Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Would listen to it again

I mean abattoir blues was amazing not a bad track and really rocking 5/5. The lyre of orpheus isn’t as good to be honest, it’s got some good tracks but in general it’s a drop in quality 4/5. So the album as a whole is 4.5/5 so that means it’s a 5/5 but do remember abattoir blues does carry most of that.

Not sure what I expected from this. I've heard a lot about Nick Cave but never actually heard the music. It was interesting. Kinda big in a way that I didn't expect. Very theatrical and complex. It was a little long (I love a double album, but still). Overall, I'm into it. Standouts: Get Ready for Love, Messiah Ward, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Easy Money

banco! 7/10

Very bland

Not terrible for a Nick Cave album. What the absurd excess of Nick Cave albums on this list has taught me, is that Nick Cave spans the range from awful and generic to not so bad after all. 3 lyres out of 5 𓏢𓏢𓏢

I like Nick cave but I did not care for this album at all I like his slower downtempo type stuff.

I liked this much more than the other Nick Cave album I reviewed. This was great! Fav tracks: O Children, Get Ready for Love, Cannibal’s Hymn

pretentious over the top and melodramatic. 5 stars

Honestly couldn't get through it, it kinda sounded like if the Black Keys had hemorrhoids and no talent, but somehow worse. I'm all for concept albums but didn't get this one. Shame because this band had a great song in Shrek 2.

A lot of these songs are great! Great voice, background singers, good composition of songs. I would say a lot of this is "sing talking", but it's really enjoyable. Feels like this album belongs to a movie or musical. Not sure how I've never heard of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds before, but I feel like he could go toe to toe with Tom Petty and other similar artists. This album is almost a 5 for me.

Such a truly strange album but I dig it. I did not know what to expect at all going into this album except for Kevin saying "I know some nick cave but don't know anything on this album. Hes...interesting" Very unique sound I would have no idea what genre to put this in Would definitely do drugs and listen to this album again

This dude gothic af. His voice makes me wish it was raining but the music has a somewhat sunny vibe to it. There she goes, my beautiful world and Let the Bells Ring are my faves. 1st side > 2nd side. Overall has some jams but also some duds. 3 stars.

Wow, this is a lot. A double-album by a very prolific artist that has always been in my periphery but I've never really sat down and listened to. After the first few listens, I can confirm that this is a lot to take in. I don't really feel qualified to speak on it with any authority just yet but I will say it is very good and I will keep listening. I am rating it a 4/5 here conservatively but this could very well end up being a 5/5.

Heavier than I thought it wold be, but I liked it...

CD

Have never listened to this. I have discovered some downright brilliant songs from it. This is for sure to be a profound listen. I discovered 10 years ago that Nick Cave is one of my favorites. Holy yow, this is great!

I liked the first half more than the second, some of the more ballady tracks towards the end dragged on. Some of it was so fucking good - like Let The Bell Ring. But some it was so bad I had to skip - wtf was the Fable of the Brown Ape?

Easy listen

Favourite song Easy Money

Nick Cave snapped on this one. Haven't ever liked him before listening to this album yesterday. Good stuff

Pretty good album. weird but good music. natureboy meta

No me copó mucho la verdad. Siento que el disco es exageradamente largo, y las canciones suenan bastante parecidas entre sí, sin mucho matiz dentro del disco. 4/10

discazo total me encantan las letras de nick cave me encanta la produccion del disco te amo nick cave

me gusto mucho! me hubiera gustado saber de este disco todas las veces que intente fallidamente empezar a escuchar a nick cave. capaz es demasiado largo, pero lo voy a volver a escuchar.

Didn't think much of the first half but the second half was great. May listen to this more

I'm perfectly happy listening to Nick Cave growl sincerely into a microphone. Him and the band.

Some good music in there. Not everything stuck, but overall a good listen. I didnt take in a lot of lyrics which might change my view on subsequent listens.

Cool

Thought I’d like it after the second song…nope. So long and singer’s voice is the same throughout and boring. Couldn’t wait for it to be over. 5.3-10.

A couple good songs I liked

Honestly I think getting the murder ballads album first soured me a lot on this band. I would usually say I like darker, melancholy music, but apparently not all of it! Problems for me include the slow pace of almost every song, the singer's voice, and the small variety in style between songs. The end of Supernaturally was my favorite part of this double album. That's another thing, if this was one album I would have rated it higher. As a double album, it was tooooough for me to finish.

This could be the best album ever, but I just don’t like the dude’s voice or the style of music very much. Can’t get into it.

I absolutely love that you can think you know what you're expecting when you go into a Nick Cave album, yet get totally thrown off guard every time. This album's first part was pretty good, but The Lyre of Orpheus was only excellent from start to finish. It is a double album, however, so I must rate them as one, and that leads to a four. Seriously, though, that second half is glorious.

Some real bangers in here. Surprised if never heard of this one before.

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.

A couple songs I enjoyed and I can see how some people would find this album very good, just not my vibe

17 songs recorded in 12 days. You'd think it might be a bit rough or unfinished, but this is a supremely polished effort. The album opens with pure fire and finishes with a singalong. Rhythm section is tight, there's some lovely bass playing that just ties everything down. The first side is blues based but not at all by-the-book standard blues, there's gospel and grunge and everything else mixed in. Side 2 is a far more mellow and beautiful set of songs. Masterpiece. I have this in my collection but had forgotten how good it is.

The last Nick Cave album I bought was in the 90's, so this album was new to me. There is no one quite like Nick Cave. He puts so much emotion into his vocals. I believe with continued listening this album would be a five, but for now it is a four.

Irgendwie nichts für mich

Ik was erg benieuwd aangezien Nick Cave zo'n artiest is die me altijd wel getrokken heeft, en toch lukt het niet om er echt in te komen. En heel eerlijk weet ik het na het eerste deel van dit album nog steeds niet. Het is interessant en intrigerend, maar op andere plekken weet ik weer niet wat ik ermee moet. De donkere sfeer wordt weer goed neergezet, maar alleen daarop kun je geen album maken. Her en der goede nummers, maar ook weer rare, niet lopende dingen. De tweede disc is wel wat toegankelijker en pakkender daardoor bij de eerste keer luisteren. Toch maar 4 sterren geven dan.

I've been wanting to get into Nick Cave for a while now, and now I've finally got an excuse. This album is just fantastic, but I will concede that the second disc drags a little bit, although for a double album the pacing is surprisingly good. A great entry point into a fascinating artist

One petty upfront gripe before listening: I really hate it when albums have multiple or dual names. It's just so pretentious and obnoxious. You really couldn't figure out ONE name for your fucking album?? C'mon! Now that I’m actually listening, here’s my legit gripe: an hour and 22 minutes?!? That’s too long! Damn. It’s too much. I enjoy the brooding intensity of some songs, but had it been kept to a tight and focused 45 minute album tops, I would have been able to enjoy it more. It was such a slog. And there’s a serious lack of variety here, there’s long stretches of monotonous droning that are hard to endure. My husband mentioned that the vocals have a later years Eddie Vedder tone to them, which I liked. I think I could get into Nick Cave, but not this album.

I don't believe I was familiar with any of these songs previously. There is no reason for a double album. This is the second Nick Cave album on this list and this one was better than that one.

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.

Love Nick Cave.

odio a Cave

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.

Ebic

Not a fan

- not doing it for me. Something about the guy’s voice?

I was expecting so much more given the hype about Nick Cave. Very disappointing.

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

I think this is my third or fourth Nick Cave album that's cropped up on the 1001 albums generator. I wouldn't have expected to like his music much but there's something quite beguiling about his darkness, with a twist of humour thrown in. This album is slightly more upbeat than previous offerings, possibly even some pop elements, but it is decidedly not mainstream! On the whole, I enjoyed it

Yesterday I drew ABC's The Lexicon Of Love which was a slog at 42 minutes. Nick Cave's Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus double album clocking in at 1 hour and 22 minutes was a much easier listen. I've never really listened to Nick Cave but the production, writing and performing on this album is top notch and was an enjoyable listen 4/5.

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

This is an old friend. The first Nick Cave album I brought, not my entry, but when I properly started to get his work it took me a while, but fell in love with this. It's a warm and comfy place of dark discomforts.

Would be 5/5, but Nick’s voice isn’t my cup of tea

I've had 3 nick cave albums previously, and disliked them all. But I actually thought this album was pretty great. Powerful music. The sonic quality of the album was very good

This album had moments that made me think Tom Waits snuck into another band. While I appreciated the rock aesthetics, I found myself skipping most songs.

Sucks. I don't like to use the word "pretentious" when describing art, I think it's a cop-out word that people use when the artist's intention is beyond their comprehension and sensibilities. Dictionary definition is "attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed," so I'm absolutely applying it here because this album is just full of grandiose ideas and goals and an affectation of intelligence that, given the bored, flat delivery, feels so incredibly phony. We've had at least one other Nick Cave album, and I generally like the guy, but he sounds really bad on here. Really morose, whiny, like he's in on some cosmic sorrow that we couldn't even imagine (good thing I'm not saying this stuff about Ghosteen, but then again, why would I? That album is good). From the two-part backslash title, to the vague mythology references amid tracks like--sorry, let me make sure I get this right--"Babe, You Turn Me On." Absolutely no thank you, I am not the audience for this. I'm as averse to this as I am to mustard, too bitter and too adjacent to poison for my palate. Favorite tracks: Let the Bells Ring. Album art: Cool flower picture, thick border, decent font. Formulaic, but not terrible. 1/5

At the time Nick Cave's music started to feel a bit exhaustive. Was not impressed too much by Nocturama, and then this follow-up double-album felt like overkill.. ..only to discover many years afterwards that it is actually full of pretty strong songs. Still, I would say it is not "classic" Nick Cave, and that it should not be included on the list (plenty of other NC albums that are better qualified - I also wonder whether we get any Flying Nun albums, or whether the Australasian part of the list is merely limited to Nick Cave and Crowded House).

Very hard decision but let me go for full marks because of the unbelievable variety and yet consistency of this album.

A few good seeds in this album from the bad ones. Never been a fan, but I know many are.

Bit angry for me. Prefer his more melodic stuff.

nice

Tiene cosas interesantes, sonido clásico indie,

I stopped following Nick Cave when Blixa left the band. This record is not as great as the 12 Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds records leading up to Nocturama. Doubt I’ll listen to it again but if it comes on I won’t turn it off.

Deep lyrics, good music, great voice, interesting vibe.

this is absolutely fantastic! Nick caves songwriting is on show here through both albums in the double; instrumentation is great as well. best tracks from abattoir: nature boy, hiding all away, there she goes my beautiful world. Best tracks from Orpheus: the lyre of Orpheus, o children, breathless

3/5 Not too bad but a little too raspy

Really liked the first song, and realllly didn't like the rest. Scrapes by with a 2.

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

A nice double album with diverse tracks.

This is definitely good singer/songwriter album

That was fine

Long album, well curated with good slow rock songs (feels a bit like 2 albums with faster and slower songs)

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.

I can’t stomach this record. The Birthday Party’s Hee Haw LP is not on the list and its a no-effort dunk on this snoozer. Nick Cave’s creative high mark is so far away from this album.

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.

Kun tämä albumi julkaistiin, asuin Glasgow’ssa silloisen poikaystäväni kanssa, joka oli lihakauppias. Ei nyt ihan teurastaja, mutta kyllä se meikävegaanista hieman koomiselta tuntui, ja Abattoir Blues tuntui kertovan hänestä kaikesta synkkyydessään ja romanttisuudessaan. Kun erosimme, olisivat liput Caven keikalle jääneet käyttämättä, joten menimme yhdessä, vaikka se tuntui murskaavalta. Levy kertoo lihatiskillä ahkeroivasta entisestä rakkaastani, joka oli niin masentunut, ettei hänellä ollut energiaa minulle, sekä erostamme. Levy ei ole suosikkini Caven tuotannosta, mutta rakas yhtä kaikki.

Tää lienee eka NC levy joka on kolahtanut mulla. Toimi siis aikoinaan sisäänheittäjänä jonka avuin ylipäätään päädyin kuuntelemaan koko artistia. Easy Money oli varmaan ekoja lempparibiisejä tältä levyltä. Itse levy on hieno, mutta sitä kannattaa lähestyä kahtena eri näytöksenä maratoonaamisen sijasta. Kaunista ja rumaa samaan aikaan. Tekstit on onnostuneita sekä pitää otteessaa vielä melkeen kahden vuosikymmenen jälkeen. Erinomaista. Taidan omistaa bootleg-vinyylinä 4,5/5 pyöristynee ylös

Selvä ero kasarin ja ysärin tuotantoon, mutta eipä se musiikin tasossa näy. Ehkä vähän helpommin lähestyttävämpää ja tietenkin tuotetumpaa. Mutta en ole ikinä ollut Caven kokeellisimpien biisien fani, joten tasalaatuisuus kelpaa myös. Paljon on tässä tehty joka tapauksessa oikein, kun kantaa kevyesti kestonsa läpi.

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

I always like Nick Cave.

Most of the Nick Cave songs I’ve heard were slow ballads and I was expecting the same. I think that’s why I never really clicked with his stuff. But this album (well, the first half) is full of bluesy rock, one of my favourite genres. As a proud 🇦🇺 I can’t believe I hadn’t heard this album.

Mid… Except Oh Children.. Harry potter

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’.

The Great Songwriter returns. This is such a statement. It takes BALLS to release what is basically two albums in one package. Bruce tried it with Lucky Town and Human Touch. It usually leads to the conclusion that one album would have been best. But not so with St Nick. The rawness of Abattoir Blues is intense; the comedown on The Lyre of Orpheus reminds you that you always need a ying to your yang. You end up feeling a sense of balance having explored many highs and lows. Cave is bloody great at taking you on these trips.

At this point it's clear I simply don't care for Nick Cave. His voice is great but there's not enough going on for me to truly enjoy his style.

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.

Nick Cave is cool! Mostly I really like his music, but sometimes I vacillate and think he’s a completely pompous ass full of pretentious twaddle. Those episodes are few and far between. I also think he’s definitely mellowed as he’s matured and I like a lot of his later music even more. I also love his soundtrack music. If you ever get a chance to listen to his music for the play ‘Metamorphosis’, then you will probably be moved by its haunting beauty. There are other Nick Cave albums I love more than this but it’s pretty solid.

I got in to the alternative stuff for a bit but this wasn’t part of it. Can see how it influenced some bands though

semmone ralli... joo oli erittäin hyviä biisejä suurimmalta osalta mutta muutama vie kyllä alas mutta viekö kovin alas en tiiä nick, nick poika osaa kyllä musiikkia tehdä oli aika rattoisa albumi vähän enemmäön oisi voinut sitä bluessia olla kun keran piti laittaa albumin nimeenkin juu tiiedän että tota on vaan biisin nimi mutta ei se kä clickbait clickbait clickbait hiding all away

I thoroughly enjoyed this album and believe it has a lot of range, especially when comparing the first and second halves. Always surprised by his ability to mix folk and rock so seamlessly. 4/5

this is ok. feels really long. not really my vibe.

As soon as i saw nick cave again i was infinitive on giving a 1, however between a mixture of some not so bad songs and the last one (harry potter!) i’ve decided this album is not nearly as terrible as his others. maybe if i had a few more listens with me he could even get to a 3, but for now he stays a strong 2.

Well I can say that it's not *anywhere* near as bad as the previous THREE albums with Nick Cave (there's no way he didn't blackmail the author/s.). I try to stay objective but thus far when literally more than 1% of the albums thus far are Nick Cave or his crappy offshoots I start to get a little itchy seeing his name pop up this morning... OK OK OK to be fair...this is different. And a different singer would have made this album pretty decent. It really is far better than the previous Nick Cave I've heard - bigger and better mixes, less dry, and better arrangements: in many songs there is clearly more emphasis on melodic craft and instrumentation than his typical gargling vocals. There are definite highlights here. Some songs like "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" even succeed despite him, or generously perhaps... his voice is mixed low enough to actually compliment the song and not be a distraction. There's almost a touch of David Byrne in this? "Nature Boy" is another nice one - a dash of middle/late Springsteen perhaps? A touch of Warren Zevon in some of the slower ballads? "Supernaturally" has a rousing feel to it, like a Spirit of the West shanty. It's all more creative than I'd expected based on previous (more punk/aggressive/noisy) recordings - points for that. I only wish the rest of this (long) album could be like the non-gargle-voice tracks, and some of the slower ones do plod a bit. Honestly - cut this down to a 7-8 song single album and I'd have definite interest. 5/10 2 stars.

It's a two part album but really well combined. Every song is a complete experience but all combined is even better, the only issue I could find is that the album is long, however it is great.

Fine I like Nick Cave. You want a cookie.

I knew little about Nick Cave before today. I remembered his name from the 1990's. I thought he was some sort of Iggy Pop derivative. I don't know if I actually heard any of his music before and I was surprised to learn that he is still an active artist. Knowing nothing, the 82 minute run time worried me. This could be a long painful trip. However, right front the start, Get Ready For Love gallops in and pulls me along for a wild ride. I really like most of the songs and the weakest are still pretty good. I'll be more curious about Nick Cave in the future. I most impressed by how this album sustains itself over such a long term. I didn't feel like skipping any tracks and I was consistently interested for the duration of the album. Abattoir Blues doesn't suffer from the usual flaws of double albums. It was just meant to be this way. The album works beautifully as a whole. I'm not sure where it fits into my personal listening habits, but I can respect this as a master work.

Trying to be the Doors? Great voice!

really enjoyable album, just think it went on a little bit too long

The title, the double album. This is surely one of his gnarliest and most forbidding for the casual listener. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is one of Cave's most accessible albums period and several tracks, notably Beautiful World, Easy Money and O My Children have what can only be described as sing-along choruses. So come on in, the Bad Seeds play beautifully and you'll be ready for Your Funeral My Trial in no time.

O was only marginally familiar with Nick Cave before this. I expected sparse musical soundscapes in the background, with menacing dark poetry recited over the top. I got something much different than that. Much livelier, rocking and driving at times music and a thousand times more melodic. I really enjoyed this and there are some clear standout tunes that I just love. There’s a bit too much here to absorb at once, and would enjoy it more if some songs were cut out, or maybe if I just had more time to sit with it. I would really like to come back to this.

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

Sehr geiler Rock mit teilen Kneipenfeeling. Richtig nice! Die weiteren Alben von Nick Cave werde ich mir reinfahren.

Impressionant doble disc de Cave, que sortia del petit sot que havia estat 'Nocturama' oferint una nova col.lecció de temes sense fisures; un doble disc mereixedor de ser-ho, sense temes que sobrin i amb una inspiració al seu nivell més alt. Després d'una carrera que ja aleshores era molt llarga i amb tants discos top a les sevves esquenes, arribar a una nova fita d'estil i savoir faire té un mérit només reservat per als genis

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

“Life passes by at a low interest rate.” Damn, Nick Cave can turn a phrase. Still, I didn’t find the music as engaging as some other Bad Seeds albums.

Another first. Found it superb. I may be a convert

Je le réécouterai pas tous les mois, mais 1 fois c'était pas mal.

je m'ennuie

I really liked most of this. The double album made it a bit long.

so this is the nick cave that deserves all the plaudits. i had formed the impression that grinderman was a complete volte face for nick and everything prior was poetry over drab music, but this has some balls. the downside is it's a bit long, but i'll let it off because i'm nice like that.

Be still my beating heart. This record inspired me to become a footballer. Its every beat gives me a stonking erection so hard that it could kill an army. My mother always told me I wouldn't make it, but she was wrong the awful hag.

Good seeds

Nick Cave has consistently been one of the most brilliant artists of the last 40 years. Very few musicians, if any, are hitting creative high water marks like this so deep into their careers. An absolute masterpiece within a career of masterpieces.

Best Song: There She Goes, My Beautiful World. Cacophonous in a good way, with perfect use of a backing choir. Upbeat in a way that feels like it might fall off the rails at any moment. Worst Song: The Lyre of Orpheus. Lyrics were fine, but the "oh mama" chorus was not good enough to be repeated as frequently as it was. Overall: Lyrically dense, musically diverse. My first serious foray into Nick Cave's music and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be returning to this album. Very nearly 5 stars for me, but the double album runs a bit long with a few too many weak points (surprisingly, both title tracks) that I feel it would have improved with more stringent editing.

Whoa. Not quite a 5 for me, but wish I could give it a 4.5.

My god the mood this man creates…

Sometimes bands that I’m not familiar with get a little old for an entire album all at once. But this was the opposite; the longer I listened the more I wanted to hear more. And that’s really incredible for a double album! As a matter of fact, this is really like two very different albums. The first is rock, and the second is somehow even more moody. They’re both great, but I’m partial to the second one by far.

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

Föll av

A lot to digest, espexially on a first listen. The common element of this wide array of songs is it’s glossy, bombastic sound reimagining the Bad Seeds for the 21st century. Might rub some people the wrong way, but I’d say that the music retains it’s strength

Bra men lite långt

Good

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

Did not finish; couldn't get into it

I'd listened to a bit of Nick Cave before (Red Right Hand, Stagger Lee), but not a whole lot. I am a fan now. Really good album.

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.

I know Nick Cave a little but this is the first album I’ve listened to. Very distinctive voice and style. Although ‘Let the Bells Ring’ sounds a bit like Looking Glass. The song Spell would be a good mix with ‘Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon’ either Urge Overkill or Neil Diamond’s version. So maybe not as distinctive as previously stated. Album a bit Halloween-y without being overly maudlin. The refrain (the singing, not the words) in Abbatoir Blues sounds downright cheerful. Hiding All Away is really good. Some songs went a little too long, as did the album.

Truth be told, I'm still listening to this one, but I was in on the 4-star review early on. How do I not already have this guy in my regular rotation of music? I've been familiar with Nick Cave from just about the very beginning — I remember knowing who he was when I first saw "Wings Of Desire" (one of my all-time favorite movies and one I saw in the theaters when it was released ... Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are performing in a club in one of the scenes). Anyway, point is, I've known about him since the '80s and never really explored his catalog. I've seen him described as "post-punk," which I guess makes sense, but he always seemed too cool for punk in my estimation. In the long line of tone poets — Dylan, Morrison, Smith, Waits, et. al. — this music and his songwriting have an immediacy and relatability (and the aforementioned "cool") that I totally dig. Definitely going to dive deeper into his extensive and continuing body of work.

I actually had more time to listen to music yesterday than I normally do, and I still didn't get all the way through this one. These damn double albums are killing me. It's a lot of new music to absorb. I did skim through the last four tracks, and I'm glad I did if only to realize that this is the album that has O Children. I really dug a lot of the material on here and it makes me want to check out more Nick Cave. (Previously only listened to Murder Ballads, which is also great.) Not sure I care for the sequencing, though, with the first disc being rockers and the second ballads. Someone else said this wasn't meant to be listened to back-to-back, but still it seems like you should either mix the songs up or release them separately. But what do I know? Guess that's why I have the shuffle feature.

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

10/03/2022 Retrospective listen. This one was.....definitely an album! It was a bit of a fight to finish this one. Some of these songs were unbearable for me personally. Others are pretty good actually, but as an album, this just does NOT work for me. I also saw Nick Cave's image on his spotify artist profile and I was like "oh, so THAT'S who that vato is." I feel like I have seen him everywhere! But yeah, did not enjoy listening to him and probably won't listen to him again! He is obviously very musically tapped in to whatever his vision is/was, but it just doesn't work for me and my tastes and preferences

Nick cave is top 5 for me

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

T3B 1. Get Ready for Love 2. O Children 3. Cannibal’s Hymn Fantastic! Such a great listen. Solid 4.

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

Meh. I’m not a huge fan of Nick Drake’s voice to begin with and just wasn’t excited about any of the songs on this.

I forget who it was that described The Bad Seeds as punks who can read music. Albums like this show up the inadequacy of the ranking system. I can appreciate the craft that went into this album, and it seems obvious that this collection of songs will speak to people in a way that no one and nothing has ever spoken to them and change their lives and etc etc. So, saying "I didn't like this" is both correct and uselessly subjective. A couple of songs did catch my attention, but it's more abrasive and/or less melodic than the Nick Cave stuff I do like ("Push the Sky Away" and "The Mercy Seat", as respective examples). Oh well...

251020 13:00 4.5

I realized today that I had some negative feelings towards Nick Cave that were based on The Birthday Party's 1982 album, Junkyard. This was not that. I also remembered that I had listened to Murder Ballads, and that although dark, I had enjoyed the music. I was glad this one came on a day where I could listen to the whole thing in one go on a walk. It accompanied the solitary early autumn afternoon quite well and I was quite enchanted with it (...or them). Mind you, there are still dark, disturbing lyrics (cannibalism, etc) but some glorious rhymes (Orpheus/orifice) and this felt like real storytelling.

I think that there is something very interesting happening here, but I didn't have the patience to really focus on the lyrics today. The music and vocals were quite intriguing. I even listened twice and then sampled a third time. On the other hand, I don't think that this is something that I will ever return to.

At 83 minutes, this double album didn't leave a lot of time for multiple listens but my response to my first listen is Wow! This is epic! I love the addition of the female backing vocals, which help provide a gospel church atmosphere. Again, it's a long album and I had so many thoughts and feelings that I can't recall many of the specifics. But overall I really enjoyed this.

After enduring The Birthday Party and Murder Songs, Nick Cave is not an artist I wanted to listen to again. A DOUBLE ALBUM to have to listen to this time is not welcome news. Turns out that I do not loathe this, in fact I think I love it! These songs rock with interesting lyrics and great backing vocals. Some of the love songs are surprisingly tender - hadn’t expected that. The two albums are distinct - I love the rock and roll first album and the gospel feel of the second. Really nice combination. I keep wanting to give this a 4 because of the traumas of past albums. But if I disregard the terrible taste left in my ears from the previous two Nick Cave albums this double album is a 5!

Good album I will revisit

I have always considered Nick Cave a bit pretentious

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

ikkje heilt overbevist

Koffor e da så masse nick cave her

Unfortunately I knew as soon as this started that I was not going to enjoy it, and I was mostly correct. One song saved this from being 1 star for me: “There She Goes, My Beautiful World” and to a lesser extent, “Nature Boy.” The rest of it was not my taste.

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.

This is really good! 4

I felt it

I love Nick Cave - especially live - no one should miss the chance to see him as he is intense. I don't listen to his records as much as I used to, and somehow hadn't come across this one before. Although not my favourite Nick Cave album, it's pretty good!

Own it, love it

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...

didnt finish tooo white

Lively record, no boring moments. I would give it another listen

Liked it! Grows on you.

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

Terrific, back to back hits

I’m a fan. Dark and brooding but somehow euphoric uplifting and catchy. I’m glad this project made me listen to this, I wouldn’t have done without being encouraged.

the songs are a bit long but still great

Just couldn't get into this one.

Heavier than I anticipated, but pleasing and heartfelt.

Wow! Wasn't sure on first hearing, but by the third play I was hooked. Well worth investing some time into this. Almost avant-garde but still proper musicality. Brilliant.

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

One finally found a record one likes by this guy and it’s very good indeed (though 4 [5 if you count the fully execrable Birthday Party] is way too many for Cave). Haunting and lovely, with organic-seeming and genuine drama and tension, much less contrived than on earlier records. The backing vocals are the difference-makers in this regard. The only thing that makes it a double album, one supposes, is that the two sides were released at the same time. And the only thing that keeps it from being full marks (5) is the handful of overlong clunkers on the first set. Lyre is much the stronger “side,” with a few first-rate tracks – “Breathless,” “Easy Money,” and “Babe, You Turn Me On” and “Oh Children.” Only “There Goes My Beautiful World” and “Let the Bells Ring” from Abattoir reach that level. One did not know this record, is glad to do so now, and will definitely queue it up again in the future, though one’s preference for Tom Waits over NC has not been overturned (if only for the crimes against culture committed by The Birthday Party).

Two pretty great albums put into one double album, but with two names, and two track listings, and two relatively distinct sounds... so why not just make it two albums?????

See, this grizzly sound is something that I enjoy much more than the softer folk sounds I've heard from some of his other stuff. It does have enough bloat to warrant a 4 unfortunately, but it would be a low 9 out of 10.

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

Good album, but long. I still enjoyed it, as I generally enjoy Nick Cave. 3.75/5

Get Ready For Love is a banger and a half, love the chaotic guitar work. Same goes for Hiding All Away - that final climax is fantastic. Murder Ballads opened my eyes to Nick Cave finally, and now this album won me over even more. Becoming a Cave fan with this 1001 list, loving it.

I surprisingly haven't spun this one too much, despite being big on Nick. His double albums tend to be too much for me, which is probably why Ghosteen doesn't wow me as much. The funny thing is, I think the second disc is stronger and has more of his trademark sound. But it's all pretty solid. B

Nick Cave has always been a tough one for me. Murder Ballads is great, The Boatman's Call is great and just generally the songs are strong structurally and melodiously. But usually, at some point, he completely loses me and I get the feeling I need a masters in English lit to follow him wherever it is he's off to. And yet - this is pretty great. This is one that I think I'll dive into a little further.

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.

Generally speaking, I would describe myself as more of a fan of melancholic/slow Cave ("No More Shall We Part" is a fave), but I had never listened to this double beast of an album and... hot damn, I love the first side. It's all good, but tunes like "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" and "Nature Boy" smoke! I remember less specific stand outs from Disc 2, but I'll be putting this whole endeavor on repeat the next couple of weeks. So, it turns out I'm also a fan of fast Cave. And the band Cave-In. Basically, if you're a musician who has anything to do with a cave I'm ready to go spelunking.

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.

Not my thing

Tom Waits + Elvis Costello vibes, eclectic bluesy indie goodness, and a lovely operatic aesthetic all swirled together

Pretty nice, I'll give more ears to Nick

Never really a Nick Cave fan, Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus is okay, not really my scene though. 2/5.

I always confuse Nick Cave and Nick Drake in my head, so the first ten seconds of this really shocked me before I twigged :D It's dark, heavy, and not an easy listen by any means, but I really enjoyed it anyway. It's a double album, the first half (Abattoir Blues) much more rocky and full of energy than the second half. Don't really understand why they released them together tbh, it's a very different vibe and both are plenty long enough to be an album in their own right. I think the first album is a comfortable 4, the other is a middling to high 3, so it's a scraped 4 for the pair together.

3.5, fairly enjoyable though a bit too similar sounding songs and album is far longer than it needs to be. O Children is the best song on it

Intellectually I feel like this album is decent but I just didn’t enjoy it that much. Maybe I felt like it was trying too hard.

A double disc set with one rock disc and another quiet one never really worked for me. This works better than most, but I think it typically results in somewhat uneven material. The high points are as good as anything Nick and his crew have ever done. Warren Ellis taking more of a music director role is a positive for me. I have listened to a lot of Nick Cave over the years, but find I play the live album from this tour more than this one.

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.

I want to go back and listen a couple more times. I like “There She Goes - My Beautiful World” a lot

Been a fan of Red Right Hand since I heard it on an X-Files album. This album was great.

Good, more like a 3.5 than a 4. Dragged on a bit.

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

Not my thing

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.

17 mediocre songs. 4/10

1.0⭐

My favourite Nick Cave album. Gorgeous song after gorgeous song. Beautiful melodies, tastefully simple near perfect arrangements including backing vocals. And of course Nick Cave's beautiful lyrics. 5 🌟

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

Not for me

Had no idea what to expect with this one, but was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it! Should have known, as Brooks hated it lol

This is a joy to listen to, all the more because I have not heard much Nick Cave previously. Such a strong set of songs, instantly memorable, diverse, intelligent intriguing lyrics, superbly backed up by the music. I will definitely be buying some Nick Cave vinyl!

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.

enjoyed this a lot. definitely some higher energy on the first album, and it is strong all the way through (though brown ape was a bit off). highlights for me were messiah ward and let the bells ring. Second disc was also good (the lyre was a little challenging), but otherwise solid start to finish. Liked easy money and supernaturally. I thought the album had a lot of layers and the backing vocals/harmonies were very well done. nicely produced.

harry potter song

Prachtig album, prachtige stem. Wat een tragiek heeft Nick in zijn leven.

Dit is de reden dat ik elke dag benieuwd ben naar een nieuw plaatje: Geweldig dubbel album van Nick Cave. Ik kende alleen Let love in, maar deze is misschien nog wel beter.

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

Kan ik ook 6 sterren geven? Dit is echt mijn favoriete Nick Cave plaat, en zelfs een van de beste albums die ik ken. Staat geen slecht nummer op, en dat voor een dubbel-album. Fantastisch!

Dat koor erbij vind ik geweldig. Doet me aan Leonard Cohen denken. Dit dubbelalbum heb ik een jaar of 15 geleden van mijn geliefde gekregen en heeft een speciale plek in m’n hart.

I don't imagine I'd be listening to this album again in totality

I always enjoy listening to a Nick Cave song. I never enjoy listening to more than one Nick Cave song.

Just felt pretentious and too much for me. Occasionally a song or two would have good moments, but not enough to bring me back to this one.

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.

This is really good… might even be a 5 if it was slightly shorter!

Shit... not this guy again. This was fine, I don't like this style of music.

Let the bells ring é boa. The Lyre of Orpheus tem uma introdução interessante... possível vocal. Breathless. O Children muito boa também. Disco 2 é melhor e tem mais material

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

Songs that are stories Fable of the Brown Ape was mad funny and I actually liked it The Lyre of Orpheus was also good Nature Boy was good Overall good, just not something I'd listen to really

Very much a toe dipper in the world of Nick Cave, I like what I hear but not delved into the albums. So why not start with a double album, yeah. First track is surprisingly raucous, though I know he's got that side clearly, Birthday Party, Grinderman. And it's great. Few tracks in, loving the vibe. Oh my god, There She Goes my Beautiful World, how have I never heard this before, this is fuckin ace. Nature Boy I have heard and it's fabulous. This is so great. Second half sounds different but still has some bangers, Spell being the most obvious, just wonderful. So at the end of it, happily knew several tracks so I've not been totally missing out, but what a great, warm album, altogether. Going on the list.

Anything by Nick Cave and his entourage will be magnificent. This one in particular I have not listened from his catalog and I'm glad to have given it a whirl. For a double record it does an amazing job keeping it interesting for the entire thing. I may need further listens since Nick Cave albums are always so dense but I can already tell I love this.

Wow, what a great album

One of my favourite albums of all time. 5/5

This is seriously good and looking at his discography I've got a lot of listening to do. Beautiful arrangement, some amazing blues especially on the first album, I love his use of backing vocals. The second album seems a bit more laid back...Strong.

Not the best Bad Seeds album.

Not a fan of nick cave and his repetitive melancholy.

0/3 for Nick Cave albums for me. Lead off track was fine, but the rest was more of the same. Double albums are exhausting.

Some good stuff here. A bit bloated with non-essential tracks. That's what a double album can do. I'm sure people out there love the whole thing.

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 was very excited to listen to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as they are relatively unknown to me. I enjoyed the music very much and will definitely be giving it multiple replays to figure out which songs I like the best.

An amazing ride

Really enjoyed this. Never particularly listed to Nick Cave before

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

Never heard a Nick Cave album before but I enjoyed the fusion of raucous and menacing instrumental backing mixed with gospel tinged backing vocals. He's not the greatest singer but he knows his range and his gruff style suits the shady material on this dense, well produced album. Lyrics are forebodingly romantic. The music on the latter disc is a much more subtle, mellow affair. All in all, it's a solid double album of two sides and a very enjoyable record.

a big fan of Nick Cave this is one of my fave albums and probably the only successful double album I've encountered on this book/app thang so far. I've got it on cd one is pink the other yellow. Nick takes us to hell and back again, in what is quite an expansive album. What I love about Nick is his storytelling, so visceral and compelling. weirdly I sometimes don't think of it as music, but more poetry stories put to music, but that's wrong they are integral to both. and each song is a story, from the menancing fable and lyre of orpheus to the majestic beautiful world. The songs explore finite and nuanced worlds with humour, darkness and pathos in equal measure. The music acts as the driving force for these stories, weird instruments and driving guitars create a sound that simple yet complicated, discordant yet melodic. like Nick Cave its contradictions that makes it so wonderful.

Outstanding album, the lyrics are just sublime and Nick Cave and the band deliver them so powerfully. Finally, a double album that truly justifies it's existence.

Lovely stuff. Thanks Nick. I feel like I should have read the lyrics in preparation for listening because the odd line I picked up was highly literate, but snippets here and there didn't coalesce into anything sensible.

Revisiting this, after 3 years since my first/last attempt. During the 1001 list my opinion of NC&TBS has felt a little hit and miss. This one is very much a hit! Full to the brim of dark storytelling.

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

3.5

Absolute beauty - I have a lovely special edition of this in a decorative sleeve

Great title. Great intro to Nick Will return to this again

Abattoir Blues has a raucous noisy start then good bluesy old fashioned rock n roll. Enjoyable. Lyre of Orpheus is more eclectic and perhaps richer for it. A second listen beckons. Overall a good impression.

I sure enjoyed this album. I actually listened to it twice and paid more attention to the lyrics on the second listen. I feel like I went to church, attended a protest, had a reality check (especially with the song that had the frappuccino line). I'm glad to be reminded of Nick Cave because I really haven't listened to him much although I knew him from the theme song on Peaky Blinders. I'm definitely going to listen to the rest of his albums. I also really like the vocals with the choir.

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

Epic, so beautiful and dramatic. So many favess: There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Bot, Abattoir Blues, and O Children

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

Like millions of other Nick Cave fans (presumably), my first real taste of The Bad Seeds was hearing O Children on Harry Potter... That might well still be my favourite track on here, but it's got some stiff competition. It's hard to gauge whether there's a thematic concept in each disc or if they're just split on musical lines. Abattoir Blues is the better of the two, with both its loud chaotic bits and loud euphoric bits hitting the spot, but after a couple of listens I believe there's plenty to enjoy on both. The music is very rich but still accessible - much more so than the album title and cover may suggest. Honestly, even as a fan of the artist who was familiar with a few of these tracks I was surprised by how consistently I enjoyed the whole package. 4.5

Nick Cave is a name I've heard a lot and I've never heard a single song. I also saw just last weekend, he lost his 2nd son which is very tragic. Going in I had no idea what to expect, but I was thinking it would be kind of an Indie/Alternative type album. He's more of a crooner, with a strong backing band in the Bad Seeds. The cacaphony of sound that comes up in quite a few songs, aggressive instrumentals behind a baritone voice, it all comes together really well. I really liked this, I didn't add anything to the playlist since it's a bit intense but I would definitely revisit and check more of his discography.

I’ve never listened to Nick Cave before. This album is quite good and I think it makes me want to do a deep dive into his work.

dumb

Interesting album. Would be a great background album. Not something I'd listen to every day, but I liked it more than I didn't like it. I feel like I need half stars. This would be like a three and a half to me.

Enjoyable. But don't need to listen again.

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.

I've had a lot of long albums lately, and finally one that I really want to listen to. I checked this out from the library once and for some reason disc 1 was missing, so I'm actually quite familiar with disc 2 while I haven't really heard disc 1. In any case, I liked both, although after one listen I think I prefer the more nuanced, mellow style of disc 2. Regardless, Nick Cave is never boring. 4 stars.

This time I am giving it five stars because I really like it, and not just because I respect the artist's work too much to take any stars from it. But I also truly respect the work to put this album together. What a blast.

4/5 25/04/22 I liked how half was headbanging Aussie rock music with a touch of humor, to then be followed with more love music type, the contrast was satisfying. I did not know the song from Deathly Hallows with Harry and Hermione is on the album.

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

For those playing along you may notice I loathe a double album, this one didn’t hurt like normal. First half was a little rocky blusier and the second half more mellow all along feeling like a good gothy time

Nick Cave continues to be the vampire bandleader we need, and not the vampire bandleader we deserve. This whole double album is stellar. I liked it more than Murder Ballads. Not every song is a classic, but if I gave MB a 4, then I guess this one's a 5. Nearly 500 albums in my rating system is all fucked up. But I'm happy to be here with my vampire friend.

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

Easy listening punk,

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.

Killer gothic rock. This album is just wall to wall filled with jams and killer songwriting.

Sei la

It’s a grower. Gets better as it goes on as well, so I guess I prefer The Lyre of Orpheus more than Abattoir Blues Tunes are what you’d expect from Nick Cave. Enjoyed it.

Couldn't get into this. Nick Cave's voice doesn't do it for me, and I just wasn't feeling the emotion behind the songs. 2.5/5 stars

Great upbeat background music that you suddenly find yourself dancing and singing to. Full sound with choir. Great album. High quality.

Enjoyed this much more thoroughly than The Happy Birthday early days...From the first track was more into this.

I really enjoyed this album

This album is musically excellent. I can hear that this should be a classic, but for some reason I just couldn't get into the vibe of this one. Individually I think some tracks would be enjoyable, but as a whole the double album feels like a bit of a slog to sit through. Maybe I'm in the wrong headspace, maybe it's just not for me.

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

Yeah a tad dad rocky but I quite enjoyed this

Didn't expect that coolness from Nick Cave

They didn't butcher it, you liar

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 good