Reviews (page 3 of 13)
My first introduction to Nick Cave! I've wanted to get into his stuff for a while now, and boy have I been missing out. I've listened 3 times now, I'm just in awe. On my first listen, I preferred the more mellow The Lyre of Orpheus side, but the second time I enjoyed the Abattoir Blues side more. The gospel choir is incredible. On the third listen, I really took the time to read through the lyrics. There She Goes, My Beautiful World is such a beautiful song about the creative process. Let the Bells Ring is a lovely tribute to Johnny Cash. And Nature Boy is so romantic. Ahh, I can't even choose a favorite, they're all so good. My favorite artists are usually songwriters - lyrics really take an album from good to great for me - so I was expecting I'd like Nick Cave, but I wasn't prepared to be so moved. I can't wait to dive into more of Nick / The Bad Seeds.
Nick Cave is always full-on in a way that doesn't always resonate with me, but this double album is one hell of an achievement. Definitely will listen again.
I've heard of this artist for years and glad that this project got me to finally listen to him. I can get a Neil Diamond vibe on some songs. Other songs remind me more of Tom Waits or Talking Heads. He's all over the place but it's always his unique sound. I don't know that any of the songs are super catchy but they all pull me in with their melodies and unique sound. Makes me want to listen to it again. Dig it!
Wow! Just wow! Everything I’ve heard from Nick Cave couldn’t have prepared me for this album. It’s almost surreal how much I instantly fell for this. His impeccable songwriting, those background female vocalists, the topic at hand…all extremely well done. My ONLY gripe is that it’s too long, but that can be said for any double album. It doesn’t take away from the overall greatness of what’s being offered. Big huge highlight is the song Breathless. It is an instantly perfect favorite. I will be diving deeper into this record.
It took me until disc 2 to realize he totally reminds me of Neil Diamond, not only in singing style/voice, but Neil also has some super weird songs mixed with more classic Neil jams. It’s almost like a variety show with the range of different tracks. Really enjoyed the backup vocals when they’re present. This grew on me a lot. Kinda love it.
This is the album that got me into Nick Cave. It is a perfect album in my opinion. I think I got it because of it's use of "O Children" in Harry Potter but it has so much more going for it. "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" is this gospel epic. "Hiding All Away" is the grimey, tom waits esque rock banger. "Carry Me" is soul lifting. It may be the ultimate experimental gospel rock epic with such a charismatic frontman and distinctive voice.
Importante para reforçar que é preciso ampliar as audições do Nick, e assim conhecer músicas mais abrasivas e barulhentas. Fora que finaliza com o esplendor de O Children.
This one surprised me. The only Nick Cave I have heard previously was Ghosteen which I had generated near the beginning of the challenge. I expected this to be similarly somber. Boy was I wrong. The whole first disc absolutely slaps you in the face with its layered vocals and dense instrumentals. The Lyre of Orpheus disc is more subdued, but builds with each consecutive song. I think I prefer the Abattoir Blues side, but adored all of this. He knows his vocal range and takes advantage of his limitations. This sounds both old and new.
I finally get the whole nick cave thing 4.7
Astounding - no other word for it
Cool vibe and great instrumentation but whether you will like this or not will 100% depend on how you like Nick Cave's vocal delivery. Very unique but very fitting of the music in my opinion I really like it.
Long time fav album from Nick. Still stands up. Get Ready For Love slaps H A R D.
Do not make a sound
Perfect. It's hard to go wrong with Nick Cave
This is exactly the kind of music I am hoping to be exposed to on this list. I had heard of Nick Cave before but never listened to him before or looked into his catalog. I gave this album several spins and enjoyed it thoroughly. I will be exploring the rest of his catalog and adding this album to my favorites.
Gad vide hvorfor jeg aldrig har fået dykket ned i det her album, når jeg har hørt så meget Nick Cave? Eller skal man sige disse to albums? For er det fair at bedømme det som et album, når det så tydeligt er to forskellige værker, samlet i en pakke? Abattior Blues er råfed blueset rock. Særligt i åbneren der svinger som bare fanden. The Lyre of Orpheus er oftere mere klassisk 90er Cave. Dystert, Cave messende som en Minister of Darkness. Eller hans hjerte gribende sange om kærlighed, relationer og eksistens.
One of my all timers
I love this era of Nick
Awesome album
it's a tiring and hot Monday and all I've heard of Nick Cave is Red Right Hand. I wasn't enthusiastic for a whole album of that (I like the song, but it takes the right mindset, long and creepy as it is). But this whole thing was wonderful, interesting songs back to back, and surprised me from the first note of Get Ready For Love. And I did - get ready, and fall in love. Slightly reminds me of something my dad might play in the car, in the best possible way. Vampire-y and joyfully so. I'm just genuinely suprised by how much I like this one Oh and the 'wow I know this one' moment came right at the end! A first for that I think
Nick Cave you bad boy
In the last ten years of music I've ingested, Nick Cave has been among the most consistently rewarding and interesting to listen to.
Amazing energy! Raise above is an awesome song.
It’s the Harry Potter song!
Another essential pending..., that has hunted me from minute 0! 😍😍😍
How did I miss this in 2004? Not my thing usually, but Nick Cave sounds and feels like a mix between Frank Zappa, Funk, and Lounge Singer. The most fun I have had listening to an unheard album in a long time.
4.6 If I drink 10 beers and listen to this I would rate it 6000 out of 5. Nothing like having a few and cranking Nick Cave. This album is probably the genesis of the Grinderman spin-off (which I think is awesome). Fingers crossed we get a few more NC&BS albums.
NICK! I hadn't heard this one. Love that full backing. Already loved Nick but this is is how I like my Nick now. 5!
Fantastic. Reminds me of the importance of listening to an album in order (instead of randomized or a track at at time).
I like Nick Cave. He can be dark, but he's had stuff to deal with. Even if he didn't have stuff, there's nothing wrong with looking at some of the dark stuff. He's all good for me and this might be one of my favored Nick Cave albums. Be sure to check out There She Goes My Beautiful World.
The dark themes continue in this Double-album presentation, but this is easily the most accessible of the Nick Cave albums I've listened to. Sublime music that ranges from very dark to uplifting, but the dark lyrics throughout can almost seem dissonant and have a greater impact. All the songs are literally good, but among the faves of each album: Abbatoir Blues: There She Goes, My Beautiful World Nature Boy Let the Bells Ring Lyre of Orpheus: Breathless Babe, You Turn Me On Carry Me O Children
I’ve only tangentially known about Nick Cave and now I need to listen to his whole discography. I loved this! Moody, poetic, and musically dense. Can’t wait to listen again. 5/5
Когда Ник Кейв и его группа выпустили альбом murder ballads их номинировали на премию MTV как лучших исполнителей года, но Ник тогда отказался от номинации сославшись на то что музыка его группы абсолютно уникальна так что ему априори не с кем конкурировать. Что ж.... Он был прав и этот альбом-тому доказательство. Эффект от прослушивания сродни самой выдающейся театральной постановке, впечатляет, захватывает,погружает и не отпускает от начала и до конца. Даже поставить что то вровень в роде как и можно но не выходит здесь всё звучит обособленно красиво и очень по особенному. Мощь)))
I’ve known that Nick Cave is someone I should probably listen to. One of my best friends is a huge fan, but this is the first time it’s actually clicked. The other stuff of his that I’ve listened to has been good, to be sure. But this is absolutely brilliant.
Super interesting and diverse. Adding to my listen-again list.
Love Nick Cave!
Nick Cave.
Was dreading about listening to 17 songs but the time flew by since all the songs were really good. I preferred the second part of the double album more but still enjoyed all of it. Might even listen to this album in the future. 9/10
Got a singer for a vegas casino vibes at first but then his voice grew on me. I like how he pronounces words funny. Pretty solid background instrumentals that really elevate his singing that on its own I don’t think it would have as much of an impact. Really dig the songs with the backup singers creating gospel ballads. Songs are a bit long and I wonder if the album would be more accessible if it wasn’t a double album. “Breathless” is a fantastic banger. Overall a pretty surprising album that I really enjoyed. 9/10
I have a tendency to like dense, referential songwriters. I also have a tendency to not like artists who work primarily in overly ambitious epics. Nick Cave is a dense, referential songwriter, and in spite of Ghosteen (which we'll get to) I think this is Nick Cave's biggest epic. It's Spiritualized exaggerated to their logical endpoint...but with more debauchery and more flute parts. Fuck it, it's a 5.
Did not disappoint. Been a fan for only about 15 years or so. Wish I had got on board before. Album started with my kinda banger. Closer is one that will continue to grow on me. And everything in between, Mr. Cage & Seeds put on a good show. Love his voice. And he’s one of the good guys.
Poetic visions take you for a ride. I like the dynamics of the songs. Emotional and punchy. I dug it
Not even my favorite Nick Cave album and it’s still a 5 star album.
fundamental to my development
A Nick Cave fan, so this gets five stars.
Very nice to listen to.
Every Song was a gem! I love Alternative music!
Wait, so Nick Cave can sing?!?!? What a journey. Amazing. A primeira parte do álbum, Abattoir Blues, é simplesmente sensacional. As letras, as melodias, os instrumentos, as interpretações. HE TOOK ME THERE. He ate and left no crumbs, as the youth says!!! Quero ouvir mais. The Lyre of Orpheus - mais delicado e sutil. É bastante gostoso. Infelizmente não prestei muita atenção nas letras. Mas deu para perceber que he's a man in love em algumas!! Não queria que acabasse...
This was actually excellent. Lots of bangers. Loved the vocals, loved the music. One of the not-many albums that are 5/5 on first listen
Ah yes. Uniquely gifted and prolific storyteller, our Nick. I have developed quite a taste for his music and enjoyed this album, which I remember listening to on my first and only ipod on a plane, sitting next to a NZ radio DJ who was on his way to interview him, who explained it all to me, while we debated the tracks and his new blues style - playing with standards and making his own... He is not for everyone - even small doses can feel harmful if you’re new to it, or not ready. Set and setting. But if you can take the intensity, the singular soaring ride he takes you on can be very unexpected, roaring and blistering at times, then tender, mystic or calming, depending on the album. The talent - well his theatrical, dramatic style and full, perfectionistic chaos and firm command is always there. Scarily. This album is more or less core Nick cave - big gospel gothic rocky with touches of more reflective tender elegance on the 2nd disc. He keeps improving and producing. Are his very best tracks here? Debatable - he has many ‘great’ songs and enduring anthems and few of them are here.... But it does give a good sampler of his stylist core range, if there is a thing. We all need it sometimes. The perfect song from Nick Cave to suit the moment. To propel, to sooth, or reflect, to laugh. Or look on in horror. So, welcome to the darkly inventive, always varying and evolving themes (not to mention entertaining and often highly erudite and literate) lyrics from that intense brooding baritone voice of Nick Cave. As per the album title, he alludes to and uses myths legends and uses his own (and others) poetry a lot - the Lyre of Orpheus is a song referring (and borrowing heavily) from a Ted Hughes epic myth poem in “Crow: from the life and songs of the Crow” (1972) - the collection includes Song for a Phallus, Oedipus Crow, Crow and Mama, Crow Sickened which in turn, borrow from, and refer to Seneca's depiction of Oedipus. Yes, Nick reads widely. And his long and wiry grasp goes very wide indeed. (hang in there I am riffing) .... wide... and intriguing. Like my first memory of on enthralling exposure to Nick Cave was his stage performance of “From Here to Eternity” in the Wim Wenders film, “WIngs of Desire” . In which, hsi story Words resonant baritone voice that perfectly complements his darkly poetic lyrics and brooding stage presence in a smoky Berlin night club. And there is a comedic ‘grand guignol’ never far aware. Is he doing cabaret with edge, is it a love song, or is he sharing gothic terror with a half grimace /half smile? We’re left to guess. Thai is art, and entertainment that challenges. He is now more than iconic. He is a kind of weird, wise advisor and commentator on life and the human condition (more so in the Red Right Hand files online forum where he writes letters and responses to questions, drawing on his studied and admirably eloquent wisdom from, it seems, his own psychoanalysis, learnings, and incredible capacity to read and reflect). There is good humour and soothing glory as we bathe in “babe your turn me on” and comfort in “O Children” . And after listening closely to him, it may help to go for a walk.
In my opinion the best Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds album. It's a complete tour de-force. I don't think there's a bad song on it. The two 'sides' or 'acts' of the album are very well done with the first being all angry and aggressive and the second much softer. O Children is one of my top favourite songs ever and There She Goes My Beautiful World is up there with the best Nick Cave songs.
Oh shit! I LOVE how this album is starting. This is the feeling I've been waiting for. The harder guitar and the lyrics I'm already enjoying. This might be one of my favorite rock albums we've reviewed so far. The mixing of this album is impeccable. I must know who it is. This is one of my favorite rock albums we've reviewed. I'm adding it to my list.
Great record
The best Nick Cave album!!! O Children has been one of my fav songs for years.
wow. what an album!
This was the first Nick Cave album that I ever listened to and I think it’s a great place to start. It’s not as hard edged as his earlier stuff, but still has great intensity and really varied moods. There She Goes, My Beautiful Works and Supernaturally are two all time favorite songs of mine. There are only a few songwriters who can create their own worlds in each song and Nick Cave is up there with the best storytellers in rock. Incredible album.
The slippery slope of having Harry Potter read to me at age 4 to becoming a Nick Cave fan at 27 is very real & dangerous. Heed my warning (the song "O Children" is featured in the moving picture Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. I [2010]) Surprised myself at how I enjoyed this a fair bit more than Murder Ballads, the more eclectic of the two (three?). I guess when you have a winning cocktail of blues, gospel, rock & folk, with some theatre and horror added for good measure, I’ll take a whole double album of it. HL: "Get Ready for Love", "Nature Boy", "There She Goes, My Beautiful World", “Supernaturally”, “Breathless”, “Carry Me”/"O Children" December 31, 2023. That was 2023, eh? Hm
Sehr gut
Excellent album. Beaucoup aimé "Get ready for love" et "O children", mais comme d'hab pour Nick Cave surtout de cette période, tout l'album est très solide
Роскошный тембр у Ника Кейва
Sweet. This is what I needed to wake myself up in the morning. Amazing production and musicianship all around here. Nick’s vocals are a stand out. The Lyre of Orpheus has great spoken word passages. It does kind of drag a tiny bit, but it was still very good. I think i prefer the second half over the first. Nice!
Damn this is great. Grungey, growly, choral... very cool.
Brilliant - covers a range of genres and sound profiles, while always sounding like a coherent piece. Hard to pick a best song - listen to it all the way through! I kind of wish I knew how good these guys are before, I feel I've missed out on them by only discovering them over this project.
This and Murder Ballads are exactly why I love Nick Cave
Such a difficult album to rate because it essentially is two albums in one. And while I admire the range of Cave displayed here - his shift from barking madman to sermoning priest - I really wished that The Lyre of Orpheus was a standalone record. Because while I think the second side of the album is among his best output, Abattoir Blues doesn't even begin to crack the top 5. Fuck it, 'O Children' is too good to not give this a 5/5.
It’s normally hard to defend a runtime of 80+ minutes. But this is essentially two albums in one. And even if it wasn’t… It’s Nick Cave, he can do what he wants, shut up. I first fell in love with the band around Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! and the opening record of this double album, Abattoir Blues, hits that exact vibe with a howling and mad Nick Cave accompanied by the bluesy and frenzied Bad Seeds on a never ending stream of perfect songs where “Get Ready For Love”, “Hiding All Away” and “There She Goes, My Beautiful World” stand out in particular. The second album, The Lyre of Orpheus, is a completely different record altogether. It’s more melodic and mellow with a Nick Cave in front that seems more aware of what The Bad Seeds would eventually become. In that regard, this double album seems to serve as a kind of portal leading from one era and into the next. I personally prefer the first half, but both albums are undoubtedly 5 star records. So there’s no actual consideration going into the final score.
classic album from the day it was released
Saturday evening/Classy bar mood
Nick Cave
2004. Exceptional blues/alt rock
This double album excellently displays the wide range of styles of the band and how skilled they are as musicians. Not a bad song on it. Best album I've heard in a long time.
Always thought an album of Nick would be too much, let alone a double. How wrong was I. Second listening was even better. Some of the funniest dark lyrics ever.
"riotous gospel rock" sounds about right
Oh my goodness, this album is a real delight.
So so good
Nick's built different.
Oh, what to say about Nick Cave? I love him when I'm in the right space and in small doses. This album is not a small dose, however, and it feels a bit long and morose. But there are so many good moments in it! There is no question that a whole lot of creativity and great musicianship went into this album. But you have to be in the mood for it. I'd give it a 4.5/5 but I'll round up because the skill is there.
"Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds is a mesmerizing double album that delves into the depths of love, loss, and redemption. With the raw intensity of 'Abattoir Blues' and the hauntingly beautiful 'The Lyre of Orpheus,' Cave's lyrical prowess shines. The band's musical range is astounding, from thunderous rock anthems to delicate ballads, all adorned with Cave's distinct baritone. This masterpiece showcases their ability to navigate diverse emotions and soundscapes. Nick Cave's storytelling is both poignant and visceral, making this album a profound journey through the human experience, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.
The outstanding creation of late period Bad Seeds. Just stands out from most other things of this decade.
One of my favorites.
For many folks this is one of the best album by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. This goes especially for then-not-fans who see them a bit critical - but usually they are blown away by this album. And there is a good reason for that: This album has one of the richest instrumentation that backs up Nick Cave. It is Gospel Rock on a grandiose scale that highlights the talents of all the musicians involved. The double album is therefore split by who drummed: Abatoir Blues by Sclavanous and The Lyre of Orpheus by Thomas Wydler. Both have their own distinct styles, the former a gentle giant and the latter a capacious cat. You could argue that Nick's lyrics are - while as always great - a bit repetitive here and there. He uses a lot of the same imagery, sometimes starting a song with the same setup ("Through the..."). But this would be nitpicking. He's a charismatic preacher as well as chronist of a world of love, thunder and God. Best songs: 'Hiding all away' on the first side, 'Breathless' on the second side.
One of his best. Exuberant, wild, fun.
very good, not his best has very strong songs (O Children, Lyre of Orpheus, Easy Money or There She Goes My Beautiful World) but also very boring ones (half of the first disc)
Fourth Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album we've had. All three of the previous ones received 3 stars from me and in all of them I saw potential and interesting idea, but the pathos just wasn't convincing enough or the album didn't come together as a cohesive whole. This time, it seems these guys made true on their promises. Basically, these are two distinct albums. The first, I didn't quite know what to make of (the fact that it opens with the worst song of the albums doesn't help) but the second one I loved from the get-go. After that, I gave the first one another chance as well and enjoyed it a lot more during the second spin. It's pretty hard to describe the music accurately, but I really enjoyed it.
This is a great double album. Needs 2 or 3 listens though!
What a fantastic blues album. It shows a wonderful transition of how blues turns into rock very easily, and the influences that had previously made bands like Pink Floyd so good
Beautiful
An absolute banger. Great stuff - will listen again.
This album was amazing. Probably one of my favorites that I have heard on here, front to back was just so good. There were only like 2 or 3 songs I didn't really enjoy as much but were still pretty good. Will definitely be listening to this one again.
It sure is long, but I sure did enjoy it. And it’s Nick Cave… who am I to complain?
Very cool, not sure why this guy isn’t more famous. Lots going on, love the “full band” sound with the backup singers and the big ensemble
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.
pretentious over the top and melodramatic. 5 stars
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!
Easy listen
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.
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
Love Nick Cave.
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.
Very hard decision but let me go for full marks because of the unbelievable variety and yet consistency of this album.
nice
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nick cave is top 5 for me
251020 13:00 4.5
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!
Own it, love it
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.
Pretty nice, I'll give more ears to Nick
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 🌟
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!
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.
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!
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.
One of my favourite albums of all time. 5/5
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.
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.
Absolute beauty - I have a lovely special edition of this in a decorative sleeve
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.
Epic, so beautiful and dramatic. So many favess: There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Bot, Abattoir Blues, and O Children
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.
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.
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.
Great upbeat background music that you suddenly find yourself dancing and singing to. Full sound with choir. Great album. High quality.
I really enjoyed this album
They didn't butcher it, you liar
L'album le plus sous-côté de Nick Cave Prefs: Cannibal's Hymn, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Abattoir Blues, The Lyre of Orpheus, Breathless, Supernaturally, O Children Moins pref: Fable of the Brown Ape
Loved it!
I wasn't impressed with the first song, but as I kept listening the album really grew on me. It's very tight and the lyrics are poetic. The performance is dramatic and very enjoyable. By the end of the album, I loved it.
One of the best albums ever made and the showcase of everything Nick Cave has to over.
An album of two halves. The first half is back-to-back bangers. The second more moody/reflective/Cave-like. Ends on a cracking high. The best of the Bad Seeds so far.
Abattoir Blues sits on The Lyre of Orpheus like a chair, but it's a very nice chair. An albums (?) that I'll be going back to.
saturn has all the best tunes.
Largely brilliant, veering from deranged gospel to sensitive ballads, all dripping with personality and menace. When it works it's amazing, just as with most double albums, no matter how good they are they tend to drag on and overstay their welcome. I'm left thinking it could have been one of the great single albums, but I'm not quite sure what should have been left out.
Loved it
I already listen to about Nick Cave, but I never got the hype on his work and never understood why he is so appreciated. From now on, this album made my mind and I got everything. It's so strong and powerful that I understood exactly all the hype around. I'll keep my radar open for Nick Cave now and I'll also recommend it to everyone. The second part of the album is a little bit repetitive and too much longer for a perfect record, but the first part compensates for any possible "error".
Nick Cave knows how to deliver, I’ve heard The Boatman’s Call, No More Shall We Part, and now this gem of an album it was a lot more upbeat than I expected, the other two were kinda slow and sweet all three of these albums are 10/10 tho I really love this guy, he has such a sweet sound, I can’t wait to hear more of his stuff
Great album. Abattoir Blues is slightly better part than The Lyre of Orpheus.
18th November 2021 Started on the way to meeting Harry in Covent Garden before seeing a show at the donmar (rubbish) finished on Saturday on the way to meet sav for golf in battersea Park. This is sumptuous. Dark, gothic, gospel, bluesy, unbelievable. Nick cave has an ability to stretch his music through time, it sounds like something that ancient Greeks would have listened to.
Powerful and sentimental. This has by far become my favorite Nick Cave project. The choir, the strings, Nicks singing, the perfect playing, everything works so well to creature this dramatical and emotional piece. Highy recommended!
Really great
Very raw. Like it.
The debate is whether to award this four or five stars. Yes, that requires explanation. Here, we have a double album, or perhaps more accurately two albums in one package. The first, Abattoir Blues, despite the Grand Guignol name, is a full-blooded rock 'n roll, bluesy stomp of a record. The first album also benefits from an uncommon quality in rock: it's got a sense of humour. The opener Get Ready For Love raucously juxtaposes Christian expression with rockstar strutting. Hiding All Away has the very chucklesome verse: You searched through all my poets From Sappho through to Auden I saw the book fall from your hands As you slowly died of boredom The worst fault you could say about the first album is that there are touches of filler (Nature Boy, the first single, didn't really raise my skirt), but that smacks of nitpicking. The second album, The Lyre of Orpheus, is a softer, more delicate work, with more acoustic numbers, but of equally high quality as the first. Whereas the first invigorates, the second beguiles. Indeed, the second's stock consists of sincere, sometimes plaintive, sometimes jaunty love songs (the video to Breathless has Nick Cave dancing with cartoon toy rabbits). And again, the nitpick is over the occasional track being somewhat fillersome. So what does this mean in the final summary? Are these albums to be assessed as two great albums in a twofer? Two great single works that don't really fuse together? A quintessential case of a double album missing true greatness by a cat's pube just out of its overlong nature? Fuck it, I'll be generous. Five stars it is. (And yes, the star system for rating anything is moronic, especially stars).
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Get ready for love, Cannibal’s hymn, There she goes, my beautiful world, Carry me, O children
I was skeptic on Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, but after listening to this album I’m pleasantly surprised: there are some great songs (There she goes, Lyre of Orpheus, Hiding all Away, Carry me) and the general level of this album is very high. Happy that I took the time to listen to this album, although I dread Nick’s songwriting on Ghosteen.
Love it! This was actually my first Nick Cave & Bad Seeds record. This is a classic in my book. I forget how good this record is from time to time but it's so great from top to bottom. Glad it made the list.
A stunning album - I was bowled over. I was expecting a maudlin, moody, introspective album of ballads and whilst there is a bit of that on the second side, this is an energetic, toe tapping, bluesy record which sounds fantastic - like they are being chased by demons and have to get this music out fast! The gospel backing is wonderful and the band just sounds phenomenal jamming together. I think it’s a five star album. A classic.
Very good, it's now on my want-to-have-list.
Amazing production depth, with gospel tinged backing vocals and guitars at the fore, and drums quite in the background. Nick has an uncanny ability to change gears on the feel mid flight, like when that chorus kicks in on "There She Goes, My Beautiful World". AndRIP Conway - nice to hear you twinkling the ivories in there.
Hard to categorize. Old fashioned. It’s like gospel for disaffected atheists and agnostics. Nick Cave has amazing voice. Makes monotone sound interesting. GREAT lyrics. “I dunno what art is, but I know what I like. And I like this.”
pretty good I have to say, it's a bit hard to listen to but in a good way. It's like one of those parties that make you uncomfortable cause everyone is doing drugs and making out, but its also very very interesting, and everyone is open and accepting.
I had heard O’Children before, but damn Nick Cave is pretty awesome. 5/5
Not only is this the first time I got an artist twice, but in the same week too! And I'm a big Nick Cave fan so this is perfect. Another really great album
This rocks. He sounds like Richard Thompson on Supernaturally
Another artist I’d been meaning to check out for years. I was way more into this than I was expecting. I like how each “disc” has its own distinct feel.
Jakaż to jest uczta
Salvaje, apasionante. Mi entrada a Nick Cave.
No puedo escribir mucho de este álbum, sino que creo que es hermoso, en varios sentidos, de principio a fin (hablo de los dos discos). La voz de Nick Cave siempre me ha parecido fabulosa y aquí hay tantos moods, pero con una especie de cohesión. Mis favoritas diría que son "Hiding All Away", "Abattoir Blues", "Let the Bells Ring" y "O Children". Me hace falta escucharlo más y con más atención para cachar más de las letras. 10/10
Amazing, instant favorite.
Great progress between the songs, loved this one!
I actually surprised myself by liking this quite a bit. That said, I think it would have benefited from being broken into two albums of around 40 minutes each, tracks 1–9 and 10–17. 82 minutes is a lot to sit through, although I must admit this did not seem to drag particularly.
I was into this! I don't know if I attended closely enough to fully follow the narrative on first listen, but I found this increasingly compelling. I feel like he's one of those artists who I feel I know without ever having really engaged with the work - glad to have that corrected.
Never heard before but heard of it. Very good album definitely will do repeated listens.
Much preferred the second half. Some of the tracks are a bit jarring, but overall a pretty solid record. Favourite track: Easy Money
8/10
Très sympa j'ai bien aimé malgré mes différent avec Nick. Comme quoi personne n'est destiné à faire que de la merde on peut toujours se racheter
Très cool, proche du 5 pour o children
This is the first time that I have heard this particular album, although its not the first time that I have heard Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. This is apparently the first Bad Seeds album without Blixa Bargeld and his absence is noticeable. This is a much smoother and keyboard driven album than what came before. The introduction of the chorus also adds a distinctively gospel element to the sound. Overall, I like it. The first album is overall, really strong, even though I don't particularly like the last song. (Get Ready for Love is a particularly strong opener.) The next album isn't quite as strong and there were a few moments that felt more like a tradition singer songwriter album, which is a bit less interesting, but the album's last three songs end on a good note. I suspect that we are going to get quite a bit more Nick Cave and I am looking forward to it.
Enjoyed this a lot. Very good instrumentation and loved Nick Caves voice and think I could get lost More in these lyrics on future listens. It’s a bit long but honestly I don’t think there was a single song I didn’t like. Some better than others but overall great album 4.5/5
Like the bigger band sound here. The darker vocals with the brighter backing work really well.
Nick is a pretty alright guy. His music is groovy too. Sorta punky. Sorta hip.
Maybe a bit long but I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. There's nowhere for his unique voice to hide on some of the slower songs and I think he's at his best when he can rage a little bit.
the second nick cave album we've drawn and like when we drew henry's dream it also came at a time i was feeling pretty low. i admire nick cave as a songwriter a lot, i think the lyre of orpheus definitely shows his skills off better than abattoir blues, this was the perfect day to have pulled this album really because as i was lying in bed listening to this it really seemed to speak right to my core.
It's a very unique album. It's mostly rock, but it has other genres incorporated into it. It's a pretty good album. It wasn't my favorite, but it was still pretty good overall.
Bluesy, think it would be great to see live...
Messiah Ward is my favourite.
I'm certain I'm not alone in saying that double albums have a way of being a bit off-putting, especially if it's from an artist I've never heard before. However, I'm pleased to announce that this was really good. Lots of good moments in here, although I may have felt it was starting to drag a little towards the end.
Album #193: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Glad to see this album included on the list. This is my favorite Nick Cave album, and not only that, in my opinion, I think this is his most accessible album and the best entry to his music. But also, it’s probably the best summation of his music in general. Across this double album, it’s all here. Everything you need to know about Nick Cave, up to that point in his career at least, is all here. You don’t get the atmospheric stuff from Push the Sky Away onwards, but you do get the gothic rock and roll, the funny lyrics, the ferocious arrangements, and then the soft, tender piano moments, wrought with emotion, and just his great baritone voice. I love the idea that the album is essentially two different albums, and I think with this one you come for the fire and brimstone and you stay for the soft balladry. It is the two sides of Nick Cave after all. This thing is just full of ideas from beginning to end. No bad tracks, in fact, and very few dud moments in it. I used to adore Abattoir Blues and kind of somewhat dismiss The Lyre of Orpheus, and I’ve done a complete 180 on that now. I think the second album is actually the better one, with the better songwriting on it. Easy Money is my favourite song on the album. But you also have O Children, which is an incredible closer, Breathless, which is a beautiful and probably his most playful song overall. And you’ve got great lyrics throughout. My favourite lyric being, “If you’re gonna dine with the cannibals, sooner or later, darling, you’re gonna get eaten.” I mean, you can apply that to so many things in your life. I’m not going to give it a five. I’ve kind of fallen out of love with Nick Cave recently. I’m not sure why, but I think there’s a bit of subjectivity going on there. But I think objectively it’s not perfect. There are a few moments, especially Fable of the Brown Ape and Lyre of Orpheus. Those songs are a cut below. And Messiah Ward is also kind of a weak moment as well. But for the most part it’s spectacular, and it’s the album I’d recommend to anyone getting into Nick Cave. I do think his best run was probably from Push the Sky Away onwards, although I wasn’t the biggest fan of Wild God. But for 2004, I think this is the best album he’d made up to that point, and the best entry point for any newcomer to his music.
Triple blind. TOTALLY unexpected but this album slaps! You can hear the influences like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, maybe some Bob Seager, but a totally new take. Really enjoyed this one
I can’t believe I am about to do this. I’ve had a series of Nick Cave albums and really just hated almost all of what he has done (Murder Ballads was at least a very ambitious choice). His voice is unpleasant and his lyrics are overwrought. It’s been one of the worst things about this list, having so many of his albums on it. So when this came up as the next album to listen to, my immediate reaction was, “ugh!” And yet, here we are, and I’m very surprisingly saying this is excellent. To be sure, this isn’t all incredible and the first disc is much better than the second. That said, the musicality, the song structures, the playing, etc. is all great on this record. What I liked most about this is that this was more of a straight rock effort. There was so much greater emphasis put on the construction of a full sound, one that actually complimented his voice. At least I now understand why he might be part of this book series, and this proves I can be open minded. Also, there’s a reason this is his highest rated record of those included. For the first time, in four albums, I finally have added some of his songs to my own library. Personal favorites on this were Messiah Ward and Let the Bells Ring. 4 stars.
i love this album <3
klasa, dopiero w połowie albumu przypomnialem sobie ze ten glos z train dreams znam
This gave me an idea for a duet album, Neil and Nick "Diamond Cave".
I like, very mm for what is is. A little Duke-y in spots. Vibey
This might be my favourite thing from Nick Cave, it's long but there's a lot of amazing songs here, not too much filler
For an album that has an ode to writer’s block, this sure has… a lot of ideas. Honestly if this was just the second disc I could see this being 5 stars. There’s just a lot of fat to sift through to get to the meat. But for sure lots of wonderful arrangements and heartfelt poetry somewhere in here!
Vocally sounds like Leonard Cohen, but sings more than talks; really enjoyed being taken to 'church.'
*Rehabilitation means the surrender of the self.* --Mark Renton, in Irvine Welsh's *Trainspotting* Of all the things Nick Cave could've made in 2004, a seeming ode to his own insignificance wouldn't have necessarily been anyone's first guess. Yet that seems to be the theme throughout the first half of this in particular, as he fetes Johnny Cash's superior musicianship ("Let the Bells Ring"), compares himself unfavorably to his artistic heroes ("There She Goes, My Beautiful World"), and apes Tom Waits in a way that makes clear that he wants you to know that's exactly what he's doing ("Hiding All Away"). I mean, I suppose it's not necessarily news that a notorious misanthrope might have some self-loathing - but still, this seems a bit of character. It was only on the back half of this, as Cave was singing about Orpheus sitting alone in his back shed with various tools in hand, that I started to put the pieces together. This reads like an extended farewell love letter to Cave's former, more overtly self-destructive self, personified as a seductress and also (I would argue) as heroin. "It's just history repeating itself, and babe, you turn me on," he sings, calling back to the Sixties meaning of "turn on." "Easy Money" is a snapshot of life as a junkie of affluence, meeting up with his disheveled-looking dealer to lament how "all the things for which my heart yearns give joy in diminishing returns." And it's Cave's final abandonment of self - not just his addictions but the entire Dark Dylan, tortured-artist mythos in which they'd been wrapped up - that leads him to castigate himself so. On "Nature Boy" he walks on the beach with his beloved and breaks down as she points at something - their child, presumably - and asks if he'd ever seen such a beautiful thing. Against the relief of that beauty, all his pretensions feel like vanity; there is work to do in his family - work he should have been doing all along, and has neglected. And that's why he has to abandon those pretensions; on the finale "O Children" he begs the titular children to "forgive us now for what we've done, it started out as a bit of fun." Musically, this is strong, albeit a bit repetitive given its length; Cave is clearly enamored with the choir he's summoned to accompany him. But the real meat here is in hearing a man be honest with himself. It isn't perfect but I was moved nonetheless.
Not that familiar with Nick Cave's work, but I liked it. Didn't even mind the length.
God damn Cave. I actually really liked this album
Veldig engasjert Nick Cave er smittsomt, men klarer ikke helt å bli like frelst som han. Snill firer.
Tok litt tid før jeg ble overbevist, men dette va fine saker. Litt pompøs og gospel, blandet med en litt skitten NC funker. Minus for lengde, pluss for Breathless som er en av de koseligste sangene jeg vet.
the great service
Great soundstage, very unique sounding album. Something of a cross between Warren Zevon and gospel. Clear lyrics, with vivid imagery, but often abstract messaging.
Very much a classic. I enjoy the mix of rock epic and gospel background vocals. I do have to say that nick cave’s singing style gets a little tiring and repetitive for me after 10 songs though…
Bom álbum, embora tenha me parecido longo. Gosto da banda. Ter Oh! Children foi positivo porque sempre tive curiosidade pelo álbum. 3.8/5
nice
A genre unto themselves. A double album that covers a lot of ground, experimental at times, and never boring. While most artists would be coasting 20 odd years in, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are as inventive and creative as ever on this album. A worthy choice to this list.
I'll be the first to tell you that Nick Cave is one of my favorite artists of all-time. Seen him and the Bad Seeds many times in concert (as well as his project Grinderman), and am honestly surprised about the albums that were selected for the book. No "Let Love In", no "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!", no "Push the Sky Away", but instead this album, "The Boatman's Call", and "Ghosteen"?! I guess I shouldn't complain. This list doesn't necessarily serve the fanbase of most artists included, but rather the larger scope of pop music listeners trying to broader their horizons. If that's the case, so be it, this is a good start for people trying to get into Cave. First, as several reviewers have already pointed out, this album was really an amazing turnaround for him. Blixa Bargeld had left the band after the really disappointing "Nocturama", meaning that the sound was inevitably going to change. Still, he still had founding noisemaker Mick Harvey with him, as well as Warren Ellis and other Bad Seeds that have been mostly with the band since. An exploration of many genres can be found here: pop, lounge, gospel, R&B, blues, chain gang chants, noise, and more. It's however the most commercially friendly that Cave has ever sounded (unless you count the "The Good Son" as the first). I've played this album a lot driving up and down the country, and it grooves really well. Melodic, textured, abrasive, and recently, I got to see a lot of these songs played live with a gospel trio - everything sounded great! The disappointment is probably with the songs that get a tad repetitive at times, as well as with the album's length - it's really two albums in one, but could be overwhelming to new listeners - but also with his lyrics. Cave is definitely famous as a piano crooner and rock showman to many, but he also is a master storyteller and lyricist, and here there's more of the abstract rather than the concrete, with simpler metaphors and imagery than what he's usually capable of doing. As a fan, I enjoy this overall (more the 2nd album over the first), but it explores songs that I wouldn't normally listen to often if it wasn't performed by Cave. As a Cave effort, I give it 3.5 stars, but for the list, a solid 4 from my end.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Pleasantly surprised.
Solid
Great album with standout tracks
My favorite Nick Cave album. A worthy inclusion.
Fells like two albums cut and shut together…. Albeit pretty high quality albums think I actually prefer the more mellow stuff on side 2 4.1
I do love some Nick Cave, but this one is quite long and I prefer other albums better
Nick Cave is certainly an acquired taste and it has taken me years to start vibing with his music. This album certainly helped and it may be a great overview of what to expect for The Bad Seeds. It has the darkness all around, but it’s also very rock and roll, except when it’s pretentious and deep, which often feels even better. What can be a curse or a bliss, depending on your opinions about Mr. Cave, is the fact it’s a double album. You can splurge on it and get lost in the whole or try separating the experience. I personally enjoyed both options and that’s what made me appreciate The Lyre of Orpheus more. I’m still not completely overtaken by love for Nick Cave, but that was a nice first real date.
Nick Cave always reminds me of my mum when she lived in her little flat and would listen to Nick Cave a lot. So he in turn ends up reminding me of mushroom risotto. Excessive amounts of mushroom risotto. But I like this album. And it also reminded me I still haven't checked out the TV adaption of the Death of Bunny Munro. Didn't think much of the book when I read it, but perhaps it's one of the rare ones where the screen adaption is actually better. Like Stephen King. Terribly books, but they make excellent movies. Sorry Steve.
I'm not a big fan of Nick Cave, but overall it's a good album.
Great album!
This is really long but really really good.
Actually pretty shocked that I really liked a lot of this after giving a different nick cave record a 1/5 two days ago. Musically, I thought this album was excellent. Still don’t love his voice and his lyrics are rough in a lot of spots. But this kept me invested. It’s too long, it would have been a really great 60 minute record. But I’ll give credit where it’s due. 4/5.
This is my first Nick Cave album. Theatrical without being overwrought. The music is wonderful scaffolding for Nick's voice, which is luscious and deep and rich. He's intelligent without being stuffy or overbearing. I mean, it takes serious songwriting to use "constabulary" without being silly about it. "The Lyre of Orpheus" is wonderful and hilarious. I will say I enjoyed the album more than I thought I would, but I'm not coming back to it. Having heard it the first time, I'm not overly worried that this is a Dimery darling. I mean, he is, but he's also got talent. Unlike the Beatles. My Rating: 4/5
Considering how tricky I found some NC&TBS albums previously, this was surprisingly accessible, even catchy. Ironically, that almost counts against it, but I still enjoyed listening to this.
A consistent delight, with hilarious lyrics.
Discos duplos são difíceis de manter a qualidade o tempo todo. Mas Cave e seus Bad Seeds conseguem, sendo criativos o tempo todo, com músicas bem construídas. Nem se sente o tempo passar, tendo momentos exuberantes. Esse, sim, é pra escutar antes de morrer mesmo.
Oddly, this one was hard to evaluate. I had to relisten to the first half to really appreciate what was on there, while I loved what was on the second half right away. It's long, but it's consistent, and worth the re-evaluation.
The second Nick Cave album I've got in 3 days. I was not ready for this considering how I felt about the last one and the fact it was 82 minutes long! I was pleasantly surprised to find it is a much easier listen despite it's long runtime. There's no desperate attempt to sound edgy and some of the songs were really catchy. 'Nature Boy' was a stand out for me. 7/10
This album was just super weird. Some good weird, some bad weird. The main weirdness was the lyrics, particularly in tracks like "Fable of the Brown Ape" - I just ... didn't get it, and it made me weirdly uncomfortable. Overall this album made pretty decent background music and some tracks were an absolute jam. "Supernaturally" stood out to me in particular. Not sure I'm going to go out of my way to listen to more Nick Cave, but I'd say there's some possible playlist submissions here for me, but also a bunch of skips. Bit torn between a 3 or a 4 so going to settle on a 4 on the basis that 3 feels like a cop-out.
7/10 I’ve always found Nick Cave quite an intriguing character. He’s obviously a very talented musician and songwriter, but he’s also one of those people that unapologetically leans heavily into his weirder side. When those aspects collide, it can make for some incredibly interesting and engaging music. In all honesty, my personal preference for his work is when he leans a little further into the darker side of his persona, but I can also appreciate it when he weaves that more deftly into songs that have an edge of menace or brooding tension. Either way, he’s definitely a character and one of those people that the music world should be glad to have among their ranks. Without people like Cave, Björk and Zappa pushing at the boundaries, would we be where we are today? This album does fall a little on the normal side of Nick Cave’s eccentricities for my tastes, but the quality of a lot of the songs are undeniable. In reality, it’s almost like two separate albums slapped together into a single release and, while there are some links and crossovers in sound between the two, I think they may have actually worked slightly better if delivered separately. The sound here is interesting, in that it brings in the sound of contemporary bands like the White Stripes and the Black Keys and combines that with a slightly more orchestral edge and a twist of gospel to create a very early 2000’s take on gospel blues, blended with modern rock. The second half is a more stripped back affair, by and large, that dances more into elements of folk, with moments of whimsy mixed in with those Nick Cave special moments of darkness. If I had to pick a preferred disc of the two, I’d probably lean towards this second one, just because it dips into that weirdness a little more. The blend of tones and production styles across both discs add a depth and quality to the recording that elevates it above a more run-of-the-mill rock production, and that little twist of Nick Cave magic throws in the edge of eccentricity and danger that permeates the record. It’s good stuff, and the mix of songs helps to create an interesting journey through dark, brooding numbers to grand, uplifting songs. Tracks like Hiding All Away, The Lyre of Orpheus and Babe, You Turn Me On are highlights, but there are moments when things just become a bit too… normal for a Nick Cave record. In truth, the biggest problem with this album is its length. It’s always difficult to make a double album that manages to maintain a high level for its full duration, and this is another example of a record that, had it been chopped down to 12 songs, and indulged a bit more in its weirdness, rather than dipping back into more straight compositions, could have been excellent. Unfortunately, the length means that it does drag a tiny bit in places, so isn’t able to maintain the heights that it does touch on in various places. Get Ready For Love - A decent enough start. I’d say there’s a fairly White Stripes sound to this, although it’s obviously got Nick Cave’s distinctive vocal to pin it down as one of his works. There are some cool riffs, some decent dynamic range through different movements and that slight edge of madness that is typical of Cave’s work. The depth of the production is cool, actually, with the backing vocals adding a really three dimensional aspect to the sound. Cannibal's Hymn - It takes a little while to kick in, but when we get to the groove about a minute and a half into this, it really starts to kick. There’s some nice bass work in this and some cool sonic trickery to build an interesting atmosphere with bits of ear candy. As a song, it’s not the most exciting, but the production does lift it a little, and the vibe is decent. Hiding All Away - Again, there’s a touch of White Stripes about bits of this, but the crazed delivery from Cave dominates more than the opener. The groove is solid, and there’s some cool additions to the rhythm from the guitar. It’s got more atmosphere and vibe, mixed with a bluesy swagger and some nice grit and drive. The backing vocals are great too, and add a slightly poppy edge, which feels quite disconcerting set against the more obtuse tone of the rest of the track. The cacophony of the end when everything kicks in at once is great too. Messiah Ward - A nice slow burn of a track with an excellent groove. It’s stripped back and subtle, but there’s something really effective about it. There’s excellent instrumental work, particularly from the guitar and piano, but it’s all deftly delivered and doesn’t dominate, while still adding interest and range over the rumbling undercurrent of the core track. The production is excellently handled and well balanced too. A really great track. There She Goes, My Beautiful World - This is quite a straightforward rock anthem. It’s really well written and executed, with a great central hook. The pace and drive is great and the instrumental work is really good. It’s perhaps a touch too straight for me, and while it has a slight edge of Cave’s weirdness, it feels just a little bit normal. That being said, I do like it and the depth of the composition is great. Nature Boy - Another solid pop/gospel rock effort now. It’s rhythmically engaging and has great drive. The melodies are meandering during the verses, but tighten up during the chorus, when we get some nice harmonic depth. The lead playing from the guitar and piano during various sections are excellent. It’s another really solid track, and I’ve enjoyed it, tapping my feet along the whole way through, but I just want an extra bit of weirdness from Cave that’s not quite there. Abattoir Blues - This album has really good grooves. Instrumentally, this is far more stripped back and all of the pace is in the drums. Beyond that it’s a slow, considered effort.It’s all about the vibe, which is really good. There’s not a vast amount of complexity here, but it’s brilliantly executed. Another good one. Let The Bells Ring - And now we’re back to something a bit more normal, by Nick Cave standards. It’s not bad, exactly, and there’s some great performances here, but it feels a bit safe and routine. Perhaps even a bit bland. Some of the melodic moments are nice enough, but it doesn’t completely connect for me. Fable Of The Brown Ape - We’re leaning back more towards Cave’s more weird inclinations now. This is subtle and brooding, with some interesting sound design choices and a slightly menacing edge. The slow groove is nice, pinned down well by the strolling bass line. The punches of stronger dynamic are really well delivered and add an extra depth to the track. Good stuff. The Lyre Of Orpheus - Moving on to the second suite on the record, this is lovely, brooding and menacing stuff. The addition of the backing vocals in the chorus is excellent and the sound design and use of staccato, shifting elements that feel like they’re moving around your head builds this disconcerting and nervy feeling to the song. Nick Cave’s on top vocal form too, sounding like a man you wouldn’t want to turn your back on. Great track. Breathless - A slightly more uplifting folk-rock style track now, with a very 90s indie sounding chorus. It’s melodically pretty good, and the guitar playing is nice, if unspectacular. There’s some good work from the bass part too. It’s not the most interesting of compositions and lacks that edge that I typically expect from a Nick Cave track, so feels a bit normal and perhaps a little bland. Babe, You Turn Me On - Nick Cave’s a weird guy. Artistically, that’s a fantastic asset, and this song is a fine example of why. It’s a very well composed and executed song, sounding very beautiful and sweet, but with lyrics that twist that purity in a very odd direction. The orchestration is restrained and every part dances around beautifully, yet he throws in these weird little edges with lyrics like "I put one hand on your round ripe heart, And the other down your panties”. It’s a solid song with that edge of weirdness that drags it away from being saccharine. Easy Money - This is a sombre and pretty effort that strolls up and down its scale in a way that is in some ways repetitive, but does throw enough slight changes and variations to keep things fairly fresh. Rhythmically, it’s on the plodding side, but that does fit into the atmosphere that the production and composition create, so it works well. I’d say it’s a smidge too long, but it’s very pretty and enjoyable nonetheless. Supernaturally - A great change of pace now. It’s fast and intense and lifts the folky edge of this part of the record into something heavier, while retaining that same core vibe and instrumentation. It’s got an irresistible groove, and some really excellent playing. The rhythmic focus of the piano, bass, guitar and drums is excellent, but the violin work adds a flowing top note to it that superbly creates a range to the texture of the song. Great track. Spell - The shuffled rhythm of this one is really nice. The slightly discordant and rhythmically disconnected string parts add an air of edginess to the sound that’s an effective vibe builder. It’s very atmospheric and the sound world that it creates is very compelling and hypnotic. Musically, it does edge on being a little repetitive, but as a hypnotic, pulsing track, it manages to use that repetition pretty well. Carry Me - There’s a bit more of a gospel edge to this that calls back to the first record. The cloud of arpeggiated piano work that drifts in and out of focus in the background creates an interesting tonal bed that I like. The orchestration feels quite dense, at least in part due to that. It’s not the most exciting song on the album, and does get a bit tired by the end, but it’s still good and probably would feel more valuable on a shorter record, but now that we’re knocking on an hour and a quarter, things need to be excellent to stand out. O Children - A lovely track to finish us off. It’s slow-paced and considered, but there are so many great moments in there, from some of the piano runs that tinkle in and out from the mix, and the excellent gospel choir work, especially as it builds towards the end. The rhythmic blend is solid, and the juxtaposition of the clean, smooth backing vocals and Cave’s slightly gritty deliver is beautiful. This one is all about the mix and the orchestration, because musically, the themes are fairly similar throughout, but it takes them in different directions thanks to the arrangement and production. Really nice.
This was my first listen to anything by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Honestly, I hadn't heard of them, except for a buddy of mine who mentioned going to see them in Chicago. I can see where some of the reviews are coming from with "boring". There aren't a lot of dynamic shifts in terms of feel on the album. And it admittedly won't be for everybody. As a new listener, I was hooked at the energy of the first track, "Get Ready For Love". That track gave me The Doors vibes, which is not a bad thing. Other tracks in the double album gave me vibes of other musicians I enjoy. Abattoir Blues gave me Hozier vibes, or maybe Jack White vibes. Overall, another reviewer said that Nick Cave feels familiar, like you've heard his music, but haven't. This was a time commitment, being a double album. Personally, I liked it and thought there was enough distinction between tracks like There She Goes, My Beautiful World, and Let the Bells Ring and Breathless, etc.
My first time listening to a Nick Cave album in full, and I have to say that this was a very fun experience. This one gave me some proper Tom Waits vibes in places, with the storytelling of Leonard Cohen thrown in for good measure. Proper big sound for the first half, before dialling it down for the second half. More of this please. Favourite track: There She Goes, My Beautiful World Least favourite track: Spell
Really like this one absolute banger and listenable throughout
Nick Cave and Co kicking ass across a double album, hell baby damn yes!
Bombastic, gospel-infused rock is normally associated with Jack White, but this time it’s the Australian incarnation. As a double album, Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus presents two distinct identities. Abattoir Blues is the more immediate of the two : gospel-soaked, rockier and, by Cave’s standards, commercial. The Lyre of Orpheus, meanwhile, slows things down, leaning further into blues and folk that feel stranger and more unpredictable. “Fable of the Brown Ape” feels as though it belongs on the second record, and its placement as the closing track on Abattoir Blues makes it a gentle bridge between the two halves.
This was quite an intense and, at times, confusing listen. Firstly, much of the musicianship, imagery, and group vocals are top quality, establishing a great base for this project to build upon. Despite this, I felt sometimes as if the unapologetic ambition attempted to bite off more than it could chew. While there are so many cinematic moments with grand instrumentals and storytelling, it’s unruly as a whole, and a handful of tracks and passages truly fall flat. Fable of the Brown Ape is the best example. There is just so much going on and it stays engaging enough for a double album but still goes on too long for how much I enjoyed it. This is exacerbated by the fact that I feel confidently that the first half is better on just about every front. I could see myself just listening to Abattoir Blues and skipping The Lyre of Orpheus in the future. Even so, the first six tracks do most of the heavy lifting there but they are so good. Despite some clear criticisms the majority of the tracks here are strong and interesting, leaving me feeling pretty positively about my experience if still conflicted. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: O Children; Hiding All Away; There She Goes, My Beautiful World; Messiah Ward; Get Ready for Love; Easy Money
I’m sorry Nick, I didn’t recognise your game. Ts good as hell
Okay, so I listened to this album way back when, and it pretty much passed me by. So much so that I couldn’t really write a review of it at the time. Now I’ve listened to it again during a long train ride, and I finally got it. I’m not sure how many Nick Cave albums we’ve had on this list by now, but this one was a good one. Even though it’s a long album, I think the double-album format works well, as there’s a clear difference between the two “sides.” I enjoyed both the rock-oriented first CD and the more traditional Nick Cave-sounding second half. There are plenty of great songs, including “Get Ready for Love,” “Nature Boy,” “Easy Money,” and “Supernaturally.” Maybe it’s not doing anything particularly different from his other albums, but it’s still very good. I can even forgive the long runtime, as it almost feels like a concept album, with two clearly distinct sides. Sometimes an album just needs to find you at the right time, and I guess that’s what happened here. Weak 4
Liked this way more than I anticipated. Too long tho.
3.5/5
Being a casual Nick Cave listener, taking the time to listen to more of his songs is a joy. And it's a really good album! The use of the choir being a common thread throughout makes the listening experience cohesive, as the messaging fluctuates between different levels of darkness.
Hits you like a frying pan to the face, full of vital energy - Abattoir Blues might get a five on its own terms but, while there’s still plenty of strong stuff on The Lyre of Orpheus, the more sedate pace after the urgency of what came before means it feels as though it tails off.
good
J'arrivais biaisé positivement car je ne connaissais que très peu Nick Cave et j'avais envie d'avoir + de rock conté, L'album n'est pas aussi dérangeant que ce que je pensais mais la patte du groupe reste facilement identifiable dans un style plus rock
I’ve listened to many Nick Cave albums over the last 30 years and have always enjoyed them but he is so productive. I’ve listened to Murder Ballad’s, You’re Funeral… My Trial, and The Firstborn Is Dead the most. I never listed to this one until it popped up here and I loved it. The only issue I have with his music is that it’s so emotionally heavy that I’m rarely in the mood for it.
Fabulous album never heard before some classic nick cave themes and setting
This dude just fuckin gets it.
Great passion
Even if he's a bit of a knob these days this is still great
Great album, O Children stand out
This guy is some writer. I wonder if he was really long drawn opinions on anything else ?
A healthy middleground between the classic, messy, rocky Cave and the later, more gentle Cave, it lasts for a long time and it's generally very solid. It could be a little over-lengthy but its offerings are good and it serves well as a general example of Nick Cave's style
This has a song from my favorite scene in Harry Potter! Definitely gets extra points for that. Otherwise, I hadn't listened to this guy before and I really liked it! I would revisit this album even if O Childern wasn't on it.
Pretty good. I love me some NC&TBS, but their ‘80s & ‘90s albums are what I prefer and first got into. Well, those and the spinoff Grinderman albums. Those Grinderman albums are greater, man, than today’s selection TBH (Tabey buying ham).
Love Nick Cave, and love this iteration of the Bad Seeds with Warren Ellis. So yeah. Love this.
Nick Cave is one of those artists I know I should listen to more.
Wow. Thats what I was looking for!!! On the first 2 Nick Cave offerings I was left disappointed, commenting how much I wanted to like his work based on the odd track here and there that I love. Third time lucky, as this one is exceptional. The first album is in your face brilliant. Prefer him rocking out compared to the sometimes grating ballad crooning. The gospel style backing singers really make a huge difference too. The second album is solid, but not quite the heights of the first. I can’t quite justify a 5, as there are three tracks that I have deleted from my digital copy, but that leaves me with an hours worth of interesting material that will be listened to again I know for sure.
The first half is a tour de force of gospel goth rock. Absolutely stunning. I love his modern retelling of the Orpheus myth (I am a classicist after all). I really do need to spend some time listening to his lyrics. The second half of the album has a different feel to it more stripped back. It would have been better if it had been released as two single albums possibly, that makes it a 'skipper' rather than a full on perfect album.
This is a great album to introduce someone to this band.
This album has so much different music. It's a perfect trip through different genres.
Enjoyed this, much more upbeat than previous Nick Cave stuff I’d listened to. The double album is a little OTT and the second ‘side’ dragged a little, but would like revisit.
Really liked it, very varied album with surprisingly few skips for how long it is. Will revisit it in the future
The man can write a song. Brilliant story telling. Musically a generous. Great beats and rhythm.
It grows on you.
Really enjoyed this one. Unique and creative songwriting the whole way through - there’s a few songs I would skip on a re listen so it doesn’t quite get a five, but still very strong
I want to like Nick Cave so bad. I just never have. Gave it another college try.
(light 7/10) Pretty good! I mean, for an imperialist zionist that is. idk, ever since learning about Nick Cave, I can't really feel anything about his music outside of recognizing it's technically a well-written and well-produced album. idk.
Pleasantly surprised & delighted. Much more levity & breadth than ghosteen.
My first Nick Cave album experience. Highly compelling. Some songs I want to revisit again and again and some that didn’t land as well. Overall, though, this is a wonderful album that I’m grateful to have discovered.
Abattoir Blues is the stronger album, and leans into “4” territory; The Lyre of Orpheus is solidly “3”. The only album that I could think of being somewhat similar that I’m familiar with is David Bowie’s Blackstar. There were also hints of Elvis on the track Breathless. The only track that had heard prior to listening to this album was O Children, which is popular on my wife’s Tiktok. Overall it stays interesting throughout and has original and fun lyrics.
I have always enjoyed the music I've heard by Nick Cave, but I never have listened to a full album. I always fear that too much Nick Cave at once will be overwhelming. So naturally, my first experience with a full album is a double album. The two discs really feel like two completely different albums. If I'd have just listed to Abattoir Blues, this would be my 20th 5* album in this project. But, Lyre, while still good, was not as good of an album. Though it did have moments, especially the latter half.
Wanky album title. Probably wanky content. But it doesn’t stop the fun.
This gets Nick Cave back towards his punk roots. It has more energy than some of his more Leonard Cohenish albums. There She Goes My Beautiful World is a great track. "Abbatoir Blues" is very cool too, as is "Let the Bells Ring." I get some Tom Waits vibes from "The Lyre of Orpheus." A few forgettable tracks then "Easy Money" is a good one as is "Supernaturally." Really, there are a lot of great tracks here. There is some filler, and it probably could have been chopped down to an excellent 12 track single album. Then it would have been a full 5/5. As it stands, more like a 4.
Highlights: O Children, Cannibal’s Hymn, Hiding All The Way, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Abattoir Blues, Let The Bells Ring, Breathless, Easy Money and Spell. 4.0
Koret på anden halvdel bliver lige corny nok, ellers kunne jeg rigtig godt lide den
This is a long album & there are a few tracks here that showcase Cave at his worst: pretentious & overwrought. The remainder, however, are excellent, full of raw and storied lyrics and rampaging across a wide range of styles, moods & influences.
GET READY FOR LOOOOOOOOVVVEEE
C'était très bon mais tellement long, je ne m'imagine pas reprendre le temps de l'écouter une 2e fois. 3.75 étoiles
It's a good album, though I'm not a fan of Nick Cave. It's definitely too long and overstays it's welcome. Abattoir Blues is a solid 4.5, more energetic and fun. The Lyre of Orpheus gets very samey, but not unpleasant as it goes, so I would rate it at a 3/5. All in all, a fine experience, but I would've found it a lot better if it were shortened by a few songs. 3.5-4/5
This is an album that really highlights how flawed trying to rate an album a day truly is. Most albums require multiple listens to fully experience. A 1.5 hour album even more so. This one is especially dense and I can tell that a lot of its deeper meaning went over my head on a first listen. I know I will listen again in the future though and I could see it easily being a 5 star upon further listens. "O Children" is a certified banger.
Possibly Nick Cave’s only truly great album. Such a wild blend of all his best music – gospel rock, swooning piano ballads, rousing folk, dark murderous rock.
great
Heard it before, even heard some songs from it live! I do love Nick's music and even though I don't really understand why this album is on the list I'm still gonna give it a good rating 4/5
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus wirkt wie ein guter Whisky: erst kräftig, dann langsam öffnend. Der erste Teil brennt dunkel und gospelnd, der zweite schimmert leiser und eleganter. Ein Doppelalbum, das Zeit braucht, um seine Tiefe freizugeben.
overall I liked it, don't know why.
Shocked that this was just about a 4.5 for me.
The choice of singles on this thing are baffling. Mellow songs like "Breathless" and "Nature Boy" do not do this album justice. Some of my favourite Cave cuts like "Hiding All The Way" and "Get Ready For Love" are from this record and feature a gospel choir bringing energy to Cave's already chaotic band. I usually like my Nick Cave to have a bit of a bite, which I feel like the second half of this double album lacks when compared to the excellent first part. The first half is a 4.5, whilst the more relaxed second half is a 3.5, so we will call this a 4. A great outing from Cave and his band, but there's atleast 4 other Bad Seeds records that I would easily put higher than this.
I mean for me this is the fifth or sixth best Nick Cave album but he’s released no bad albums and this is still a four or so but I guess I expect to see a lot more NCBS on this list although I doubt it. But in an isolated assessment, quite excellent album.
I don’t always love Nick Cave, but I do always find is music at minimum to be enjoyable. This album is no exception. Though the two albums making up this double-album have their differences, they both have the usual dives into sex and death that Nick Cave loves. Standouts for me are Get Ready for Love, There She Goes My Beautiful World, Breathless, and O Children.
310/1001 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ Not a fan of double albums usually, but this is a great one.
Have I listened to this album before? How familiar am I with this album? No How do I feel about this artist? I have never listened but a lot of people with similar tastes to me like Nick Cave Pre-Listen Thoughts: I think I will like it Favorite track(s): Breathless, O Children Post-Listen Thoughts: I liked it quite a bit, looking forward to exploring this artist some more! Even though it was a double album I didn’t get bored with it, so that’s a bonus.
Like Billy Joel but like better
Epic, gothic, moody, electric.
I liked quite a lot of the songs, it's giving Leonard Cohen had a lovechild with Hozier's Greek mythology obsession. However, I don't think I'll soon return to this album, so not quite 5 stars.
I wish this was just The Lyre of Orpheus, cause if it was I'd give it a 5. That album was phenomenal, it had a lot of material that surprised me (the only thing I knew from Nick Cave before this was Red Right Hand), and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, however, there's a whole other album tacked onto it. Abattoir Blues isn't even bad, there's a lot of material I really liked on it. It's just much too long, I think it's pacing is significantly slower than the other album, and I think it suffers for it. It doesn't help I took a 6 hour break in the middle of it to see Phantom of the Opera, but I was pretty tired of it already before I left. Still, as a project I'd call it great, but if they wanted to improve it I have notes. Favorites (Abattoir Blues): Get Ready for Love, Hiding All Away, Let the Bells Ring Favorites (The Lyre of Orpheus): The Lyre of Orpheus, Babe You Turn Me On, O Children
My retrospective love of Nick continues.
I owned this and loved it when it came out but haven't listened to it for ages, so this was a nice reminder. It's great - witty and warmer and less ridiculously gothic than his earlier stuff. I'm realising I always like it when indie/alternative artists work with gospel choirs.
Loistavaa lyriikkaa ja sanomaa kuten aina Nick Cavelta
I've not heard much of his stuff, but the more I hear, the more I like. 3.75/5
Donnerstag, 02.07.2026 In der S25 auf dem Weg nachhause. In der U9 auf dem Weg zur Arbeit - massivst zu spät.