Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Piano x aqui y x alla, la voz mas grave qje romperte la espalda
this is the album-for-dinner-parties album, and it's none the worse for it. Accessible, sensitive with a depth of lyrical content belying its accessible instrumentation. Still prefer him when he's angry though
It may have first come to my attention in a silly rom-com film about time travel, but Into My Arms always hits me in the feels. The same applies to much of this album thanks to its poetic lyrics over sparse, piano-led instrumentation. Other favourite tracks are Lime Tree Arbour, People Ain't no Good, and Far From Me. These have a thematic link of Cave considering unpleasant truths about humanity (suffering is inevitable and people have an inherent badness), and being able to accept these thanks to feeling love and goodness in another person. The vulnerability that results from relying on personal happiness and love to block out the drakenss in the wider world is an interesting theme to explore. I get less from the rest of the album, which comprises more insular songs of heartbreak. However, these remain heartfelt, poetic and bleakly beautiful. 4.5/5
Theatrical vocals, with music to match. A great album.
curti pensei q ele cantava só hallelujah
A ono, Nick Cave.
Nije među najboljima, ali definitivno je na mjestu dobrih albuma Nikice Špiljarića. Laganica piano sa lijepim laganim tonom glasa. Znam se često vratiti na: Into Your Arms, People Ain't No Good, West Country Girl i Brompton Oratory.
Nije mu najbolji, al jedan od
Nice & Slow
4.25
4/5
Extrem gefühlvoll und doch dark
Nick Cave immer Depri schön. Into my arms hammer Nummer. Zwischendurch ähneln sich die Lieder schon recht, Songs wie West Country Girl lockern auf. Toll
Moody. Direct, yet has many textures, from blues to jazz, which offer a revealing and sympathetic bed for the best, most affecting songs. The Boatman's Call is one of Cave's finest albums and arguably the masterpiece he had been promising throughout his career. Great face too.
Might have given it a 5 if he was still rocking his '80s mullet. He's Australian, why is he not wearing a mullet the flaming galah.
Never bought into the Nick Cave fanboy thing but this is a great record.
Great album, very emotional.
I really enjoyed this album. Seems like Nick Cave sang his heart and soul out. Very sad songs, and might be a great rainy day record.
All that Nick Cave goodness, but it got a touch samey at times. Beautiful though.
Tämä iskeekin lujempaa nyt kuin teininä. Kauniit sanat ja sovitukset, joissa upeita yksityiskohtia. Lempparit Into My Arms, Lime Tree Arbour, Idiot Prayer ja Far from Me. Ja ah, harvoin on yhtä turvallinen olo kuin Nickin ääntä kuunnellessa. Varmaan muutaman vuoden päästä 5/5, nyt 4.5/5.
Menee mulla samaan kategoriaan kuin Leonard Cohen = synkkä mies laulaa synkkyyksiä. Ihan hyvä siis.
Gute Lieder, aber man hätte mehr daraus machen können.
I had a depressed housemate that loved Nick Cave, I always found his voice drab & harsh. But it's good to revisit - he's a songwriter and a half. 'Into My Arms' is amazing. An entire album of his voice is challenging though.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Hanging tree,
Pretty good.
Pretty good album with beautifully arranged ballads to dream away on. Cave's vocals are living dangerously at times when he is reaching for the higher notes, but there is a vulnerability and emotion in his performance that I can appreciate.
Poetic. Reminds me some of Tom Waits
Oh man this is one of those records I really liked, but also have to be in the mood for
Wow, this is absolutely lovely. Beautiful arrangements, minimalist and restrained. Striking lyrics, worth reading all on their own. It is a bit of a mood though to listen to, but today happens to be a gray, snowy day. It sounds pretty perfect. Fave Songs: West Country Girl, Lime Tree Arbour, Into My Arms, People Ain't No Good, Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere
In the past, I've tried to get into Nick Cave and could not. I am delighted(?) to report that I am now world-weary and sad enough to really have enjoyed this album! The religious imagery poured out in the dreary drawl of Cave's voice makes for a collection of songs that feel important - sacred even.
Very sweet/melancholic. A little slow, so not the best for all situations.
Absolutely enjoyable
Very chill Good to relax to Nice piano Last song would be perf without that bad voice on top Cound listen to again
Not a Nick Cave album that I have listened to fully before now - I really wanted to love this... but only liked it. I think it probably needs another few listens. The piano throughout is beautiful and the build up to strings towards the end create a cool musical narrative to the album. Into My Arms is the stunner, of course. Really enjoyed the Bass in Far From Me.
Heard of this band several times. Yesterday I found out that I like them (or at least this version of them). I will have to checkout more of their discography as I understand they're pretty experimental.
I’m not the best guy to give you a rating for this. Because I FUCKING LOVE Nick Cave and the Seeds baby! 4 stars all day long and I’m taking one star off because I know some of you will listen and think “the fuck is this!”
// Favs: – Score: Light 4
Look, it has some real bangers but it's bleak as shit and that just wasnt my vibe on that day.
The Boatman's Call has extremely strong parts, with hauntingly beautiful songs about love, religion, grief, and resentment. I love how the focus is on the intimacy of Cave's vocals, accompanied by a slow tempo and piano, which makes me never lose my focus on the story Cave is trying to tell. This changes a bit on the middle part of the record, where it changes towards a slightly less "epic' sound. Where minimalism is it's greatest strength, it also is this record's greatest weakness at times. While the first half of the record is significantly better than the last, it is enough to warrant a 4/5.
Really beautifully made. A few to keep on rotation for good.
Very dark album, i love it
tragic caucasiana
I like this alot idk why i jsut do the second track is pretty cool and jazzy but the whole album is good 8/10
Klasse Album, aber glaube nicht alles von Nick Cave ist so hörbar...
This is the first time hearing this album for me and I was struck by the minimalist approach of which beautifully put the focus on the lyrics that seem to focus on a difficult time in Cave's life and relationship. The piano based album combined with his singiing set somewhat of a romantic mood to the songs. Really enjoyed this album. Very sparse. Very raw. Very beautiful. Loved the first song.
I liked this. A lot. It appeals to like the 10% goth in me. How have I been sleeping on Nick Cave dude?
Nick Cave: el Nacho Vegas australiano
Ok
Mooi, indrukwekkende nummers vol verdriet en een sprankje hoop. "Where do we go now but nowhere"
The album overall is very laid back and melancholy. I like most of the songs but some of them bother me for basically no reason. I don't like the melody on Lime Tree Arbour or the spoken part on Green Eyes. I also found it a bit boring at parts. I can see why people love it but it it's not my favorite. That being said there are still songs like Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere? are really good and overall it's a good album. I liked it more on the second listen but I'm not in the mood for it right now so it is probably better than I'm giving it credit for. Favorite Songs: Into My Arms, Brompton Oratory, There is a Kingdom, Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere?, Idiot Prayer Least Favorite Songs: Lime Tree Arbour, Green Eyes Strong 7/10
First time listening to a Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album and it was surprisingly good.
I am intrigued.
Geweldig!
Prachtig! Ingetogen, traag, sferisch. En die stem....
Nick kan bij mij weinig fout doen. Prachtige liedjes.
Really enjoyed. Thought his voice might grate on me after a while but it didn’t. Class lyrics.
Thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon listening. I was completing a 500 piece puzzle listening to the boatman’s call. Nice. 4/5
Probably the most Gorgeous album from Nick Cave. Most of the songs could have been a single. Wonderful Sunday morning listening. Only Criticism is it’s a little one paced and maybe a touch long. 4/5
"No God up in the sky No devil beneath the sea Could do the job that you did, baby Of bringing me to my knees Outside I sit on the stone steps With nothing much to do Forlorn and exhausted, baby By the absence of you" (Brompton Oratory) "Out of sorrow entire worlds have been built Out of longing great wonders have been willed" ((Are you) The one that I've been waiting for?) Este disco es súper cursi y súper de querer tirarse por la ventana, pero supongo que una cosa se complementa con la otra y me gusta un montón.
Sort of a Tom Waits vibe.
Angrer fortsatt på at jeg ikke kom meg på Nick Cave i Oslo Spektrum i 2017. Flott album, men ikke helt på murder ballads-nivå.
Loved this album so much more than the last Nick Cave. A lot less strange and much more mellow.
It’s good. The songs are strong. I just wish there were more changes in tone. It gets a little samey after a while.
seria nick cave o leonard cohen da nova geração?
The boatman’s call is a sexy seagull singing one kiss by Dua Lipa. This album is still a solid 4. Low-key falls off but cmon.
i didn’t know what to expect, really. It came out left field for me, but i found it emotional and harrowing.
Great. Very somber.
Favorite song: Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere?
What a surprisingly positive album from the big man.
Yes Cressey the first track was very very good. Rest was pretty good as well. Think I preferred the murder ballads though
After all the ups and downs of complying to the list, along comes Nick Cave to make me feel at home again. I love him, I love this album, though he has many that are superior to this. Beautiful album, full of little works of art. It's like being held by an old friend.
Love Nick Cave. "Into my arms" and "Are you the one that I've been waiting for" are classics.
sweet listen, into my arms always on repeat
Great album. Into My Arms is one of my favorites.
If Bruce Springsteen was Australian he would be this guy
7/10 FT: are you the one that I've been waiting for?
6/4 Beautifully somber. Standout Tracks: Into My Arms, Brompton Oratory, Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere?, Black Hair, Idiot Prayer, Green Eyes
In the context of nick cave's discog this is not my fav but even middle of the road nick cave album is great.
A good album
I’m hot and warm on Nick Cave. Henry’s Dream and Skeleton Tree very much sit within the “hot” category and this album is more “warm”. This collection of piano ballads pitches The Boatman’s Call as one of Cave’s more reflective efforts, which is not to say it’s laid back, it’s too intense for that. Opening track Into My Arms is a song for the ages, one of the very best piano ballads of all time. It sets a high bar which the rest of the album never even gets near. But at the same time, it’s an enjoyable, heartfelt listen throughout.
I liked the first song, Into My Arms, but the rest was just alright.
People ain't no good There is a Kingdom Where do we go but nowhere?
Ever wonder if the reason he obsesses so much about hair, twinkling cunts, and violence against women isn't because he's deep and poetic, but because he's actually just a total creep?
Oh boy another Nick Cave album. The status quo. Mid
Yawn. Nothing offensive, just some brooding boring music.
A lot of the albums on the list seem to come down to whether you had a relationship with the artist or an album of theirs at some point in the past. I like Nick Cave, his schtick, the whole package. I like this, not my go to NC album however. Black Hair sounds like a fast show scetch
g-man lookin mf nick cave not even bad, i've jus heard enough
Some very decent music for a low energy mood
So this is finally the Nick Cave I've always heard so much about! One of the top reviews here says this is like Tom Waits doing Leonard Cohen songs, which sounds pretty great to me! And it's not even an inaccurate description! But unfortunately, it's Tom Waits without the unique and exciting arrangements, and it's Leonard Cohen without being anywhere close to the greatest lyricist of all time. So alas, it's a big disappointment.
I like Nick Cave but I find this album to be completely stuck in sadness without any musical progression or climax.
Not super interesting.
I knew about this band from Peaky Blinders and they have a unique sound, but I don't want to listen to it for an entire album.
Starting with Into My Arms is emotional blackmail! Anyway, the rest is pretty good but I need at least one snarling, rougher-edged song to really enjoy a Nick Cave album.
Nick cave doing Nick Cave things.
I've only gotten one other Nick Cave album and I enjoyed the punk elements and style a lot. That isn't to say this was bad, but I wasn't expecting somber piano throughout. I suspect a different mood gets a higher rating from me.
- Un album crepuscolare, il giusto sottofondo per un road trip solitario sul calare del giorno. - La voce di Nick Cave fa l’80% del lavoro, come sempre. - Lime tree arbour !! People ain’t no good !!
I think this is an album that you just can't pick up and listen to, rather you need to sit and actually listen to it without interruption.
ganz schön, aber keine ahnung, hab kein bock mehr auf pretentious men
actually besser
its almost great
çok hoş chill bir albümdü. black hair hariç her şarkıyı çok chill ve güzel buldum
I don’t really understand why so many Nick Cave albums are on the list - this one is fine, a little boring, but not anything I would be interested in listening to again.
Thought it was alright but went on a bit too long
General thoughts: A piano-centered album with songs about care and love. Simple yet effective on all fronts. The style, the atmosphere, the theme, it's really cohesive in that sense. Minimalistic, maybe a little bit too much. Usually, this kind of setup would make the voice stand out, but I don't think that's the case for me here. The first half is solid, but the second half progressively degrades, particularly the lyrics, which get lamer. Outstanding song(s): Into my arms (Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? Weakest song(s): Green Eyes Far From Me Cover: Also minimalistic, that's probably the keyword for the album lol Real rating: 3.29
Three-leaning-four
Honestly I expected worse coming into this one. Nick Cave always stuck me as a poor man's Matt Berninger. This record did not change that opinion, but Nick's doing alright too. It's not bad, just rather boring. Songs sound about the same throughout, similar pace and chord progressions. A solid 3. Ish.
Find this quite hard to score because I love Into My Arms and People Ain't No Good but there is so much on this album that I don't like. He's playing hopscotch with the line between gorgeous lyricism and pretentiousness. I much prefer this Nick Cave era to his birthday party shit. Favourite song: People Ain't No Good Least: Green Eyes
Started off well, but got worse with each song
I think Nick Cave is very cool and I have a lot of respect for him but I struggle to rate this higher than 3 stars. I really love a few tracks like Into My Arms and Where Do We Go But Nowhere, but others are just bad. I remember hearing Black Hair a couple years ago and being wound up by how many bloody times he says black hair! Most songs are slow ballads which have their place but I get a little tired of eventually. I appreciate the dark, gothic elements - I can imagine when you’re feeling down this album would really speak to you. I also like how while he’s a good singer, he’s ever so slightly sharp or flat in places. These imperfections make it feel more raw - no post production or filters getting between you and Nick’s words (that I can detect anyway). Overall it’s a good album that deserves its place on the list, and one that I can see myself coming back to and enjoying more in the future.
I dig Nick Cave. I do. I know he’s the Poet Laureate of the Blackened Bleeding Heart. Just once, could he try writing a pop song? A song that isn’t about death and misery and the sorrow and the graying entrails strewn about the stone floor, or the shattering nobility of broken hearts and the pursuit of impossible love? I’m not asking for Taylor Swift here. Just something that makes me swivel my hips a bit. I know, I know. Like asking a leopard to be a zebra.
Fav song: Into My Arms
Glad I got exposed to more Nick Cave, but I didn’t like this one as much as the murder ballads.
I can understand how people like this album and the vibe of it but it’s just too melancholy for me.
Pretty down-the-fairway Nick Cave.
Was that a music album or the snooz app?
I sort of liked the more lounge singer-ish vibe of this album, but I didn't enjoy this as much as some of his other albums on this list. This one would certainly benefit from multiple listens.
HEARTBREAKING this man’s voice has so much soul he’s been through it!!!
6/10
I once more find myself hitting a wall with this list. It’s been three or four days of albums I don’t care about and getting hit with our fourth Nick cave album is tough. He’s great, he’s got great music, but four albums on the list? I get like “how can we choose between sgt peppers and the white album” for why bands can have multiple entries but some of these just feel like Dimmery was a big fan and can’t decide himself, in the same way that is this it and room on fire should both be on here, and probably new abnormal, but they get one because they weren’t 40 year career deep musicians that Dimmery grew up with. Whatever this thing is still like a high three low four I am just so tired of artists that have like 16 albums on the list. I guess what I’m getting at is all of nicks albums on the list so far have been the same moody singing over sparse instrumentation kinda scary ominous vibe. I like that vibe, but I don’t know that four albums of it is “should hear before you die”
Nick Cave’s output is so variable. I do admire that he never rests on his laurels though. This one doesn’t do it for me. This style does not suit his voice and It’s all a bit one note ad a result. Some of the lyrics are a bit clunky. Into My Arms is the high point. Classic cover photo
Has better apbums
The first Nick Cave's project I'm not crazy about, having listened to and liked "Henry's Dream", "Abottoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus", "Ghostteen" and even The Birthday Party's "Junkyard". From the ones I listed, the album that gets closer to the sound of this one I believe is "Ghostteen", as this is purely composed by very slow tracks, and they certainly do not reach the incredibly sad and emotive levels of the other, specially because it doesn't have the heartbreaking context. The main focus behind this record feels to be creating soothing and beautiful ballads, but I don't really find them to be that moving or impactful. The aesthetic is certainly pleasant, built by Nick Cave's nice voice and a very quite instrumentation, mainly composed by piano, with some touches of strings, guitars and additional instruments, without creating any big orchestration. However, I don't find it that compelling. Most of the time I'm listening to it like anything more is happening. I didn't find any of the performances or melodies to be truly intriguing. So yes, I felt quite underwhelmed about this. I still think it is an alright album, but I can't really say much about it.
Nick Cave does Leonard Cohen, better. 1. Into my arms 2. People ain't no good 3. Far from me
Like into your arms then wanted to rock backwards and forwards in misery
It used to be one of my comfort albums in middle school
Surprised at how familiar I was with most of this. There are definitely highlights but listening to the album in full is a reasonably morbid experience. Some pretty pretentious stuff here. RYM: N Saved a song: N
its very slow
I don’t get it, but it was just boring and not very good to me. Not to say it was bad, but I don’t know why it’s on this list
like it
Suave y triste, lamentablemente no pude leer todas las letras de las canciones pero se nota que hablan mucho sobre el amor y la espiritualidad, acompañadas por una base lenta de batería y un piano hermoso, es un buen candidato para cuando queres poner música relajante de fondo y ponerte un poco triste. Primer álbum de Nick Cave que escucho, no me sorprendió pero tampoco me defraudó, buen inicio.
C'est un peu bizarre de mettre dans la liste un album "hors série" d'un groupe. Cet album est entièrement au piano, ce qui diffère largement du style normal du groupe. Enfin, on va essayer le juger pour ce qu'il est. J'ai déjà essayé d'écouter Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (un nom pareil, ça attire l'attention, non ?). J'ai jamais accroché. Et si je me disais que c'était un bonne occasion de me repencher sérieusement dessus, le fait que ce soit un album si différent fait qu'au fond, je ne sais toujours pas si j'apprécie ou non. En tout cas, ça n'est pas cet album qui me fera changer d'avis. J'ai pas tant de chose à dire à son sujet. Ce n'était pas un album particulièrement innovateur, interprétation n'avait rien d'incroyable et je n'en retiens perso pas grand-chose. Cet album n'est pas nul, mais ne propose vraiment rien de particulier et je suis persuadé qu'on peut trouver des artistes qui s'accompagnent uniquement au piano qui sortent plus du lot. Peut-être que pour les fans, c'est génial parce que c'est une facette inédite que Nick Cave, ce que je peux comprendre tout à fait, mais on en revient à ce que je disais déjà : c'est bizarre de mettre dans la liste un album "hors série".
La ligne est fin entre chill et chiant. Je suis pas certain que cet album soit toujours du bon côté.
Nice voice and music. I’m not a fan of the themes of his songs.
Can we just be done with the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds records, please?
Alles wat ik kan zeggen over Nick Cave heb ik eigenlijk al gezegd bij drie andere albums van hem die ik eerder heb beoordeeld. Eindoordeel voor dit luisterboek van hem is wat mij betreft een 3.
Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Good - Into My Arms is a wonderful song. The way it drops into the chorus is just magical. A lot of the other songs are very good but don't quite hold up to the opener. This is is still good because it's Nick Cave but he has made much better albums.
INTO MY ARRMMZZZ
N/A
Almost had me with the piano and solo voice until I listened to the lyrics. Poetic like a 14 year old boy...? The calming instrumentals bumped this to a 3 but man...
I'm a fan of Nick Cave, but his 90s albums were a bit hit-and-miss for me. This is an interesting one because I like almost all the individual songs (the exception being "There Is A Kingdom" - way too preachy for my non-religious ass), but as an album it's just too mellow. All slow songs, no bangers. I need at least a little Yin with all the Yang.
I clearly could not just jump into Nick Cave's 10th album with no prior reference of what came before ... so I went back and got a history lesson! Several hours later ... I finished off my listening with Henry's Dream and Let Love In which I really enjoyed. I will be currently be hunting down some of his early gems on vinyl, especially Henry's Dream which was my favorite of what came before. Finally I could listen to The Boatman's Call and well it just let me down a bit. It was good, but there was not a whole lot of variety, it was pretty somber and felt like a dirge. I guess that plays in with the whole Boatman theme?
Into My Arms is one of the greatest Australian songs ever written and I’ve always said that and will always stand by that. The rest of this album doesn’t do too much for me, and I know this is kind of a silly thing to say perhaps but if it wasn’t Nick (who I have come to love so bloody much over the years more for his personality/mythology/whatever you want to call it) I don’t think I’d really give most tracks the time of day. There’s some lovely writing across the board but also some of it is just pretty boring sonically. (3.5 stars)
I don't get it. There's so much Nick Cave on this list and I just don't get it. This is my 4th album of his on this list, and there are occasional songs and bits I enjoy but overall it's just tedious.
*I understand the musicianship of this album but it is not a style I enjoy.
Look - I like Nick Cave but man this dude is bleak as fuck, even when he’s not bleak.
As is typical for Nick, a very somber and sobering production, reflecting on life and society around us, in a sullen way. His voice is certainly distinct and the music is very easy and calm on the ears, even though it is also a bit drone. Every Nick record I've had on this project so far has a similar mood, but that is just the way he is. This record has its place, in certain moods.
A nice palette cleanser after a rough stretch. 3/5
The first third is the best of it, there's good songs, "Into My Arms" leads but much of the rest of the album settles as comfortable but not especially engaging, "Black Hair" was novel but it didn't really work for me It's a nice and wistful bundle of (non-murderous) ballads but not enough to garner a four-star credit
spooky vibes, iskreno okej al ono smara
It's fine. It's kind of like Damian Rice, but talking about god a lot and without the emotional highs.
I like a bit of Nick Cave but I couldn't eat a whole one.
I wouldn't say this is Nick Cave's best album but I still enjoyed it. His voice is just like butter so I could listen to him sing anything. I take that back, it's a bit too slow for me, I like it but it gets a bit repetitive.
1997. Nick Cave giving a depth of emotion in this gentle sounding album. I don't love his style but I can applaud the weight of the sound of this album.
not quite sure how I felt about this. easier to listen to than some of the other Nick Cave we've had on this list, but also very sad and boring. not my preferred mode for him.
There's some stuff to like. Some of it is too miserable for the sake of it, getting pretty irritating at times but I liked most of it. People Ain't No Good was my highlight of the album and favourite first listen with Lime Tree Arbour and There Is A Kingdom being my other highlights
Not unpleasant but not really inspiring. Nick Cave is one of those cultish figures I really don’t get the appeal of
3 1/2 Stars: Can something be both beautiful and boring at the same time? Doubt I'll ever come back to this, but wouldn't be disappointed if I heard a track from this on a mixtape.
Australia’s answer to Bob Dylan, really good songwriting, I really like is voice too. Some songs are absolute classics however I did find some bordering on sappy and it was boring at times
nice enough
this was fine - didn’t move me
This was okay. Sounds like a mixture of Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen.
First half was a good listen but I lost interest towards the end. Shrek 2 baby!
i have a strange fondness for Nick Cave. this album is not my favourite one, i appreciate his darker tones more.
I decided to skip last Friday’s Nick Cave album with hopes of something fun on Monday… and here we are 😂 Maybe this just hit me on the right day (Monday morning vibes I suppose)? The moody themes hit really hard and flowed smoothly from track to track without becoming too boring. People Aint No Good was crushing to listen to I liked Into My Arms and People Aint No Good. 3 stars, but this is a tough album that I wont come back to very often
There are five Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds albums in this book and this is only my second one. I did not particularly enjoy Ghosteen that much. Nick Cave is similar to Tom Waits in that any time he changes direction just a little bit then this book believes whatever change of direction he made is an ABSOLUTE MUST LISTEN. It's less of an album that I must hear and more of a "You have to get into Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds" and so we won't make you stop listening to his music until you admit that you do. There are certain artists that gather such a following to the point the fans of that artist won't rest until everyone admits they are great. This is less an album that I must here before I die and more an album that someone who is already a Nick Cave fan must listen to and would enjoy. The Boatman's Call is not important to music overall, but is important to Nick Cave's personal musical journey, which is apparently all that matters. I am not sure if I am becoming effectively brainwashed but I did like this album much more than Ghosteen. Maybe by the time I get to the 4th-5th Nick Cave album on this list I will be one of those people who insist everyone MUST hear Nick Cave, then provide a list of 10 essential albums by him. My favorite songs: Into My Arms (I like the Band of Horses cover too) People Ain't No Good There is a Kingdom (Are You) the One I've Been Waiting For Idiot Prayer Far From Me
Never a happy time, always a good time.
Nick Cave’s lyrics are a mix of spiritual and moody. I like the lounge/guild-hall ambience but I don’t hear any catchy melodies. Plus his vocal delivery seems safe and monotone, I feel like I have to try twice as hard to detect emotion (not you Green Eyes, I can tell how you’re feeling 😭) (2.5-3)
Perfect for a melancholic evening
Was looking forward to hearing more Nick Cave, but this album was not quite what I expected. Into My Arms kicked it off, and I was pretty underwhelmed. But then Lime Tree Arbour brings it back nicely. And then the rest of the album is pretty solid. His voice sounds really good in There Is A Kingdom. Black Hair and Idiot Prayer have nice music. Overall it's fine, but I was expecting more from him. Best song: Lime Tree Arbour
People just ain’t no good -Shrek 2
It seems like Nick Cave was definitely going for something specific: moody, broody. It accompanied my visit to the museum nicely, but also felt rather one-note. I liked “Into My Arms” a lot, but nothing else quite captured me the same way. A solid entry, but nothing remarkable.
Pretty chill, good for a slow morning
Somber piano and simple arrangements threw me off at first, but Into My Arms is good, once you get adjusted to Nick's deep voice. I'm liking People Ain't No Good too, the melodies and other little sounds - there's violin, but it's the piano and subtle percussion touches that do it for me. Everything is good really in the first half, it's slow and soft and I'm just vibing. I don't know if I like the spoken vocals that pop up at times, like in West Country Girl, but it certainly creates atmosphere. Black Hair is even more minimal and funereal, it's apparently accordion and bass organ. Fascinating. Idiot Prayer is very good too. Green Eyes doesn't work for me at all, which leaves a bad taste in the mouth, but there's enough good material here. Solid passing grade, need to be in the right mood though.
Into My Arms // There Is a Kingdom //
Its just not my speed. Nothing against nick Cave this type of songwriting just couldnt be further from what im into. Its subtle and slow and too lyrical for me. If I cared about lyrics I could see this being super good but I don't. Im not sure how many different ways I can say that its not for me but its a good thing that I dont want near me. Well thats enough ways I guess goodbye
Into My Arms. That is all. Every other song pails in comparison. If this album were 12 Int My Arms, it would be a 6/5. Sadly, it isn’t, so one feeling 3/5
Seeing Nick Cave at the Bad Seeds on this list again wasn’t surprising, but I wondered why we ended up with another one. He’s a good artist, don’t take me wrong. However, I don’t know if there’s anything that this album that wasn’t offered on previous albums. The sound feels a lot more like Leonard Cohen than some of his previous work. The day I listened to this I was in need of a super chill album, so this one did fulfill that goal. I think the key track for me was Where We Go Now But Nowhere. Again, not a bad album, just I don’t know what it offered that he already had.
1/15 Good somber album to listen to when alone or at night
Not bad, but very monotonous, I'm tired
It has a melancholy feel and a story teller approach. OK as coffee shop music (perhaps minus the 1-2 vulgar tracks).
I think my inner moody art student really wants to be a fan of Nick Cave, but only occasionally do his songs really land. This is a strong 3.
Every time I hear this guy's voice, I have the wish to go through an accelerated decay. All of the songs sound like something's dead. But it's not that bad, good music. 3 stars.
The first song on this album is awesome - 5* It's then followed by a lot of quite uninteresting wallowing. I know it's his thing, and Ive got a lot of respect for Nick Cave, but I could totally have stopped after that first song and been quite satisfied
Stoppp trying to make me cry
I didn’t hate The Boatman’s call which is saying something for the other Nick Cave albums that gotten on this list. I’m going to be generous and give it a 3
Stupendous album that requires a free day to be contemplative and sad. Fortunately I had that freedom. I did some chores drank a bunch of coffee and fell asleep early. Tis a doozy of an album.
6/10… gothic country / melancholy / *1997
Shit asså, han startar med en episk Bob Hund referens. Hade lätt kunnat få högre poäng med mindre pianorunkande.
Unerwartet ruhig, aber ganz cool. Auf Albumlänge mir dann aber auch zu viel.
Es fängt wirklich stark an, aber das melancholische trägt sich einfach nicht über die Spielzeit. Das fühlt sich zu oft try hard edgy an als es vermutlich ist. Das letzte Lied setzt dem dann die Kitsch und Klischee Krone auf. Wäre der Mann nicht vermutlich für den Großteil der Klischees die er hier bedient selbst verantwortlich würde ich das vermutlich sogar nochmal schlechter bewerten.
Nope.
Much like Leonard Cohen, for better and worse. Interesting lyrics often undercut by the vocals. Although I have no problem with unconventional singing, Cave’s voice, like Cohen’s, sometimes drifts too far towards “grating.”
Just fine. I would choose many other male vocalists over Cave for thoughtful lyrics and range.
Nick's got heart. Great voice, good lyrics. This album is not quite hooking me, though. I think it's just the uniformity to the songs. All similar tempo, not all that dynamic. It's probably a me-thing, though. I've liked some of Nick's other stuff more. 3.5*
Definitely different from why I’m used to! It was relaxing and nice change I give it a 6/10
Fine, not great.
Song 1 -5/5 The rest are just a bit too dreary
I know this is some critical darling out of Nick Cave's catalog, and I understand why, but I can't really get behind it. The songs are well written and composed, the production holds up great almost 30 years later, but as a whole album, it's kinda drab.
3,5
I really like Nick Cave, and I appreciate his music and lyrics. However, I don't find it to be listenable. It's very monotonous and sleepy.
He has earned his gloom, but it's still kind of tedious. I like his voice better than Leonard Cohen's. That said, I'm fond of him. I once spent hours at an art exhibit by someone named Nick Cave and had no trouble believing that our guy here, along with the music and the writing, made larger-than-human sized statues out of various forms of detritus called Soundsuits. Turned out it was a completely different guy.
Ok so it’s never going to win the award for cheeriest album ever made but I actually quite liked it. Nothing wrong with a bit of melancholy now and then!
A pleasant listen if a little one paced throughout. I liked his voice and a couple of the songs were really good, but the album was probably too long. Top track: are you the one I’ve been waiting for?
Found it sweet and sad at times but overall just mixed, 3 stars
I almost dropped this to two stars when the narrator started talking in my ear.
just really sweet. slow dance with your wife of thirty years type music. whatever region of my brain still loves rufus wainwright's hallelujah is lovin this one. only places so low because i dont know if ill be going back to it for at least like thirty years. i really like how West Country Girl is an entirely capable cowboy song, but my favorite track is probably People Ain't No Good
Rating: 6/10 The first Nick Cave album that is fully piano driven and more overtly Christian (I think). it’s good, the first song is really great, but I don’t love this one
The spotify artist image had me all excited for artist full of energy just to be hit with the piano album. Not a terrible album, just feel misled. 6 Piano Mans out of 10 Lizard Wizards
Getting his Leonard Cohen on. Funny thing is the song he contributed to the I’m Your Fan compilation would be completely out of place here.
Ok easy listen
Couple of classics on there, obviously Into My Arms is a monster track on there. Good stuff, never felt like skipping any tracks, at the same time I feel there's Cave songs I like more. So three stars.
talky
I honestly dont know how to feel about this.
This is my fifth(!) Nick Cave album on the list. My ratings of the other four average to 3.5 stars, and I feel much the same about The Boatman's Call. But I'm bumping it down to a 3 for being a little underwhelming despite seemingly being the Bad Seeds' most popular record. Into My Arms is a simple, beautiful piano ballad with a memorable chorus. A cool way to start an album if you're planning to pick up the pace, and Cave doesn't really do so. Lime Tree Arbour is more texturally interesting and comes across almost like a medieval bard's song, structurally and lyrically. Pretty unusual for a fairly popular 90s band. It works, but it doesn't deliver the energy I'm looking for in a sophomore track. Nor does People Ain't No Good, which made me worry a little about the next 40 minutes of my life. Was The Boatman's Call destined to become calm, lullabye-esque background music? The end of People Ain't No Good hearkens to the more interesting Everybody Has A Dream (Billy Joel), which itself is the weakest song on its album. Brompton Oratory has this specific minor chord in the chorus that hits incredibly hard for some reason. Immediately following that is a passable but unremarkable slow-sway song that seems to encourage group singing but is just not at all catchy enough to get away with it. However, the double-tracked vocals *does* accentuate the fact that Cave's vocal is kind of out of tune when it's single-tracked. Darn. The latter half of the album is also near-objectively duller than the first half, with lacklustre melodies left and right. The easy-listening slow swings and solid instrument choices partially make up for this, though. West Country Girl's melody is horrifically unmoving but I can still see myself coming back to it. 3/5 Key tracks: Into My Arms, Lime Tree Arbour, Brompton Oratory
not my favorite.
Im more of a murder ballads kind of person I think. It's not that this is bad, it's just not as good at holding my attention Standouts Into My Arms 3/5
Too much slow music
I found this LP to be surprisingly interesting.
Я дуже люблю Ніка Кейва, але є певні нюанси. Boatman's Call мені завжди здавався надто сентиментальним місцями, і в ньому майже відсутнє те за що я Кейва власне люблю - оця безумна енергія, циклічні паттерни, вокальна розповідь у стилі проповідника. Навпаки - альбом спокійний, переважно базується на фортепіано. Тут звісно є суперхіти типу People Ain't No Good або Into My Arms, яку Кейв грає здається на всіх концертах; але Boatman's Call це точно не мій топ з кейвівської дискографії. 3.5
I remember listening to Skeleton Tree some years ago and not really liking it, so I was pleasantly surprised to listen to this album and find that I quite liked the sound. It had this Johnny Cash / Leonard Cohen type of sound to Nick Cave’s vocals that made the songs very interesting. Into My Arms was my favourite song from the album
Into My Arms (Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For?
3.5
The Bloatman’s Call because it’s quite bloated. A few too many tracks on this. Into My Arms is a strong opener and a super pretty ballad. Although it ventures on with the same solemn, sparse, soul-searching chamber ballad solemnitude, the songs after it don’t tend to have that same special factor so the album often it feels like it’s simply floating deep in the doldrums of the Snoozelantic Ocean. There Is A Kingdom starts off like Lou Reed’s Perfect Day but ends up being Dreary Day. Idiot Prayer towards the end at least is a steelier-sounding highlight although the song itself is still a bit snoozy.
Pretty good
Every song off of this sounded the exact same. Maybe this would get a better rating if it had a bit more creativity or spunk. Instead, each song was a copy of a slow and meditative look at the follies of life.
I liked this more than some other NC projects. He this album felt more time and place for the brooding than some others
Sad AF but pretty in it's own way. Too much of an art project for me to really get into, but I appreciate the effort.
I really wanted to like this and I see why many do, but i found it boring and monotone. Mid album - 2.5 - no songs added to collection
Four Nick Cave albums is too much. Genuinely, this is lovely and beautifully produced. But omg it’s just too repetitive and moody for me.
I always try to add a stand out song to a playlist from each album. It was really hard to find one on here. No song was particularly bad but none stood out. 50 minutes of depressing vanilla.
I liked this a lot more than I expected. I understand his voice and lyrics aren't for everyone ( I've listened to a different album of his and couldn't make it past the 4th song) But i loved the overall moody tone of this and it fit his voice very well. Really liked a few of the tracks here.
Insane how many albums he has on here. These are not all must listens and this is definitely not. Every song sounds the same and they’re all kind of bummers. Light 3.
In general, I’m not a Nick Cave fan (other than Red Right Hand), but I thought this album was ok. Still mellow but far less morbid than I usually find him to be. Never really noticed before but he has a lot of Jim Morrison in his voice.
For my third Nick Cave album on this list, I come to one I've listened to before that left zero effect on me. This time, I feel a bit more primed to give it some attention aaaaaaaand...I don't like it. It's not for me, too stripped down and too one note for 52 minutes of this. I know he's capable of a tune, he's capable of soulful introspection and storytelling but here, I don't know, it's not grabbing me. Feels flat, and depressing but not in a revealing way, just kicking yourself when you're down way. There's probably art here, and the more time I spend with it (time I don't want to spend, it's miserable) I'll come around to it, but for now, you're bringing me down. Probably coulda used this 15 years ago.
Moody Tom Waits-ish
I know I should like Nick Cave. I've given his albums a few shots and only a few tracks have really stuck. Into My Arms is a great opener. It really sets the mood: a little dark, a little odd, with terse piano hooks that make you a little uncomfortable. Through the middle it gets a bit monotonous, a lot of the same mood, tempo, and tones, but he does it best on Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere? Then there's a shift for West Country Girl, which has a more driving, cinematic take that I think is one of the highlights. The second half slopes back down with more soft jazz and poetry that doesn't do much for me. I don't think his voice is that great, but he's the quintessential crooner for weirdos. He shines on the darker songs - grandiose, misanthropic lyrics paired with violin string plucks and standup bass-driven doom jazz. It's music for David Lynch movies. Listeners of Tom Waits, the Desden Dolls, or the Peculiar Pretzelmen. Steampunk enthusiasts. Taxidermied mouse parades. Hit and miss, but I appreciate.
I really enjoyed Are You The One I’ve Been Waiting For? Very calm, chill music. The voice over in Green Eyes is weird and uncomfortable.
Nick Cave seems like he’s be friends with Henry Dean Stanton. Nick Cave seems like he unironically wears sunglasses inside. There’s some real anguish on this album. The chorus of People Ain’t no good sounds like Nick is singing at specific instances of his own life. Maybe even to himself. The drums here are so fantastically complimentary. Like a good plate, they’re The fucking Casio beat on Brompton Oratory is fucking so good. I like that There is a Kingdom opens up the palette that is being worked with. Prior to this song it was pretty limited instruments and this opens up the sound a lot. West country girl feels like a great Mointain Goats song that John never wrote. Steeped in metaphor and crazy imagery. He feels like Leonard Cohen leaned more into brooding. Every open mic artist with a melodica and lyrics about a woman is imagining they sound like Nick Cave. My only experience with Nick Cave was Red Right Hand. I really enjoyed this album. Solid 3.5 star experience. Will probably get another listen during these cold months.
Nick’s voice is amazing, but the songs are a bit repetitive
The better of the two nick cave albums - the piano in it is very Niceu, nice music to listen to whilst stressing out on a bus cause it’s heavily delayed
A little too mellow
Ok. ★★★
As a huge Tom Waits fan, I feel like I should love Nick Cave. But I just don't. It's not that it's bad music. It's definitely not. The Boatman's Call has some real heartfelt and wonderfully written songs. But it just doesn't speak to me.
Not bad, just didn’t find this all too interesting
An okay album, I liked Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere and West Country Girl the most.
i like the lyrics, black hair and west country girl especially. not really my sound. could be if i was in a particular mood or maybe driving and not really paying attention.
I think if this wasn’t my third nick cave album I’d really dislike it but there is something endearing about hearing his evolution over time, and I think that’s why people like it. Sometimes doing this project it’s hard to remember that there was a sequence to their careers and it’s not just the order you get it in. All that being said- kinda boring.
3.5
You know, i was expecting to hate The Boatman's Call. I heard it was mainly a piano ballad album so i was just thinking that it was gonna get repetitive and tiring after just a few songs, But oddly enough, that never happened. I'm shocked that i did not hate this album. I thought it did have some really beautiful moments with it's music and i thought that Nick's voice perfectly fit the music as it was soft and deep just as this kind of music would benefit from. Granted, the lyrics weren't the greatest and the album did have it's moments of actually getting repetitive and hard to remember but i really was expecting it to be a lot worse. Best Song: Idiot Prayer Worst Song: Black Hair
It's probably been over 20 years since I listened to this. This should be interesting. Good, slow, moody.
My first Nick Cave listening experience and it was perfectly fine. Certainly not the best thing I have ever heard but far from the best. More importantly it didn't turn me off of listening to more of his stuff should it pop up later in this challenge.
mid
More proof that I should like Nick Cave more than I actually do. This is quite dramatic - in a High School drama class kind of way. I liked this better than “Murder Ballads” 2.5/5
Confirmed this is Nick Cave. It’s neither the worst, most repugnant, or best. It’s very middle of the road, and that’s probably for the best.
This seems to have rave reviews. It's ok.
3- Stars (7/15)
Not a fan. Boring and too easy listening for me. I didn't appreciate the language in a few songs either. Not impressed.
I'm not really a fan of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, but I found this album quite ok. Something, which can be listened to more often.
I liked a lot of these songs individually but a whole album full of frankly, dirges, is proving to be quite a slog, especially nearly an hour of them. Gets quite hard going towards the middle, black hair especially is a song I think is pretty awful, but alright overall. 3/5
Never hard of this guy, but he seemed pretty good
This one felt pretty uneventful as a record. Great voice. Good songs, just plain boring.
As I said for his last album, I found this flat at times. He is great at being a poet, but I find it uncomfortable at times when he is jamming in syllables over the music and not with the music. That being said the instumental compositions and production are well done again.
By far the best Nick Cave album we've listened to. It has a constant somber mood throughout which matches perfectly with his voice. I definitely understand why it's on the list and I almost want to give it a 4, but that seems like a little too much praise for Nick Cave. It's really a most improved award.
Really impressive singer-songwriter album of mostly ballads. The music really breathes. There’s a lot of space here, capturing the feel of a live recording. The songs feel grand, but they’re pretty minimalistic in terms of their arrangements. Nick Cave isn’t totally my jam, but this is a strong album. “Into My Arms” is a classic. There’s a dash of irreverence in the lyrics of that one (and on a few other tracks), which somehow makes the romantic sentiment feel more genuine. Almost like Nick Cave is saying, “I know this is sappy and sentimental but I really do love you.”
Sometimes I really like this flavor of singer-songwriter noir, and sometimes I really don't like it. I don't fully know why sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Listening to this album had me feel this back and forth while inside of this record, and I just feel kind of wishy washy. "Black Hair" is annoying to me. I get that the singer is seemingly obsessing over a quality of a person, but it's only about the 9th or 10th time in the track where he mentions her black hair that I feel like I want to skip the song. There's some really cool tracks on this, and a lot of depth, but his storytelling just often doesn't click with me.
Into My Arms - 5/5 Lime Tree Arbour - 4/5 People Ain't No Good - 5/5 Brompton Oratory - 2/5 There Is a Kingdom - 3/5 (Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? - 4/5 Where Do We Go Now but Nowhere? - 3/5 West Country Girl - 4/5 Black Hair - 3/5 Idiot Prayer - 2/5 Far From Me - 4/5 Green Eyes - 1/5 Average score: 3.3/5 (rounding down) never heard this guy's music til today. i didn't expect him to sound so... broody? that split with PJ Harvey must've fucked him up good i guess i expected a bit more energy from this artist based on his appearance (something like Tom Waits or something). maybe he has better albums in his discography and i shouldn't completely write him off just yet
some of this album is really f'n good, 5 star quality and then some of it is shockingly not so good. Off the back of PJ Harvey breaking up with him, this album is sad, really sad and deep. As a piano lover, the piano heaviness was quite enjoyable. I just kept wanting this album to take another step forward but felt that it would take a few steps back followed by incremental steps forward
It's really unfair to judge this album. I mean, PJ Harvey had broken up with him, I can't think of anything more devastating than that.
I don't think I'm particularly fond of Nick's style/vibe, although I liked this album a little more than I liked their double album Abattoir / Orpheus.
I’ve never really listened to Nick Cave in much detail before. Definitely talented, but the songs seem to be mostly piano ballads. For some reason (probably seeing The Bad Seeds in Wings of Desire), I thought they were punkier/rockier. It’s not bad, the music and lyrics are beautiful, but I’m not sure when I’d seek this out myself.
Sparse and literate...conveys intense emotional weight with music that serves the narratives contained within. As such, not for everyone as it will take a modicum of emotional maturity to enjoy. But if you are that wandering soul who longs for connection in a world that provides few opportunities, this is your record.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this.
He has a nice smooth, deep voice, but it just feels like a budget version of a Johnny Cash or other more iconic baritone.
I Don't Believe In An Interventionist God 1001 Albums Generator 99 (08/19/2025) Well actually, I do, but that's besides the point. Mr. Nick Cave, one of the kings of post-punk, lets us know right at the beginning of his tenth album that he does not. In spite of this, he still prays for his lover to return to his arms. Into My Arms is the finest song on The Boatman's Call, and it is also the most typical. It touches religious themes and showcases Nick's knack for writing love songs. Before this album, Nick Cave had experienced a breakup with his long term girlfriend Viviane Carneiro and the ending of a short term relationship with PJ Harvey. The key to enjoying this album is to really listen to the lyrics, as Cave is channeling some real pain through these songs. All the songs here are piano led. I have not listened to Nick Cave before, but my understanding is that this marks quite a departure from his normal sound. I think it works wonderfully. It really reminded me of Leonard Cohen at times, and if you have me mentioning you in the same sentence as Cohen, that is absolutely a good thing. Lime Tree Arbour has a bit of a groove to it with the soft drums, bass, and organ. People Ain't No Good is beautiful and heartbreaking (and is in Shrek 2, which has to mean something!). I also love the soft rock of (Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For?. The reverbed, slightly tremolo clean guitar throughout is a nice layer and once again, the bass is leading the charge in a way. The second half of the album is less interesting to me. With that said, there is some stuff here that I like. West Country Girl is an interesting piece of gothic county with some fiddle and cool acoustic guitar parts. Far From Me is also gorgeous and has a great slow dynamic build up. However, the rest of the second half is just not very notable. Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere? does not justify its length at all to me. I don't like the sonic palette on Black Hair, which consists primarily of a droning harmonica and not much else. Green Eyes is far and away the worst song and almost made me laugh at how bad it was. The crooned vocals backed by the monotone spoken vocals is so goofy. The Boatman's Call is a nice, inspired album that represents a total tonal shift for an artist. However, the album is too long and not interesting all the way through. 3/5. Favs: Into My Arms Lime Tree Arbour (Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? Least Fav: Green Eyes
Very bespoke. Besides into my arms, feels a bit self serving not very satisfying album.
melancholy mood, sad vibes, etc. sounds great when you are feeling ennui on a rainy day.
I can never decide if I like Nick Cave or not. The albums of his that hit are really good, but the ones that miss are just slogs to get through. I also didn't love Murder Ballads so I wonder if it's just Nick Cave's ballads that really don't speak to me. Much to ponder.
He's good, but he's not as good as he thinks he is
So, this is my first listen into Nick Caves and his Bad Seeds, and… it was an album. In the beginning, it was actually pretty good. The emphasis on the piano, with Nick’s pseudo Leonard Cohen vocals, sounded nice. I was expecting the rest of the album to be this emotional, somber ride with a hint of raw edge (emphasis on the word “hint”). But as the album went on, I realized that there’s really no depth here. The album never really gets going and it stays stuck in neutral for the rest of the way through. Which means I got bored with it pretty quickly. The only solution Nick seemed to have was to occasionally throw out swears, as if that’s was to give the album its depth. Really, however, all it did was make it more juvenile. It all came to a head on the last song, Green Eyes, where I realized that Nick’s not being deep. He thinks he’s deep, but it just feels like edge for the sake of edge. Between the highs in the beginning and the lows at the end, this album just balances out as being mid. My only faith for Nick Cave is that hopefully this album was really a one-off departure and maybe, just maybe, his other material can sway me around. I hope that’s not too optimistic. Favorite track: Into My Arms Other hits: People Ain’t No Good, (Are You) The One That I Have Been Waiting For, Where Do We Go But Nowhere?
Top review on RYM reads "music to look out windows to" and, honestly, this describes this record perfectly.
As much as I want to like this, there is an aspect that feels overly dramatized to an inauthentic degree, like if Tom Waits wasn't in on his schtick. Not to say it's bad, I enjoy the songs individually, but together they get a little too similar and the vocal delivery loses it's impact.
I had already listened to this album years ago, back when I was trying (with mixed success) to get into Nick Cave. I’ve always seen him as a versatile and capricious artist, capable of the best as well as the worst. Fortunately this album falls into the reasonnably good Nick Cave category. I did enjoy the somber and brooding mood, the soulful singing and the minimalist arrangements. It’s beautifully sung, and the whole album really stands out in his discography with its unique identity. It slowly grew on me, and I think it really benefits from being listened to as a complete album. The lyrics, however, kind of ruin the mood for me – he sometimes sounds like an edgy goth kid who just heard about mortality and agnosticism for the first time. It can be whiny and self-indulgent, and I have a hard time taking him very seriously ("People ain’t no good' doesn’t strike me as a particularly deep assertion...). A pleasant album overall if you’re in the right mood. I’d rate it a solid 3*, or a 3,5* if I could.
I enjoy Cave's piano-based songs as much as any reasonable human being should and does. This album is weird, though. There isn't a single bad song here, but it's a "Nick Cave & His Piano" album, not a Bad Seeds album. And at album length, I do miss the drive and the unexpected elements the whole band usually brings to proceedings.
Different than their usual stuff. I actually thought this was good, but i probably wont ever listen again
‘You don’t love me, you love the idea of me!’ That’s Nick Cave talking to me I really like the idea of misery-core Australian art rock ambiance But usually when I actually listen to it it’s very much ‘shrugs - it’s fine’ I’ll keep trying though Nick!
Interesting album. Not exactly my genre, but the songwriting/storytelling was quite interesting and kept my attention.
An interesting foreshadow into the more recent Nick Cave works. Very serene yet darker singer songwriter songs on this work. I prefer his grander stuff like lyre of orpheus or the new wild god record but this goes to show how just great of a songwriter Nick Cave is.
More ballad-esque than Murder Ballads. Don’t like it as much as other Nick Cave albums, but listenable.
Singer-Songwriter, schöne langsame Begleitung.
Musically 1 star, lyrically 4 stars.
I will give Nick Cave one thing, his music hits different when you're sad.
A couple of decent songs on but none to stand out for me. The whole album is a bit too lame and same same for my taste. Not easy to decide between two or three stars for his very silent call. Worst: "Green Eyes" 2,5
It’s good. I appreciated it and enjoyed it for what it was. I wouldn’t listen to this album again but I’m glad I got to experience it
This guy from Australia has a good singing voice, and the album is very melancholy. For me it was too much of the same type of song.
Whoa, that final song Green Eyes is something else...
Pretty decent if a little slow
Wonderful songwriting, but gosh does Green Eyes ever kill the vibe - who mixed that thing?!
Ok, not as good as some of his other stuff, but not bad.
Sparse, intimate and moody, this album brings out the best and worst aspects of Nick Cave - he's a great songwriter/storyteller but as a vocalists he is limited. He's at his best when he gets into mcarbe character mode, sadly there's less of this on the album.