(MusicPortal.com) (11/24/04)

Edited By Michael Bennett

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA - Twenty-five years after THE CURE began their global musical invasion with their debut disc, "Three Imaginary Boys," Rhino Records will give the album its first-ever U.S. domestic release on December 7th.

A deluxe two-disc edition loaded with previously unreleased tracks, the release of "Three Imaginary Boys" marks the kickoff to Rhino Records' coming revitalization of The Cure's lengthy catalog of past albums and singles.

In the coming months, each title by the band will receive a sonic upgrade and be released as a deluxe double-disc set featuring the original album on one CD and numerous rarities on the other.

In addition, each revitalized release by The Cure will come with a 16-page booklet filled with photos and tour memorabilia from the personal archives of vocalist Robert Smith, as well as a track-by-track commentary and notes by U.K. music scribe Johnny Black.

Cure fans have long clamored for "Three Imaginary Boys," an energetic 1979 U.K. debut which features songs incuding '10:15 Saturday Night,' 'Grinding Halt,' 'Fire In Cairo,' and a quirky rendition of Jimi Hendrix's 'Foxy Lady.'

The band's debut U.S. album, "Boys Don't Cry," featured many of the songs on "Three Imaginary Boys," along with singles like 'Jumping Someone Else's Train' and 'Boys Don't Cry.'

The Rhino reissue offers the original U.K. album with an added previously unreleased instrumental in 'The Weedy Burton,' as well as a 20-track bonus disc which includes the additional tracks from "Boys Don't Cry," previously unreleased studio and home demo versions, live renditions, and other curiosities.

In total, the package includes six previously unreleased songs, eight previously unreleased versions of songs, and 17 tracks never before available on CD.

Johnny Black's liner notes, which make use of extensive and exclusive interviews with Robert Smith, provide fascinating insight into the making of this classic album.

One interesting story tells how The Cure managed to get the album recorded with virtually no budget: "...they simply snuck into Morgan Studios at night once the Jam had finished their sessions, and, using The Jam's gear, recorded through the night till dawn..."

It's been almost three decades since a 17-year-old Smith formed The Cure in Crawley, England, the band originally dubbed "The Easy Cure."

Despite various lineup changes, The Cure have forged an ongoing career highlighted by an astonishing run of artistic and commercial successes, including chart-topping hit singles, gold and platinum records, countless awards, critical acclaim, and an international fan base that follows the band with religious fervor.

They have secured their place in music history by shaping "alternative" music as we know it today.

"Three Imaginary Boys" Track Listing:

Disc One:

1. 10:15 Saturday Night
2. Accuracy
3. Grinding Halt
4. Another Day
5. Object
6. Subway Song
7. Foxy Lady
8. Meathook
9. So What
10. Fire In Cairo
11. It's Not You
12. Three Imaginary Boys
13. The Weedy Burton *

Disc Two:

1. I Want To Be Old (SAV Studio Demo, 10/77) *
2. I'm Cold (SAV Studio Demo, 11/77) **
3. Heroin Face (Live In The Rocket, 12/77)
4. I Just Need Myself (PSL Studio Demo, 1/78) *
5. 10:15 Saturday Night (Home Demo, 2/78) **
6. The Cocktail Party (Group Home Demo, 3/78) *
7. Grinding Halt (Group Home Demo, 4/78) **
8. Boys Don't Cry (Chestnut Studio Demo, 5/78)
9. It's Not You (Chestnut Studio Demo, 5/78) **
10. 10:15 Saturday Night (Chestnut Studio, Demo, 5/78) **
11. Fire In Cairo (Chestnut Studio Demo 5/78) **
12. Winter ("Three Imaginary Boys" Studio Out-Take Cassette, 10/78) *
13. Faded Smiles (a.k.a. 'I Don't Know') ("Three Imaginary Boys" Studio Out-Take Cassette, 10/78) *
14. Play With Me ("Three Imaginary Boys" Studio Out-Take Cassette, 10/78) *
15. World War (On Early Copies Of "Boys Don't Cry" album, 1979)
16. Boys Don't Cry (Single Version, Also On "Boys Don't Cry" album, 1979)
17. Jumping Someone Else's Train (Single Version, Also On "Boys Don't Cry" album, 1979)
18. Subway Song (Live In Nottingham, 10/79)
19. Accuracy (Live In Nottingham, 10/79) **
20. 10:15 Saturday Night (Live In Nottingham, 10/79) **

* Previously Unreleased Song/Instrumental
** Previously Unreleased Version

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