I'm often bemused when I hear people say that the first Cure album one should buy is Pornography, Bloodflowers, etc. Let's face it. Unless you heard one of these albums and know that you like it, you're probably familiar with Cure music that you've heard on the radio...and it surely isn't anything on Pornography or Faith (terrific albums, however). The Cure are in some ways like Queen. Terrific British bands that have never really achieved mainstay status in America-yet I often hear people say they can't believe they know and like so many of their songs. You hear them all the time, you just don't realize it's one great band that has made so much fantastic music. Many people will recognize most, if not all, of the first 13 tracks on this great CD. Robert Smith is at his fizzy best when he sings such songs as "Why Can't I Be You?" "Just Like Heaven," and "Friday I'm in Love." "Love Song," "Pictures of You" and "A Letter to Elise" are among the most popular (and easy to listen to) ballads the band has produced. Songs 13 through 17 are from the largely ignored and underrated "Wild Mood Swings Album" (a perennial least favorite among longtime Cure fans), and the 18th track, "Wrong Number," represents the only new release of this album, and it was the least successful Cure single ever-though personally I think its zany guitar distortion and psychedelic lyrics make for a great song. Unless you already know you want to buy another Cure album, this is the perfect first choice, followed by either "Staring at the Sea" (a collection of singles from earlier Cure albums) or one of the albums that is represented on this disc-"Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me," "Disintegration," "Wish," or "Wild Mood Swings."

"Galore" is a fine collection of latter day Cure songs with a minimum of padding. The first eight tracks are from the band's two most popular albums "Kiss Me, Kiss, Me Kiss Me" and "Disintegration," including radio hits like "Just Like Heaven," "Pictures of You," and "Fascination Street." The next two cuts are from the strange "Mixed Up" collection, including the ace dance floor version of the mid-80s staple "Close to Me." The album then concludes with a number of songs from the less successful 90s albums "Wish" and "Wild Mood Swings," including the band's last big single "Friday I'm in Love." The final song, "Wrong Number" is the only one that is new to this collection. There are no outtakes or rarities for ardent fans, and it is obvious that this collection is intended for more casual listeners.

Combined with their first best of collection, "Staring at the Sea," "Galore" is a excellent overview of The Cure's long musical history.

For all of you guys who weren't born late in the 1970's, this could be a perfect introduction to a band who made a clear path to all of our minds and souls since back then. If you can find peace and joy in "High", "In between days" and "Just Like Heaven" and let the music flow in your heart for a moment while Smith plays his sad and crazy and melancholic music....man what a insanesation! I have no doubt in my mind that all of those who were born close to date, are going to buy this CD (if you already don't have all the albums up to date, and even if so...). This band makes a clear statement to an ERA. Along with INXS, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, U2, and Midnight Oil and many others. Not the bunch of crap that's coming out today: this is a MUST HAVE CD.

Although their energy is not as highly appreciated today because (as AC/DC) these guys have been making the same kind of music for decades now, nonetheless, they are worthy of tremendous respect and must be given that acknowledgement.

I'd go to a concert of The Cure over ANY crap out there today that is only searching for money making, witless songs

I bought this album for just one track - 'Lullaby' - but am playing the whole thing endlessly. The Cure are perfect car music and this selection of their boppy singles is a good representation of their later work.

Galore covers the Cure from 'Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me' through 'Wild Mood Swings'. The only reason it does not include 'A Head on the Door' is that those songs were included on the Best of Vol 1 called 'Standing on a Beach'

But 'A Head on the Door' really belong on this comp.

Some problems with this era are that Robert Smith wrote a few great songs on KMKMKM, then Disintegration, which is the best CD in the catalog, then Wish...which has a few great songs, and finally Wild Mood Swings...which isn't very good.

But after reading 62 Amazon regarding this cd, not one person mentioned that several of the song are the single version and not the album versions.

They are:

# "Just Like Heaven" (Bob Clearmountain Mix) - 3:32

# "Hot Hot Hot!!!" (Francois Kevorkian and Ron St. Germain Mix) - 3:35

# "Lullaby" (Single Mix) - 4:10

# "Fascination Street" (Single Mix) - 4:20

# "Lovesong" (Single Mix) - 3:28

# "Pictures of You" (Single Mix) - 4:48

# "Never Enough" (Single Mix) - 4:28

# "Close to Me" (Closest Mix) - 4:21

# "High" (Single Mix) - 3:33

# "Friday I'm in Love" (Single Mix) - 3:36

# "A Letter to Elise" (Single Mix) - 4:20

# "The 13th" (Swing Radio Mix) - 4:17

# "Mint Car" (Radio Mix) - 3:31

# "Strange Attraction" (Album Mix) - 4:21

# "Gone!" (Radio Mix)

So it is well worth seeking out each individual cd to get the album versions, which are better.

The second problem I have with this comp is the song selection.

They get all the best songs from Kiss Me & Disintegration , and Wish, but there are way too many songs from Wild Mood Swings.

The new song, wrong number is very good, btw.

So if I were making a vol 2 to Standing on a Beach, here would be my best of:

1) In Between Days

2) Close to me (Version off of Head on the Door)

3) Push

4) Why Can't I be You

5) Catch

6) If only Tonight we could sleep

7) Just Like Heaven

8) Pictures of You

9) Lullaby

10)Fascination Street

11) Love Song

12) Friday I'm in Love

13) A Letter to Elise

14) High

15) To wish impossible Things

16) The 13th

17) Mint Car

18) Wrong Number