The Cure - The Top Vinyl

Artist: The Cure

Title: The Top

Label: Fiction Records

Catalogue Number: FIXS 9

Country: United Kingdom

Original Release Year: 1984

Pressing Year: 1984 UK Original First Pressing

Format: Vinyl LP

Speed: 33⅓ RPM

Description

The Top is the fifth studio album by The Cure, released in 1984 during one of the band's most experimental periods. Written largely by Robert Smith, the album blends gothic rock, psychedelic pop, post-punk and avant-garde influences, creating one of the most eclectic releases in The Cure's catalogue.

Featuring standout tracks including The Caterpillar, Bird Mad Girl, Bananafishbones, Dressing Up and the title track The Top, the album captures Robert Smith's creativity at its most adventurous and bridges the gap between the dark intensity of Pornography and the commercial success that would follow later in the decade.

Pressing Notes

Original 1984 UK first pressing on Fiction Records, catalogue number FIXS 9. Issued in the original picture sleeve with the printed lyric inner sleeve, early UK pressings are celebrated for their warm analogue sound and remain highly desirable amongst collectors. Produced by Robert Smith and Dave Allen, this first UK edition is considered one of the best-sounding versions of the album.

Track Listing

Side One

1. Shake Dog Shake
2. Bird Mad Girl
3. Wailing Wall
4. Give Me It
5. Dressing Up

Side Two

1. The Caterpillar
2. Piggy In The Mirror
3. The Empty World
4. Bananafishbones
5. The Top

Additional Information

• Original 1984 UK first pressing
• Fiction Records
• Catalogue Number FIXS 9
• 33⅓ RPM vinyl LP
• Original printed lyric inner sleeve
• Produced by Robert Smith and Dave Allen
• Features The Caterpillar
• Includes Shake Dog Shake
• Features Bird Mad Girl
• Includes The Top
• Classic gothic rock and post-punk album
• Highly collectible UK first pressing

Condition

Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Record: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Inner Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Rockabuy Records Grading Guide

Near Mint (NM)

Virtually flawless condition. Played only a handful of times with no visible marks or signs of wear.

Excellent (EX)

Lightly played and exceptionally well cared for. May show only minimal signs of handling with no significant marks affecting playback.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

A well-preserved copy with only light signs of use. The sleeve remains clean and structurally sound, while the vinyl shows minimal surface marks that do not significantly affect playback.

Very Good (VG)

Noticeable signs of use with light surface marks and handling wear, though the record plays well throughout without major faults.

Good (G)

Visible wear with more pronounced marks. Playback remains enjoyable with some background noise.

Poor / Fair (P/F)

Heavy wear and significant scratches affecting playback quality.

Shipping

All records are visually inspected and conservatively graded for both sleeve and vinyl condition. Records are securely packaged in professional record mailers with protective stiffeners and dispatched via a fully tracked delivery service to ensure safe arrival.