Pitchfork: The Cure Announce New Album Plans

The band that soundtracked a million broken hearts shows no signs of breaking up themselves. According to NME.com, last Friday at Spain's Benicassim Festival, the Cure announced that they plan to release a new album next year. Robert Smith let it slip during the band's two-hour set: "We want to start recording in October/November and get it out by my birthday next year, which I know is quite cheesy," he said. By the way, Smith turns 47 on April 21, 2006, which might make you feel old if seeing Francis Bean in full Olsen-wear and makeup didn't already do that for you.

Smith also said that he planned on working on material with former Siouxsie and the Banshees bassist and songwriter Steve Severin, who has released two solo albums, a film soundtrack, and a book of erotic poetry and prose among other writings since the Banshees called it quits in 1996. "I'm not sure though," he added. "We might kill each other!"

For now the Cure are still touring the European festival scene, so hit them up for new material at one of these shows if you happen to be European, or an American on your totally awesome backpacking adventure through the Old Country:

08-10 Lokeren, Belgium - Lokerse Festival
08-13 St. Malo, France - Route du Rock
08-18 Avenches, Switzerland - Rock Oz' Arenes
08-20 Sicily, Italy - Teatro Geeco
08-26 Szeged, Hungary - Youth Days of Szeged Festival
08-28 Berlin, Germany - The Wulheide
09-01 Athens, Greece - Terravibe
09-03 Istanbul, Turkey - Rock N' Coke Festival