Reviews (page 9 of 13)
I first learned about this album when I was trying to find that one song from Harry Potter. I was surprised by how great the album was. 9/10
One day I was driving with my dad and he told me to put on “Red Right Hand” and I just remember think “Hey this is the Peaky Blinders theme song” and from that moment wanting to listen to more from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds but never getting around to it. Luckily this challenge forced my hand. I wasn’t entirely convinced till “Hiding All Away” but from then on I started to fall in love and I just know that I’ve listened to the full album the first two songs are going to gell with me more as well. This is a double album and Side B has to be my favourite with standouts such as Easy Money, Carry Me and O Children. Can’t wait to listen to this again, absolutely stunning.
Great stuff. Quite uplifting for Nick Cave, and good variety.
Started as Meh, but ended up kind of digging it. I'd give it another spin at some point and see how it goes.
Great double album, enjoyed a lot of this and the runtime didn't feel as long as it was. With some editing, this would have been a 5 star, but just misses out with a couple of weaker tracks
The two halves of this album make for an interesting combination, like two sides of the same coin; complementary but distinct. I prefer "The Lyre of Orpheous" half for pure musicality. Sounds a bit like Tom Waits but actually musical and enjoyable to listen to.
20/10/24 Never listened to Nick Cave before. It wasn't a bad listen.
Great album from a great artist
I just didn't really get anything out of this
Thoughts after disc 1: Holy fuck, this is so goddamn good. 318 days in and I *finally* get my first Nick Cave album. I've never listened to a full one and I'm so happy this is my first. Absolutely fantastic in every way. I hope the second disc keeps it up... Thoughts after disc 2: Not as good as disc 1 on first listen, but still consistently excellent. Light 4.5 for now, but potential room to grow. 4.5/5
would not think this is from 2004
It was okay, got a little long - being two albums - and I didn't really hate it, but I didn't really like it either.
Pretty good first exposure to Nick Cave. I will likely come back to this. Some highlights are Hiding All Away, Nature Boy, and Supernaturally.
Bleak and dirty literary hymns. I'm genuinely ambivalent towards this.
Not sure I'd really heard any of Nick cave before, but I really like this album. A solid 3.7. I will round up to four, because I feel generous today. Lol
Entered this album not feeling it, ended up enjoying the album. “Spell”, “Nature Boy” and “Messiah Ward” were my favourites for sure.
Yes
Annoying
I deeply appreciate what Nick Cave does. Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is a unique look at gospel and blues music that takes it in a wildly different direction.
Listening to this album reminds me of that kid who is so geeky about something that you should feel secondhand embarrassed for but there’s just something about their passion that’s infectious. Objectively I should feel embarrassed about the fable of the brown ape but every time I get a nick cave album he wins me over. I don’t think it’s great music but he does move me.
Couple decent songs here and there but overall not my style. 2.5/5
Musically very strong vibes. I won't pretend I fully understood every song, but I dug how most of them sounded.
As with all Nick Cave I was a late adopter but this is a towering album with some magnificent songs.
Abattoir Blues: This shit bangs, I did not expect to be drawing this many Strokes and David Byrne parallels. Lyre of Orpheus: Okay, this is more what I expected from Nick Cave, but in a David-Byrne-doing-Night-Vale-weather way? So hey, turns out this shit also bangs.
Don’t know what i expected from Nick Cave but it wasn’t this. Really enjoying it. It’s been pointed out to me that Nick is going full David Byrne and now I can’t unhear it.
Part one: This is bombastic, gospel-tinged rock that's honestly kinda awesome - where's the miserable bastard Nick Cave gone? Part two: Oh, there he is. I've never been one for Nick Cave normally, but there are definitely high points on this album that got me thinking this might be alright actually - however there's also plenty of Nick going so far up himself he could check for tonsil stones... Also, it's about four tracks too much, but I'd be hard-pressed to say which four to remove to make it a better listen overall. Good, great in places, but overall not really for me. Faves: There She Goes, My Beautiful World; Supernaturally; Hiding All Away
Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is actually a double album that showcases two distinct sides of Nick Cave’s music. Abattoir Blues is raw, aggressive, and drenched in blues-rock and gospel influences, while The Lyre of Orpheus takes a more subdued, introspective route with ballads and softer arrangements. Both albums are exceptionally well produced, making this double release a great starting point for anyone looking to explore Nick Cave’s music. It’s one of his more accessible albums, that defines his style.
good double album, i liked a lot of songs, packed a lot more energy than the boatman’s call, i enjoyed it
Maybe there's something here.
I thought I would get bogged down in the length of this double album (1001 albums is at least 1100 albums if you count all the doubles, its cheating). Pleasantly surprised that it flew by and I enjoyed it. The choral backup singers do a lot of heavy lifting. Varied enough to be interesting and well arranged. "O Children" kinda makes me cry. 3.5 for the whole endeavour.
maybe the most unnecessary double album i've ever encountered? not much deviation from the standard nick cave experience
This was more gospel-y than I was expecting. I generally liked the vibes of the songs, but there were just too many of them and some of them didn't hit for me.
When I lived in Ohio, I got to be friends with a guy who worked at the Jimmy John's up the road from my office. I was always either a 6 or a 6 on wheat, and it was my lunch any time I didn't pack one or couldn't deal with my packed lunch, so I guess I became easy to spot. He turned out to be pretty cool, he did a bunch of community theater and I started going to his shows and helping him pick things to go out for. He was also extremely weird (so am I) so on one trip we saw a play that involved, IIRC, someone hanging by their entrails with all of the lines in an Irish accent and rhyming cadence. The point of this story is that he was the biggest Nick Cave fan I've ever met, and he is absolutely precisely the sort of person I had envisioned Nick Cave fans being. A lot of this is a little bit too, like, depressed-in-a-dark-cave-by-the-ocean for me, but I did like this album more than some others I've heard. 3.5
(nunca lo había escuchado) un álbum que al principio me parecía de rock de nuevo, y con lamento digo que me dolía la cabeza y pensé que lo iba a odiar, pero la verdad que al final resultó ser alternativa y hay un par de canciones que disfruté bastante. me gustó la melodía al igual que las letras de algunas que me pude fijar. me sorprendió.
So much promise that repeatedly gets squandered. Instrumentals start out interesting, plateau for ages, then finally start to build just in time for the track to end. The same choir is pulled out over and over to add drama but it falls flat the more the same trick is used. The singer has neither range nor an interesting tone and sings like he thinks he's doing something when he's really not. Sometimes the stars align and things sound great for a bit, only for it to slip away again. Lyrics extremely hit or miss, like if Ian Dury woke up one day and decided he was Leonard Cohen.
This album was just ok for me. There wasn't anything that I specifically did not like about this, but overall it did not really grab me in any kind of way that made me want more. I think the length did not help, but this is sort of two separate albums combined rather than one double album. Would not seek it out again.
Do you like rock music? Then this album is for you. To be honest I thought this album was gonna be calm music but instead it was intense music. The lyrics are decent the beats are also decent. But it's not really my type of music so I don't really recommed this album if you don't like rock. But if you do like rock music then I do recommend this album just because of the beats
I didn't really like this album. now the lyrics in my opinion were good, and sounds were good, but I just really don't like this album. I honestly just really didnt like it. Overall, despite my feelings, its a decent album.
I don't like don't understand give 1 star its like about love don't like love songs boring beat doesn't hype me up doesn't make me move just boring. I don't recommend the song
Do you like songs in where you can actually hear the bass being played? \" Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus\" by Nick cave and the bad seeds is a great album for you. In the song \"get ready for love\" there is some parts in where its only the bass being played along with the vocals but the guitars and drums are not played for a moment. This song also has very good back up vocals which i love. I can see myself listening to this album while doing homework or studying. I would recommend this album to anyone.
I liked most of the instrumentals but I did not really like the lyrics overall I could see some people liking this album but it is not for me 4/10
have you ever heard a song and not liked it thats how this album get ready for love made me feel i did not like the lyrics or instruments they didnt sound good and i would much like to listen to something other than this i dont like this album and i would not recommend listening to this album
Do you like horrible songs that don't make sense, and have a horrible band? Then I don't know what you listen to, because this is complete trash. I can't understand what they are saying. Also the band is horrible, it is too loud with the singer. The only thing I like about it is the beat. DO NOT LISTEN.
1st song-i don't like it because they don't singing good 2nd song- I don't like it to because it so weird idk why 3rd song- I like it because it is so good
Why? Just. Why? This is one of the WORST albums I've ever listened to. The lead singer's voice is just not good, and he doesn't have a very good range. The only good thing about this album in my opinion is the drums in the background and guitar. The beat is okay as well, but still, I do NOT like this album. I think you should NEVER listen to this album, in my opinion.
like the bass and the drums i dont like his voice i dont like the sound of it the piano was nice in the beginning
I'm starting to become convinced that this site only gives you double albums when it knows that you're busy. Luckily this time it was Nick Cave, and even though I hadn't heard this album before, I knew what to expect. I like the way each disc has a completely different feel. I prefer the first disc personally, but that could just be that I wasn't in the mood for the ballads of the second. I wish I had more time to really get into this one but sometimes life gets in the way.
Never even heard of them before and I really enjoyed this one!!
Good
Actually enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would
Enjoyed more than I thought I would
It was good
I love Nick Cave but this isn't his best. It's pretty indulgent with all the backup chorus vocals and in general feels mostly filler. I think this is an album only for the diehards, which is fine because I'm a fan of his but it begs the question why it's on this list.
Not as bad, as I thought. Still like 2 and half stars, as it is pretty long.
Yeah....this makes me realize that I have not listened to enough Nick Cave. Great stuff on here.
I loved this album and didn’t feel like it was nearly as long as it was. I love the vibes. Easy five star for me.
just not for me. I’m not even halfway through but it’s long, kind of boring. Some songs are slow and some have too much going on
hardly need to listen to this one ... but I did anyway. It's one of Nick's finest albums, and chock full of excellence. Nature Boy might be my favourite NC track ever, but both the up-beat and down-beat tracks are well worth a listen. Five Stars every day of the week.
Solid
I really liked this album. It's not one I would've ever listened to otherwise. Soulful southern rock music. Love it.
Not something I enjoyed. Sounds like a darker version of Neil Diamond.
I can appreciate this album. I can tell it’s really good, but it doesn’t do a lot for me. It’s weird there’s a lot of elements that are right up my alley but as a whole I just couldn’t fully get into it. Also, it is incredibly long, I was fatigued by the end of this. I could almost give this a four because I could probably get a lot out of it if I dug in deeper, but I’m giving it a three because I don’t see myself listening to it again.
Good, but not my kind of stuff, interesting songs here and there, but not well rounded I would say
# Album Name: Abattoir Blues - The Lyre of Orpheus (Double Album) # Artist: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds # Rating: # Comments: Another double album. Sigh. Every double album i've had, minus the wall, should not have been a double album imo. You really gotta have something special to put a double album out imo. I gotta give it a chance though because its my first nick cave album. Hiding all away grabbed my attention. My beautiful world, was a good tune. Some good piano, vocals and melody. Let the bells ring. Neat little guitar lick and a good chorus. Overall a decent sound with some good use of vocals and strings. No song really stood out as being really good on first listen though. I stand by my comment on double albums, i dont see the point. It makes it an incredibly long listen. # Top Tunes: Hiding all away / My beautiful world / let the bell ring / supernatural # Would I listen to it again? Overall, not a bad album. Definitely feels like i will need to listen to this a good few times if it was to grow on me.
Nick Cave - part melodrama, part comedy "John Wilmot penned his poetry Riddled with the pox Nabokov wrote on index cards, At a lectern, in his socks St. John of the Cross did his best stuff Imprisoned in a box And JohnnyThunders was half alive When he wrote Chinese Rocks" Glorious, and wild, and very alive
niet echt mijn ding
I appreciate that it's a good album - it's well mixed, excellent production, and the music is good, etc. But it just didn't resonate with me.
I understand this album may have cultural significance but I didn't find it particularly interesting, certainly not interesting enough to ever want to listen to it again. Some catchy melodies, but not catchy enough for me to want to find them again. Would possibly put it on in the background if I had guests over and I wanted them to think I'm cool.
I respect Nick Cave and all but I did not like this 💀
I'm surprised by what this is, but it feels pretty generic. Nothing outrageously poppy about it. I'm not listening too deeply to lyrics, so there may be something artistically meritorious about it, but as something in the background I'm not generously impressed
Bumping little album. Solid
Immediate reaction: Fucking Nick Cave (unflattering) Since this is my third Nick Cave album in 150 generated, I had to check how many more I have to subject myself to. Turns out, one of you finishing fuckers must have added Ghosteen, since that's not listed on the book site. At least 2 more. Maybe they'll pop up soon and soon I'll never need to listen to this pompous ass again. They Lyre of Orpheus is especially obnoxious.
Okay.
Ended up being pretty good
Måske ikke den mest spændende Nick Cave
This my third Nick Cave record on this list and I didn't really like the other two. So I wasnt expecting much. But this is fantastic. Nick's voice is brilliant and clear, I really love it.
Album 539 of 1001 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus (2004) Rating : 3.75 / 5 Have heard a lot from Nick Cave from this list. I think I prefer some of his older stuff but it is all good. He is a unique guy with a unique style. His music is "characterized by emotional intensity, a wide variety of influences and lyrical obsessions with death, religion, love, and violence." This one runs a bit long so a loss of attention is possible. Nothing to complain about yet not really nothing to write home about, either.
I wasn't the biggest fan of this album. I've heard some of his other work and enjoyed it but this album was really a bit of a drag to get through for me.
Now I remember why I never liked Nick Cave.
Blegh, I like Nick Cave at his most bombastic, like on My Beautiful World. But the rest is so boring and just blegh.
Some great songs but also a bit of filler
Probably a 4. It runs a bit long. It's Nick Cave so it gets that 5 star treatment.
3/5 I get why it’s highly regarded and people love it, but I still can’t get into Nick Cave sorryyyy. He’s the kind of artist I should vibe with, but it sounds like droning background music to me. My fav tracks were ‘Cannibal’s Hymn’ and ‘Breathless.’
Favorite Track: Breathless
meh
beyond bad, 2 albums of hot trash
Has writing about these albums become an exercise to ward off the onset of dementia? Probably. Anyway, here’s 90 minutes of your barista’s favourite singer. I expected crooning of the bat. I instead got rock. It’s fine. Kind of Vegas-y which I’m sure is ironic, but it sucks. Don’t say defrock. I am NOT in the mood for this. This song fucking sucks. This one is better. Slightly more interest building with this kind of vibe. Psychobilly feeling. I like it. This song ALSO sucks. Santana backing up Fat Elvis. Why is this the most interesting music ever written to some people? Boring. What can I say about this. It doesn’t really elicit conversation. It’s just simple rock with a glittery, yet somehow painfully dull sheen. Glen Danzig type beat. This really is fat Elvis if he was trying to hit on a Zooey Deschanel character in an early 2000s romantic comedy set in New York. It’s better when the Vegas rock fades away but here’s the deal. I have decided that Nick Cave sucks as a vocalist. That’s going to be an obstacle here. The lyrics aren’t even cool. I thought that’s what I would be the one saving grace. It is not. Let the bells ring has started promisingly. He does less of the throaty warble. And back into big airy Elvis rock. It’s dead. This thing sucks too. There really are interesting alt-rock outfits out there. This isn’t one of them. Skinny rat faced guy = interesting. Ok. Actually weird start. I like the first couple seconds. WHY. No Vegas flourishes, please. Ah you know, the verses are so interesting here, this one gets a pass. I actually like this song. Part 2. Oh god am I starting to enjoy this?? Am I the barista? I like this song so far again. If Nick isn’t singing that much, there are good ideas there. Storytelling quality to the last two songs. Could do without saying “mama” ever, but hey it’s not that bad. It’s getting worse. This really doesn’t need to be 4 minutes let alone 6. Ruined by the end. Thanks Nick. Oh my god something that isn’t annoying and grandiose?? And then he sings. Honestly, run a blender instead. Worked for Lou Reed. Man this puppy morphed into a Margaritaville for fans of Scott pilgrim really quick. Big thumbs down. Nah. Ante (deeeeep sigh). This is disgusting. Ah well. Obviously I’m a shitty writer, so I can’t criticize, but I will anyway. The lyrics are lame and at times highly cringeworthy and the music sounds like what you may hear in the waiting room at a tanning salon. There’s something so unlikeable about this. I almost wish I could hear it rearranged by a different artist. There’s almost something good happening at times. But the singing and the flourishes are too much. The lyrics are also revolting just stop talking about anything you do physically/carnally. I’m going to be ill. Also, every song could cut two refrains off. Easy money. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I’m about to tap out. Lumineers with a drunk Elvis impersonator at the wheel. Three left. He can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing he can’t sing. He thinks he can though, and has therefore made a living. Isn't the free market the best? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 6 minutes to go baby. Happiest I’ve been today. It’s started off predictably horrible. DoOoOoOne, RuUuUuN. STOP. I’m obviously a big dweeb who likes discovering music myself and maybe this list wasn’t the best way to go about things. I’ll persevere because it’s important to hear what people think is good. That way I can roll around in my straitjacket and cackle as I wrestle with the realization that I’m an alien. 2 good songs and 15 self-indulgent, empty, unappealing and bombastic (for no reason) journeys through the mind of a man too boring to be fully weird. 1-1.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Hiding All Away, Fable of the Brown Ape
I did not expect to like this album as much as I did. Almost reminded me of very contemporary Broadway show tunes. Vivid and captivating lyrics as well. My only minor gripe is the second album feels weaker than the first, but still an all-around good listen
an old friend...been years since i revisited the nick cave discog so i cant fully place this in its proper context outside of my memories, but esp listening chronologically its hard to forget the bolt of energy and color this is. nick cave strikes me at least in part as an alternate history where bob dylan rose out of literary tradition instead of folk tradition, and with a consistently greater interest in arrangement...or at least a consistent band that has such, the bad seeds kick all kinds of ass on here, draining so much energy out of u thru the course of disc 1 that disc 2 hits even harder as a big pool of balm. would love to do a big nick cave revisit at some point, and this may remain my favorite album of his...full of surreal emotive beauty, and the perfect meeting point between spiritualism and Flesh And Blood. lowkey a record about Dance in that way...or at least physical ritual of some kind!!! comfy cult vibes off the charts
Nick Cave fucking sucks!
2.5
Ok. Won't listen again. Whiney faux outrage look at me I'm so depressed/angry/profound.
Ok, but not a fave
Fantastic album. I really love it.
3.8
Have made several attempts to get into this one properly over the years. I've always enjoyed a lot of the songs, but usually made the mistake of trying to listen to both volumes in the same sitting, which is too much. Consequently, I'm much more familiar with Abbatoir Blues. I still feel like that's the stronger of the 2, but I might give Orpheus another listen to say for sure. I think the variation on this double album definitely makes it worth it's while, but there are a handful of songs that are a bit forgettable. Great instrumentation and production, and the lyrics are usually great, but occasionally a bit repetitive and/or too melodramatic for me.
I think this is, by some miracle, the 4th album by this group that has appeared on this list. I don't know who they had to bribe to get this many but I have to assume it cost them a lot of money.
Only got to listen to a bit more than half of it, but that was enough to know it rocks
Awesome awesome awesome lots of good tracks
My sister loves Nick Cave. Please don't tell her I'm only giving this 3 stars.
Sometimes we were really into this and thought it was great. Other times it wasn't quite hitting. Ended up somewhere in the middle.
This is #day25 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... yet another first-timer here. I'm aware of The Bad Seeds' discography and album covers, but somehow I've never listened to this one (as some of their other works either). Now, I'm not a big fan of double albums. I like Nick Cave, but listening to this was rather tiring as I prefer the band's later works, such as Skeleton Tree and Ghosteen. A couple of highlights are "Hiding All Away" and, of course, "O Children." There might be some others, but this isn't the record I would be giving another spin to remember them. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day26.
El portento compositivo de Nick Cave unido a la habilidad musical de los Bad Seeds conforman una de las bandas más potentes y eclécticas del rock de todos los tiempos. Este doble álbum es una prueba irrefutable y uno de los mejores trabajos del grupo, aun cuando acababa de perder a uno de sus miembros fundadores, Blixa Bargeld. El primer disco, Abbatoir Blues, está dominado por el rock & roll con la temperamental guitarra de Mick Harvey sacudiendo el ambiente desde el principio con el temazo "Get Ready for Love" donde Cave utiliza el ritmo de gospel evangélico para socavar el sentimiento religioso y deificar el amor. Sus letras permanentemente reflexionan sobre ese Dios pintado en los cielos del que se burla al tiempo que clama por resolver el misterio de su naturaleza. Me gusta mucho "Cannibal's Hymn" y sus metáforas alrededor del amor y el sexo. También "Nature Boy" y sus toques autobiográficos en los que vuelve a hablarnos del amor y, tal como le dijo su padre, lo único que salvará al mundo: la belleza. Fue extraído como sencillo por su tono más pop. Y qué decir de los temas "vaqueros", "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" y la conquista del Oeste o el emotivo homenaje a Johnny Cash de "Let Them Bells Ring". El segundo disco vira el tono y el estilo hacia una música más reposada y elegante. Y eso que el primer tema, "The Lyre of Orpheus", utiliza el mito helénico con un sarcasmo "sangrante". Me gustan por encima de las demás "Babe You Turn Me On" en la que a ritmo de vals y música country Cave entona una obscena canción de amor, "Supernaturally", extrañamente bailable declaración de amor a un ser superior, y "Carry Me", con el muro sonoro levantado con las cuerdas de Ellis cubriendo la conmovedora reflexión poética sobre la existencia y Dios. También el cierre del disco, "O Children", en la que en forma de balada nos habla de la pérdida de la inocencia.
Hiding All Away // 2.5/5
Schönes Album.
Just came up as ok for me. I didn't hate it but never wanted to hit repeat on any song.
Long, heavy, dramatic, and pretty interesting if occasionally boring. His voice took a little getting used to but I think I liked it. The arrangements never really hit a sweet spot for me, either too formal and "arranged" or too slapdash and experimental, but I still would say I liked this more than I didn't. Best song: Hiding All Away
I’m more familiar with older Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, so this was a first listen for me. I’ve always thought of Nick Cave and Tom Waits as being in the same genre and experimenting in similar musical spaces. But I’m more partial to Nick Cave, primarily because the vocals are more melodically pleasing and some of the music remains more accessible while still pushing traditional boundaries. This double album did not disappoint, with some great songs that I would play on repeat (There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Messiah Ward, Let the Bells Ring, Easy Money, Supernaturally, and O Children) and some others I would not (Fable of the Brown Ape, Lyre of Orpheus, Cannibal’s Hymn). Overall, makes me wonder why I waited so long to seek this out. 3.5⭐️
Second half much better
The music and vocals were not bad, but it was pretty long and strange. I think it's something you have to be in the right mood for. Better than I expected, though!
It was pretty sweet and distinctive
It's better than Henry's Dream, but still not my kind of music.
Like two weird albums in one! Nature Boy is the best song, Fable Of The Brown Ape might just be the weirdest song on the 1001 list so far. (The Lyre Of Orpheus similar but not quiet as weird…) It ran a little long for me, but I had to check out a couple of songs twice (2.5*s)
It seems like Nick Cave is appearing quite a bit in this list and I'm still not sold. He sounds like he's straining his voice and the music is generic. It's not wowing (and I really want it to), I mean is this man really singing about "hankies"? Yes. There's a few good songs on this album but I can't get past the weird voice affect and none made it to saved playlists. I'm on the fence so I'll keep trying with Nicky but O Mamma his time is dwindling.
Nick Cave does his thing and I'm kinda into it but also not so much. I can't decide completely where I stand. This album was a little softer than Henry's Dream but similar with the storytelling style. Disc 1 better than 2 with title tracks topping the bill. If I came across a Bad Seeds album under 5 bucks...I'd pick it up. This one comes in slightly lower than Henry at 2.75.
Not sure how Nick Cave slipped by me for all these years. His discography is extensive and the unique rock sound seems right in my family's wheelhouse. NC & The Bad Seeds is one of the highlights of a new artist I'm exposed to as a result of this list. I enjoyed the previous entry and was looking forward to this one. Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus delivered again. However, I do think that both of these albums suffer a bit as a result of the 2-fer joint release. Each disc is solid in its own way and feel like individual projects with a different sound. The extended play time unfortunately drags the rating down a bit, but I found both albums enjoyable. I look forward to any other Nick Cave entries and will probably check out some of his other stuff when this list ends. 2.98 stars
Nick Cave departed a little from the Singer-Songwriter style he made in the years prior and returned to a little more Art and Alt Rock with a little more experimentation as well as some of his old Punk Blues. The album is incredibly diverse with inspirations and ideas some of which work great while others leave room for improvement. It features some of the best songs that Nick and his band every released as well as a song that became unforgettable by being a part of the seventh Harry Potter movie. The albums first part: Abattoir Blues opens with 'Get Ready for Love', a noisy and punky introduction with a lot of energy and anxious lyrics that make this not only a theatrical and epic opening but a loud one as well. Many people love this song just for that and I do too... the first half... The song is with 5 minutes not the shortest but the repetition of certain themes and sounds make this a little stagnant after a while which ultimately harms the whole enjoyment. It's still a pretty good song but they should've just cut it after the bridge. After the epic intro, 'Cannibal's Hymn' takes a more laid back but haunting direction. It's full of weird noises and lyrics that are both incoperated into a great arrangement and a simply perfect chorus. It's an incredible song that shows how Cave can write dark and haunting lyrics but package them in something more melancholic while keeping the ominous atmosphere that the text needs. I love this song but I wish he'd made the verses a little more musically interesting because they feel kind of left over or forgotten. It's a great song nonetheless even if it slightly missed the chance to be incredble or even perfect. 'Hiding All Away' is the definition of Post-Punk. The inclusions of some Noise Rock as well as the Gospel-like vocals really make this an anxious listen full of tension and great performances both musically and vocally. The lyrics are dark and have some "evil" sprinkled in the delivery. The chorus/bridge is a perfect release of the tension that was build and lets the song go on for so long without feeling boring. I love this song so much and I am certain that this is the first perfect song on the album. The first half of the first part closes with 'Messiah Ward', again, a more relaxed song with some nice influences and mainly great lyrics. The song doesn't start so interesting but the more it builds up the more interesting it gets and the moment the pre-chorus starts the song has a deserved place here. The songwriting is so great and the chorus is simply but effective. It's a great song but like with Track 2, this would've needed a little work on the verses, musically and vocally spoken. One of the album's biggest highlights, 'There She Goes, My Beautiful World', keeps the Gospel inspired vocals while being a fast and incredibly fun piano driven alt-rock song. The lyrics are such a good mix between funny and loving and the chorus is catchy and just f-ing relatable. The song is just one of the most energetic and passionate songs in Nick's whole discography and having this kind of quality is just amazing. Definitely a perfect song. The next song 'Nature Boy' is another really well and lovingly made song with a great flow especially in pre-chorus and chorus. The lyrics blend nostalgia, darkness and hope in a pretty motivational way and the verses with the piano are some of the best on the album. An equally as perfect song as its predecessor. The title track of the first half 'Abattoir Blues' seems to be pretty beloved by many but I never got the song. It feels weaker and pales in comparison to most of the album with the lyrics and especially the way they are presented. It's just a pretty average song with some Trip Hop influence on the drums. The "oh yeah" Gosepl parts are the only thing not making this completely boring. Luckily, 'Let the Bells Ring' is a slight step up by featuring one of the best choruses on the entire project. It's so raw while keeping a certain ominous and twisted feeling to it. Instrumentally, this is pretty standard but the way it builds the tension towards the chorus and then keeping it dense is just done in the best way possible. I really love this song even if some parts do feel a little bit too rough around the edges and that not in the best way. 'Abattoir Blues' closes with 'Fable of the Brown Ape', easily the worst song on the entire album. It is boring and when it isn't its annoying. Nothing redeeming or interesting or edgy or experimental about it. Just not good. And the "epic" and "grand" chorus doesn't work because it doesn't build up or anything catchy. It is just loud and annoying. Yeah, I might be a little too harsh on this one but to see Nick do something like this is simply disappointing. The second part: 'The Lyre of Orpheus' opens with its title track. 'The Lyre of Orpheus' is a dark and twisted new interpreted version of the Orpheus tale. This song is dark, ugly and full of bluesy Punk that makes this one of the most Nick Cave moments on the album as well as one of the best. This is a true masterpiece in every sense of the word and my personal favourite song on the album. It's just so damn good. Following one perfect song, Breathless comes on with a more Pop and Folk inspired sound but Nick and his band are still able to pull it off in the best way possible. The avant-garde flute at the start, the dreamy and nearly children music like sound of the song (watch the music video it literally is about some damn rabbit family) and Nick's lyrics are much less dark and actually pretty soft and cute and full of love. 'Babe, You Turn Me On' continues the incredible run of songs with even more Folk and actually a little Jazz-inspired drums. This style does fit Nick surprisingly well and once the chorus starts the whole thing starts fitting together even better. The lyrics are some of his best on the album especially when it comes to the chorus. It's not as good as the two before but it still is an incredible song. The rock returns with 'Easy Money'. It's another perfect song. The piano and the vocals fit the sound so well and the way it starts the chorus which is again perfect, is just incredible. It's sentimental and slow like a late night romantic dance but in the best way possible. I love pretty much everything about the song which makes it even crazier that this isn't even a Top 3 song on this part of the album. Wow! The second half of the second part starts with the fast paced 'Supernaturally' which not only has a great flow and chorus but also some pretty great vocal deliveries and lyrics that fit perfectly. I just think that it might be a little streched towards the end and the chorus and verses just don't work as much anymore but I still love this song a lot even if it's not perfect. "Hey-Ho, oh no no no!" What a great and funny line. 'Spell' on the other hand is pretty boring all throughout. It's not completely uninteresting but it is a significant drop in quality. The lyrics don't work as much, the Gospel chorus isn't as great as it maybe could've turned out and the overall structure of the song doesn't change and stays in the same basic way the whole song. It's an okay song but he could've scrapped it and no one would care. In comparison, 'Carry Me' is a great song because it is. It's nothing too crazy or incredible but it is a great song. It is does have stylistic smiliarities with the closing track and kind of builds towards that final epic with a lot of tension here but outside of this tension and the Gospel chorus, the song just can't hold what most of this part has on average. But it is pretty much on a level with some of the songs right at the start of the album. The album closes with 'O Children', a song featured in Harry Potter. But here it closes the album with the most emotional song here. The lyrics are tragic with many possible interpretations. It builds up over the span of five minutes until it releases into a sentimental and emotional height that releases emotions in me that I didn't even knew I had. What a perfect song to end an album with. The Lyre of Orpheus > Abattoir Blues favourites: The Lyre of Orpheus, O Children, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Hiding All Away, Breathless, Nature Boy, Easy Money least favourites: Fable of the Brown Ape, Spell, Abattoir Blues Rating: strong 8 to light 9 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
Dire. Why is this album even on here? I am sure it's not the first time this artist has appeared either. I don't get it.
boring
Rock. Better than the other album of his I got. A little too long and repetitive for me though.
I’ve loved Nick Cave forever, but I’ve honestly never really sat down and listen to one of his albums. I’ve been to a couple of his shows, which which blew my mind. Listening to this, I was just overwhelmed with emotion and feelings that I felt in those shows that I’ve been to. THis album definitely will be in the heavy rotation over the next few months.
Epic
Somehow all right, but overall quite monotonous
yeah whatever
The more I am made to listen to Nick Cave on this list, the more I think “ah ok he’s kinda cool”. He’s the anti-Costello in that way. This one isn’t as good as Junkyard, but I like it much more than Henry’s Dream
Groupe/artiste complètement inconnu. L'album commence bien avec : Get Ready for Love ++ très entrainant, mais ... mon intérêt a vite diminué, en même temps que le tempo. Et en plus c'est un double album. Quelques morceaux m'ont réveillé : There She Goes, My Beautiful World + Nature boy Mais vraiment trop peu. Et le second album est encore plus lent, j'ai sauté d'un morceau à l'autre pour le finir plus vite, à part : Supernaturally + Je ne l'écouterais pas une seconde fois. =>2/5
This was ok but got a bit repetitive and overstayed its welcome. Favorite song came at the very end with ‘O Children’ which was a little too late for me. On another day it MAY have gone higher but for now I’m going a straight 3/5
Ich hatte immer noch vor, mich mal mit dem Werk von Nick cave genauer zu befassen. Dieses Album kam genau zur rechten Zeit und ich bin sehr beeindruckt vom songwriting. Mal der Sound gar nicht so düster ist, die ich in dem hinterkopf hatte
Some songs I actually didn’t mind. There she goes my beautiful world actually wasn’t too bad and I enjoyed ‘the lyre of Orpheus’ too. But, as the album continued on a lot of the lyrics got weird and there just wasn’t a lot keeping me in it.
Musically, this album is pretty good. It’s stylistically consistent, but still some variety. It seems that Nick Cave likes to tell a story in his songs, but still some weird/gruesome/cringe lyrics which I’m not really a fan of, and none of the stories spoke to me or really “meant” anything. Never thought I would hear “I put my hand down your panties” in a song. Maybe the trick is just to laugh at the weird stuff and enjoy the rest. Favorite song: Breathless.
I really wanted to give this a one for old times sake but I feel like there was some nice instrumentation here. But the gall to think people need an hour and twenty minutes of your music is unnerving
I have to admit - there was a brief moment where I thought that this album could get a 2 (it’s better than the last one). Then I realized there was still 45 minutes left of the album. Trash
Do you think if Nick Cave just played music in a garage instead of in recording studios that he would get welfare checks called in by his neighbors? Because I do. Not nearly as bad as Murder Ballads, but way too long and still not for me.
Nope. Still not a Nick Cave fan. I enjoyed two songs off this album. "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" and "Nature Boy". But for every one of those we get a "Fable of the Brown Ape". I liked 2 out of 17 songs or 11.7% of this album. I guess that puts this in the 1 star range.
OK, but not really for me
Puta cantor bom
...cannonballs
I kept being told to listen to Nick Cave! I see why! I mega-enjoyed this and will be back to hear more!
Recognized o children from Harry Potter.
Magnum opus. Massive and perfect. How has this been off my radar?
About 20 years ago, a good friend introduced me to the song "Into My Arms," which he was obsessed with. Great song, but now I'm saddled with the curse of forever keeping Cave on my radar even though I don't really like most of his stuff. This album put me off right away, but of course I kept listening and there are just enough positive elements to keep the pipe dream alive. Dammit, Nick, don't give me hope.
The best Nick Cave album I’ve heard?
I've mostly listened to Nick Cave's earlier work, but this is also top-notch. I should listen to more of his work.
Let the Bells Ring, this album put me under a Spell. This was Easy Money.
I’ve always had a consistency issue with Cave, and it would be wrong to label this as consistent, but fuck me if this isn’t what music is made for. First five tracks on Abattoir Blues is as untouchable a run as you’ll find.
Even though I don’t think I’m listening to this with full attention, it’s a good album. Will listen again
Okay. Better than other albums he has on the list. Good opener.
It's ok
Really enjoyed it for a first time listen
5 - Thinking of the fact that Nick Cave came out of the depravity of Birthday Party really adds a lot of context to how I've come to listen to him. This album just had so much in it and I was sad when it was over. I think this is gonna cause a deep dive into all his music, just an amazing timeless album.
Not hugely strong feelings about this one - too long, mostly boring generic rock and roll. The first couple of tracks on the second side are nice, but then fades back into nothingness. Fave Tracks: The Lyre of Orpheus, Breathless 3/5
Super stuff from NC. It's too long, and is basically one five star album and one three star one, let's get that out the way. But I guess Cave has earned the right to put out a totally needless double album. Anyway, there are many, many good songs on here, and the overall tenor of the record is one of supreme power but also vulnerability, and I like that a lot.
This band makes me think that their fans are very insufferable, a lot of "you just dont get it, man" type conversations when you talk about their songs. Production is pretty good and you can tell they put a lot into it, if you like them you'll probably love this, me, not so much.
Self indulgent bleh. Too long and too up it’s own ass
Sucks big fucking dicks
Nick Cave’s music serves his words, which are well-assembled, but don’t stir me. The theatricality, the occasional archaism, and the storyteller mode might be too flat for me: I’m unconvinced, though I respect his conviction. The music’s fun, just lacking hook in their function as set-dressing. This may also be the reason that the only PJ Harvey albums I love are her first two, the rock band ones; there are strong similarities, though she has more tunes and a better voice. I prefer “Abbatoir Blues” of the two records, perhaps because I perceive more of the anarchy of James Johnston’s former band, Gallon Drunk.
There's definitely too much Nick Cave on this record. Includes 3-4 decent, even good songs ("There She Goes.." is up there with his best) but very little that's novel or musically-interesting enough to justify the other 13-14. Hard to shake the impression of someone sniffing their own farts in places
En vrai sympa, mais faut du temps pour se le prendre
There's something very special about this album and I can't say exactly what it is. Whether it's the extremely sentimental sound or the lyrics with deep themes... I don't know. But I really liked this one a lot. Fun Fact: I haven't seen Harry Potter in almost 10 years, and when I read that the closing track plays in one of the films I was like "Ah shit, I'm going to have to watch Harry Potter again" hahaha
Another wonderful album by Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, a double-album in this case, and certainly the one of their best full-length releases during the noughts (with 2001's *No More Shall We Part*). Following the huge letdown that *Nocturama* had been, this one was a huge relief for Cave's fans. Recorded after the departure of long-time member Blixa Bargeld, *Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus* is also the project that saw The Dirty Three's Warren Ellis take over as Nick's main creative accomplice. Already an official member of The Bad Seeds for a few years at this point, Ellis probably had an large influence on a few compositions, whether they were officially co-written with him or not, and he surely helped Cave reach another step of his extraordinary musical journey, which started here, with this exact album. Gospel-like background vocals, guitars that sound "electric" in every sense of the word, and possessed imprecations from the dark crooner with a booming voice that Cave is abound in this record. As noted by other reviewers, *Abattoir Blues* is (generally speaking) rockier and livelier than its companion piece *The Lyre Of Orpheus*, mostly comprising moodier and slower cuts. Standout tracks include the martial and delirious "Hiding All Away" and the catchy midtempo pop-rock songs "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" and "Nature Boy". There's also the laid-back groove of "Abattoir Blues"--already very much in the vein of later masterpiece *Push The Sky Away*--, the Dr. John-like "The Lyre Of Orpheus"--a brooding, swampy cut where Greek myths sound haunted by the ghosts of bluesmen from the Mississippi delta--, the flute-laden, mostly acoustic, generous and optimistic-sounding "Breathless"--whose sweet, memorable chorus will surely bring a smile to the face of many listeners--, the mysterious and subtle "Easy Money" and "Spell", or the twirling and agitated "Supernaturally"--also graced by an exciting chorus going "Hey! Ho!" like the best grassroots folk-rock bangers of days yonder (not to mention that intoxicating fiddle!), here proving that the second disc has its share of lively moments as well. To conclude on this list of highlights, one needs to mention the wealth of epic, heartrending, elegiac ballads on this one--ballads such as "Let The Bell Rings", "Carry Me" and iconic closer "O Children", where the Bad Seeds excel at creating sweeping soundscapes carrying Cave to new heights. Reading back on what I've just written, I realize I must have mentioned close to the two thirds of the tracklist, which was not my intention at first. Yet I could have mentioned even *more* songs, that's how good this album is! If really I had to find a "dud" in it, I might say that "Baby, You Turn Me On" in the second tracklist sounds a bit indistinct and mundane. But does it really matter with so many gems before and after it? My only (initial) major gripe when I first listened to this project was that I thought the rock number serving as the opener of its first disc, "Get Ready For Love", sounded a bit heavy-handed in such a prominent position. But oddly enough, I don't think any other track could have taken its place, as great as they are (most of them take their sweet time to "build up" their assets, so to speak, which is not so ideal to get things started). So now I'm fine with the way the record begins, I guess. This is just to say: please don't judge the album on the merits of that first song alone. Nick Cave is of course a hell of a performer and lyrics writer, his scope has rarely been broader than the one in this record, and consequently, this here easily reaches the level of his "classics" from the eighties and nineties. So it would be sad if you missed all of it just because of one song. This review was written in mid-August 2024, and at the end of the month Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds will release their new album *Wild God*, the follow-up to Cave's far more subdued and darkly meditative trilogy" *Push The Sky Away*, *Skeleton Tree* and *Ghosteen*, (some of whom should definitely be selected for a list such as this one). The singles from *Wild God* released up to now suggest that Cave will here return to the livelier and soulful rock vein of *Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus*, after spending two studio albums (and other side-projects, live or not) mourning the tragic loss of his son through his art. Not sure he will be able to pull off a *rock* album as good as the one I had to review today--a throwback that sure will sound difficult to accomplish after spending so many years exploring that very different, emotionally intense turf. But Cave's been a creative force to reckon with for decades now, so everything is possible... 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 5. 9.5/10 for more general purposes (5+4.5) Number of albums left to review: 101 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 388 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 226 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 285
3.5 Okay here’s the recipe for a Nick Cave song: Make it 5-6 minutes long Long verses with biblical and religious allusions Choruses with choirs in the background Towards the end the choir takes over and chants the chorus over and over Rinse, repeat Here’s the thing. It’s not a bad formula per se, but it’s definitely a formula. And it gets repetitive when it’s 90 minutes long. Again, not sure the need for a double album here, 45 mins would have sufficed and improved the rating. It’s not bad though! I can see why some people go wild for this dude. I would relisten to this and enjoy myself, but personally it’s not my fave thing. There’s a few bangers tho.
One of the most accessible Nick Cave albums I've listened to on this challenge. The atmosphere of the album is good, with good songwriting and some very good songs. But it is very long album which is usually a big minus to me.
Where did this come from? It's like a journey through shadows and light. The lyrics hit. The dual nature of the record blends raw intensity with gentle introspection and it stands out. It reminds me of Leonard Cohen’s moody storytelling and Tom Waits’ raw energy. This really grew on me and stays with you.
Somehow dull and unpleasant. This rhythmic talking style singing, which probably characterizes the band, doesn't appeal to me.
Very creative and addicting, every song feels like a new adventure.
I liked a few tracks, namely "Hiding All Away" and "Easy Money," but overall found this album to be a bit of a drag.
Not my taste in music
Enjoyed the first album, not so much the second
ok
Magnifico álbum de Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Mis favoritas: Hiding All Away, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, The Lyre of Orpheus, Easy Money, Supernaturally y O Children.
Hard work in places, can't sing though. Listenable but not again.
Pleasantly surprised. Don't know why. Knew of the power. The energy just simply explodes. There is no wasted note within.
Another fun Nick Cave album. This one sounded more accessible than some of the previous I’ve heard. Some amazing songs and a lot of meh Rating: 3.9
Cant say i really liked this album, can be very boring, with onky a few momenta of interest.
Adorei esse álbum meio conceitual com a primeira parte focado em uma coisa mais rock/soul e a segunda numa coisa mais folk/indie.
This is ultimate big brother cool music. Nick Cave just has this way of spinning the darkest yarns. need to revisit. when I am not traveling.
Hipster Bruce Springsteen
3rd Nick Cave album I've gotten. Good sounds, a bit overly dramatized, but done well.
dad i will end you for that rating you gave Blue
Good listen. Pretty solid throughout
El Nicolás Cueva y las Semillas Malas rifan
Another Nick Cabe album, another three stars from someone who doesn’t really get it.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this or not. But this was really great to listen to. Several key tracks but obviously, 'O Children' is an amazing song. "We're happy, Ma, we're having fun - And the train ain't even left the station - And have you left a seat for me? - Is that such a stretch of the imagination? - I'm hanging in there, don't you see? - In this process of elimination." BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL I SAY!
YES, I see it now.
This is a massive double album with some peaks and valleys along the way. I had never heard of this artist, but it was worth a listen
Nice
Pretty good probs a 3.8 but I’ll round up
first Nick Cave I heard I liked. Good stuff
I've been a bit of a Nick Cave skeptic all my life due to all of his fans that I've met being an insufferable group of self-loathing yet preachy people stuck in a loop of poor decisions to keep their mental health just bad enough to not enjoy fun music and maintain an air of pretense that listening to this man somehow makes them more than. With all that being said I've given him the time of day since and his music is great, a real songwriter's songwriter, it feels like there's an element of "throw it at the wall and see what sticks" with his music that in this case is a positive and not a hinderance. It instead results in a large variety of ideas tied together by virtue of Nick Cave going into everything with a lot of passion for music, and a keen awareness of his limitations (I don't say limitations in a negative way, we all have them). Unfortunately, despite my full 180 back into the loving arms of old Nick, I was in turn quite shocked at the sound of this record. There are obviously some greater tracks here that really stand out, mostly in regard to the ballads which is a style he seems to excel at, however during any song that gets a little bit louder and faster, I couldn't help but think about his famous quote about how every time he's annoyed by something obnoxious on the radio it's the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Every second spent listening to these songs I felt exactly what he was describing and couldn't help but think about the hypocrisy of not taking care to curb the obnoxious corners off of your "rocky" songs and instead turning out these tracks of mediocre, boringly produced, and loud without purpose tracks that sound as though they belong in a coming of age film from 2006 (and not a good one). Ultimately, I'm really disappointed by this one, but only because I've set the standards high for him and don't believe I'll feel this way towards the majority of the rest of his albums that I haven't heard yet.
When I saw another Nick Cave album, my first thought was "Not again!" But then I listened to the album. And it's pretty good this time. The entirety of Disc 1 is phenomenal, with tracks such as Get Ready For Love, Hiding All Away, There She Goes My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Abbatoir Blues, and Fable Of The Brown Ape. While Disc 2 slows things down considerably, there are still some very strong tracks here too i.e. The Lyre Of Orpheus, Supernaturally, Spell, Carry Me and of course - O Children. A great album really. Caught me off guard Mr. Cave.
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.
Enjoyed this, a bit too long but some great tracks
Another awesome album I’d never listened to! Didn’t get into it much the first time round but after a couple of listens I was hooked! I loved the Lyre of Orpheus more than the abattoir blues but both were awesome. I’d give this a 3.5, but I’m going to round it up, because I love the second album so much!
I mostly didn't enjoy this album - not sure if its my mood or if it was just too long and too samey? I do enjoy Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds sometimes - but maybe just not this album. O Children saved this album from being a 2
hesitant to give it a 5 because its long and its a double album but I can definitly see how this will become a favorite over time
Nick cave aina kova, liian pitkä kyl
Really good album
Love!!!
This is going to take a few more listens before I finalize my views on it. I'm going with 4 for now, but that could go up or down a bit.
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.
This is my 2nd Nick Cave album. I didn't like the other album but this one surprised me. I enjoyed a good bit of it. I think I liked the Lyre of Orpheus disc better but it had good tracks throughout.
It was an interesting album that went back and forth before really artsy and more radio/commercial. Overall I liked their sound a lot. Sometimes the lyrics and music sounded disconnected and didn't go together, but I still liked both parts. Reading about them it sounds like they changed their sound over the years so it would be interesting to hear different albums, and understand why this was the album that was seen as influential and not others. Overall I see how a lot of current alt rock has roots in their sound (Nature Boy's opening reminded me a little of Flo and Machine's ship to wreck.) Really liked There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Messiah World, Nature Boy and Breathless.
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.
I love aussies but. Ehh. It was alright. Liked some parts. Definitely didn’t need to be a double album. Caves voice kinda reminds me of Josh Homme. Kinda cool to have a sound like this in the 2000s. Sounds very 70s but yea pretty mid.
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.
I did not like this album
This is amazing - chock full of ideas and moods. Violent and noisy, introspective and subdued, explosive and snarling. And hey, here's that song Harry and Hermione had that dance to.
No tenia idea de la exsitencia de este album ni del artista. Me llevo un grata sorpresa con album que tiene muchos sonidos distintos. Realmente los disfrute, mas de una vez me frene a ver como se llamaba el tema que estaba escuchando. Una grata sorpresa.
The music is great, the lyrics are weird and the singing was very hit and miss.
I find this album especially interesting purely because it's 2 full length albums back to back. On their own I think they'd still be good, but putting them into one package and juxtaposing the punchy energetic first half with the slower more personal 2nd half creates something unique. I really like the use of layered vocals, especially on disc 2. It creates this sort of floaty feeling that fits so well with the mostly unplugged feel of the second half. Favorites were "There She Goes, My Beautiful World", Abattoir Blues, Easy Money, Supernaturally, and 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.
No private session used for Spotify. I have my own best of Nick Cave/Grinderman playlist. While listening to this album I added one to it, I need to go back and give this another listen. Liked the opening intensity.
Double albums should be rated lower. I really don't have an hour and a half a day to listen to album, even if it's Nick Cave. 01) Get Ready For Love - 8,0 02) Cannibal's Hymn - 7,0 03) Hiding All Away - 7,0 04) Messiah Ward - 7,5 05) There She Goes, My Beautiful World - 9,5 06) Nature Boy - 9,0 07) Abattoir Blues - 7,0 08) Let the Bells Ring - 7,0 09) Fable of the Brown Ape - 7,5 10) The Lyre of Orpheus - 7,0 11) Breathless - 8,5 12) Babe, You Turn Me On - 7,5 13) Easy Money - 7,5 14) Supernaturally - 7,5 15) Spell - 7,0 16) Carry Me - 7,0 17) O Children - 8,5 TOTAL: 7,65 (77/100) Current ranking: 108/235 I was at a Nick Cave concert a couple of years ago, he played three songs from this album. It was a good performance even though I'm not really a fan of his. It's the same with this album, a really good album, but that doesn't mean I'm going to listen to it again. "There She Goes..." is going on my playlist. "Nature Boy", "Breathless", "O Children" and "Get Ready For Love" are also excellent.
I finally get the whole nick cave thing 4.7
This is doing my nut in. I listened to a different Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album earlier in this list and it was bad, not rip-your-ears bad but not something I enjoyed in any way. Then this album comes along, and although there were plenty of low points and tracks that weren't very good, I found myself enjoying it. I preferred Abattoir Blues to The Lyre of Orpheus.
Don’t have time to listen to a double album so skimmed this. It’s fine, a bit repetitive but some pleasant bits. Could not have told you what Nick Cave sounded like before this. 3 because it was good but I won’t play it again.
I have heard of Nick Cave but honestly wasn’t familiar with his music. I don’t know why but I always assumed his genre was punk. Quite wrong. I enjoyed this album.
never really got into Nick Cave's catalog. I like his voice and that each disc of this album is different but still good.
That's straight up the middle of the road for me. It was background music, I cruised through with no complaints, I also wasn't stirred from my work by anything that jumped out and grabbed me.
I intentionally passed on this and giving it a 2 because I do not like Nick Cave. Promise not to do that too often.
The works of Edgar Allan Poe, if they were turned into a rocking musical with gospel backup singers.
Partly annoying, but in other parts enjoyable.
Almost happy Cave
Astounding - no other word for it
Maybe if this were 40 minutes it would be an acceptable album but I was just annoyed
Liked this more than expected but lasted too long and did not leave a lasting impression after all
I can not imagine anyone that could listen to the first track and think to themselves: This is pretty good.
This album almost sounds like musical theatre gone edgy and 'nobody gets me I'm just so different'. It actually reminds me a lot of meatloaf. The lyrics are pretty cool considering, just nothing too special to me. I like the lyric writing a lot though. (P.s. the singer's voice is a little whiny but not necessarily in a bad way, just not my favourite)
Funky monkey
Was mowing yhe grass o ly heard half, soild kinda weirs
Average. Won't listen again
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.
Distinctive sound and some of it is good. Far too long and in no way justifies its length.
Another Nick Cave album that didn't interest me at all. Far too long. I did have a nice nap whilst listening to it though.
I found this a little boring and droney and it went on for far too long
Relly enjoyed this. I read to approach it as 2 different albums released at the same time so that's what I tried to do and while both halfs were great by themselves they also worked well together. Was a bit daunted by the length (that's what she said) but it wasn't bad at all
Do not like
This was good background music as I tried to sleep on the plane, but probably won’t become part of my regular rotation.
I like Nick better as a TV/Movie composer (Peaky Blinders theme song, e.g.). A whole album of his dirge-like songs is a bit much to take. Quite liked the final track, though.
Nope
This really was an album of two halves - the first of which I quite enjoyed, up until The Lyre of Orpheus and then it all got a bit boring for me. Enjoyed Nick’s voice though!
This is the second Nick Cave record I’ve received on this project and I’m still unsure about it all. It’s not bad, and the music is casual and charming at times, but his voice kind of throws it off for me. I’m not sold, but I’m also not anti-Nick Cave.
As far as Nicks in music go he’s somewhere around top 5 ….. he’s no Cave but he’s also no Carter or Jonas. Hiding all the Way- best song
This album is a bit boring. The first few songs were pretty good. I thought "Tusk" was long but "AB/TLoO" is 10 mins longer. I don't consider the album to be awful. Well, I have to wait until Monday for the next album. 3 stars for "AB/TLoO".
Nick Cave to me has always been one of those guys that even though I haven’t really ever listened to him I just know that it’s awesome and this album was no different than those thoughts the composition and background vocals and good album all from front to back.
Hmmm mwah
The lead singer had a really rich tone to his voice. Definitely gave off some theatre kid album vibes with the lyrics in the first half of the album. Favorite Song: There She Goes, My Beautiful World Rating: 3.2/5
Such a great voice, I did find some tracks a bit dull. Not overly my thing.
Don't know what this is about, sounds orchestral, as if it should be seen performed live, or acted out on stage... Like a soundtrack or something. I like this guy's voice and his energy... I'll give 3 stars
Enjoyed this a lot. Nick Cave has that Springsteen like baritone voice, but with much more interesting songwriting IMO. Liked the first half of this more than the second, but overall really liked everything.
Very good stuff
First thing I said when I saw this album is, “How many Nick Cave albums do we really need?”. Then it slowly pulled me in on this album. Great instrumentals and Nick’s lyrical style cracks me up. Going to 4 stars cause after this one and Murder Ballads I feel like Nick and his band need some more notoriety and recognition.
can you can you point it out this can you see it through album can you take it down is can you be a saint pretty can you kill a clown good can you mirror one ill and then make it count say can you wait to die although can you leave your friends a leave them all behind bit all behind the fence too can you kill a saint long... can you be a clown close can you feel the warmth to of your longing gown four
Some good sounding songs.
Alright, I'm already familiar with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as an influential goth rock act, having heard select songs before including his 2013 album "Push the Sky Away". I will say here, this is technically a double album, but arranged into two different sounding albums. Abbatoir Blues contains more abrasive, rocking tunes, while The Lyre of Orpheus contains more chorus-driven ballads with some potent hooks. That's where I would recommend breaking your listening time into two different sessions, one for each disc. The other hurdle with this project is that the music better resonates if you're already familiar with Nick Cave's songwriting. How he touches upon themes of death, gothic tragedy, relationships, and religious imagery is established by earlier material. It doesn't work as effectively if say you're on this site getting daily randomly generated albums, this comes up and you hadn't heard of Nick Cave before. If you have the time, I recommend listening to a greatest hits compilation or playlist before approaching these two albums. For those already familiar with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, yeah these are two great albums. I admittedly got a bit more mileage out of the melodic nature of The Lyre of Orpheus, but both are worth your time.
I like Nick cave a lot more in his murder ballad mode, some good stuff on here. He has a way of sounding both 70s and '90s at the same time.
Rock 2004 -> 3
Long time fav album from Nick. Still stands up. Get Ready For Love slaps H A R D.
Do not make a sound
Lots of ups and downs on this album. I really liked the lyrics and the backing video calls were on point. I just really didn’t like the lead singers voice that much.
Lost the main notes because I didnt hit save, so quick notes first song, Get ready for love 4/5 hiding all the way 2/5 (not great but good bits) Messiah ward 1/5 There she goes my beutiful world 2/5 (chorus good but feels like church) nature boy 4/5 (coherent up beat travel music consistent, drags a little to long but ends when you begin to notice(rather it end before you notice)) Abbatoir blues 2/5(very slow) ---------- overall the album is and isn't my cup of tea, the genres is all over the place from song to song and is only really worth while if you are into every genre. Best just pick favourite songs and listen to them then whole album. overal 3/5 prefer rush but for what its worth it aint bad you know. with a number of songs i would have sped it up in areas added a break down or something (im probably to tuned in for this). Learn breathless on guitar please. It really does grow on you
Normalmente no disfruto los álbumes de Nick Cave, pero esta lista me ha demostrado que tiene un catálogo bastante sólido y se merece el reconocimiento que se le da en los círculos melómanos. Habiendo escuchado Murder Ballads y ahora este LP doble, debo decir que Cave se debe considerar como un acto indispensable en el imaginario de la música alternativa y gótica. Sumamente recomendable e intenso.
OKAY FINE... I normally hate Nick Cave, but quite enjoyed this one (especially Abattoir Blues). Don't know if I'd return to it as I don't like his voice much, but the lyrics weren't all as melodramatic as some of his other work.
Perfect. It's hard to go wrong with Nick Cave
Quite a variety for one album
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.
Starter godt ud. Og forsætter sådan… ikke ringe.
Jeg er meget glad for at jeg ventede med dette album til der var tid til at lytte efter. Det betalte sig! Mørkt og mesterlig første halvdel, mørk om tung anden halvdel. Jeg kan bedre og bedre lide ham der Nick Cave.
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.
I really liked this album but it was a little long and saggy towards the middle.
Started off being indifferent but then the second half really drew me in. I'll probably need to listen to it a few more times before making a good assessment.
It's alright but not gonna be included on my main playlist. 2.5/5
One of my all timers
I enjoyed all of this and I think some of it could really grow on me with some more listens. I don't really know how to review a double album. If it had just been Abattoir Blues, maybe I would have given it a 4. But as a complete album, it felt like it lost a lot of steam in the middle (The Lyre of Orpheus) and dragged on. Should I listen to these halves separately? Maybe. But I have to give a rating to the whole album.
This album may have been a 3, except it was so dang long. This was much better than the other Nick Cave album we had, and his vocals on this one weren't terrible, but the songs all felt a little whiny+Pearl Jammy to me.
Старичок в этот раз душевно вошёл в мою грешную жизнь. Затронул струнки души. Только блять зачем двойной альбом полуторачасовой?
No. I didn’t need to listen to this before I die. Bad “singing.” Nothing unique or interesting here. Why?
I’m a sucker for adaptations of the Orpheus & Eurydice myth, and while this isn’t the clearest adaptation beyond the title, it’s still littered with references to the ultimate musician’s tragedy. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have been remarkably consistent in quality over about 40 years of recording, even if they’ve been extremely inconsistent in style. Garage rock, polished art rock, ambient/minimalism, they do it all. But this style of gothic rock is my favorite, most similar to their 1988 Tender Prey, probably my second favorite of their albums. It’s a double album but it doesn’t feel bloated. There’s enough diversity in sound to keep me entertained throughout but not so much that it feels disjointed. I do think this could have been released as two separate albums, but there’s enough similarity (blues vs. tragedy) that I think it’s all fitting together.
Passionately punchy
Not for me. Did not vibe the 45 year alternative for dads vibe.
A nice chilled feeling. There's an operatic quality to his voice which I like. Good easy listening album
innovative. interesting. not necessarily good
It's for some people, I guess...
I love this era of Nick
Not quite for me.
It feels like the dudes were just trying to play something lyrical but forgot to tune the instruments or maybe I misunderstood something. 1/5
i too got the abattoir blues
At first I thought this album would change my opinion that Nick Cave albums are generally slow and boring. As it progressed, I started drifting into a slumber because it's exceedingly long runtime which smothered my hope of rating this high. The music was good, but like who can listen to this entire thing for fun?
Some cool songs but not all the way my jam
Maybe I am nick cave and bad seeds pilled What am i becoming Disc 2 way better Carry me, spell, o children good
This is ok. Didn't hate, didn't blow my mind. Wanted to understand the hype, but didn't see it. Very long album.
Awesome album
Easy Money best song of the album.
another album with mr. cave’s unique take on what can best be described as gothic folk. dalliances in blues and even gospel. not his best, but still pretty solid.
I get it. This guy loves Nick Cave. I thought I did, too, from the few songs of his I knew but after listening to 3 of these albums I can safely say I just don’t care. 🤷♂️
Skipping some songs the album is bloated, but there are some interesting tracks like let the bells ring. But some others that are just tiresome. Lyrics kind of funky and beatnik so I get the appeal.