Near the end of August, I started thinking about how crazy it was that I had an entire box of records, mostly from The Cure, but no record player. I have never owned one despite acquiring the majority of my collection in the mid 90’s, one of which was new and unopened (Mixed Up).
Cure Albums
Cure Singles
This train of thought was prompted by this year’s Record Store Day special picture disc releases of Seventeen Seconds and Bloodflowers which I learned about the day before RSD. I decided I’d like Seventeen Seconds, but was on the fence about Bloodflowers since even though I don’t own a copy on vinyl, it’s really not my favorite album. It was a moot point, however, when we arrived at Kiss The Sky in Batavia and were told all the copies had sold out, and quickly, according to the owner.
Before we arrived, my attitude was it wasn’t a big deal if I couldn’t get my hands on the special releases, but once I was told they were gone I was surprised at how sad I felt. As we drove home, Joe suggested I call a record store closer to us, Mile Long Records, in Wheaton. I hadn’t even considered them because of how busy they get on Record Store Day. Plus I read some negative reviews about the owner. But I called anyway, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they had several copies of both albums still available even though it was noon by that time.
At Joe’s urging I ended up getting both albums.
I shared my excitement on social media and a couple people questioned why I would get them if I had no means of listening to them. I’ve fielded that question before and stated I like collecting the records for the artwork, which is true. In fact, I had no plans to ever open those two records. But then I started reminiscing about the records we’d listen to all the time growing up. I decided I didn’t want my collection to turn into that situation where you have special dishes no one ever uses because they’re too “special”. So, I started researching turntables. After a week of looking at used record players, I decided to buy a new one from Target. Nothing fancy, mind you, but one with a built-in preamp so I could hook it up to our existing stereo system.
I’m really liking it, and don’t think I’ll really need anything fancier in the future, but you never know. It looks good in our existing audio cabinet. I removed our old Disney honeymoon memorabilia and shifted the PS4 down a shelf so the record player could go on top with plenty of room to lift the cover up.
After that it was off to the races. Over the course of two weekends we visited a few record stores because I missed the thrill of the hunt like back in the day before Spotify let you listen to whatever you wanted at any time.
At Mile Long Records again I got No Jacket Required by Phil Collins (which was the first CD I ever purchased) and The Head On The Door by The Cure (new), which the owner put aside when I messaged him on Facebook letting him know I was searching for it. Turns out he’s actually really nice and a Cure fan himself, which is why he had so many copies of their releases on Record Store Day.
At Algonquin Records we found multiple gems: Michael Jackson’s Thriller (new), Sports by Huey Lewis and The News, and We Are The World, and I got the Big Time single by Peter Gabriel from a shop called Record Wonderland in Roselle.
They also had the pink/purple vinyl of Friday I’m in Love single by The Cure for $40 (which I already own).
Since then I’ve only picked up one more record – Dancing On The People by Sofi Tukker, which was another Record Store Day release recently (there are three RSDs this year). Mile Long Records didn’t order that one, however, so I ordered it directly form the artist’s website.
It was only $18 which was nice since the other RSD releases were $27 (Seventeen Seconds) and $37 (Bloodflowers). I also got a copy on CD because I have their other albums and I want to support them.
We haven’t gone to any record stores since mid September because it was quickly adding up. We did peruse the available LPs at Half Price Books recently, however. Shockingly, they did have a Cure title (The Top) but it was $30 and the jacket was in poor condition. I already own it anyway, and my copy is in much better shape.
Speaking of jackets, however – I don’t plan on buying picture discs in the future if I can help it. I love The Cure’s album artwork and the picture discs just leave a hole in the jacket. I dunno, I like the classic record look better. In any case, I only need the following albums to complete my Cure collection now:
Wish (1992)
Wild Mood Swings (1996)
The Cure (2004)
4:13 Dream (2008)
I’m not a big fan of those last two AT ALL, so it will be awhile before I get them unless I find them for a good price used. Wish is currently out of print so that’s going to be a tough one unless Robert Smith decides to finally do a reissue. Fingers crossed! I have a soft spot for that album since it was their first new release after I got into them.