More information: The Glove
The Inside Pulse:
Originally released in 1983, The Glove was a side project of The Cure’s Robert Smith and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Steve Severin. With the majority of the vocals handled by Jeanette Landray — a friend of the pair who hadn’t sung before — the trio rounded out a goth-flavored psychedelic rollercoaster. As the band recalls fondly addling themselves with LSD and watching trashy films, there’s no better way to give an accurate description of The Glove’s sound. Reissued in deluxe form including the original demos recorded with Smith on vocals as well as songs that didn’t make the cut, the two-disc version of Blue Sunshine is simultaneously a curiosity and a collector’s paradise.
Positives: How good was The Glove? Well, they were certainly interesting. “Like and Animal” and “Punish Me With Kisses” are the highlights of the album, but it’s more an atmosphere than it is a collection of songs. Musically, the band toyed with uncommon instruments, but both Smith and Severin bring many familiar elements from their respective bands into the equation. As far as the extras go, it’s a paradise; not only is the original album expanded with remixes, but all of the songs as originally envisioned with Smith on vocals are provided on the second disc.
Negatives: The album itself, well, it’s not the greatest. It’s the story behind it and the later rise to underground stardom of Smith and Severin that make it so intriguing. With nothing left out of the reissue package and a pleasant-sounding mix, there’s not much to complain about.
Cross-breed: The sound of early ’80s Cure with mournful female vocals, but constructed by a drugged-up Jim Morrison and a far-gone-crazy Syd Barrett.
Reason To Buy: For the collector value, especially for Cure diehards. One could only hope every album in the universe could be reissued with this much painstaking completism. It may be of mild interest outside of the Cure/Banshees fandom niche, but this is first and foremost a celebration of the obscure and strange.
