The Cure: So Turn It Up: B-sides and Non-Album Tracks

by Jared Morris

This unofficial book is a sideways biography of Robert Smith and The Cure told through b-sides and non-album tracks. This book compiles and discusses every b-side, non-album track, official remix, demos and live performances that have been officially released by The Cure. It goes through the band's catalog year-by-year from the Easy Cure of the mid-late 1970s through 2023 and the band's "Shows of a Lost World" Tour. It has been extensively researched utilizing 730 references. Over 600 versions of songs are detailed including those in obscurity. Anyone who is a fan of the band will know that The Cure's music has been mixed to be played loud, so grab a cassette, record, CD or streaming device, Search The Cure, then Turn It Up. The story is told through band interviews, reviews, statements and light music theory as well as full release details, recording details and personal experience of the author. The book, three years in the making, explores the deepest darkest areas of the Cure's catalog.

Jared Morris (Save Us Morrissey, The Bridge) has been a fan and collector of the Cure's music since he was 14-years-old and considered this book a labor of love. So Turn It Up is his sixth book. He is a lifelong musician, songwriter and music collector. He has played in his band Year of the Comet since 1997 and My Version of It since 2000. He has a degree in Communication and has spent twenty years as an on-air talent on commercial FM radio. He hosted "Talk Radio for the Rest Of Us'' on WGMD-FM and WXDE-FM from 2004-2016. He hosted the "JMX Rock Show" on the classic rock station WJKI-FM for six years as well as the morning show on Superhits WKHI. He's also worked for various other radio outfits including WDEL-AM and WDTS-AM. He has written for radio, television and print news. He won the Best of Delaware award in 2011 for Best Radio Personality and has been recognized by the Delaware Press Association and Talkers magazine. He owns and operates 10x Records where he releases music by Jared Morris and the Nice Price, Year of the Comet, My Version of It, Top Shaman, Doctor Goose, The Dollar Movies and many others. Morris has released or been featured on over 70 albums, compilations and EPs.

713 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2023

Reviews

[Stephen Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-researched book that details the B-sides and non-album tracks of the rock band The Cure. it's a great read, filled with interesting snippets of trivia, and really ignites a sense of interest in these songs, encouraging a re-listen and a reappraisal. Due to its niche subject matter, it's probably more for the dedicated fan than the casual listener, but nevertheless this is an interesting read.

[Draven_rnf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why this book has resounding praise from Cureheads. I love the concept and I applaud Jared Morris' dedication to detail and research. But the way the book was written and the numerous typos drove me nuts. Paragraphs are structured so weird typically adding in a lot of info and context that has nothing to do with the song in question. Plus, his negative take on anyone who disagrees with his Cure opinions rubbed me the wrong way.