Album of the Day

From the fog-shrouded photo of Bolton Priory on its cover, The Cure's third album oozes with gloomy atmosphere. Still years away from the pop-flavored hits that would make the band world famous, FAITH shows frontman Robert Smith, bassist Simon Gallup, and drummer Lol Tolhurst squarely – and very effectively - in goth mode. Titles like “The Funeral Party,” “The Drowning Man” and “All Cats Are Grey” reflect a mood of despair that dominates the 1981 Elektra collection. Upon release, Melody Maker hailed FAITH's “richness and deceptive power” and its spectral majesty continues to cast a spell over listeners; we'll give it another spin now to wish Tolhurst a happy birthday.