1. The CureStaring At The Sea

You know, I didn’t realise that this list had three ‘Best Of’ compilations albums on it until just now? Wow, ok. I think as I’m getting older (much to my horror) I’ve begun to realise that life really is short. Like, I’m halfway through my stupid fucking existence! From now on, it’s only the finest deep cuts. Give me the highlights! The top quality! I only have time for the crème de la crème.

What was it that particularly drew you to this record?

Ok, so what I find almost disturbing and completely maddening about The Cure is how much amazing music they managed to crank out in such a short amount of time. It’s incredible. And after Staring At The Sea was released in 1986, they went on to do ‘Just Like Heaven’ in 1987 and Distingration in 1989. They could have just ended things with this album and still been one of the greatest bands of all time. And they were all in their mid-20s. Like, ugh, what? Just the quality of their playing too. ‘Love Cats,’ ‘Primary’ or ‘Close to Me’ – all these songs get me on both an emotional and technical level, which is remarkable. When I was in 10th grade, I listened to ‘Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me’ every single night before I went to bed for an entire year.