Seventeen Seconds

Seventeen Seconds, released in 1980 by The Cure, is an early, austere record that moved the band toward a darker, more minimalist sound. Sparse arrangements, shimmering guitars, steady basslines and subtle keyboards create a cold, atmospheric mood; songs such as "A Forest" use repetition and space to build tension. The album's pared-back textures and emphasis on mood and restraint helped steer the group into the gothic and post-punk directions that marked their early period.