The Cure planning new album for Summer 2006, reissues, live DVD

Billboard is reporting that long-running post-punk act the Cure will be entering the studio in January 2006 to record its next album and the followup to 2004's eponymous effort. Frontman Robert Smith briefly mentions on the band's website a tentative release in the summer of 2006, which is expected on Geffen. The as yet untitled effort will be the band's first since keyboardist Roger O'Donnell and guitarist Perry Bamonte left the band earlier this year, while former guitarist Porl Thompson has since rejoined.

Also planned is a series of reissues from the band, which will include 1984's The Top, 1985's The Head on the Door and 1987's Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, as well as The Blue Sunshine, a 1983 album Smith and Siouxsie and the Banshees bassist Steve Severin created under the name the Glove. The sets are due out by next spring.

In addition, Smith is assembling a live DVD from the band's recent summer performances, with a release expectedly some time in 2006.