album before purchasing it a few weeks ago. Great sound quality and it holds up as a solid work, considering its age. Of course it sounds like early 80's stuff (which I love) like Joy Division, but it doesn't sound tired and dated like some groups that have faded away from the era. To me, that is indicative of great music. Still cool.

A minimalist masterpiece, Seventeen Seconds blurs the boundry between rock and art. Although it reflects Smith's "I'm arty" attitude of the time, with the blurred cover and oddball pieces like "The Final Sound", the band puts up, it doesn't shut up, to use an apt cliché. This record is the first in a sort of trilogy of magnificent art-rock records that becomes darker and more angry as it evolves. Faith and Pornography, the two others in this trilogy, are equally brilliant, and represent the Cure at its finest.Smith said he wanted a stripped-down sound, having been inspired by Bowie's Low and primarily by his feelings at the time, which were a combination of physical and mental exhaustion from touring with two bands simultaneously (The Cure and Siouxsie/Banshees) with relationship issues. Smith said he wrote most of the music of Seventeen Seconds in one day with his Hammond organ, and most of the lyrics in a few hours on a different day, possibly after a fight with his girlfriend. One might think a record composed as the result of fatigue and a tiff might not be particularly interesting, but the record benefits from a combination of Smith's genius as a composer and performer in conjunction with Hedge's production. His production for the Faith album is similarly ideal.This record really should be sold with Faith on a single CD as it was in the 80s as "Happily Ever After", simply because it's quite short. However, aesthetically, it's nice to have the cover art of the original record.

Seventeen Seconds was The Cure's 2nd Lp & what a change from 3 Imaginary Boys/Boys Don't Cry, thier 1st album. They started the "Gloom" with this one. And went on to get even better but this was a great start. The 2nd disc includes the 7" versions of "I'm A Cult Hero" bw/ "I Dig You" & there's also a live version of these 2 plus a few from the Curiousity cassette. I gave it 4 stars because it left off some 7" b-sides, flexi cuts etc. But I still recommend this to any fan of the Cure's early material.Just like the Nirvana 3 cd sets & all the so called "Deluxe Editions." They're "Too little too late." If these items were released in the early 90's they would have sold much more.If you want to talk about the way to release a great "Deluxe set" It's the Teardrop Explodes "Kilimanjaro" 3 disk set. That was worth the wait. It has everything relating to the 1st lp & before. I can't wait for them to release "Wilder" Teardrop Explodes 2nd lp. Get that "Kilimanjaro" 3 disc set, if you liked The Teardrop Explodes or Julian Cope you won't be disapponted.P. Cucinella

There isn't much else to say; 17 seconds is the measure of life. Such introspective narrative makes, not only Robert Smith as a 20th century poet on the tastes of Mallarmé's, Baudelaire with a romantic touch of Keats and Wordsworth, but inventor of musical landscapes very evocative without the need of lyrics; proof of this is Cure's success worldwide, even from fans that can't understand fully his English word games and poetry.17 Seconds, along with Faith is for me The Cure at their best. Not withstanding albums such as Three Imaginary Boys, Boys don't cry....earlier, but Disintegration...all the way through to The Head on the Door, after which IMO there was a slight drop, but this is /was to be expected.Anyhow, Seventeen Seconds is one of the best albums of the era. Unmissable!

I bought this on Vinyl when it was first released. It's age is frightening ! (1980) It still has an ability to create a tingle upon the spine, Gothic & unsettlingly eerie. Especially 'Play for Today' & the incredible pace of 'A Forest' the strongest and most powerful track on the Album. In my opinion I felt they never bettered this along with the "Faith" Album that followed with the excellent 'All Cats Are Grey'. Cats were an ever present theme in some of their songs but 'Love Cats' became a mainstream hit and it wasn't the Cure I loved anymore but 17 Seconds will always be a personal favourite and I'm preserving my LP by owning it on CD finally.

I owned 17 Seconds on CD anyway, but thought this would be a nice addition as it has some early rarities and was a deluxe edition. The music did not disappoint and I think I will play it again and again. However, the format was a disappointment. I've bought other deluxe versions of classic Cure albums and they've been presented in an attractive card case, but this is just in a standard cheap plastic case and I found it quite difficult to get to the second CD easily.

Im glad I bought it - this record really shows you the birth of The Cure so is worth getting just for that.It contains The Forest for a start - It's not as good as most later records - but it's a nice to here a recordby the band that is really clear in its sound - alot of bands clearly were on the same track as the soundon this record (e.g. Echo and the Bunnymen) and it feels like a worthy piece of music history.Desintegration and Pornography are my faves and are probably the must have albums.

This is The album where the Cure really set the direction in where they were going. I love Three Imaginary Boys and it’s post punk adolescent tracks but they kinda grow up on 17 Seconds.I’ve got the original somewhere in my loft but probably a bit worse for west so invested in a new copy. Love the richness of the new heavier vinyl and subtle mix.Well worth buying.