Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Ah, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. These guys have a special place in my heart. And now they've done it again with their double album, Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus. This Australian punk rocker turned gothic crooner has been churning out dark and brooding albums for decades, and this one is no exception. Abattoir Blues kicks off with the propulsive and ominous "Get Ready for Love," which sets the tone for the album's blend of gospel, blues, and rock. The title track is a blistering rocker that shows off Cave's fiery vocals and his band's tight musicianship. Meanwhile, The Lyre of Orpheus takes a more restrained approach, with ballads like "Breathless" and "Carry Me" showcasing Cave's emotional range. The album also features guest appearances from vocalists like Kylie Minogue and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, adding a touch of pop sensibility to the proceedings. Overall, Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus is a testament to Nick Cave's singular vision and his band's versatility. It's a must-listen for fans of alternative rock and gothic music, and a solid entry point for those new to Cave's oeuvre.

Wow this was so much better than The Birthday Party. Real Tom Waits energy. Had it on in the background which maybe helped. I’d like to listen to it again more closely. As of now a high 3.

Love Nick Cave but this is only good.

I liked this best I think among the Nick Cave offerings so far, probably because it is less stentoriously committed to the whole Roots Gothic thing which palls quickly for me. Still plenty of that stuff though. I cant deny smart lyrics and good musicianship, so I guess it's a taste thing.

Really impressive musically but not something I feel I need to go back to.

ну так chilly....... и вообщем не супер вау нормально, пойдет

Bit angry for me. Prefer his more melodic stuff.

3/5 Not too bad but a little too raspy

It’s obligatory to dance to the last track, and then say - “you’re a wizard ‘arry”

This is definitely good singer/songwriter album

That was fine

Kinda boring

3.5/5 Standouts: The Lyre of Orpheus Others: Hiding All Away, Messiah Ward, There She Goes, Nature Boy, Abattoir Blues, Let the Bells Ring, Breathless, Babe You Turn Me On,

It’s a good listen. Nothing has caught my attention specifically but I like the overall sound. This is an artist whose influence I have heard expressed in a lot of 2nd generation punks “maturing” into their older selves and doing solo efforts. Instead of doing rockabilly (for good or ill) like the first gen, they do desert soundscape murder songs. It is both praise and an indictment of the tendencies. Will listen to more Nick Cave w/ or w/o his Bad Seeds.

this was another artist i had never heard of so i went into the album not really sure what to expect. it was pretty good although i do feel as if it went on for far too long but i think that is because it is two albums in one. i also think that this is a very front-loaded album and i found myself enjoying the first songs a lot more than the last songs. my favorite tracks were: Cannibal’s Hymn, There She Goes My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, The Lyre of Orpheus (which is my favorite song, may be because it’s good or because i like the story of orpheus and eurydice, you decide), and O Children. a good album, i think i would probably enjoy it more on a second listen.

Vähän pitkänpuoleinen, mutta Nick Caven taattua laatua. Nipsaisen kuitenkin yhden tähden pois. 3/5

Not a bad album but definitely feels like a niche rock/punk/songwriter mix. The instrumentals are pretty good and provide a daunting and forceful sound. The album is a bit long as it’s a double album. I don’t dislike it but I don’t think I’d revisit many songs if any. 6.1/10

Ideas the size of boulders with music to match its to band the writing is only paper thin. Stretching this to a double album made it an even longer experience than it needed to be.

Like a goth Bowie. A lot better than the durges album.

Album was decent, Nick’s voice is a bit annoying and the album was very long but the instrumentation from the Bad Seeds was great. My personal enjoyment: 6/10 Need to be on this list: 8/10

This was way too long, About an album too long. I enjoyed the first album - some nice tunes, and interesting arrangements. But if anyone tells you how great a lyricist Cave is, just remember that here he rhymes ‘hysteria’ with ‘wisteria’. The second album dragged in comparison, and was the more sombre mood I expect from Mr Cave. Didn’t mind the first set, but it's no 'Junkyard’.

Need to listen back. Wasn’t really focus.

Cet album aurait vraiment dû me plaire, il me semble que c'est exactement mon genre, mais il m'a laissée assez froide. Je reconnaissais la qualité, mais sans plus. Peut-être était-ce dû à mon état d'esprit d'hier.

Fine I like Nick Cave. You want a cookie.

у меня было хуже впечатление о Нике Кейве! это норм!

some good stuff - There She Goes, My Beautiful World; Nature Boy; Breathless; Supernaturally but also some not so good stuff - Cannibal's Hymn; Fable of the Brown Ape (what the heck was this) average at best. 3+/5

Helt bra, kanske om man lyssnade några gånger till skulle det bli ännu bättre men det har jag inte gjort. Lyssnande på disk 1 & 2 separat, skulle antagligen ha blivit ganska långt annars

Bra men lite långt

Good

Pretty tonally similar throughout. Dark gospel starts cool, gets boring.

I always get tricked when I see "Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds". Cool name, I will like this--never make it through full song let alone album. Voice is interesting, music is interesting and fits with vocal but most lyrics are overwrought.

His name as well as the band's plus the fact that Kylie Minogue loves him make me think I should too. I don't. I did like the didgeridoo in the background of Cannibal's Hymn. Messiah Ward was a good groove but I think his vocal chops could be better. I know he's got a voice but it was a bit too talky (and not in a Tom Waits intriguing kind of way). There She Goes, My Beautiful World - I liked the lyrics but Nick's singing turned this too showoffy This album was too long and I ran out of steam even trying to review the rest of the album. meh. But I decided to give it another shot bc Andre thinks it’s right up my alley and this morning I walked into the kitchen and heard There She Goes and I liked it. A fickle review indeed

Nice

Just a few quite interesting tracks to me, I'm indifferent to most of it

Having never heard this album before I was expecting something closer in tone to Murder Ballads and that's definitely not what this is, much brighter and more hopeful in tone than you'd expect. Cave is brilliant as are the rest of the band but I don't think they are at their best doing this kind of work.

Listened to on 9/27/22 3/5 Favorite song: o children, let the bells ring Don’t judge an album by its cover cause this album was not as peaceful as I thought it would be but it was good and easy to listen to

3.5 if I could. I haven’t ever really taken the time to listen to nick cave, but this is like… all the angsty indie kids got old then went to a chill festival together. I like it, but not excessively so

Good album I will revisit

Seems OK - less challenging for me than the other stuff I've heard. Still not my lane by any distance

ikkje heilt overbevist

First the good. It's Nick Cave, it does all the Nick Cave things, and it feels like it's revitalised somewhat after a period of slow and poetic stuff, this goes bigger. However, it does little new with the formula, and the coming of Grinderman feels necessary to reboot what he does. Everything is here, but at this point, I feel like I needed something new, rather than more in a similar vein.

Generally speaking I’m not a fan but I actually quite enjoyed this album so a surprising 3*

Strange one to rate. Its better than some albums that I've given this score to but I'm rating it in relation to other Nick Cave albums and I don't think its his best...

Thought it was ok, I understand the appeal. Would take me more listens to get into it though.

Heavier than I anticipated, but pleasing and heartfelt.

Es bueno, pero un poco me aburrió. De todas formas, está para escuchar al estilo Tom Waits

Not for me but can see why this album would be influential. Great storytelling.

Ah, another one I already own! I recall being impressed with this whilst a university student. Gave it another spin on the stereo in service of this app and it's...fine. I've moved to a position where I feel Cave in general is a touch overrated, and this album doesn't quite shift the dial in any appreciable way.

Super intense, I almost can't handle his particular brand of intensity, especially 2 hrs worth.

I like the female backup singers throughout the record, and he is certainly a talented lyricist, but nothing particularly grabs me here. Not sure I understand the need for this to be an hour and 22 minute double album either.

I get why people would be into Nick Cave, but on it's own it's not what I wanna listen to. It's Diet Tom Waits for me. Also way to fucking long.

I'm not usually a big Nick Cave fan (except for the song "Red Right Hand"!) but I thought this was a pretty good album. I did like the first part better as they were "rockier" songs but the quieter stuff was ok too.

Meh. I must be missing something about this guy because I don’t see what is outstanding here. It’s certainly way better than his punk band’s album but that’s not really saying much. The second disc is better than the first. He also sounds like Eddie Vedder to me.

I thought I knew this man/band, but I guess I didn't? There were a lot of song were I was wondering, “wtf did I just listen to,” but not completely in a bad way. Still wishing there were explanation for why certain albums/artists made the list.

Een dubbel album waarvan ik deel 1 een stuk beter vind dan deel 2. Iets steviger, en atypischer voor Nick.

first listen i just can't connect with this band

Out of the gate, great energy and style. I just wish the lead vocals would convey the same energy and emotion. Such a grating voice makes this a tedious listen. Plus for songwriting, instrumentation, and performances - I really want to like this but the vocals are keeping me from rating this higher. It already sounds like goofy villian music, why not lean into that and emote? Standouts: Nature Boy, Spell

Wait, how did Harry and Hermione dance to this last song in 1997 if it didn't come out until 2004? 6/10. I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't a mopey snoozefest like the other Nick Cave album I've heard, but I can't say I liked more than the occasional song, and most of the songs I liked still went on too long.

I like art rock that can keep me interested, again some solid bass lines here.

Not bad and not really my taste but a decent listen.

Good! Except that it is long and a little dark in some places. No pun to Mr Cave.

Ik ben niet zo lyrisch als de rest, maar heb ook geen volledige afkeer zoals Anke. Ik kies dus voor de gulden middenweg.

Its an interesting concept and I like it a lot better than the last Nick Cave album that was generated for me (Release The Bats). Has some great soul vibes and don't mind the gospel references too. That being said it musically felt the same for a lot of it, which over a double album for someone who isn't that familiar with Nick Cave, gets a bit tedious.

A new one to me. Nothing really grabbed me, but it was good overall

Not the best Bad Seeds album.

It's 80 minutes long, but it wasn't an exhausting listen. Of course, that's because I listened to it in two sittings, one per disc. It's pretty dumb, but I figured it's easier that way. However, it only felt appropriate not because it's a double album, but because the two discs have a clear distinction to each other. "Abattoir Blues" is quite enjoyable. I loge the gothic undertones and the Tom Wait-sy energy. It sometimes gives me a Celtic folk rock vibe. While "The Lyre of Orpheus" is as poetic as its title. It also has the Tom Wait-sy vibes, in fact, it's stronger here. The sound is stripped down and most of the punch comes from the lyrics and the way it is delivered. Overall, fascinating at its best. It can be boring, but it's not annoying.

I was happy to see this pop up. I was sad to listen to it. This kind of amorphous storytelling doesn't do it for me. Enough about the wisteria...

I'm not the greatest Nick Cave fan but there were quite a few golden moments across this album. I probably won't delve any deeper but now I know there are some good albums to put on in the background

I enjoyed - although not sure if the messages of murder and misogyny are real?

I like Nick Cave, but I don't necessarily enjoy this much Nick Cave.

3.5

I've enjoyed other albums of his more... A double album is a lot to ask.

i simply do not like this man’s voice and that cannot be helped.

3.6 - Downtempo white gospel delivered with a smoldering baritone. Songs in a minor key, with simple chord structures, punctuated by a choir to reinforce a lyrical line. Words that seem to be lifted from the Bible. The consistency of this aesthetic through the course of this album’s 72 minutes gives it a gravitas though a few songs in, it definitely sounds same-y. By the end, the performance borders on schtick. I waiver a lot on my feelings towards Nick Cave sometimes thinking he’s brilliant but often feeling like he’s severely overrated as an icon of chic artistry. For me, this record is one that falls more in that latter description.

Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2004) High praise for the lyrics: The themes are not theologically squeamish, and the poetry is just ambiguous enough to invite whatever your worldview into the passenger seat for a joyride. And it’s a nice musical ride, with dirty textures, plenty of dynamic variation, and better than average female-heavy backing vocals. These singers provide an essential function, because Nick Cave’s lead vocals sound like Dick Shawn, which is to say they’re not very good. Some of these tracks could have used orchestral backing (“Supernaturally” and “Carry Me” point in the right direction, but even they could be improved). His attempt to channel Leonard Cohen (“Messiah Ward”, and several other tracks here) is less than convincing, but a good effort nonetheless. It’s always nice to emulate the masters, even if the results are a bit disappointing. But the music weaves in and out with passable rock progressions and stylings, although the studio recording lacks separation, resulting in a flat sound that tries to generate a small venue feel. It doesn’t work. Where’s Brian Eno when you need him? “There She Goes, My Beautiful World” is highly referential and poetically nice, but unmelodic and arranged like a Broadway cast production (think “Hair” or “Jesus Christ Superstar”). It seems like it’s caught in the wrong millennium. The two (!) title tracks “Abattoir Blues” and “The Lyre of Orpheus” are of special interest, because they are well crafted and thought provoking, best appreciated for their lyrical content—certainly not for musical excellence. “Abattoir Blues” is a pessimistic lament over the sad state of the world’s regrettable “evolutionary trajectory” and the protagonist’s sad attempt to be what his lover needs. “Orpheus” provides a grim take on the story of the legendary Thracian bard, whose musical instrument is, in this case, violently destructive, with birds detonating and bunnies dashing out their brains, even to the point of causing the death of his beloved Eurydice, and pissing off God in the process. The underworld in this version becomes a haven for Orpheus and Eurydice to raise a large family. But, she screams, “If you play that f***ing thing down here I’ll stick it up your orifice”. Very interesting. “Easy Money” is a doleful dirge about how money that grows on trees has attendant characteristics that result in rhetorically sodomitic horror. This too is something to ponder. One could learn to like this album, but will take several listens. 3/5

That was better than I thought it would be, and longer than it should have been. 6-minute songs mean that these guys couldn't edit.

Solid, but not really my thing

not really sure how to rate this honestly, some of the songs were really good, others i just didnt get. giving this a 3 as a baseline, i guess.

Didn't love this, not my genre. Lots of pretty songwriting but the instrumental and production loses me.

Tego Pana sie nie spodziewalem zobaczyc kolejny raz podczas przemierzania listy, a jednak kolejny Nick Cave uciekinier z najwiekszej na swiecie kolonii karnej, moze nawet nie uciekinier, bo po prostu wrocil na mniejsza wyspe, no i kolejny raz z The Bad Seedsami, plyta z 2k04, ktora stara sie byc redempcyjnym arkiem pana Cave na liscie, ktorego mialem okazje poznac przy okazji sluchania jednej z najwiekszych abominacji listy, bo junkyarda, a tutaj taki podwojny album Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus blisko gdzina dwadziescia dwie minuty na siedemnastu trakach, a czemu redempcyjny ark, bo jakos kontent liryczny nasuwa na mysl jakies skojarzenia z poszukiwaniem odkupienia, ale na sposob pana ktory zaczynal jako punk, przeszedl przez bluesa i teraz pokazuje sie z synteza gospelu gotika i wspomnianego bluesa, od strony instrumentalnej The Bad Seeds w takim skladzie jak tutaj graja wydaje mi sie byc o wiele przystepniejszy niz na poprzednim the boatmans call, moze to kwestia tego ze tak potezny krazek byl nagrany w zaledwie 12 dni wydaje sie on grany jak najprosciej z licznym recyklingiem gitarowym, mialkimi zeby nie powiedziec nijakimi drumami, znaczaca robote robia tutaj muzycy sesyjni, ktory w tym wypadku sa jedynie wokalami wspierajacymi, wydaje mi sie, ze wlasnie takie uproszczenie od strony instrumentalnej to najlepsze co moglo sie przytrafic panu Nuckowi na tej plycie, bo wreszcie ma on dobre tlo dla swojej tworczosci lirycznej, ktora juz nawet na junkyardzie byla dziwna, ale jednoczesnie ambitna, a na tej plycie mozna go usyszec w takiej formie, ze potrafi pisac potezne kilkunasto zwrotkowce, jak i krotkie utwory ktore prawie w calosci stanowia partie refrenowe, co pokazuje nie tylko roznorodnosc stylu, ale tez fleksowanie materialu pod to co mozna sprzedac jako single, ktore nawet mozna zagrac w radio i nikt nie bedzie wiedzial o czym jest spiewane, a i tak bedzie nucil sobie pod nosem, tak jak chocby w przypadku there she goes, my beutiful world czy breathless, bo przeciez to takie lekkie milosne przyspiewki, ale obok nich mozna znalezc tez kawalki z motywami balu kanibali czy szukaniem katalogow niebieskich, w ogole fajny motyw sobie wymyslil na openingowym get ready for love, zycia wiara w boga, ale rowniez wzgardza dla jej wyznawcow, wiec typowe jest w tobie dwoch Cavow, jestes na nietopyrkowym zlocie, ale tak czy inaczej zrobil dobra robote zarowno przystepnie nieprzystepnymi lirykami czesto opartymi na poezji nie tylko wyspiarskiej, ale takze na o wiele starszych materialach zrodlowych, wokalami na ktorych potrafi momentami zaskoczyc i zmienic swoj typowy bluesowy flow, wiec ciesze sie, ze moglem sie przeprosic z banda tym pickiem, na plejke leci opening drugiej strony the lyre of orpheus, a z pierwszej czesci messiah ward

Very cool. I like how the vibe of the music changed several times throughout. Thought it was interesting and would listen again.

Needs second listen

Has a sound like Muse. Good alternative record. Don't see myself adding this to my regular rotation.

This is a hard one. I liked it but at the same time it felt like a real chore to get through. Why did this have to be a double album? Feels like it's two separate albums just smashed together for fun. This is my second Nick Cave album and my previous opinion was low and this album improved it a bit. It's much more bearable this time around and it's certainly listenable to. But again, it's way too damn long. If it was split into two albums I'd probably like it a lot more.

Starts in a more rock’n’roll manner than I was prepared for, but a nice but long album.

This requires a second listen.

I get a chance to listen to Nick Cave, he is not a favourite artist of mine .

Alright

First song had me thinking I was going to hate this entire album but it wasn't that bad.

Carry Me is a great song but the album is sometimes a lot.

Some lovely melodies and lyrics but I find Cave's voice a little too 'showy' to fully lose myself. Will revisit

Oddly sparse for a double album, but I always love Nick Cave’s delivery and lyricism. 5/10

Half Bad-Seeds-Do-Vegas, half heartfelt. Better than I remembered.

Not bad

Ok, music was enjoyable, still not a fan of Nick Cave’s vocals

Top notch dad rock

Should be played loud.

Second Listen. Very good album. Their sound is growing on me. Standouts: Hiding All Away. Messiah Ward, Abattoir Blues, Let the Bells Ring, The Lyre of Orpheus,

Not bad. A bit long winded and poetic for me, but a couple really cool tracks.

Mageita viboja ajoittain ja meikäläisen tuotannossa olis puolet biiseistä tippunut pois.

Not bad to listen to, but probably wouldn't put it on again.

Rock, historiefortælling, dystert

Feel like a gospel album that is out of touch with Religion. I am always a pretty big fan of Nick caves' vocals. Especially on this one. I tend to dislike double albums a bit, I feel like they are too long. But this one is okay I guess. Especially because they feel pretty distinct. It's a solid double album as far as im concerned.

Some of them are great, some bit chaotic

Wasn't aware that his was a genre, but some great stuff in terms of songwriting, composition, and overall vibe. Comes across as vaguely familiar and almost classic, but suffers from the number of tracks and ambition to an extent.

A little boring, didn't like the vocals, and every song sounded pretty much the same

The first song sounds like a third rate Buster Poindexter. After suffering through that one, each song just kept getting better. There's a 5 star album in here somewhere (my word, this did NOT need to be a double album). Tighten up that setlist a bit Nick and you'll have an album that borders on classic territory.

Takes time to grow on me. Not crazy about any of the songs, but the production and songwriting stuck out to me, and the gospel backing vocals are used well and reinforce the haunting feel that compliments the inspiration from blues rock and gothic rock. No song overstays its welcome, but I think this is more of a compilation of powerful songs, where most of the songs don't belong in this format, as it could be overwhelming for the listener. Makes them sound the same, excluding those exceptional unique moments. "Fable of the Brown Ape" is a good compliment song (innovative yet short and mild), but it is at an awkward place between the two halves. As poetic as it may be, I think he tries a little hard on his songwriting to make it look impressive by directing attention to the same literary techniques and analogies, and it can come off as pretentious. Mood softens in the second half, which makes it slightly more accessible, but is also more forgettable. I think "O Children" sounds really great, and I'm not a Harry Potter fan. Favorite Songs: Get Ready for Love, Nature Boy

Вроде и здорово, но не для меня музыка.

Definitely something new to me. Impressive length, very interesting lyrics. The second half is amazing

Can't make my mind up on this one, so 3/5 it is!

Seems a lil regressive for 2004, for what I thought NC&TBS was meant to be! Probably 1:2 ratio of "God said I'll put it up ya aaaaashole!!!" vs "Wet weeping infants, I am so terribly sorry for what we have done" i.e. hits he's remembered for vs less convincing morose filler. Kept coming back to the title track (The Lyre of Orpheus) but probably preferred AB's A-side overall? Fast'n'heavy numbers felt a lil rote, but all fine. Would prob prefer another concert film (RIP) i.e. more hits. Keen to find a fav albums though so must try Boatman's Call plus whatever *Mulberry* Jubilee Street's on.

Throwback 80s feel, reminded me of Hedwig in its theatrical nature

QUESTION: How do you create a joke that falls flatter than Phill Spector's Christmas album on Christmas Day? ANSWER: Put 6+ Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave albums on this list and force us to review them. Six fucking albums by this guy... and I call shenanigans! The prank is a slow burn, but I'm finally beginning to get it. These all run together ... this is the cool guy that hangs out in the basement bar in either Boston or New York, dresses well, has some demons, smokes cigarettes, loves his band and wants to die alone. But seriously, guys ... this Cohen / Cave joke isn't funny anymore. They all sound the same...

Rip-roaring opener. A la the opening to 'Baby Driver'. Vocals don't stand super tall on their own, but when aligned with bombastic instrumentals and supporting vocals the sound as a whole elevates. Six songs in, growing on me a TON. Got a rock-opera sound without as much of a focus on the vocals, so maybe almost more like a classic rock record. Something like 'Foxy Shazam' or 'The Protomen', but before 2000. Didn't listen to the back half as closely as the front, some of the elements started to blend together a little bit. Some rock-solid tracks in the list - probably worth a revisit. Don't wanna get into a habit of this, but I think this is a great example of a 3/5.

I went back and listened to “Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus” for a second time when we did “Henry’s Dream,” but I still never reviewed it. Given one more reminder by “Ghosteen,” this third listen comes at an interesting time, having just seen the story of Orpheus portrayed on Broadway in “Hadestown.” Cave’s version is a bit of an odd and different spin on the old myth, though the echoes remain. But stylistically this album bears some resemblance to parts of “Hadestown” - the setting of “Hadestown” in Depression-era New Orleans feels very reminiscent of this evolution of Nick Cave’s dirty dive bar motif. Parts of “Abattoir/Orpheus” certainly remind me of the southern gothic vibe of “Hadestown.” In fact, “O Children” actually sounds like it could have come straight out of “Hadestown’s” Underworld.

Some nice, blues-based rock here. I’ve admired Nick Cave when I’ve come across him before, but never really dug deep. Now that I have with this effort, I find nothing that jumps out of the speakers, but still appreciate the solid effort. Stylistically, it’s really two different albums, with a personal preference for the softer Lyre of Orpheus second disc, though I really dig Messiah Ward from the Abattoir Blues disc.

Wasn't really looking forward to this, a Nick Cave double album sounds like a bit of a chore. But I enjoyed both, one after the other. First album is loud and sleazy rock, the second is quieter with some touches of soul. A strong 3 for me.

Ok, haut mich ned um Teilweise erinners mich an springsteens Nebraska vom Ton und der Stimmung

i like how big the songs sound

Not the type of music I expected from the album cover. I thought it would be kind of like NFR! I guess, soft songs with nice pianos. Instead it was more of a rock album. It was pretty good, a lot of tracks I enjoyed. However, it’s pretty long. Overall, I probably won’t ever listen to it again, but I did enjoy it today.

This guy screams "I have a loyal and dedicated fan base." Somehow reminded me of both David Byrne and Dave Matthews. Pretty fun album over all.

I liked it! Definitely commands your attention. It's a little weird to listen to with other people though. Favorite track is the Lyre of orpheus and the she goes my beautiful world.

This is the second Nick Cave album I’ve had on this thing and the first suffered from being long and very dull - this is long but nowhere near as dull - some great tracks and I love his voice - need to explore more

Good music, lyrics way beyond your average, but failed to truly captivate me.

I liked this one much more than the other album I already listened to of his. Less lovey-dovey, more rock type beat

I liked the funky sound this album had to it, and none of the tracks were too terribly bad to me. None of the tracks really pulled me in and got me tapping my feet or had lyrics I particularly appreciated, either. Perfectly average at 2.5, bumped up to 3 cause I like the funkiness

Reminds me of a less good Meatloaf some how. Needs to be more ballad-y and weird and it would be good

Tuesday album haiku: OK Rock n Roll ### Here is a lame Ass haiku ### Three stars for this disc ###

4 stars for abattoir blues for having a couple of bangers. 3 stars for lyre of orpheus for being a bit too arty for my taste

ok, not as good as his other albums despite some good tunes

3/5

6/10

5.5

Hey Nicki, kill your darlings. Jeder zweite Song edel, dafür gefühlt jede ungerade Nummer etwas verzichtbar. Durchschnittliche 2.5

a

No era el disco que me apeteciera escuchar en ese momento pero seguí con él. Si bien el primer disco no me terminó de llamar la atención, excepto "Nature Boy". El segundo disco más tranquilo me hizo recuperar el interés. "Breathless", "Easy Money" y "O Children" merecen la pena. Volveré a escuchar este disco.

Indi rock. Muy largo, aunque con temas interesantes.

second half was better, there was definitely some cool stuff in here, but I couldn't find myself latching on to anything.

good energy, compelling composition. progressive rock music. rest of disco is probably good

Not a bad album, but it just doesn't engage me.

3 - cooler klang der musik

Nothin' special.

is okay

no chance i get through this whole thing.

there's something about nick cave.....wow

Nice songs but they all sound very similar not enough variation in the tracks.

Good, weird

Not my cup of tea. Rock Progressive

Not all songs are intresting. But there are some songs that I liked. This album was released in the Netherlands but I think I stopt following music more closely after the year 2000. So I had not heard the album before, and had not heard of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

An epic of an album but not really into gothic rock and some of the references to mythology went over my head

Not what I was expecting after Murder Ballads. I loved the uptempo tracks here - reminded me of Lullaby-era QotSA. Think the slow tracks dragged on way too much though

Needs more listens

Interesting album. Not a common sound, but at times sounded like some of the more downbeat Johnny Cash.

Not my style. More storytelling through song and almost seemed a bit like a parody. Made me think of a serious TROGDORRRR or Flight of the Conchords. I'm sure there are deeper messages, just not my style, though it grew on me as it played.

Good, but unbearable. "Children" is ok.

Det här var faktiskt mycket bättre än det förra Nick Cave albumet (som ju ligger färskt i minnet).

This is a great duo or whatever it is.

interesting

Went into it not expecting to like it but the album definitely has its moments. Felt like it went on for way too long though

The melodies are nice enough and Nick does his thing from the first track, but nothing really caught my attention until Let the Bells Ring. Seven songs to get to the point is a shame, because the two remaining tracks on the first disc and the entire second are great music. Even Lyre doesn't set off my melodrama detectors like Murder Ballads did in full. The Lyre of Orpheus could very well be my gateway into the Bad Seeds, but on first look back-loading a record this badly is not forgivable.

Muy largo

meh.

I just had to slog through The Boatman’s Call. Why am I being tortured with more Nick Cave so soon?!?!?!! One and a half hours! This record is more interesting than The Boatman’s Call, I’ll give it that. Some rollicking guitars and piano. Those choirs! Warren Ellis is a gem - his violin on Spell was my favourite part of this double album. But it’s still a Nick Cave (and the Bad Seeds) record. Any amount of Nick is too much. I handed The Boatman’s Call a 1/5, this one can have a 2/5. It’s really not for me.

So long and so boring

It feels like I should have liked this album, it had a lot of the ingredients I like in a good album. But something g just didn't quite feel right

This is not a fun experience if you don't enjoy Nick Cave's music and/or voice. Funny timing after having just seen Hadestown though.

Didn’t like it too much. His voice was kinda annoying but the music was good. 4/10

There were a few good songs in the first half, but then it got super boring.. This album had a promising start... thank you woohoo ❤️

My first Nick Cave album. I'm aware that there are many others on the list. An artist with many fanboys, a lot of whom are also music critics. I'm not one of his fanboys and I just don't get the adulation. I can't sing along to these tunes and I can't dance to them. Am I simply supposed to enjoy the lyrics? Is it poetry? Yeah, I suppose he paints a picture with words. They're just not the sort of pictures I want hanging on my wall. How is he any different to Des O'Connor or Andy Williams? Similar voices. I guess Des was never big on the murder ballads. Nope.

Fable of the brown ape was weird. At that point I kinda stopped listening. It was blues but an odd version to me.

Eh

some good, some not so good.

Hm, not my favorite.

Rhyming "Orpheus" with "Orifice" is not nearly as clever as it appears NC thinks it is. Spell is proto stomp clap music. "Wow, he's like... singing about death and stuff. He must be so deep."

I feel like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds has been on the periphery of music that I have listened to over the years. I'd hear a song here and there but never delved deeply into it. I found that this album was a mixed bag for me. Many of the uptempo songs I found overproduced and long. But I liked some of the slower tunes like O Children and Babe, You Turn Me On. The music is well performed, it just didn't really vibe with me or hold my interest.

Half and last song

I'm not cool enough to sit through this.

eh not my cup of tea

FAR too long, and all a bit samey.

its interesting

not bad but not for me

It's a solid 2.5, will I round up or down?

17 songs My second Nick Cave album within a span of about one week. I just think his music is pretty slow, and not in an atmospheric or interesting way, but rather in a boring, dragging slog type of way. It probably would have gotten a 3 if not for the horrendously long runtime.

I like but idk wasn’t engrossed

not sure how i get two nick cave albums in the span of a week. that being said this is almost as drab as the boatmans call

Tired, unintersting, and way too long.

Nick Caved

For some reason Nick Cave's voice ruined a ton of good instrumentation and downright good beats...

First few songs were okay. Then it got slow and was trying to make me nod off.

I think this would’ve appealed to me more if they were separate albums. I liked the second half more. The songs themselves were pretty long too, so I found myself skipping halfway through after I felt I got the gist. I can see what this has for people who like this kind of music, but it wasn’t for me. I liked Breathless and Carry Me.

4/10… art rock / alternative pop / *2004

eh

80s stuff, go to the 80s stuff

Had some great songs that I had listened to before, so I was expecting to like it more, but I didn’t care for most of it. 2.5/5

Did not really care for this. Just like his other stuff

I've never been a Nick Cave fan, and this isn't going to change that. Sounds like a poor David Bowie impersonator with a gospel choir. Except the one part where he sounded like a cartoon zoot suit wolf. No way am I listening to almost an hour and a half of this.

Gospel-infused alternative rock built from roaring guitars, piano, choirs, driving rhythms, and dramatic vocals feels like being trapped inside a revival tent where every emotion is amplified to biblical proportions—grand, passionate, and occasionally exhausting. The album constantly reaches for transcendence through volume, intensity, and scale, but for me its excess often overwhelms the songs themselves. What should feel cathartic often feels overinflated.

This is way to fuckin long

It's too Halloweenie. I was out at "Frappuccino".

not a nick cave fan which always surprises people for some reason. still not a nick cave fan after this album. i liked breathless

After seeing him live, I can confirm he’s truly a phenomenal artist. His songs are beautiful. Fav song is ‘O Children’.

Started off rough but got a little better as the record went on.

Not a big fan of the vocals but it's still an interesting and nice album

I guess the quickest route to your 13th album is to pick a song name and go "that'll make a good album name" and just keep droning until you've filled a disk. And despite them being good names for albums, I cannot tell you what the title tracks sounded like a minute after finishing said album, beyond Lyre feeling incredibly long

No es horrible pero me pego un tiro antes de escucharlo entero

Not for me

Fav- babe you turn me on 2/5

Started off okay, but each song is too long, and the album on the whole is too long. The choir does help break up his grating voice, but it’s still grating when every song is 5 minutes long.

me sorprendió che, pensé que era un blues clásico o algo así por el nombre pero nada que ver jajja. Rocanroll estilo 70s, aunque salio en los 2000 segun lo que veo. Escuché solamente la parte 1 del disco, hay parte 2

Not my typical album I would listen to. Favorite track(s) Cannibal's Hymn

Somewhere between David Byrne and Bob Dylan lies Nick Cave. After a few songs I realized that this was the Red Right Hand guy and then it all clicked. This double album feels like listening to the album to a rock opera that I haven't seen. Normally I like that, but in this case, his voice is like Bob Dylan nails-on-a-chalkboard-esc. The gravelly, whiny talk-singing isn't for me. It doesn't matter about the music or lyrics bc I can't get passed voices that make me grind my teeth. 2 stars, wish I could listen to this album covered by people who could actually sing

It has some interesting moments, but the whole thing is a little too esoteric for me.

5/10

I enjoyed this but way too long

I only heard to the first album and the first song of the second album. It's clear they know what they're doing, it just doesn't resonate with me. I don't like the amount of times the hook is used during most of the songs.

Mostly meh. Some good songs in between such as breathless.

Idk man a couple of songs were good but I couldn't get into it :( cannibal hymn was funky tho

i'm not saying this guy's not a skilled musician or an unworthy potential addition to the list. i'm just saying i don't like him or his voice.

this is fine i guess, but it's just not for me. i don't "get" nick cave. i've had AMPLE opportunities to do so from this list, but his music just doesn't interest me at all. favorites: there she goes my beautiful world, the lyre of orpheus

Zu lang zu öde funktioniert nicht als Album

not bad

meeee

Double Nick Cave album is asking a lot of me. But, open mind and all that. The bassline on Cannibal's Hymn does a lot of heavy lifting and makes the song worthwhile. Messiah Ward has interesting music and a chill vibe. I just don't like his voice. I'm struggling to find other positives. From the singing, to the lyrics, to the music, it's all mid at best and actively annoying at worst. The title track on the first side was a highlight though, and Easy Money. Basically the laid back bluesy stuff is the best. And anything where Nick doesn't sound like Steven Seagal trying to sing (look it up). It's ** but I bet I could cobble together a passable 45 minutes here if I had to.

Ich verstehs einfach nicht. Ich versteh Nick Cave nicht. 82 Minuten. 17 Songs. Und ich check's einfach nicht. Das ist mir alles zu theatralisch, die Stimme bzw. der Gesangsstil geht mir höllisch auf den Nerv. Lowlight ist dabei "Fable of a brown ape". Dank des vokalen Abturns, schaff ich auch nicht mich auf irgendwelche Texte zu konzentrieren. Instrumentierung ist noch das beste daran, but I don't know what all the fuzz is about.

For as many albums as Nick Cave has released I still haven't found one I enjoy from start to finish.

Too eclectic for my taste

not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue

Trop rock n roll

Nick Cave's lyrics can grab my attention every now and again with a song or two that I'll nod in approval for. But all in all it's the same shtick.

A bit of a snooze fest if you ask me.

nick cave was recently nominated at the Oscars for his song for Train Dreams - the snippet of it they played at the ceremony (we were spared a full performance) contained an the line "And a screamin' locomotive train Crazy dreams that go on for hours" Man, you just used two of the words that were in the title of the movie. I get that you're doing some of this stuff on commission, I'd phone it in too, but then I listen to a double LP of Nick Cave songs and I realize, that's like a 1/4 your shtick. No more! Okay, at least three more but after that...

No me parece malo, simplemente no mi estilo

Would’ve been better if it was shorter

I'll be honest, I could not make it through this double album. I just couldn't bear the thought of wasting more time on Nick's Cave carbon copy schtick. His voice is terrible. He doesn't bring any new musical or lyrical ideas to this double album. The critics are crazy. For the first time I can remember I actually found myself agreeing with Robert Christagu (who I usually think is a pretentious twat) when he said "..an album that is not worth your time or money." No shit Bob, the same could be said for every album that Nick Cave appears on.

Probably the last Nick Cave album that wasn’t terrible, but still a bit of a caricature.

Eh. Again.

bschlüssed de nick in e cave. das isch für mich chli e nervige mix vum cöntry, aber so meh i ne rock als gmüetlichi mischig.

Dette burde egentlig vært mye bedre, men det er så kjedelig. Det er for "kult" og for polert for at jeg skal bli engasjert. Hvis det hadde hatt litt mer edge tror jeg at jeg hadde likt det bedre.

it's not terrible, but it's formulaic and repetitive in a way that is highly revealing over the course of its arduous double length. it's 82 minutes of gospel music where over top a very bluesy instrumentation nick cave morosely meanders through biblical reference after biblical reference with a generally conservative slant about society layered in with a choir. every song broadly follows the same structure which grows tiresome by the end. to his credit there's decent poetics in his song writing, enough that it's a little difficult to dig into fully on a first listen, but i can't say i'm exactly eager to when they feel broadly aimed at ostentatious pretension with he overall framing of this. plus i just do not give a shit which jesus boy thinks about morality or art.

Too “busy” sounding. Didn’t really enjoy this one

Not a fan of this, and way too long.

Nick Cave is a lot. This album was a lot. That is all.

I’m a big fan of Nick but not this one.

Liked some parts of the albums songs but... this just wasn't for me. Might have given this album 3/5 if it would've been sub hour in lenght and a mish mash of some of the more thought out songs from the album but as it is it is 2/5. Best song was O Children.

A couple tracks I really enjoyed, but overall I was left feeling like I wasn't sure what I had just listened to? I'll have to give this another try and see what happens!

Didn’t like. I don’t like his voice or his lyrics unfortunately.

Mid 5/10

I tried so hard to like this but I think the addition of a choir, while complementary to Nick's voice, changed the production style and the musical direction. Added 3 songs to my favorites list, but, on a double CD, that's not much. Sorry, Nick. 2/5

0/17 bekannt 4,5/10 Beste Songs: fable of the brown ape, get ready for love, carry me

I want to love this but the singer is letting me down.

It’s fine. Very grand - I should probably try again on a different day

Nick Cave displays a variety of singing styles throughout the album in which his vocals range from not great to unpleasant. Generally I preferred the more standard singing styles and disliked the experimental stuff. The instrumentals were better. There were still a lot of snoozers, but also several interesting compositions sprinkled throughout the tracks. I preferred the more experimental instrumentals.

why is there so much Nick Cave

A great album that contains some of his most iconic songs, but having a long runtime and being less unique in sound and style to other of his albums such as 'Let Love In' or 'Skeleton Tree' which are unlisted and 'Murder Ballads' or 'The Boatman's Call' I would do without this one for this type of listing. 7/10 [SWAP]

A more interesting album than the previous one I listened to on here. Probably wouldn't give it a further listen though.

Not great

I feel like I’m missing something looking through the reviews and seeing so many 5’s

Started out strong and then…. Not so much.

Listenable but just not that interesting for me.

(3/7) meh

2 hate this!

Long time no see Nick Crazy how different this one is to Ghosteen. Very very stark division between the two discs. First disc I actually quite enjoyed, Hiding All Away was fun and I liked the variety in sounds between the songs. Immediately getting blasted with drums and hard vocals on the first track was absolutely not what I expected. I really didn’t like the second half however, boring and didn’t have the same emotion that Ghosteen had. If I was ever going to listen to this album again I would definitely stop at the halfway point. I just don’t think the highs make up for the lows on this one either way Please don’t give us another Nick Cave album tomorrow

I think Nick Cave is overrated. Yeah, I said it

Nothing special for me

fine, men det är rätt tråkigt

Ei kyl iske tämmönen yhtään mitenkään. Ei herätä tunteita puolesta eikä vastaan

I think everyone doing this can agree that 1 Nick Cave was enough.

It’s not for me

Ehh, it’s not really my thing. This felt like if a bunch theater goths who were super into literature tried making the soundtrack for an off brand Tarantino flick. And what’s up with that run time????

So far, doing absolutely nothing for me..giving 😈𝔅𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔰𝔰😈. Too long to be this repetitive, generic-sounding, and boring 😒. Everytime you think, oh, that song wasn't that bad, you realize there are still 17 more just like it to get through. A couple of the songs weren't terrible, but it was such an offensive waste of my time that it gets a 2..

Too much story telling and I actually don't like his voice that much

Loud, messy, not sophisticated, medium production. Loud.

If you couldn't tell by the title of this album, Abattoir Blues / The Lyre Of Orpheus is a double album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and once again completely reinvents the wheel for this band as they go for an at times much more energetic and lively Art Rock sound. As much as I really tried to get down with this sound, this album did everything but click for myself. I can appreciate the instrumentation and the organization of this album, but the writing and actual execution of the music did not fit what I wanted or what I enjoy about Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds other music. This album dragged its' feet and went on for way longer than it needed to, even with some scattered highlights. I appreciate this album for being such a daring and defining piece for the band's modern sound but once again it just isn't for me. Nuff said....

Pitchfork would love this album

This is not my kind of music

I wanted to like moments of this, but I dislike so much of it that it puts me off the whole thing.

What a slog

Boring wannabe poetry.

fav - o children, lyre of orpheus

I wanted To Enjoy it more

It has some nice rhythms, but not my favorite rock album

naaah, because I know my dad with this album. but, me? I didn't hate it, but will probably not.

Liked some songs, but not really my style

2.5

fav song: O children

OK this one is hard to sit through. It’s kind of the worst parts about super corny, classic rock and corny lyrics with corny imagery and corny themes all condensed into one with vocals that are in someway. Impressive but more than anything feel contrived and not nearly as sexy as this guy thinks they are.

Musica de fondo sinceramente esta lista está hecha por hombres... :(

Musical word salad but I need to do a deeper dive into the lyrics to really get it.

dnf it idk its just not for me

I can understand why this album is on this list, but it's not for me. Nick cave's vocal intonation is grating to me for some reason. That plus the schtick of sing speaking, only to have backing vocals repeat the same line got sick after the third song

This is my first time listening to a Nick Cave album start-to-finish. I don't know. This just isn't quite grabbing me. I've always gotten the impression that Nick Cave is more style than substance, and this album isn't doing much to change my mind on that. I frequently feel like the first disc sounds like a slightly more garage-rock-ey version of Talking Heads, but somehow I'm not enjoying it as much as that sounds like I should. And the second disc is mostly a snooze.

Honestly wasn’t a big fan. The lyricism was the best part, extremely clever, yet the sound didn’t seem to fit it places?? Maybe just me. O’Children is a stunning outlier though, so emotional and big up Harry Potter!!!

Davvero poca roba, un po' rock un po' blues un po' pop con quel lirismo tragico tipico di Nick Cave che personalmente a me risulta indigesto. Non lo riascolterei.

Listened twice, I just couldn’t find it all that gripping. Between his voice and the pacing of the album, this felt like a slam poetry session if anything. 2.1

I know this list loves him but I just can't get into it. Sometimes sounds like music I'd like to hear in the background at a Ren Fair. Way too long.

Not really my vibe, some of the songs I did like

So far it’s a 2

ehh not for me

much preferred the first half but even then there was only a couple of songs that grabbed me... o mamma when will it end