If you've listened to a fair share of bootlegs, you'll notice how a lot of the older synth-heavy songs (The Funeral Party, Charlotte Sometimes, All Cats Are Grey) have a much better sound live in the old days. Of course, the songs were composed and played back then on analog synths, but as technology changed over the years, these were replaced by newer keyboards that can't quite replicate the old sound. Those aforementioned songs just sound inferior (read: cheesy) on these new keyboards! That is why I think The Cure should bring back the analog synths (and a keyboardist to play them).

Of course, since they have apparently been playing along to backing tapes since 1997 (not surprising, given the note-perfect renditions on Trilogy), they don't really need a keyboardist anymore at all. Not that I care if they have one or not, but at least they should be up front about playing to backing tapes for the synth parts.

They don't have a keyboardist anymore, and some suggestions of late have indicated there aren't any keyboards on the new album.