Remember, youth, that there was a time WAY before “Just Like Heaven” or “Lovesong” (or even their second album) where the Cure must have seemed like a slightly less arty Wire, a version of the Wire that might have been more social, less concerned with feats of reinvention. I would be pretty surprised if the members of the Cultural Decay hadn’t ever heard Three Imaginary Boys before putting together their outfit, barely competent yet damn entertaining. These cats lasted from 1980 to 1982 (yes, when the underground on this side of the pond was getting all hot ‘n’ bothered for Rollins and Stabb and Brannon and Biafra, much of Europe was still off being AS EUROPEAN AS POSSIBLE), knocking out a single and a two-track 12” of, well, barely competent stuff that people are, for reasons that pass understanding, calling “coldwave” as opposed to “Stuff that from the title track shows Belgium was totally blown away by Joy Division.” (OK, maybe “coldwave: has its uses.) Note for note, “Brave New World/End of the Corridor” does split the difference twixt Robert Smith and Ian Curtis nicely. Synth drone, flickering guitar (the vocal trade offs are pure Gang of Four). Gotta love the oops-the-tape-ran-out ending on the A-side. “End of the Corridor” again goes for Cure guitar and J.D. Demo synths. The title track and “Thin Rope” both demo in strangle-fidelity, gives you a nice taste of their ramble live. “Thin Rope.” The two-track 12” is WAY more semi-pro J.D. - rolling, rumbling drums, melodic bass, guitar-as-effect but by ‘82, even Minor Threat was digging melodic basslines and rolling drums (what’s up, “Salad Days?”) Luc Van Acker (later to be in the Revolting Cocks) is on this one somewhere, and is responsible for production. This is wonderful stuff to have around the house, especially with its lovely full size booklet, detailing a sharp band memoir with plenty of photos that remind you of how great all this stuff looks in black and white. The LP has seven songs, the CD version has 12. (