CURVE BALLS (1)

I’ve previously featured, on more than one occasion, the Blindfold EP, the debut released by Curve in March 1991.  I was rummaging around the cupboard full of vinyl recently and pulled out the various other Curve EPs that I’ve picked up at various times, all of them thankfully before the second-hand vinyl market started to get really stupid. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to draw each of them to your attention.

The Frozen EP was issued on 13 May 1991.   The picture above is of the gatefold sleeve (which is the one I have a copy of).  It was also issued with a standard 12″ sleeve, as well as on CD format and on 7″ vinyl.  The 7″ had just two tracks on it, and was referred to as Coast Is Clear, after its A-side.

Here’s a review of the EP, lifted from Melody Maker, where it was made single of the week:-

YES, they really are that good. Oh, I had my doubts, believe me. I wasn’t convinced by their debut. In fact, I had a whole tirade worked out about age and beauty and opportunism and how people who once consorted with Eurythmics should on no account be allowed near our hallowed ground however good they sound, because pop is so much more than just noise and melody. But somehow I found myself swept away with the first rush of guitar, sucked under into this glorious whirlpool of sound.

I’m going to be tacky and blunt for one second. Forgive me. This is like Cocteau Twins, if they’d gone commercial, or Lush, if they’d ever made a record that lived up to their live promise. There’s a section on the second song, second side, where Toni sings “Why do you grow inside me?” and it’s either the sexiest or most disturbing thing I’ve ever heard. Both, probably.

It feels so dumb trying to explain Curve in green and blue and similes.

It reached #34, and took Curve into the higher end of the singles charts for the first time.

mp3: Curve – Coast Is Clear
mp3: Curve – The Colour Hurts
mp3: Curve – Frozen
mp3: Curve – Zoo

Four excellent pieces of music.   But kind of like the MM reviewer, the one that really hits home most, as far as I’m concerned, is The Colour Hurts.

Here’s the promo video for the lead track

JC