The Cure

Released in 1984, this vinyl pressing of Three Imaginary Boys is a reissue of The Cure’s debut album, originally released in 1979. Although this version came out five years later, it retains all the raw energy and post-punk freshness of the original, offering a valuable snapshot of the band’s early beginnings.

At this stage, The Cure was still a trio led by a young Robert Smith, whose ethereal voice and minimalist guitar work already stood out. Alongside Michael Dempsey on bass and Lol Tolhurst on drums, the band delivered a sharp, stripped-down sound influenced by both punk and the emerging new wave movement. Yet the shadow of melancholy that would later define their style was already creeping in.

The album swings between edgy, nervous tracks and quirky ballads, in a style that feels tentative but full of promise. Interestingly, the band had little control over the tracklist and cover art — the latter, featuring a fridge, a lamp, and a vacuum cleaner in place of the band members, was chosen by the label without their approval.