Paris

Lore & Background

Paris stands as a pivotal document of The Cure's live prowess during the early 1990s, a period when the band was at a commercial peak following the success of 'Wish'. Unlike the more polished 'Show', which drew from the same tour, 'Paris' leans into the band's brooding, atmospheric side, featuring extended versions of songs like 'One Hundred Years' and 'A Strange Day'. It captures the intimacy of a smaller venue, with the crowd's energy woven into the fabric of each track, making it a fan favorite for its authenticity. The album's setlist is a deliberate journey through The Cure's darker catalog, avoiding many of their pop hits in favor of deeper album cuts and B-sides. This choice reflects the band's desire to showcase their artistic range beyond the singles, and it resonates with long-time followers who appreciate the deeper cuts. 'Paris' is often seen as a companion piece that reveals the band's gothic heart, contrasting with the more accessible 'Show'. In the lore of The Cure's discography, 'Paris' is a cherished artifact that captures a specific moment in time—the end of an era before the band's next studio album, 'Wild Mood Swings', would take a different turn. It remains a testament to the band's ability to create a powerful, immersive live experience, blending melancholy and intensity in equal measure.

In Their Own Story

The lights dim in Le Zénith, and a hush falls over the crowd. Robert Smith steps to the mic, his voice a low murmur before the first chords of 'Shake Dog Shake' erupt, a wall of sound that shakes the old theater. The setlist unfolds like a dark dream: 'The Figurehead' weeps its sorrow, 'A Night Like This' sways with desperate hope. The band is tight, each note a thread in a tapestry of longing and release. As the final notes of 'Killing an Arab' fade, the crowd roars, and for a moment, Paris itself seems to hold its breath.

Reader's Guide

Paris was released in 1993 on Fiction Records, following the 1992 'Wish' tour. Its tracklist includes: 'The Figurehead', 'One Hundred Years', 'A Night Like This', 'Shake Dog Shake', 'Prayers for Rain', 'The Lovecats', 'The Walk', 'A Strange Day', 'The Drowning Man', 'The Same Deep Water as You', 'Charlotte Sometimes', and 'Killing an Arab'. The album was produced by The Cure and mixed by Mark Saunders. Critically, Paris was praised for its raw, unpolished sound and choice of darker material, though some noted it lacked the hit singles of 'Show'. It charted modestly in the UK and US, but has remained a staple among fans for its authentic representation of the band's live energy. The album was recorded over two nights in October 1992, capturing the band in peak form. The production emphasizes the band's interplay, with Simon Gallup’s bass rumbling like a storm front and Boris Williams’ drums hitting with a taut, live-wire crack. The mix lets the crowd’s cheers and chants bleed into the spaces between songs, making you feel like you’re standing in the pit, pressed against the stage.

Did You Know?

• Paris was released as a companion to the live album 'Show', but features a largely different setlist—though both audio albums include 'A Letter to Elise'.
• Paris was recorded at Le Zénith, a venue known for its excellent acoustics, which contributed to the album's clear yet atmospheric sound.
• The cover art features a simple black-and-white photo of the band, reflecting the album's stripped-back, no-frills approach.