Japanese Whispers information

The Cure - A Site Just Like Heaven

Japanese Whispers information

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OVERVIEW

Japanese Whispers is a compilation album by The Cure, released in late 1983 by Fiction Records.

Released: 1983

Recorded: November 1982-April 1983

Genre: New Wave

Length: 28:27

Label: Fiction Records

Producer(s): Chris Parry, Steve Nye,

Robert Smith, Phil Thornalley

HISTORY

Essentially, this is a collected release of the singles "Let's Go to Bed", "The Walk" and "Lovecats". The other tracks are the b-sides of these singles. One of the songs from the era, "Mr. Pink Eyes" (the second b-side for "The Lovecats") was not included in the album. They were recorded when the band was in a transitional phase after bassist Simon Gallup had left following the recording of previous album, Pornography. Beginning with these singles, Laurence Tolhurst switched from drums to keyboards, a role he kept until his departure in 1989.

The first two singles' tracks find The Cure essentially a duo, only employing a session drummer for the "Let's Go to Bed" tracks. Only for the last single's tracks, a full band was assembled with the addition of bassist/producer Phil Thornalley (who had worked with the band on Pornography) and drummer Andy Anderson, a lineup which would continue for the Concert live album.

In later times, the singles' lead tracks were compiled onto the Staring at the Sea compilation album (1986), while all of the b-sides have included in the 2004 b-sides and rarities box set Join The Dots. Japanese Whispers will not be re-released with the other Cure albums in the current re-issue programme, since it was not considered a proper album by the band. By listening to Greatest Hits and Join the Dots, one can listen to all the songs remastered.

TRACK LISTING

All tracks written by Robert Smith and Laurence Tolhurst except as noted.