Ghosteen

This is art born of tragedy. A parent dealing with the death of their child. Absolutely haunting album that I think anyone who has lost someone before their time will resonate with. Felt like a real gut punch. 4/5.

Currently the top review on this album is a one-star review about how there are too many Nick Cave albums on this list and it is nearly impossible to listen to. Upon clicking their profile you will find that they are a fan of Frank Sinatra, disco, and 90s rap. Clearly we have picked the wrong people to judge what music is good and what music is bad.

It’s sad, it’s beautiful, it’s rich, and overall a great album. You can really feel Cave’s grief. Listened to this one quite a few times and while it is not a clear 5/5 for me, it can see it become one someday. For now, a 4/5.

Day 18 Amazing album, haunting music and lyrics about grief, would have to be in a certain mood to revisit but found it beautiful . 8/10 Highlights Bright Horses Waiting for You Leviathan

I love Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. I really enjoy the sound of this album, I can listen to it both thoughtfully and while doing something else. The sound is incredibly deep, singing is soothing and mesmerising and overall atmosphere is soothing and unsettling at the same time. I will be boring here and call "Waiting for You" is my favourite track but that's just because it introduced me to this album. It's hard to pick my favourite out of here.

damn, right in the feels

Second Nick Cave in a row! Made an appointment to get more anti depressants 🙄. Seriously, this music is very interesting to me and I heard echoes of Leonard Cohen, David Bowie's Black Star, and even some hints of a Van Morrison. Needless to say, this scores almost as highly as the masters.

¿Otra vez Nick Cave? Me cago en la puta, si todas las canciones son iguales. Y la portada es para mandarlo a tomar por culo. En fin, lo escucharé con la mejor actitud de la que sea capaz. Pues sinceramente, me desdigo de casi todo. No me gusta su forma de cantar y no me transmite eso que dicen por ahí. Pero este disco es de una belleza sublime. Es como si cantase por encima de una banda sonora de David Lynch. Me lo quedo sin duda. La portada sigue siendo el horror.

Bright Horses Waiting for You Ghosteen

Definitely my favorite Nick Cave album. Beautiful, sorrowful, and atmospheric in all the right ways. It was the wrong album to try to lift weights to (busy day), but it was a beautiful and impactful album.

Very vibey

Gorgeous, but I don't know if I can finish it. I made it through the first disc alright, but I had to stop during "Ghosteen." I'm going through a bit of depression myself, and hearing him sing about his son with such a heartbreaking voice is a little too much for me right now. I suppose that means it's definitely a great album.

fallegar ballöður. guð ríður húsum. meira.

A really sad album, you can really heard him dealing with grief. I don’t care for anything else nick cave, but this was a good experience once.

This is an undeniably tragic album. Something about Nick Cave's voice and songwriting style never sits right with me, but here that fortunately works with the raw emotion and unease the album conveys. I guess I am willing to overlook some of my other problems with the album. Favorite track: probably "Leviathan"

Following the two previosly recommendations of Nick Cave's music from this list, 'Henry's Dream' and 'Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus', now this website presents me this record. Compared to the other two, this album shows a totally new side from Nick Cave, as this record was made during the authors mourning of his teenage son. Altough I was already expecting this album to be slow and sad, I was surprised of how deep and emotional it feels. The first tracks from the first disc are an incredible way to set up the mood for this record, specially the opener. They are the strongest song in the first part of the album, as the latter half of it I feel is a bit weaker, and sometimes it was a bit difficult to connect with them as much as I did with the first ones. The second disc features only three songs, two of them being the longest songs in the whole project, surpassing the 10 minutes mark: 'Ghosteen' being the starting point of this section, has an incredible beautiful instrumentation and choruses which transition very well into a more subtle and slow singing with delicate synths. 'Fireflies' sits between the big tracks, but it is the only spoken word song in the whole record. This album ends with the longest song, 'Hollywood' and it may feature's Nick's best performance as I could feel very much the pain in his voice. Besides, it is an incredible way to finish the album. This album is incredibly beautiful, deep, emotinal and personal. Only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is beacuse I think some tracks in the first disc are a bit weak, and I also need more time to digest it.

It’s not what I expected but elegantly beautiful for Cave. I don’t know that I will listen again but I very much respect the art and the range of what Cave creates.

It’s devastating in the most gentle, artful way. Floating inside sorrow, without a way out. There’s no big hook, no punch. Just a slow unraveling. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions: - Spinning Song - Bright Horses - Waiting for You

This is kind of epic?? I’m a little amazed but I dig it. Really makes me want to write or go on an epic journey

This started slow for me but hooked me (?) with the shattering loss at is center. I remember this album coming out and hearing about its inspiration, but it's even more brutal than I expected. Songs like "Ghosteen Speaks," "Ghosteen," and "Hollywood" are almost unbearably sad, particularly "Ghosteen Speaks." The first songs, which reference Jesus and Mary, etc., felt laborious, but the rest cuts like a goddamn dagger.

An amazing piece of art by one of my favourite artists. Strong from the start, with ‘Hollywood’ a tour de force. Outstanding, but still not his best - thus the lack of five stars.

God damn, I needed a trigger warning and a caffeine pill for this.

If you’re like me, it might take you some time to find the right mood and moment for this sparse meditation on grief, but when you finally do, a heartbreakingly beautiful world of universal truths will reveal itself.

Överlag är riktigt härlig vibe o härligt luftigt, inget som sticker ut men gav mig en mycket skön känsla!

The album cover reminded me of a fantasy novel, bringing me into a musical rendition of grief that sounded pretty magical.

I allow myself pre-listening comments if I know the band. What a strange place to start our Nick Cave Journey. Serendipitously, this is the album that came out of his when I was at my peak Nick Cave fandom. As I recall, I found it good, if a little too brooding for me to fully process at the time. Brilliant Writer? Yes. But I do feel like this one benefits from seeing his evolution from 90s era transgressive southern gothic to haunted bereaved parent. In fact, I wish I knew his work better; I only know the 5 most famous albums of his. We'll see if I want to dig deeper after this. To Ghosteen! Listening notes: -I often complain about softer stuff. Not in this case. -I think the space-age sounds on spinning song (and IIRC throughout the album) really work with this very spare arrangement of music. -Kinda interesting that I'm finishing reading Beloved around the same time we're listening to this--artwork using ghosts as a means of discussing bereavement and loss (I guess that's not that surprising). This album is really good, but I just don't think it has the extra oomph necessary for a 5 star. 4.5 rounding down.

Weird choice for my first Nick Cave album, but you gotta start somewhere. I'm expecting something dark and gothic, and also pretty sad when taking the wiki article into account. Hoping it has a few different elements to it or else it might get boring considering it's a double album. Pretty album cover. Spinning Song Strange and spacey. The synths are very atmospheric. Interesting lyrics, feels really cryptic. Love the more melodic sections of the instrumental. Ethereal ending. Unexpected. Good. 4/5 Bright Horses Beautiful intro. Pretty piano, also love the string flourishes. Bleak lyrics. The background vocals are really pretty. Decent. 3.5/5 Waiting For You The piano is played with a lot of emotion behind it. Feels really weighty. So far the mood of this album is just extremely depressing. This song is no exception. The added context makes this hit pretty hard. Decent. 3.5/5 Night Raid Love the ambience, the drowned out bell like sound is really interesting. Beautiful instrumental. Great backing vocals. Vivid lyrics. Great. 4.5/5 Sun Forest Beautiful ambience yet again. Sets up a haunting and bleak atmosphere. Sends you to another world. Angelic background vocals. Fantastic lyrics. Love the way it switches up at the end. Fantastic buildup with the strange instrumental and the soft vocals. An experience. Fantastic. 5/5 Galleon Ship Interesting instrumental. Really like the subtle sample in the background. Beautiful keys. Love how the song sort of ascends. Great concept. Really feels like the song is "circling". Great. 4.5/5 Ghosteen Speaks Also has an air of ascension around it. Love the almost cosmic sounding instrumental. Has a bit of a hopeful feeling to it. Doesn't feel as bleak and harrowing as previous tracks do. I enjoy the simplistic structure. Good. 4/5 Leviathan Has a bit of an underwater feel to it. Love the high pitched flourishes in the background. Really like the subtle percussion. Beautifully atmospheric. Decent. 3.5/5 Ghosteen Great electronic buildup. Love the strings, beautifully arranged. Has some moments of brightness and beauty that contrasts really well against the dark exterior of the rest of the album. The lyrics tell a vivid story. Beautiful backing vocals. Good. 4/5 Fireflies Love the chaotic strings in the background. Pais well with the sort of cosmic language used in the spoken word. I can imagine that part of the instrumental as either the stars or the fireflies in the lyrics. Very vivid visual. Good. 4/5 Hollywood I like the dark bouldering rhythmic element against the light, spacey synths. Bleak and spiritual. Has some beautiful ethereal moments when the strings come in to support the vocals. Strange. Accepting grief is hard. Resolves elegantly. Good. 4/5 I need a minute after that. It's beautiful, but very emotionally draining. Feels like it's constantly at a point where it is about to resolve into something more positive before it hits you with a massive wave of depressing bleakness. It's just incredibly heavy. Emotionally, lyrically, thematically, you name it. The way he writes about his grief is truly heartbreaking. This is paired with some beautiful, sometimes ascendant ambience which reaches moments so angelic and pure that it sends the listener to a whole new world. Could see myself needing multiple listens to appreciate it fully, especially when it comes to the lyrical content, but I cannot say I didn't enjoy every second it was on. 4/5

The sound of grief on "tape". It is my understanding that some of this content was written or conceived prior to his sons death, however the execution, tone and content lay a powerful grief out on the table for the world to witness. Sparse, brooding and melancholy. Often depressing. Occasionally uplifting. Beautiful synthscapes lay the foundation for crystal clear lamentations and musings on life and death. I felt conflicted listening to this as I walked my dog in the sunshine. I was fully engrossed and felt like a stranger in a strange land. Detached and unrelatable as I sharpened my focus on the music. Next time I spin this will be alone in the house with the shades drawn. Haha.

It's the day of my friend's funeral. A very apt album. Taken as a whole, there's an awful lot here. The subject matter is heavy, deservedly. There's obviously a lot to sing about. I can't give it 5 stars because it's not often I want to actively listen to so much grief. It is brilliant though. Great cover art.

Thoughts before listening: Nick Cave is an interesting artist for me. I've listened to his music before and I enjoy what I hear. However, whenever I read a writeup of one of his albums...especially more modern ones like this...it all just seems so heavy and deep to me. Nick has experienced massive loss in his personal life with the deaths of his children, and that's often the theme of his albums. It's enough for me to respect the music without wanting to dig in too deep to the newer albums. This will be a first listen for me. Review: So this is a very lovely album of minimalist, ambient music backing Nick's deep baritone voice. The overall vibe of the album is dark and cathartic as this was written while coping with the death of his son...although there are still glimmers of hope with lyrics of love and the beauty of the world. I find myself immersed in listening to this album even if the music is not my typical style. Nick's voice especially is a pleasure to hear even if the emotions are exploring unpleasant territory, the backstory of this album especially resonating as I listen while in my daughter's room as she sleeps. This is a beautiful album I am glad to have experienced even if it is not one I will likely revisit any time soon. 4-stars

Pretty good. Not ground breaking, but still liked it.

For fuck sake. Won’t say I didn’t like this but won’t say I’ll listen again.

One of my preferred Nick Cave albums on the list, along with Murder Ballads and The Lyre of Orpheus (just that part, Abattoir Blues is kind of mid)

This is deeply engrossing, I couldn't turn it off!

Dark, heavy, and moody.. wow. Written in the aftermath of the death of Cave's son Arthur in 2015, this is one of the most poignant examples of 'art through adversity' I have come across in some time, perhaps ever. It's a hauntingly beautiful listen.. well made, sonically layered and extremely atmospheric. Very easy to get lost in.

bin etz vier sings deep und finds uuuhuere schön und herzschmerz wegem sohn auaaaa. sun forest au uuultra schöne text er molt bilder. galleon ships au wieder super langsam kei pult irgendwie aber s dörf afoch flüsse. de eint moment wo de chor unisono singt isch geil am schluss. leviathan wieder storytelling auaaaaa sin soooohn. fireflies au crazy schöne text. hollywood erinneret mi (aber da hend scho anderi lieder etz uf dem album) bitz ah shine on you crazy diamond parts 5 bis wasauimmer halt de schluss vo wish you were here.

puh bin glaub nöd ready okay tragischi background gschicht :( poah spinning song isch uultra schön! bide beschriebig vo wikipedia hetti denkt, dass es mier gar nöd entspricht (reduzierti perkussion, vill ambient) aber jz nach 3 lieder findis eecht schön night raid isch jz s erste lied woni jz chli langwilig finde jaa d lieder sind jz nöd unglaublich villsiitig aber iwie funktionierts für mich na guet? aso ja die ghosteen müsst minere meinig nöd soo arschlang sii macht de nick cave eifach langi (doppel)albe zum echli meh sophisticated würke? hollywood isch fantastisch und ich find die LIECHTI perkussiom macht soo vill uus erinneret mi teilwiis chli ah black star ja git es 4i. sehrsehrsehr schöns album, au wenn ich mini übliche nick cave problem han hobbla vlt mussis nomal lose, han gad nomal spinning song glost und GLIEBT

Harrowing

I liked this even though I've never really heard of Nick Cave. Totally not my style but I like his spoken/singing/storytelling style. Beautiful atmospheric music. Great lyrics. Not quite my typical style of music but whatever. Live, laugh, love, right? I could see myself getting really high and crying to this. #WeekendPlans.

This is not my fave Nick Cave but you can’t help being moved and that’s enough

Atmospheric & airy synths. Kind of like Bladerunner OST Vangelis meets Black Star Bowie. Uplifting & melancholic by turns. Great album if you're in the right mood.

That was clearly a wild f’n ride. Too bad a was distracted with work to really take it in and really listen to the lyrics, which I’m assuming is vital for this album. Never heard anything like it before. Looking forward to reading about it and listening again when I have the chance. I’m gonna give it a high rating based on the intrigue factor alone. Bravo

Dark, melancholic, scary-beautiful

Hienoa tällä kertaa rauhoittavaa ja maagista musiikkia. Tämä äijä tosiaan osaa ja on osannut sitä aina tehdä

Olipa tunnelmallinen levy, ihan kuin olisi kuunnellut vangeliksen Blade runner ääniraitaa. Nick Caven samettinen ääni ja tarinankerronta on hienoa kuunneltavaa.

Very good album. Not Nick Cave's best, mind you, but extremely beautiful and serene. Subject matter is the death of Cave's son, and he really sings his his heart out on a couple of tracks - just listen to the stunning Waiting For You, and you might be able to catch a glimpse in the loss Cave was feeling. Sonically, this album is much less bluesy than previous outings, but more daringly experimental with lush, but tasteful synth arrangements. This must really be one of the most recent albums on the list, and it really is deserving to be on it. 4/5

This was written and recorded shortly after Nick Cave lost his son, Arthur, in 2015. I can hear the emotion in his voice as he paints a picture of what he's feeling and what he's going through. Much of the album teetered between ethereal and melancholy and was incredibly interesting to me. It's super heavy even if the underlying music is light.

бархатный коронный голос и медленные сочные песни маэстро в звучании 2019 года, ч это тут забыло лол нич нового бтв

oof this was a heavy one for sure

custom_rating: 8

What can you say about Nick Cave. Possibly the greatest song writer of the 21st century. If you're looking for anything resembling a rock album this ain't it. I don't think there is an electric guitar to be heard on the entire album. What you will find are deeply personal lyrics sung with emotional depth set to a dramatic soundscape that helps lay Cave's soul to bear for all to see and feel. 4 stars

Una portada ya de por sí surrealista, en clave redentora y paradisíaca pero absolutamente artificial e irreal, el disco es una exégesis del proceso de duelo de Cave con la muerte de su hijo y conforma la tercera parte de una trilogía que gozó de parabienes de toda la crítica (completada con Push The Sky Away y Skeleton Tree) compuesta por un tipo de 50 y tantos años con una inspiración pocas veces vista. No es en absoluto mi disco favorito suyo (Abbatoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus o los de los 90 Let Love in, Murder Ballads y The Boatman’s Call) ni siquiera del 19 (Lana del Rey, Kiwanuka, FKA Twigs, Billie Eilish y sobre todo el de Weyes Blood que hace de contrapunto a este de Cave) . Sin embargo no es un disco cualquiera, es un disco enorme, como casi toda la discografía de Cave. Aquí brilla la orquestación y reluce el falsete, sobre todo en tema como Bright horses. Está Warren Ellis, pero no son los Bad Seeds de Blix y Harvey. Night Raid suena grave y suave a la vez, una canción ciertamente profunda y bella. Sun Forest culmina el camino, brilla con luz propia. No es que el resto, Galleon Ship sin ir más lejos no lo hagan pero esta destaca por encima. Las referencias a Scott Walker son obvias, por ejemplo en Ghosteen speaks. El segundo disco (Fathers) es aún más profundo, con solo dos temas que sobrepasan generosamente los 10 minutos unidos por un speech musicado. La primera, Ghosteen tarda casi 5 en echar a andar y podrían ser 3 canciones en una. La segunda, Hollywood, sigue la misma pauta aunque uno espera, en vano, que aparezca la fiereza indomable de Cave y los Bad Seeds. Un disco extenso, profundo y delicado. Necesario para Cave pero que puede hacerse largo, demasiado contenido, y no termina de despegar con algún tema de rompe y rasga de los que nos tiene acostumbrados.

Dark melancholic masterpiece. Very quiet and smooth.

this album is wildly atmospheric and though I enjoyed it, it absolutely wanted to put me to sleep.

I actually like this way more than I initially thought I would.

Really cool, loved the ambient vibe, so different to Lyre of Orpheus / abattoir blues. Incredible cover too.

Haunting.

pretty chill album, deep baritone. Good album.

nick cave + the ambient half of david bowie's low, so great start already even if it doesn't quite work. but quite beautiful and moving

Such a nice, easy, relaxing listen.

This is the sixth Nick Cave album on the list (if you include that Birthday Party stuff), putting him up there with the Beatles and Bowie. Really? Still, I have told some friends I have much more respect for him now than before this odyssey when I only knew him by name. His voice is limited (he can really own do baritone) and he is strange as F, but he can pen / arrange some beautiful songs. This album has a very dreamy feel and it's not all masterful, but man does he hit some high notes. Waiting for You is the piece de resistance - sad yet hopeful, soaring, and absolutely beautiful. Just wow. Similar beauty as Into My Arms and People Ain't No Good on a previous album, but probably the best of all his songs. Ever. It definitely captures the essence of this album, recorded after the death of his son and dedicated to their bandmate Conway Savage who died of cancer before the album's release. Bright Horses is another majestic and touching song. Hollywood too (moreso the first 9min before Cave tries falsetto).

Good lord, what a depressing album...understandable, given it was written after Nick Cave's 15 year old son died after falling from a cliff. It's beautiful, but absolutely heart-rending. I give 4's to albums I want to hear again - this album is worthy musically, but not sure I'd want to hear again because it's making me think of what it would be like to lose my own children and that's far too painful to think about. But I'll give it the 4 it deserves. Favorite tracks: Bright Horses, Sun Forest, Leviathan (the ending is majestic and sorrowful), Hollywood (especially the dark turn the song takes after the line, "The kid drops his bucket and spade and climbs into the sun").

Ну ладно, мне понравилось

This is significantly better than all the other Nick Cave albums on this list--as in its actually listenable. Very mellow and somber sounding. This actually makes me thing this guy can actually write music. I might have to revisit this when I have more time to take it in. 4/5

Aptly named album - felt eerie and otherworldly. NC is just a boss about creating sounds that are gloriously unsettling.

Bright Horses has an element in it that reminds me a lot of a James Blake song that was released a few years in advanced of this -- I'll dig it out in a bit. Pretty song tho. Okey sooooo this one falls into a general category that I enjoy while listening, but honestly have no driving desire to dive back into. For some reason the sad old man tone + epic song structures just don't appeal to me. And yet I have no problem with other epic song structure (e.g., Sigur Ros). Anyway, the songs on here are pretty and honestly were very interesting during the listen. I felt absorbed and moved, especially in the second side (chapter?). The songs are often lush with ghost-like qualities derived from vocal delivery, echoes, etc. The result is a beautiful album and I get the appeal, but for me it isn't something I need again anytime in the near future. I'd say objectively this earns a 4, but has low replayability for me.

Pretty atmospheric. Unique album for sure. Headphones recommended. Interesting that it was more of a narration than singing, didn't hate that! 3.5 for straight up enjoyability with the bump for unique.

An incredibly spooky album with some crazy sound effects and Nick Caves singing style. Felt like I was in a dream the whole time and the album just zoomed by

About halfway in and this album is ethereal af. Hauntingly beautiful. I feel like you need to be in the right mood for this one, but I feel like it would be great on psychedelics. Also seems like a lot of this was sritten after his son fell off a cliff and died. Definitely gives it the sad tone but also seems hopeful. A little long for my liking but I completely immersed myself into that.

A very beautiful and haunting album. I've very impressed with the ambient and atmospheric nature of most of these tracks. Dragged a bit sometimes and his voice is meh but very good. 4/5

Such a pretty album. Absorbing it is a slow and gentle process; it almost requires a certain amount of patience. It's wrapped up in its longing and embodies the spirit of grief. Grieve until you can't anymore. Grieve until there's nothing left. Grieve until it hurts less. Ghosteen both gives and takes, trapped in a dialogue of its own melancholy. Sometimes it helps to wallow in that sadness.

Alright. Collective angst, loss, grief, existentialism, faith, healing, love... It seems silly to say anything about this album at all. From one sensitive human to another, I recognize you.

Unbedingt bei Kerzenlicht an einem grauen Herbsttag im Keller hören!

This is an interesting combination of emo, ambient, and songwriting. I wasn't expecting this, having listened to a few Nick Cave albums, but thought it was a good listen.

Very impressed, rather unusual and emotional

Good

Excellent album, great writer

The album was a real surprise for me, despite the dark mood I found it varied.

Why is there so much NIck Cave on this list? Totally different in style and vocals.

Wonderful! I want to see these guys perform live some day.

Heel indrukwekkend album. Is volgens mij een album dat is gemaakt nadat zn zoon is overleden. Je hoort echt de pijn van de zanger. Instrumentaal is het een vrij minimaal album, maar des te meer maken de teksten indruk. Op de latere nummers hoor je sterkere muziek en orgels? Draagt ontzettend bij aan de sfeer van het album. Oprecht had ik niet gedacht dat ik dit album zo vet zou vinden. Ook de stem van Nick Cave is ijzersterk. Wist niet dat een stem zo diep kon zijn joh, crazy. 2e plaat is voor mij net iets te veel van het goede. Merk dat ik er dan een klein beetje klaar mee ben. Maar alles bij elkaar was dit echt een ontzettend goed album! Favo: bright horses, Night Raid, sun forest

Haunting and beautiful. The only downside is that I don't think Cave's vocals quite do it justice vs, say, a Jonsi style. He's more suited to being a dirty dirty man in the vicinity of Kylie Minogue

A beautifully tender album, made a pretty difficult listen by knowing the circumstances in which it was conceived. I do tend to prefer Nick Cave's more upbeat songs. They tend to cover his tendency for slightly non-sensical and overblown lyrics, which are exposed on this record. Still, a great album for a melancholy mood.

Rare nick cave case where the backing music was doing more for me than the vocals

Oh my God this album is beautiful. Nick Cave, I'm sorry for the awful ratings I have given you in the past. This album has made me see your music in a new light, I promise I'll be open to the rest of your stuff from now on.

Beautiful album but drags in certain areas.

Intense soundscapes, deep lyrics. If I hadn’t known that this album was about his son’s death I might not appreciate the heaviness.

Otherworldly. Haunting. Gothic. Beautiful.

Strange and atmospheric. Not something I would put on to get the party started, but definitely something I would put on for a chill day by myself.

"Ghosteen" is the 17th studio album by Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It is a double album, the first from the band since 2004 and the final part (album) of a trilogy. The album was written in the aftermath of the death of Cave's son, Arthur, in 2015 and the grief from that is at the focal point of the lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, they are a deviation from Cave's usual narrative-based style and explore themes of loss, death and existentialism, empathy and optimism relying heavily on imagery. The music is ambient and electronic with extensive use of synthesizers and piano. Critically, the album had wide-spread acclaim and, commercially, hit #4 in the UK and #108 in the US. An ambient synth and organ keys open "Spinning Song." Cave's deep baritone comes in and eventually a background chorus and strings. He tells the story of a king dying but his feathers will eventually spin to the sky and peace will come. The lyrics in all these songs appear to be imagery to his dealing with his son's death. Electronic pounding followed by piano keys and a background synth begin "Waiting for You." Cave's painfully emotional vocals are the highlight of this song. Christian imagery and the return of Jesus is used as he dscribes his wife and his emotional state and waiting for their son. "Ghosteen Speaks" continues his mourning with some great lyrics..."Nothing is something. Need to forget to remember." His friends are besides him. A Rush "2112"-like synth intro goes into into a lush string sympathy. The 14-minute epic "Hollywood" closes the album. A repetitive bassline and an ambient, circular synth loop carry the song. Cave is near the end as he is going to go to the hills and wait for the end the come. He then tells the story of Kisa who seeks help after the death of her child and discovers that no one is untouched by loss and she is not alone in her grief. Cave sings this part in a falsetto. This is a haunting, moving, compelling and beautiful album. Cave uses abstract imagery (burning horses, Jesus, sun, rain, snow and stars) to describe his grief and feelings. The ambient music is sparse with synths, a piano, strings and vocal choruses yet very effective with its tone. Cave's vocals are emotionally charged and drenched. Cave never really completely finds the answers for dealing with his grief other than everyone has gone through grief and loss...he is not alone. A superb album.

heartbreaking

So haunting and intense.

This is my first exposure to this record. This list has exposed me to Nick Cave's music. This album is unlike the previous "Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus" which was my first exposure. This album is much more atmospheric and lyrical than the other but also requires the proper frame of mind to listen. It explores the emotinal side of grief and will reqire addtional listening sessions to truly appreciate it. While it is an excellent album, I would not see it as one I put in heavy rotation on my play list.

Is this some sort of pretentious trap? Does liking this album get me a job at Pitchfork? Because sign me up. The lack of drums on this record creates almost this unreal space, like Nick Cave is on a theater stage with a single light. I know this probably isn't going to be a hit with everyone, but this connected with me and warrants some further listening and study. Favorite tracks: "Galleon Ship", "Leviathan", "Fireflies"

This absolutely works as a father dealing with the death of this son. It doesn't feel like a typical "Nick Cave album", he's taking risks and going in other directions.

Nick is good

Nick Cave is always a captivating artist.

Very strong. Not the kind of thing I’ll quickly return to. But it’s beautiful without losing it’s Nick Cave-ness.

On vahva levy! Tosi kiinnostavaa mihin homma etenee tästä kun tämä ambient-trilogia on saatu loppuun. Tää ilmestyi jotenkin yllättäen aikoinaan ja ostin tän kuulematta yhtään biisiä vinyylinä. 4/5

Vahva ja vangitseva, vaikkei ihan Caven suosikkeja

Ihailtavaa miten Cave on pitäny näin varman otteen hyppysissään näin pitkään. Kiinnostava ja monipuolinen levy tämäkin, solid 4/5

Perfect morning to listen to this after a difficult day yesterday. Deep, stirring, rich, sad. I enjoyed it. 4

This album is undeniably beautiful. The arrangements, vocals, writing, lyrics, and instrumentation is all stunning, but there is little that I feel will be remembered from this. I’ll enjoy listening if I ever need to again, but don’t know that I’ll feel like it’s worth it. 4/5

Super interesting. Maybe a little slower for an entire album than I would love but definitely enjoyed it.

Not an album you can listen to very often because it's about grief and associated emotions. Beautifully written, it's more poetic than musical in my opinion. Not at all familiar with this band's work but this album is very personal and its worth a listen. It's quite haunting.

This is bleak. This is painful. It is also beautiful in the way that only the bleak and painful can be.

Heavy shit

4

Stunning - round about 2008/9 he wrote music for a theatrical version of Kafka’s Metamorphosis which is the most beautiful haunting music but can’t be found anywhere on the internet apart from snippets. This has the same ethereal vibe.

I know Cave has experienced great loss and sadness in his life, this album feels like an ode to that grief. More like poetry with musical accompaniment than songs it is nevertheless very beautiful.

When this first came out I hadn’t liked it as much as the previous two but I was kind of burnt out on his stuff at that point given three albums with a similar vibe and now a double. I like it a bit more now. It is hauntingly beautiful but is quite long without much tonal variation, not that more would be appropriate.

Fist listen I got sleepy and though it was boring, but when I listen to it really I realized it is one piece of beautiful work and musical complexity. Full of emotions and grieve that, I do not wish upon no one. It's hearkbreaking and yet so beatiful. I'll give it a 8/10.

Not exactly something that I want in heavy rotation. A seriously heavy record. But it's also pretty incredible at accomplishing its goals.

Dark, very dark. I'm not sad enough to enjoy this right now but I bet it's just right for some people.

Nick Cave’s acceptance of grief leading him to a path to rebirth is as beautiful of a concept as The Bad Seeds’ instrumentation and Nick’s songwriting itself.

never listened to this before, it’s not what i was expecting ( in a good way ) . Really hypnotic and compelling. I will be listening to this more from now on

I thought we were done with Nick Cave!? But here we are back again, with 2019’s “Ghosteen.” The website I’ve been using with a listing of the 1001 albums is evidently incomplete. “Ghosteen” must be in a newer edition of the book? We recently saw “Hadestown” on Broadway, and Nick Cave’s spoken intro at the start of “Ghosteen” reminded me of Hermes setting the scene and introducing the characters to open the musical. Beyond that, the music is not reminiscent of “Hadestown.” But it’s also not reminiscent of Nick Cave. And that’s a good thing. Cave’s singing is much more tolerable, and fits the haunting atmosphere well. “Ghosteen” is long, and drags in parts, but it's a great package. It doesn’t come from the same dirty dive bar as Cave’s 90s work - the evolution in his style is appreciated. The “Hadestown” reminder is also serendipitous since Cave did his own retelling of Orpheus’ story on “Lyre of Orpheus.”

“I’ve been naively hoping that he [Nick Cave] stopped making music a long time ago, but alas here’s an album from 2019.” - Me prior to listening to this album This album is best described as an atmosphere. A lilt sheet flapping in the breeze. NC&TBS brought the electronic aspects to bear just so the listener feels like they are a buoy bobbing up and down with the waves of mood. I must say Nick’s voice still bothers me too much that I can’t not notice it and think twice about this rating. But for the most part, his voice adds to the melancholy in a positive way. I have to say that I am quite surprised by this album. It only took until The Bad Seeds’ 17th album, but they got this one right.

Nick Cave’s previous album, Skeleton Tree, was bleak. His teenage son Arthur tragically died during the recording sessions, and the sound of the album as well as some of the lyrics were imbibed with grief, and this is clear from listening to the record. Ghosteen was the first album that was directly inspired by Cave’s son’s death, and is even more emotionally charged as a result - yet where Skeleton Tree often sounds cold and discomforting, Ghosteen sounds celestial. It can be a difficult listen due to the subject matter, and the lyrics do not shy away from this, but the timbres throughout the album are bright and rich, like Cave is communicating with the heavens. This is a long album, and mostly deserving of it though some of the songs do meander slightly. The songwriting isn’t quite as tight as some of Cave’s other albums, but the emotion is impossible to deny I saw Nick Cave live at Primavera Festival in 2022, his second live show since the release of Ghosteen and since the pandemic. It was also the second show since the passing of another of Cave’s sons, Jethro, the previous month. It was an incredible and uniquely personal performance, especially the songs from Ghosteen that were so directly about losing a child, and I never want to experience a performance like it again

This is beautiful. Heavy but beautiful.

Very sad

Not my favorite songs that I've heard from Nick Cave, but this is a very well put together album. Disk 2 was my favorite part of this by far.

This record is far from a new one for me. I follow Nick Cave's works almost religiously, and this is no exception. This work, is in a way more sombre and morose compared to some of his other albums. Musically, it's so beautifully written, and lyrically, well, Nick Cave is a wordsmith. This record, broke me down quite a few times. It's one that's grown to become special to me, but it's a difficult listen at the same time, given the events that preceded. But for sure a special album that deserves the recognition! Standout tracks: Spinning Song, Bright Horses, Waiting For You, Sun Forest, Galleon Ship, Ghosteen, Fireflies, Hollywood 8,5 out of 10

I was a bit daunted going into this but Clare said “it’s sublime”. It is. It’s also very, very moving and I’ll listen to it again.

ok the first song is.... something its like being high for the first time LMAOA the first song is lit ngl. OH WOW THAT PART. OH MY. second songs now, piano yum. ok the second songs kinda sad.... im having it. yup, lit. the 3rd song also..... wow what a great album. lit.

Ok

Very interesting - kind of gave some Tom Waits vibes. Very mellow and chill - the vocals are not super polished but I like it. some of their other work was also decent but i'll rate that later. Overall, a new band that I dig the groove of!

Good

Extremely intense and truly beautiful. Also a (too) long ride in slow motion.

the most beautiful album about death. without being directly spiritual it takes to fairy worlds, the great unknown and makes it all not so bad. It's a beautiful exploration of heartwrenching feelings

You might be cool, but you'll never be Nick Cave cool.

A really good album. I’ve listened to the songs on shuffle with other things several times but never as an album. Enjoyed it a lot as an album but would probably never listen to it all at once again.

Powerfully sad, I'd listen again but hopefully not for a long time

Ghosteen is an extraordinary listen. A really powerful articulation of grief and love. But it’s hard to listen to more than once Bright Horses aside which reduces me to tears on every listen

This strikes me as incredibly 'I'm 14 and this is deep' with the score to match. Nothing about this grabbed me. Still very pretty and atmospheric.

Words like "favourite", "flawed", or even "boring" feel so redundant here. It's impossible to separate "Ghosteen" from its context, and really we shouldn't try. The snatches of interviews and quotations from Nick Cave around this album are etched into my brain: after the death of his son, Arthur, in 2015, he had "turned a corner and wandered onto a vast landscape." The songs presented here were his "fever dreams." In the last weeks of her life, Cave's ninety-two year old mother was lost in thought listening to the album over and over. These impressions are all woven into "Ghosteen": hazy and blurred images of a family stumbling through tragedy, and something haunting and beautiful emerging on the other side. Effectively a collaboration between Cave and long-term creative partner Warren Ellis, "Ghosteen" is built around synth pads, loops and textures, with occasional piano. Every song is rich with poetic detail to fill every corner of the vast soundscapes: a thousand galleon ships falling and flying; a spiral of children climbing up to the sun; bright horses breaking free from the fields, their manes full of fire; Baby Bear going to the moon in a boat. Every image is a sweeping pastoral painting, reflecting the cover art. Meanwhile, Cave mines every nuance from his rugged and broken 61-year-old vocal: sometimes sinking into spoken word as in "Fireflies", sometimes reaching into cracked and tender falsetto as in "The Spinning Song" and "Hollywood", sometimes dipping into prayer, as in the hypnotic mantras of "Ghosteen Speaks" or "Leviathan". The whole set aches with sadness and longing: the unbearable personal weight of a man processing his grief. In particular, "Bright Horses", "Night Raid" and "Galleon Ship" are some of the most beautiful songs of Cave's long career, while the 14-minute closer "Hollywood" is a black-hole of intensity which I didn't fully appreciate until hearing it live. I'd been a Nick Cave fan for four years when this album was released, having also seen him live on the "Skeleton Tree" tour of 2017. When "Ghosteen" finally came, via livestream on YouTube, I shut myself in my flat, switched the lights off, and watched the rain in the car-park as the album slowly unfolded… and everyone in the comment section trashed it for lack of driving rock or drums. It still isn't my go-to Cave album, but over the years I've come to appreciate that it exists on a whole other plane to any other Nick Cave albums, and indeed most of the other albums on this list. "Faith, Hope and Carnage", a series of conversations between Cave and journalist Sean Hagan, give bottomless insights into the process of making "Ghosteen". If you want to understand this album more, and consider why a verdict of "boring" or "depressing" might be a tad reductive, it's a perfect place to start. Oh, and one final fact: the industrial-style drum loops at the opening of "Waiting for You" originally ran throughout the song, and were taken out at the suggestion of none other than Coldplay's Chris Martin. A bizarre thought.

I can really dig this album for the story behind it and the evident emotion in a lot of the songs. It was on the slightly longer side of albums but nothing to out of the blue from a record like this. The sound itself wasn't the strongest but I wouldn't want to take away from the feel to this project.

Very good, too sad

A heavy, haunting listen. Incredible weight to the album, cathartic, intense, beautiful, and the minimal production punctuates it perfectly. I won't give it a 5 because I won't listen to it again but it's pretty close.

Yeah, there are certainly too many Nick Cave albums on this list, but this is definitely not one to cut. Not one to listen to if what you really like is the high energy version of Nick Cave - this is an album that is mourning the death of his teenage son, it's beautifully reflective and soulful. I'd put it alongside You Want It Darker and Blackstar as top quality albums that tackle the theme of death/grief/loss (although in this case it's mourning the loss of someone else rather than his own impending doom). Can imagine it was an immensely difficult album to write, but probably quite cathartic. Could it've done with being a little shorter? Yeah, from the listener's point of view. That, alongside not having a really outstanding song (although Bright Horses gets pretty close), makes it a 4 rather than a 5. Best we've had in a little while though.

Ethereal, dreamy and colorful. These are all words you’d normally not associate with Nick Cave but on this album he is exactly these things and so much more. There is an epicness to the quiet moments and subtle vocal inflections that brings an emotion and a feeling with it. Brilliant stuff here!

Always loved Nick's voice and persona- magnetic even Taking into consideration the reason this album was created it's obviously deep, brooding and intense. It's relaxing and introverted- voice, voices, synthesiser and orchestration.

I really like Nick Cave's style. This is such a beautiful album. 4/5

prefer upbeat music however this is so beautiful. Not a regular listen though

4.4 Pretty hard to write a review for this one. I think you need some context on when and why the songs came together for Nick (and band) to grasp the concept. I could see how one could say this is a total piece of shit but I appreciate it more with each listen.

4.5

Very sad. Good mix of ambient electronics, spoken word passages, and long form songs. Newest album I have gotten so far.

Wow this is dark. You need to be in a mood to listen to this

Much like the album art, this is a journey into a magical world, the flow between songs is blurred and inconsequential as the feeling of longing and adventure fill you. This listen cane directly after an earlier nick cave album and the soul of the sound remains, if not in a slightly different coat

7/10. Yeah, as something of a Nick Cave hater, this album was actually pretty good.

Haunting

Well, I don't even know where to start with this.. When Ghosteen was released I remember there was so much hype, I think I dipped in but never gave it the time and I'm SO glad it's in here so I did listen properly. I spent a lot of time reading about it whilst listening. I did know that it was written in the aftermath of his son's death, which in Brighton is a well known tragedy. Its quite spectacular this album and I concur with the critical acclaim! It's beautiful and raw. In some ways at times I felt a bit uncomfortable about it being so raw and someone being able to write songs and lyrics about something so desperately person and tragic. But I think that's what's amazing right? My discomfort is to do with me not Nick Cave to be clear. I really want to watch the two documentaries around this album 'Once again with feeling' and "this much I know is true". I want to get into Nick Cave as he seems to be such an odyssey

Haunting. This is Nick Cave's eulogy to his deceased son, and you can really feel the pain throughout. An heavy album to listen to, but a very good, very emotional one.

Really enjoy this album. It's very miserable but I like it. Not quite five stars for me

Great!

Tosi siisti tunnelmallinen ja rauhallinen. Instru melkein jopa ambient. Välillä tosi intense

Spooky

4.1

Bra skiva

If the Nick Cave you know is the Nick of Murder Ballads or The Boatman’s Call, this album may be a shock. However, this album does track with his 2010s work. It’s brooding and absolutely laced with sorrow and dread. A solid album.

Interesting

Listened Before? N Woah! This is a unique one. I really enjoyed most of it, although it got pretty long towards the end. Couple of the songs clocked in over 12 minutes. Without percussion, it kind of starts to sound the same after 30 minutes or so. That being said, lyrically this was amazing and the concept of a fantasy world/grief coping mechanism is fascinating. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Bright Horses

Written following the death of Nick Cave's son, his voice pierces through my skin with grieve, introspection and a very cautious optimism. This album will stay with me for a long time.

Very lovely.

Zo prachtig, zo zwaar. Het luisteren van dit album zet veel in gang, maar echte katharsis blijft uit. Wat is Nick Cave toch geweldig.

Ghosteen in conversation with The Bad Seeds' older work, in ignorance of its immediate siblings, is arresting. Nick's vocals aren't immensely different, but in a new context they function as art-music noodling in a mode which presses exceptionally toward the point. Point being, of course, total sadness, a destination reached without cliché. About as far from rock music as you can get, the backing production is that vital context, and another quiet cornerstone.

Lovely, mournful and desolate. Definitely a gloomy listen, but a really compelling view of mortality and loss. Among Nick Cave's best. Fave Songs: Waiting for You, Sun Forest, Ghosteen, Galleon Ship, Ghosteen Speaks, Hollywood

This was very different. I was a little dumbfounded initially but found myself really liking it.

Nick Cave continues to be the king of spooky sad vampire music. In this one his sound scapes evolve into what I can only describe as “Division Bell-era Pink Floyd”. Which is one of my favorite PF eras! Loved this, is what I’m saying

Beautiful, ethereal, lush. Amazing lyrics that are pure poetry. Forces you to sit and listen and cry cathartically. 9/10

Beautiful, a real achievement. Personal and anguished. I can't imagine I'll ever listen again on purpose. At least I hope not.

I have heard this one before, maybe my second Nick Cave album. This one is a bit of an outlier in the catalog because it's a tribute to his teenage son that died (hence the term "Ghosteen" I guess). There's some undeniable grief and powerful emotion coursing through this one, and musically it's much more compelling to me than most of the Nick Cave projects we've heard. I really like this album, though "like" or "enjoy" seem like inappropriate words given the subject matter. But this is absolutely a worthy inclusion on the list. Favorite tracks: Spinning Song, Bright Horses, Night Raid, Ghosteen Speaks. Album art: A beautiful, fantastical picture of animals in what seems to be Eden or Heaven. I take it the little lamb in the center represents his son. This whole thing is just heartbreaking. 4/5

Ok

Vibrant with a sad but yet warm and beautiful twist, and stories being told on top of the music, not taking any easy short-cuts. Great album

Erg mooie muziek, het klinkt ook allemaal heerlijk in de headset. Maar godverdomme zeg, dit album is geen hit op feestjes vermoed ik. Dit is bijna een uitvaartceremonie.

Really good. Contemplative.

Super emotional, sad inspiration for the album, but talented musicianship

Another artist I've never really explored due to being initially turned off by one quality or another. In my case it was Cave's lyrical delivery. It wasn't really my thing. I am for some reason reminded of Tom Waits whom I also never really understood the appeal of. I think I get Nick Cave a little more after giving "Ghosteen" a listen. Songs like "Waiting for You" made me feel a lump in my throat for the guy. I can't imagine what he went through but I can imagine that this album was very therapeutic for him to write and record. The lyrics throughout, to me, felt almost like a Walt Whitman poem in the very lush descriptions of nature and life. An interesting dichotomy to the darkness of loss and grief. The blackness of a funeral. Some very vivid depiction and great storytelling. I enjoyed the very low-key synth and soundscapes that were presented throughout as well, the end of "Hollywood" being a prime example of some very creative dark ambience. This one's tough because I don't know if it's an album I will return to on my own accord but I really see the allure, in many ways as I did with our listening of Sufjan's "Illinois" (though that one was a little more inviting, I suppose). I think I'm going to go outside of my usual "personal feel" rating system and consider the album in general from a more objective point of view. A man writes about an extremely personal event of loss in the form of profound poetry about life, death, and the beyond and pairs those words with some excellent instrumentation and musicianship. It may not necessarily be for me but this is a prime example of "I get it". 4/5

Beautiful, dark and mysterious. Nick Cave (and Warren Ellis) at his best. I don’t think the Bad Seeds music will ever be for everyone but for those who find joy and comfort in the sadder things in life this album is a must listen.

One of my favorites from 2019, and yet I still left it out of my top10. This is a revealing, vulnerable, introspective album that came from a musical mind with little to no ego. A work of profound tenderness and emotional rawness. Would give this 4.5 stars if possible, and rounding down for now. Although I can't give it a 5 yet, I think it very well could be in time.

I came to Cave late - because I knew him from the Birthday Party which I found too impenetrable. He's a genius, a lyricist up there with the best and an auteur of our age. A beautiful album from a beautiful spirit.

frábær, seig og seint tekin. Næ henni ekki fyrr en í headphones í 5ta rennsli

Soothing. Poetic. I thought I had enough of Nick Cave, you definitely get the idea after 2 albums, so another is a tad excessive, but I can’t help but still react positively.

Nick Cave never disappoints in his own way! A master at creating an intense and at the same time cool atmosphere. This time delivering with a stripped down although bit too long album

What a journey…

Very pleasant and a bit sad.

Interesting. Mystical.

the sequence of Leviathan into Ghosteen is perfect

Harrowing and quite beautiful in places, parts reminiscent of Tom Waits and Sigur Ros. Tough but enjoyable over all

It really is a beautiful record.

Good album. But need to be on the mood for something this dark and emotional

This is a really dark and beautiful album. The subject matter is heavy but also feels hopeful and positive. I definitely liked this album, at the same time I'm not sure how often I'll come back to it as I don't think it's a necessarily easy listen. This feels like a really amazing, heavy movie that I'm glad I watched but don't know that I'll come back to. Still giving it a high rating though because of what it accomplishes and it's strength. Standout Tracks: Bright Horses, Sun Forest, Galleon Ship, Leviathan, Ghosteen, Fireflies

Morose and spare and lovely. 4 stars.

Beautiful, but a difficult listen.

4.5

Ethereal

Not my favourite Nick Cave album, but extremely good. 'Hollywood' alone is a reason to give this one a try.

Nick Cave is a true artist. This is incredibly somber and meditative but also brilliant. Knowing that it was written following his 15 year old son's death makes it all the more poignant. This one is going to require repeated listenings to fully appreciate. 4 stars.

While I don't like this one quite as much as Murder Ballads, there is no denying just how beautiful this album is. Best tracks: Spinning Song, Night Raid, Galleon Ship, and Leviathan

Ghosteen is a double album and the 17th album by Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It's an ambient electronic album - like their previous album Skeleton Tree - which includes minimal drums or percussion and much use of synths and string or choral loops. Ghosteen is marred by death and you can hear this in the lyrics as well as some of the somber sounds. During recording of this album their keyboardist Conway Savage died of a brain tumor, and singer Nick Cave's 15-year-old son had died from an accident in mid-2015 during the recording of Skeleton Tree, but that album had almost been completed so instead Ghosteen's title and theme were based on metaphysical conversations with his son. This was a beautiful, award-winning, critically acclaimed, and chart-topping album. I can't believe I never heard of this album or its songs. This is a highly recommended album from the list of albums I have listened to recently from this 1000 albums journey.

It’s surprising that this was the most critically acclaimed album of 2019, because I always scour the year-end critics’ lists and I would have remembered seeing Nick Cave. The sparse, electronic sound is different and I wonder how the Bad Seeds adapted to playing in that style, but they’d been heading in a mellower direction for a few years, I guess. The sad, moody feel becomes monotonous after a while, especially for a double CD, but then Nick picks it up a bit with his falsetto singing in the last 3 minutes of the last song. I’ll give this the score I expect I'll give it after repeated listening. Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed the “Nick Cave Radio” songs that Spotify sent me afterwards.

This is a remarkable album. Powerful, haunting, emotional music. It’s definitely a heavy listen and I would only play it when I’m in a proper frame of mind. So much respect for artists that can switch up their work like this. And what a gorgeous lush album cover also!

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are one of those groups that I've heard about a lot but never actually heard. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was not expecting this. It's really good. It develops slowly, but has a lot of emotional weight to it. Everything fits together beautifully, and the vocal harmonies are a perfect compliment to the voice of Nick Cave, which always feels like it's on the verge of breaking, but it never does 4/5

Haunting. Echoes of Leonard Cohen.

This was really pretty from Nick, not what I expected.

Flink musiker han nick

I think I've reviewed 4 Nick Cave albums and each has been better than the last (not hard to improve on The Birthday Party!). Abattoir Blues is very strong and rockier, but Ghosteen is beautiful, poetic and the subdued almost Bowie/Eno Low-style synths really emphasise the lyrics. So hard to comprehend the pain and sadness of losing a child, but also a strange coincidence that most was written before Nick Cave's son died. A true auteur.

A big ambitious album, and it's absolutely beautiful.

Damn, Nick Cave's voice is really rough, but in a good way. What a sad fucking album, not sure what to make of it. Love the shivers in Nick Cave's voice. The sonic landscape and ideas are so interesting. I can't get over it. It's definitely a 5/5 in certain moods.

I nice introduction to Nike Cave, who I'd somehow mostly avoided to this point. 4/5

Weird good listen

hmmm good

I rolled my eyes at getting yet another Nick Cave album, especially one so recent. It's his Blackstar/Time Out of Mind, and though he has a tendency to disappear up his own asshole, there's some really beautiful stuff here. Best track: Bright Horses

Somber and delicate, moody in a good way.

magisch, maar live is het net dat extra

Prachtig, zeker nu we hem live hebben gezien. Bright horses hits different. Ook dikke SO naar de album cover, vibeke!

Trippy

There has been a vinyl copy of this in our house for a few years but I've never gotten around to actually listening to it. Not sure why. Have listened to (and enjoyed) 'Carnage' a lot. (Also can't believe Skeleton Key was six years ago). I don't know what other NC records are in this list but even without listening to it, I didn't have it down as an 'Essential". I guess it's another from his 'New Age' period. The period where the Bad Seeds just seem to be a bit superfluous. Still good.

Subtly crushing.

Such a beautiful album. This could easily be a 4.5 and I think with a few more listens it could nudge it's way into a 5. Fave track: Ghosteen Speaks.

I like Nick Cave a lot but this was (perhaps understandably) a bit one note, and I think you probably have to be in exactly the right frame of mind to be receptive to it. Having said that, though, it's still evidently a strong album. I look forwards to listening to it again when I'm in the right mood! Fave track - "Ghosteen Speaks", I think. "Fireflies" and "Hollywood" were also good...

Nick Cave is a story teller seemingly out of time. His lyrics are sooooo cryptic. "And I slid my little songs out from under you" is a good line. This is a concept album that has well and truely flown right over my head. I like Nick Cave's voice and the way he delivers his words. will have to come back to.

Having not been bothered by Nick Cave's output post '97, I had never listened to a single not off this. I was actually pleasantly surprised. It is the most focused I have heard Nick Cave since the Good Son. There are some nice subtle elements on here, Warren Ellis managing to accompany rather than dominate the sound. The only negative is I found it a bit over long especially the last track that felt like an afterthought rather than the epic it wanted to be

Haunting and haunted. Hard to imagine a more intense process of turning grief into art.

Grim, gorgeous and powerful. Stylewise, it’s art song in the mode of John Cale, with Leonard Cohen gravitas, and some vague echoes (for me) of The Final Cut. Hard to imagine what he would have been dealing with emotionally. 4.1 > 4

Volim ovaj album. Jedan od onih koji me asocira na jedan životni period.

Ja bi to zvao trilogija. Push the Sky Away - Skeleton Tree - Ghosteen, dakle meni najdraža era Nick Cavea. Najtužnija, ali koliko je tužno - toliko je lijepo. Bio sam 2019. na njihovom koncertu, čuo sam predivne pjesme sa PtSA i Skeleton Tree, i sada se nadam da ću neke pjesme i s ovog albuma čut tipa: Bright Horses, Night Raid, Spinning Song, Sun Forest (najdivniji naziv) zapravo može i cijela A strana.

Nick Cave is up there with Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen as the great story tellers of rock n roll.

Schönes, atmosphärisches und intensives Album. Besonders emotional, wenn man den Kontext beachtet.

8/10 Best song - Bright Horses

Mooi hoor, vooral de eerste paar tracks zijn schitterend. Je moet er wel een beetje voor in de stemming zijn, en erg opbeurend is het allemaal niet, maar zeker de moeite waard!

Hier staan wel zulke prachtige nummers op! Messen in m'n hart :)

Very emotional. A bit of harsh criticism but extremely one paced and maudlin!

no trap beats

Somber album, but very pretty. I thought I'd get bored and I may have if I listened in one sitting, but over a couple sittings, I quite liked it.

Nick Cave is an artist who I think has never really missed, but I’ll admit that I was surprised that this was chosen for this collection. It kind of stinks of recency bias, especially if the (imo) stronger and tighter Skeleton Tree isn’t here as well. But this is another good one obviously, and it has Cave’s traditionally exceptional hook for melody and haunting beauty. But the production is a little hollow at the same time. Again, I think Skeleton Key did everything better, but I still have a good time with this. B

Phew. That was surprisingly heavy. And really really good. Very far from the stylistic vibe I expected from Nick Cave.

Really liked the sound they came up with. Very cohesive.

In the mood to fade away

I'd heard lots of praise for this in recent years and it was pretty good. Will definitely be spinning again. Very synth heavy in places and it's almost like a post-rock album at times

Angurvær og frekar dramatísk en mjög góð

The instrumentals are beautiful. I sort of wish that this album was fully instrumental, and that the lyrics were just some poems to be read at your own pace while listening or something. At the beginning I was like "Ugh, I don't want to listen to this slow boring music for an hour", but it really won me over.

Niemals hätte ich dieses Album ganz durchgehört normalerweise. Aber es hat mich während der Eintönigkeit der Arbeit extrem in seinen hypnotischen Bann gezogen und teilweise sogar emotional berührt. Ich mochte die Verbindung aus gesprochener Lyrik, dramatisch gesungenen Passagen und dem experimentellen Einsatz der Instrumente. Wahnsinnig gut produziert, ABER: Kein Album für jeden Tag. Das muss einen in der richtigen Stimmung treffen.

Very insightful and meditative, great minimalistic sound. Good inclusion for 2019. Already 2 albums from last update!

6/10 I didn't dislike it, but it is so dark and depressing that it would be difficult to say I enjoyed the experience

Very different than what I knew from them, pretty good.

Day #007 I am familiar with Nick Cave and know some of his work, but he isn't heavy in my rotation and I don't own any of his albums. Push the Sky Away was the last record I think I fully listened to. I have a few friends who are huge fans and actually saw him this week in Germany, so I’ve been seeing a lot of footage pop up on my social media. His live performances seem incredibly impressive, but maybe also a bit intense and overwhelming. Because of that, I’ve never taken the plunge to see him live. I listened to this album during my commute to work. It's normally a 20-minute ride, but due to a roadblock and traffic jam, I managed to finish almost the entire record. In a sense, it is really beautiful how Nick processes the death of his beloved son, and I am glad I've now experienced the full album. It is incredibly well-made. The ambient, atmospheric sound fits the heavy subject matter perfectly, but it is just a bit outside of my usual listening range and taste. 3/5.

it's never going to be my favorite thing, but i was pleasantly surprised compared to the other album i got from them a few weeks ago (abattoir blues). at least this is kind of interesting and the voice is much more tolerable

The instrumentals on this album are beautiful and haunting, creating an unsettling scene. Then Cave started talking, and I got kinda bored. The child/parent double-album concept was interesting in theory, but in practise I didn't care that much, and it was kinda a slog to finish. Album cover is cool, though.

Every time I listen to Nick Cave I feel like I'm entering another planet. A dark place full of strange creatures that make you feel uncomfortable. That would be excellent as a movie soundtrack. As an album... not so much. 3 stars.

A pretty album, but a little too quiet for me.

love aussie nick cave, i really needed something a bit more upbeat today tho…… but still enjoyed. talk singing is so fun lol

3 1/2 I liked it. I should listen to it again.

Mellow

I think I'd pick Push the Sky Away for later career Nick Cave - Higgs Boson Blues is maybe the only time his whole thing has really worked for me - but I think later Nick Cave is better than mid-career so I'm going up to three stars

Seems incomplete. Sounds like music for a stage production or ballet.

On the cusp between music and poetry, the lyrics are fantastic but the tempo is just too slow for it to be a properly enjoyable listen.

2.75 -- i love his voice and hear clearly the grief. I was moved to tears at a couple points. It was however too slow for my listening tastes so I couldnt imagine reaching for the album to listen to as a whole agian. Saving a song tho.

I didn't realize Nick cave was capable of writing a good song.

Great for a study session, especially in archaeology.

So devastating. I couldn't listen to it all. I am assuming that a lot of it references his first son's tragic passing. Gut wrenching moments of absolute despair with pared back production.

Sounds ethereal I think

A good album for gazing out the window on a somber, rainy day. Unfortunately, today was sunny.

I’ll give him 70 minutes because he lost a child, but this is a wailing not for me.

This was emotional and affecting. I couldn't afford it the listen it deserved today but I can tell this is a deep record. Still not my style/thing so only 3 stars.

This was quite beautiful but not something I would revisit because it is both depressing and a bit samey throughout. Not my favorite of his stuff even if it may be some of his best.

A beautiful manifestation of grief but needs the right time and place otherwise comes across as rather boring

While I don’t dislike its somber and melancholic tone, the lack of variation made it feel somewhat monotonous over the course of the album. Waiting for You stood out to me, as it felt slightly more immediate and emotionally accessible, even though it shares the same overall mood.

5.5/10

meh it's whatever. didn't like it as much as the other nick cave we listened to, a little too ambient for me to stay engaged. but it was pretty.

Interesting. Quite liked the music but unsure of the vocals. Obviously very emotional as an album but didn’t quite land with me. Produced very well.

Beautiful in moments, but drifts too much to fully hold me.

Almost an album or poetry as much as it is music. Compelling to listen to

I liked the Ghosteen song…good music for looking at your own feet absent mindedly

He has a great voice and I do like the music, but it’s too slow and ethereal for an entire album for my tastes. Good background working music

Too slow for me, maybe I need to be in the right mood - So many other better nick cave songs.

Meh. It's an example of why I don't really listen to Nick Cave

Good group, and good lead singer. Good music.

Very beautiful and probably deserves more attention that I can give it. I do find there’s something about most of Nick Cave’s work that doesn’t work for me but I can’t put my finger on it

Deuxième album groupe sur lequel je tombe. C'était très différent de l'autre et franchement beaucoup mieux, même si je trouve qu'il est un chouïa long. Il y a vraiment une atmosphère particulièrement triste et mélancolique, inspirée si j'ai bien compris par le décès du fils de 15 ans de Nick Cave. C'est très centré sur les nappes de synthé, c'est assez simple, mais très efficace. J'irais pas jusqu'à mettre 4, mais c'est un joli 3.

3.27

Probs solid but not my kinda stuff

Extremely emotional and introspective.

If you are expecting a "typical" Nick Cave album, this is not it. He wrote the songs on the album after his 15 year old son died in a tragic accident, so as you would imagine it's pretty melancholy and morose. Cave often writes about religion and this album definitely has a lot of religious themes in it. The music is beautiful, but very slow and really nothing in the way of drums or any sort of beat. I always feel like Nick Cave is someone you either love or just don't get. His vocals are most talk/singing than what you may be used to. Beautiful album with a ton of meaning behind it.

Album #109 Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds: Ghosteen My only exposure to Nick Cave prior to this was when a song of his randomly queued on Spotify. I can’t recall exactly which song it was, but what I do remember is that he was very angry and screaming in my ear. So naturally, though I have heard many sing his praises since, I just wrote him off as an experimental artist who makes music that isn’t very enjoyable, yet critically acclaimed (similar to Swans). Ghosteen is pretty much the exact opposite of what I was expecting. Even when I saw the very lush and serene-looking album cover, I was still expecting it to be some sort of ruse, lure you in and attack. I have since become more open to experimental music, but I still wasn’t too excited at the prospect. But what I was met with was music that isn’t very enjoyable, but for a completely different reason. Instead of trying to evoke emotion in you through fear or anxiety, as I expected, Nick Cave on Ghosteen seeks to completely flood you with melancholy and depression. A double album of heart-wrenching poetry about death and longing, accompanied by minimalistic instrumental. Cave’s delivery is practically spoken word, so it feels less like music and more like a man bearing his soul on his deathbed. I feel like recommending someone to listen to this album is like telling them to watch Schindler’s List on a movie night with friends, yes, it is very good and well-made, but it really is something that you should seek to put on yourself and know what you’re getting into. If I am being honest, however, though this album did not leave me completely unaffected, I can not say that I was sobbing by the end of it. I think weirdly the music that makes me most sad is really nostalgic and happy-sounding, since it reminds me of the times that are gone. When I am listening to an album like Ghosteen, I feel at home since emptiness has become my natural state. When making sad art, I think there needs to be a focus on reprieve, building the listener up before tearing them down. When you have a double album that is pretty consistently emotionally draining, the listener comes to expect and feel comfortable within that bleak soundscape. Because yes, this album is about loss, and it is sort of understood that many of us already understand that concept, but to truly understand what it is to lose someone or something, you have to have them to begin with. This album only works if the listener comes in accepting that it is not in fact a double album, but a triple album, with side one being your entire life leading up to the end, and from there Nick Cave walks you to the pearly gates. Ultimately, though I do not listen to much music that is overly depressing, I still do appreciate an album like this, even if I hope I do not feel compelled to listen to it anytime soon. I definitely have become more interested in giving Nick Cave a reassessment and might need to check out some of his angrier music soon. Best Songs: Waiting For You, Ghosteen, Bright Horses Worst Song: Leviathan Score out of 10: 7.5

Good, not fantastic

Love Nick Cave's early stuff, but this one is a but too slow for my tastes. Objectively good album, but probably won't be in a rush to listen to again.

It’s a nice album. I like the atmosphere and the songs are good and haunting. However, in contrast to the other Nick Cave albums on the list, I find it too one-dimensional in terms of dynamics. It’s not enough variation. I guess it’ll grow on me if I décide to revisit it in the future, but for now I prefer Abattoir Blues

This was boring and too long

I prefer Nick Cave's "Murder Ballads" over "Ghosteen". It still has a lot of great verses, despite the dull backing music. I'd rather have dull music over anything by The Birthday Party. "Ghosteen" is my 3rd 1-hour+ album this week. There's nothing else I can say about this album. 3 stars for "Ghosteen".

Objectively the most pretentious mf to come from AUS. Not untalented, but this is all soft, and needs some of that birthday party edge that made earlier stuff like into my arms pop.

I do like Nick Cave, he has a special place in my heart.

This was interesting, but I probably wouldn't listen to it again.

This is the first album I've listened to of Nick Cave. There's not really any singing, just monotone poetry reading. Mostly, the lyrics feel pretty basic and obvious. Occasionally a good line or two will strike, but I don't really feel like paying attention to every lyric over an hour-plus long album. Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, etc. all at least tried melodically. However, the instrumentation and strings on this is incredible.

Finally a soundtrack for all my seances.

I've never really listened to this band, despite their reputation. So this is interesting, Deeply introspective and mournful songs. Cave's son had died a few years before the release and his grief comes across through the album. Certainly worth a listen.

Hozier adjacent, but mopier. Not a bad listen, but I either wasn't in the headspace for this or it's too mopey for me.

This is a deeply introspective album that works more as a coping mechanism for handling grief rather than a truly coherent musical piece. The sound is generally surrounded an ongoing ambience and rather minimalist instrumentals. There is nothing flashy about them and they are mostly following a loop-pattern without really progressing. It makes the listener feel stuck in a state from which there is no going back. This all builds up to the final song which sounds cathartic to a way. What shines here though is the songwriting. It is melancholic and moving. It's not an easy listen. The second part of disc one is especially challenging to get through due to the way that tracks blend together. The standout track for me is definitely "Hollywood" by a mile. It definitely ties the album together and sticks a magnificent landing.

A really interesting listen 3/5

So I wrote an entire review and then I read the album was inspired by grieving the loss of his 15 year old son in a tragic accident. So I just don't feel right sharing my initial review. This man was grieving and turned those feelings into this album. I don't feel right criticizing someone's grief for something that tragic and will leave just a small amount of my initial review. The album art is beautiful. The melodies were hauntingly beautiful. If I could just listen to this album in a dark room and have my mind completely clear with over an hour of free time maybe I would really enjoy this album.