Mixed Up

Actually my favourite Cure album, I love the extended mixes, and the tracks are placed in a meaningful progression, rather than just thrown on. The remastering is top-notch, as always, and the second disc has a bunch of really good mixes on (almost as good as the first disc). I had a tape edition of the album back in the 90s, which had the Why Can't I Be You? mix on, but unfortunately that wasn't included on the original CD version, so its nice to get that back on this deluxe edition. The third disc is Robert's new mixes and it's... OK. To be honest I found it kind of boring. It seems to be a lot more about refining the tracks and cleaning things up -- but that also removes a lot the stuff that made the tracks exciting in the first place! I've listening to it 3-4 times so far, I'll give it few more listens to see if it grows on me.

I loved the last album of theirs, but the next one mixed up, love the remixes, and still remember the songs, third CD is completely different but it's still good

Mixed Up is one of those 90s compilations that divided opinion at the time, mainly for the inclusion of brand new remixes of some classics due to the original masters not being unearthed. William Orbit got quite a drubbing, I seem to recall, although as a fan of his work I found his remix highly enjoyable (but not a replacement for the original, ofcourse). This time round Robert Smith has remastered the contents of the first disc, compiled and remastered a second disc of, mainly, original extended versions that wouldn't fit, and has decided to have a go himself at reviewing/mixing some of his favourite Cure tracks. Disc 1 sounds great, crisper and deeper than the original CD, but thankfully not much louder! "Why Can't I Be You" returns to the fold, albeit on Disc 2, due to space allowances back in the day (it was on the vinyl double album only), and joins a load of b-side remixes and some classy A sides too. There are a few of the 90's revamps that appeared as b-sides at that time, which are ok (Primary Red Mix being the standout), tagged on the end. For me Disc 3 is a wee bit self-indulgent, as some of the tracks are quite obscure and stripping most of the original arrangements back doesn't seem to always enhance the songs. There are a few exceptions, and some of these were the first time I'd heard these tracks in any form (my only Cure album bar Mixed Up is Disintegration, so not a life-long fan). The problem is the mixes seem to involve similar processes and then adding new synthetics that don't always work - to my ears at least. Quite a brave move, and I guess quite a cheap one when planning this deluxe edition! It is of interest to me as a casual fan, but the disc I have played the least. It is also these mixes that have again divided the opinion of the band's hardcore fanbase....so what comes round comes round again! Overall very nicely presented and mastered - the definitive version!

This band is excellent live. Wish I had bought it years ago.

Ordered this 3 cd set as I used to own the original cd back in the early 90's. Obviously remixes can be good or bad and in general they are good on this collection. I haven't listened to disc 3 yet, but disc 2 has the original 80's mixes of Why Can't I Be You? and A Japanese Dream which are both great.

Always loved this album, and now it’s been expanded with almost all the missing 12” versions missing from ‘78 to ‘90, bar for 3 all of which had newer versions made for this album or single b-sides at the time. Robert Smith said either the masters weren’t available or weren’t worth including (shame about the original Primary 12” and wish it was here). Disk 3 is new mixes and gets the least play, but is certainly worth a spin for some newer songs getting a remix treatment. Wish he’d hurry up with the deluxe Wish release though !!

I guess i shouldn't have bought it, though it was gonna be a first edition and nope its a reissue of the reissue.

Never grow tired on listening to Robert Smith and the rest of The Cure... still awesome from way back then till now.. a must for collectors.. great remixes all throughout..