Henry's Dream

This is the third Nick Cave album on the list, and second I've had in 3 days. I'm still traumatized from Murder Ballads a couple of days ago so please be understanding of the brevity of this review as I struggle to recover. I liked it, and feel a little dirty about that.

That’s enough Nick Cave, okay?

Interesting - kind of a mix of Warren zevon meets rocky horror picture show. Solo drive to Worcester for rogers surprise party

I love Nick Cave. His lyrics are some of the best and most inspiring I have ever heard and belong on one level with Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and David Bowie. Although this isn't his strongest album by any means (mostly because of a couple of songs on the second half) the songs that DO stand out are some of his best. The mix of Punk Blues and Folk Rock work very well. favourites: Papa Won't Leave You Henry, I Had a Dream Joe, Straight To You, Brother My Cup is Empty, John Finn's Wife, Jack the Ripper least fav.: When I First Came to Town (if I HAD to pick) Rating: light 9

Maybe occasionally let the music breathe and stop inserting your Nick Cave-ness into everything. Nice album otherwise, but by the end, it's too much. Best track: John Finn's Wife

4/10. There's a reason they aren't called the good seeds

This one was a slog for me. I know so many people who absolutely love Nick Cave, and I trust their musical tastes, but I've never been able to get into him. This is maudlin, overblown and just so overwrought that I can't help but dislike it. The lyrics are weaker than I expected, and the songs themselves all sound like something out of a Sweeney Todd-esque Broadway show. Not for me at all.

This is a great album. I'm finding it hard to pinpoint a favourite track so I guess I'll have to listen to it again... and again.

Damn that Nick Cave sure is a wife stealer (me. I'm the wife)

I hadn't heard this album before but it's fascinating and friendly on the ear. I came late to Nick Cave. I found The Birthday Party "difficult" so kind of overlooked his following career. This is a great example of his work - an artist and a musician and a really interesting voice but what stands out is his way with words. One of the great lyricists of this era and able to tell a story in music.

This dude is dark

This album starts off rough, and I really wasn't in the mood for it. But as the album progresses, it's actually quite good. On a good day Nick Cave can be challenging, and this album is in line with what you might expect in a good Cave album. The songs are raw and dense, frequently unsettling and grim, but with surprising moments of haunting loveliness. Fave Songs: Straight to You; When I First Came to Town; I Had a Dream, Joe; Loom of the Land; Jack the Ripper

Score-wise, this one's pretty easy: Yet another Nick Cave album; Accept the plank-lump to the head and move forward in music. That said, Henry's Dream does something constructive to the discography, goes past reinforcement of Bad Seeds tropes. The album emphasizes the polarity which drives the band through time. Papa Won't Leave You, Henry is a disintegrating, polluting, motorized contraption that all but cries to be built upon, but it isn't (in noise at least) til the record is about to end. Quieter songs, less typical of the band but also somehow its zenith, sit between. The analysis is, then, that Henry's Dream sketches the outline of a rich universe of sound. But that analysis fails by starting too big: The record itself is more of a growing thing, and its life's arrow points in both or all time-directions.

18th September 2023 Catching up, I’m a week behind due to having Stu and Laura staying with us.

The first Nick Cave album I ever heard, back when it came out. Didn't get what the fuss was about, 30 years later it still sounds like a 2nd tier album. Hopefully we get much better ones later in this list (Let Love In in particular) as he's pretty great when on form. Makes a decent cuppa too

I have never heard of Nick Cave before, but apparently he’s pretty popular and has been around forever. Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry is the opener and it’s a trip, but for some reason it gave me strong “the bones are their money” vibes (and picturing Tim Robinson singing the song is hard to come back from). “Straight to You” sounded like generic Bruce Springsteen to me. “Christina the Astonishing” had some Father John Misty vibes. “John Finn’s Wife” was mediocre but I kind of liked the end, so that’s something. It seems like his discography is all over the board, so I’m a bit curious to listen to more of his stuff. This one is not really doing it for me though. It just feels like someone doing a country western bit, I’m struggling to take it seriously. I’m hearing some similarities in the vibe with Tom Waits (who I also discovered through this, have only listened to one album, and did not like). Willing to give them both more of a chance though, maybe I’ll come around. Favorite song: Loom of the Land Other: Papa Won’t Leave You Henry, Christina the Astonishing, John Finn’s Wife

This is third Nick Cave album I’ve gotten from the generator and I’ve deeply hated all of them. I was in a bad mood when I turned this on, which was when I had just left 80 hours of social interaction (and I’m an introvert), including work and family. I thought this would make my bad mood worse but actually, knowing I already hate Nick Cave and therefore feeling no pressure to enjoy it, I felt free to let the irritation of everything wash over me, and it actually kind of made my bad mood dissipate. I’d give it one star but I’ll give them credit for making me feel better, and also because the band being called The Bad Seeds is so good.

That was just….I don’t really care for Nick Cave and I’m over listening to his albums on this list. Speaking of this list, the more average or bad albums I hear, the more I wonder why the fuck I’m following along.

This so called "must listen" list is filled with TOO MUCH old white male GARBAGE. If these boring tracks only made it here because they're beloved by middle-aged American guys, why not swap them for more Taylor Swift? At least her music is vivid, and even in her worst music she's enough genuine. As for this album itself, it's better than Oasis, but that's about it.

Well damn - thought I was familiar with all of The Bad Seeds' discography, but somehow this one slipped through the cracks and I don't think I've ever listened to it before!? It's in a similar vein to "Murder Ballads", so I am extremely well disposed towards it from the jump. Fave tracks - loved the rough edges of "Papa Won't Leave You, Henry" and "Brother, My Cup is Empty" - also liked the occult portent of "Christina the Astonishing" and "I Had a Dream, Joe". Well definitely be racking up more listens of this - it's like discovering an easter egg that's a whole new level of a game you love!

This was a fun wild romp, this is the Nick Cave I Nick Crave.

So fun to listen to. There was so much to love about this album. So creative and interesting!

After yesterday's Limp Bizkit encounter I was glad to get some Nick Cave. It's a 5 because Nick is great, but after suffering through Fred Durst almost anything would sound good. This is for real very, very good though.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds never go below a certain level (with very small exception). Henry's Dream is a really good album with a fantastic music and excellent lyrics and vocal, as always. Some great songs, and few at least average, but always pleasant to hear. Nick Cave and the band has a really diverse discography, which one has to admire.

Loved it.

the

Nick Cave has gotta be one of the most consistent songwriters around. 5 decades of music and not a single bad album. I don’t QUITE think this one surpasses murder ballads or let love in for me but still, damn.

So Nick Cave has been pretty inconsistent for me, having said that and looking back at my scores, I've liked more than I havent. Fortunately this falls into the liked category. It starts off by kicking you in the face with Papa won't you leave and just keeps momentum the entire way. It doesn't out stay its welcome, it a 5 from me

82m Papa wont leave !, i had a dream Joe, straight to you, brother my cup !,

LOVE

Another Nick Cave album on the list and of course I love it. One might wonder why it is Henry's Dream of all the albums because Nick and the band often talked about some dissatisfaction with the production as well as the musical direction. Originally, Nick wanted it all to sound like Brazilian raw street music, raw and estatic use of acoustic guitars etc. What came out of it was a bit different but still one can see the ideas behind it. Dark energy, American gothic landscapes and obscure characters. Never has Nick Cave more been the dark preacher character than here. My favourite song is one of the quietest though: "Christina the Astonishing" with its medieval vibes tells the story of a saintly woman that hates sin. But let's face it, every track is great on its own and "Straight To You" one of Nick's best love songs.

This is our fourth Nick Cave album, so the phrasing in the first song sounded familiar, but since this LP was released before the others, I can’t say his sound or his “scab-picking” lyrics are getting stale. The song-writing is stronger than the “The Boatman’s Call” and “Murder Ballads”, though on the latter, there were many standards. “Henry’s Dream”, on the other is full of originals that sound like they could be standards, the first three tracks especially. Cave is one of the great poets of this generation, and like Dylan and Neil Young before him, a lot of the gritty characters in the songs sound like they're right out of the old west, or in Nick's case case, the outback. Michael

I feel like this album especially, you can hear how much he loves Elvis and Gospel music. Especially at the beginning of the album, he seems to just switch back and forth between Elvis-y songs and a Gospel-y songs

The best I have listened to for a long time

It's been Cave month. Yesterday was The Boatman's Call while Murder Ballads was only a couple of weeks ago. This one definitely fits with Murder Ballads as he tells dark stories to a noisy, yet musical backing. The only relation to Boatman's Call is his voice and his incredible poetry. Generally the nastier the song, the more poetic the lyrics. He is a true genius.

10/10 at this point I’m convinced Nick Cave is incapable of making a bad album

This contains everything that is great about a Nick Cave record. Dark themes, raw emotion, dense story telling, and instantly striking, engaging and brilliant songs. This record is the most 'Nick Cave doing the standard Nick Cave thing' album that I've come across. Fortunately, the standard Nick Cave thing is really compelling. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Papa Won't Leave You, Henry Date listened: 31/01/24

It took two listens, but I can confirm this is still a great album.

One of the best albums of NC & BS - non-stop classic Nick Cave songs.

Hearing this again sent me into a week long Bad Seeds binge and when I resurfaced my project at 1001 Albums Generator has been paused due to low activity. This is a very strange and haunting but wonderful take on accepting fatherhood and getting used to a life without addiction. That is how I saw it anyway. So much regret mixed with hope.

I am afraid now.

Loved it. Every song tells a story and they are catchy as well.

I probably say this each time I listen to an album from their discography, but this is an absolute highlight. Cave’s vocals are mesmerizing and filled with emotions, the songwriting is brilliant throughout and the balance between The Bad Seeds being maniacs and the more calm, atmospheric songs taking over is perfect.

The man does not miss. Henry's Dream strikes a perfect balance between the manic start and the more atmospheric tracks towards the end of the album. Cave's vocals have never been better.

Espetacular sentir o encantamento da criação musical.

Favourite tracks: loom of the land; jack the ripper; straight to you; pap won't leave you, henry

A great album towards the start of a fantastic run from Tender Prey to No More Shall We Part, and maybe Cave’s strongest release up to this point. The opening song is so impactful and the energy continues throughout the whole record, though it is well balanced with some beautiful moments like Straight to You. A fantastic album from a legendary artist at the top of his game

Very good

I generally like Nick Cave a lot, and this project is a great way to get exposure to some of his albums that I've overlooked. This is no exception, and I really like the sound of this record - like the soundtrack to a western musical about murderous cowboys.

primeiro dele que gosto mutcho?

I like it but I also feel like listening to Nick Cave is going to give me tetanus.

Listened Before? N I'm starting to become a big fan of Nick Cave. I had never listened to much of him before this list, and I'm glad the project pointed me to him. He's diverse and an amazing songwriter. This album is no exception. Awesome stuff. I didn't enjoy it as much as his later, more ethereal Ghosteen... but it's a totally different vibe. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Straight to You

Een iets hardere Nick Cave. Goeie plaat

Una altra pedra gran i robusta, part de la catedral impressionant que forma la discografia de Nick Cave. Part d'uns anys on no tenia ni una sola ensopegada. La melancolia, la brutícia, l'introspecció, l'elegància i la majestuositat de la banda es concentra en temes tan bons com 'Straight to You', 'Papa Won't Leave You, Henry' o 'Christina The Astonishing'

I thought it was a fun album, but there was almost an effort at parts to sound too raw that really didn't work for me.

Well, well, well, if it ain't big man Nick himself yet again. Love this scary guy. This is the fifth album I've had featuring him and so far every single one has been a 4/5. Gonna go with the same score this time. Sidenote: Weird that there's so many Nick Cave albums on this list, yet none of them are his pepperoni-nipped biggest record "Let Love In". That one would have been a big old 5/5.

Very much a Nick cave album

Straight to You is a banger

4++

this was a great listen. it reminds me of a dark folk/punk hybrid. pretty heavy for an acoustic album. highlights: “i had a dream, joe”, “brother, my cup is empty”, “john finn’s wife”.

Probably a lot of people’s introduction to Nick Cave and co. Still a lot of that 80s post punk edge. Good stuff.

Sounds a bit rough, but not bad.

Punk blues de Nick Cave. Un 4.

Wow 🤩

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Papa won’t leave you Henry, I had a dream Joe, Loom of the land

The tears we cry today will soon be washed away... By the tears we cry tomorrow is a brutal and hilarious line. It's exactly what you'd expect from Nick Cave, however, I'd say it is perfected on Murder Ballads, this falls a little short of that admittedly high bar!

Not my favourite genre but I'm interested in the energy behind it, in the performances, the story about the production. Four stars as a note to self.

A raging, roaring, vaguely menacing album of folk/rock tunes about dark things, sung by a songwriter with a rangy, smooth, growling baritone. The band sounds like cartoon characters hanging, flapping from the back of the runaway stagecoach that is Cave. Sounds, all at once, like Leadbelly, Dylan & The Band or an evil Leonard Cohen. Rare. The musical forms are very old and a bit theatrical but the tradition of writing ballads about dark themes like this is old. It's just not so prominent as it once was, anymore. This is very nearly a country album but absolutely does not come from that tradition (though I'm sure Cave has heard some Johnny Cash) - that distinction alone makes this a fascinating and engrossing listen.

Pretty good

For how weird this guy is, some of these songs are downright normal! (Straight to you, When I first came to town). I don't adore deep voiced male singers, but this album is pretty fun and intense. Overall, good! 4 stars

It's always such a theatrical experience listening to Nick Cave, and I find his voice incredibly compelling. Though I might not be tempted to seek this out on my own, I enjoyed this quite a lot. After a few loops through it I felt so absorbed in this whole wretched and dramatic world. I'd love to see a movie full of all these characters and their sordid tales. This album cover is *chef's kiss* brilliant too, it represents this full package of ominous and chilling songs perfectly.

Goth drama kid energy. I like it.

Another stonking effort from Nick Cave, full of vivid imagery and foreboding music. The gothic Wild West setting is a thrill and few artists are as inspired as this.

Like all things Nick Cave, the production on this is incredible. If you’re the kind of person who vibes with his music then this seems like a top shelf album. I’m not that person but a respectful 4 stars.

I had to listen to this quite a few times to form a proper opinion. I like this way more than "The Boatman's Call". It feverish and nightmarish with some really cool lyrics and tunes. This really feels like a concept album and something akin to Tom Waits ramblings. Some of my favourite tunes were the more shanty-like anthemic songs "Papa Won't Leave you, Henry", John Finn's Wife and "Jack the Ripper". I think this gets a weak 4 since a 3 seems a bit low since i felt to listen to it again after completing it multiple times.

A bit polarizing but I suppose that's to be expected with Nick Cave. By the end of the album I say: "I think I like this? I'm not sure." It's good but maybe not as striking or impactful as it could be. Here, the macabre feels turned down a bit to make room for more gospel flavored material but with less fire and brimstone, and so I would be more inclined to listen to some of the older albums or later ones such as Let Love In or Murder Ballads. One thing for sure, Nick Cave is a good story teller and builds mystique and morbid curiosity.

Prior to this album I knew some of Nick's "cult following" songs like Deanna but this is the first of his albums that I listened to a lot and from which I knew every song. There are some monster songs here. It's hard to even consider a 3 or lower rating for an album that has the lyrics: I counted up my blessings And I counted only one One tiny little blessing And now that blessings gone

Uggh with this stinking site... they never showed me Nick Cave and just went straight to Big Brother and the Holding Company. I will have to listen to this album, but yeah - it's a guaranteed three+ stars for me, so I'll just go ahead and call it a four.

Always liked this album, though there are some forgettable songs which keeps it from being a 5. Straight to You is amazing.

Weirdly reminded me on Tenacious D

This could be fun and serious when it needed to be, but never really exciting. Definitely enjoyable. 4/5

Lyrics- 5/5 Vocals- 3/5 Instrumentals- 3/5 Vibes- 5/5 Overall 4/5 A truly great album, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds do not disappoint. However, I feel like Nick Cave's vocals are not for everybody. I think in many songs his vocals are amazing, but a few really do not do his beautiful lyrics any sort of justice at all. However, I definitely did enjoy this album nonetheless. Its composition was beautiful.

Liked this one more than Murder Ballads. I’m surprised to read that the band didn’t like how this one turned out. I need to listen to the live album to see if I like any of those versions better. Liked the first half more but second half was still solid. After listening to the versions on the live album, I do think they are slightly better with a bit more energy. If you could replace those versions with their live counterparts, I’d raise the rating to 4.6. Just relistened to murder ballads and think I like that one more. Rating: 4.4

His voice is captivating, his stories are brilliant, his style is strange, and category defying. I like it.

4.0

My favourite of Nick Caves albums so far

I think Nick Cave unintentionally casts ominous dread onto his listeners, which is an amazing accomplishment. He effortlessly sells stories with great imagery throughout Henry’s Dream. Nick Cave is the crux of a compass. Listeners will be directed towards extreme emotion. That’s not to say all emotion will be favourable. Regardless, listeners alike feel Nick Cave and his albums are memorable- for better or for worse.

I like Nick Cave a lot, even if he can sometimes be a bit over-dramatic. Production on this one seems a little flat, but the songs are good. 4 stars.

Shocked it took me this long into this project to get Nick Cave. I’m happy to see my old friend. 4/5

On the weaker side of his discography, but not bad, of course!

Not a top album for Cave perhaps but still a very respectable one in general.

Buen disco de rock, con una voz poderosa y con fuerza, reforzada con unos coros habituales y que le dan un estilo muy personal. Canciones con clase. Me ha sorprendido, aunque le ha faltado que variases un poco el estilo

Awesome

Hard for me to rate because this is clearly evening music and I do a lot of my listening on commuter trains but will give it some time over the weekend to take in the stories and let it percolate. I'll say it was a lot more accessible and fun-sounding than I thought it would be.

I'm going to give this 4 stars - I hate Nick Cave and I still don't like him. This isn't good music, but it might be his best? Way to go, Sport!

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds create a distinct version of alternative rock. His deep, warbling voice and his very dramatic lyrics are accompanied by a talented, energetic band. Henry's Dream includes a collection of songs that showcase Nick Cave's talent as a storyteller, which is one of the elements that draw his devoted fans.

Nick Cave is often a challenge. This is a good album, but he is perhaps a touch overrepresented in this list.

I've always been a bit hit and miss with Nick Cave. Luckily, this one hit yesterday, enjoyed it.

Nick Cave doing what he does best. Brilliant lyricist and great music, very much rewards an active listen. Great album.

Lovely Nick with his apocolyptic visions and gruff guitair. There are better but still a quality album.