Murder Ballads

Murder Ballads is the ninth studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and probably my favourite of theirs, although it's incredibly difficult to choose. The Boatman's Call is also a masterpiece, and I could easily make a case for either being their best work. What an incredible band. This album is dark, moody, violent and angry, but it's also absolutely brilliant. There's a fantastic mixture of Cave's original murder ballads and traditional songs, all brought together by his extraordinary songwriting and storytelling. What I love most is the level of detail in the lyrics. Listening to these songs is almost like watching a film. Cave paints such vivid pictures that you can imagine every character, every setting and every gruesome detail of what's happening. "Stagger Lee" is a perfect example. What a superb song! It's outrageous, darkly funny, incredibly graphic and absolutely gripping from start to finish. The storytelling throughout is exceptional. Every song tells a different tale, yet somehow they all work beautifully together. There's so much variation in the music, from the quieter, haunting moments to the more aggressive and disturbing tracks. It never becomes repetitive, and despite the subject matter, it's an incredibly enjoyable album to listen to. There are also some fantastic guest appearances. Kylie Minogue, PJ Harvey and Shane MacGowan all bring something different to the album. "Where the Wild Roses Grow" with Kylie is simply beautiful, while "Henry Lee" with PJ Harvey is another stunning piece of music. Who would have thought an album about murder could produce such lovely songs? And then there's the ending. The cover of Bob Dylan's "Death Is Not the End" is one of my favourite covers of all time. After an album full of death, violence and misery, it's such a wonderful way to finish. The different voices coming together make it feel almost like a final curtain call for all the characters we've encountered along the way. Absolutely brilliant. For me, Murder Ballads is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at their very best. The songwriting, musicianship, atmosphere and storytelling are all exceptional. It's dark, disturbing, occasionally funny and often strangely beautiful. An album that demands your attention and rewards you for giving it. I absolutely love it. Favourite tracks: Where do I start? "Stagger Lee", "Henry Lee" and "Where the Wild Roses Grow" are all superb. I also have a real soft spot for "Lovely Creature" and "Death Is Not the End". So many brilliant songs. Least favourite track: Nothing. Every song has its place, and I wouldn't change a thing. Album artwork: Brilliant album cover. Dark, striking and perfectly suited to the music.

you can tell he thinks he’s proper hard

What every album needs is a 15 minute long song about big dicked men that can't shut up about their own dicks and shoot women in bars Oh and by the way I was being sarcastic

Cool album. Will listen again soon. Love Nicks deep sensual voice.

Ok

Nick cave, murder, and ballads. Enough said

It’s not bad but I’m not too into it. Maybe one day I will appreciate the art of Nick Cave but today is not that day. Prefer Leonard Cohen.

Well made but I'm just really not a ballads guy

Music for pretentious twats.

The other day I got interrupted in the middle of my listen through and lost my place. So today I just went ahead and started from the beginning. This is very similar to Lou Reed’s Berlin, except that I actually want to hear it again. I particularly liked the duets.

Why did I like this?

Intense, moody, southern gothic beauty.

Overall: 8/10 Ever since I first heard his music, I've had a very bipolar opinion of Nick Cave. I think he's at his best when he's experimental, strange and creative, and this album is all of those things. It says a lot about my personal tastes that my favourite song on this album is the over 10 minute long track that is basically just a really good story set to music. I want to try to get into Nick's music more but he can also be a very difficult artist for me to understand. Respect all around though. Fav Song: O'Malley's Bar

Murder ballads it's a subgenre of the traditional ballad that details, the build up or the aftermath that comes in a murder. It's heavily attached to traditional english ballads, and for this one, his ninth studio album, Nick Cave decided to give those details and aftermaths and consequences his own perspective. Fusing Blues, Country, Lounge, Jazz and even Gangsta rap in one record might sound like something impossible, but the lead single "Where the Wild Roses Grow" a duet with Kylie Minogue received two ARIA music awards. His then partner, the marvelous PJ Harvey and the now deceased Shane MacGowan from The Pogues are also featured in this record all of them making what seemed impossible, a reality. MTV Even nominated Cave for Best Male Artist and with songs like "Stagger Lee" that is based on a traditional song about the African American murderer of the same name. or a version of "Death Is Not the End" originally by Dylan where Cave, and the other ones already mentioned sing a verse you can tell where this is going or what was in Nick's mind at the moment. As a matter of fact, this rendition to Bob's career it's the only one that doesn't feature a real death. "O Malley's Bar" it's also one of the highest points in this record since it was gonna be used on his previous record, Henry's Dream. According to Nick himself "i had to create an enviroment where this song could exist." forcing him to make a record just for this specific creation to fit in. Released by Mute Records on February 5 1996, this one is a record that proved that many subcultures and influences like hip-hop, goth, and alternative could co-exist since after all, in death we also might found life.

I enjoy a murder ballad from time to time. The storytelling of such music can be fun, and the best ones tend to be a little silly and fantastical. I don't think that I needed an entire album of them, however. This is a genre that lends itself to long songs well, "O'Malley's Bar" uses its length and repetition well (but may be just a bit too long, it was hard to pay attention throughout the whole song). I do appreciate that the murder is different in almost every track, I just don't think the concept works great. However, the Bob Dylan cover at the end wraps things up in a nice bow, and it is really fitting as a closing track - I would say it even redeems much of the album for me. "Death Is Not the End" after all the preceding death is just a cool note to close on. In fact, the three tracks with guest vocalists are all pretty strong, and provide a great contrast to Nick Cave's growling voice. I don't think I would include this album on my own version of the list, but I don't have any big problems with it. Favorite track: "Where the Wild Roses Grow"

Does what it says on the tin I suppose. Cave playing his vaudeville pantomime cast expertly.

That’s one gruesome album Nick. Makes The 1001 Must Hear List because of the subject matter, not too many artists put together an entire album of murder ballads, thankfully. Death Is Not the End is the best track and a good way to go out. (2.55*s) Not as good as his other albums, seems to me like we’ve had enough of Nick and the Bad Seeds.

Lotta Nick on the list...too much in my opinion. Murder Ballads is an interesting album and lands on the higher end compared with the others so far. Some good story telling of bar brawls and lover's quarrels. Like Tom Waits but not as good. These two had to have paired up at some point. I found myself waiting for the next song to see if there was finally some gold. Not really but I did l get a kick out of "O'Malleys Bar." Bit of a long tune though. Surprised to see a collab with petri dish (Minogue)...not really her vibe I would think. 2.31 stars for writing a full album about murder and it's not death metal. P.S. is Stagger Lee gay?

5 (+1) albums in and I still can't quite figure out Nick Cave. There's clearly something there, but there's also a lot in the way from me being able to call myself a true fan. For everything he does right there is a corresponding issue I have. He's clearly a good song writer and is happy to try all sorts of genre crossovers which I appreciate, but I just think that so much of it misses the mark for me that I can't quite commit to him. I'm glad we've gotten exposure to all sides of Nick Cave on this list. Murder Ballads was on the better end of the spectrum as the dark, story-driven structure of the tracks plays well into The Bad Seeds style of rambling genre-bending songs. The majority of songs were fun and catchy, but there are also some head-scratchers in there (not necessarily the worst though). At this point in his career its clear that Nick Cave had full reign to do whatever he wanted which sometimes leads to trainwrecks, but also sometimes leads to some interesting experiments. I'd call Murder Ballads a success and maybe even the album I enjoyed the most from his offerings on 1001 so I might have to revisit my prior ratings. The duets in Lovely Creature and Where the Wild Roses Grow may be the strongest part of the album. I think it helps to have another artist around to ground and reel Nick in so that he doesn't get too far off the beaten path. The Curse Of Millhaven that followed these 2 songs up was a fun upbeat rockabilly ditty that I also enjoyed. The rest of the album had its fair share of interesting murder stories, but some of them get a little heavy handed. All in all I suspect this is the last we've heard from Nick on this list but I'm not sure I'm ready to fully close the book on him yet. Regardless of where I land in the long run I'm glad I have enough of a sampling to now justify an opinion on his music. Glad we at least ended on one of his high notes. 2.86 stars

Not quite my type of music, but was an interesting introduction to a new genre.

Could have been a great album to listen to on Halloween or any day in October.

Love the concept, but why does he turn every song into 5 minutes of droning repetition? His singing is so off key too.

Way too theatrical. I like the concept, and I can't say it isn't cool. But he's a theater kid hanging out with the punks.

Enough similarities to Tom Waits to almost offset their considerable differences. Waits offers a much better blend of unconventional vocals with offbeat character studies.

This felt gratuitous; perhaps only fit for some at Halloween. While the instrumental composition was good, Cave’s vocals don’t always seem to blend in.

This reminded me of the Dracula musical that Jason Segel's character writes in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It's weird, macabre, kind silly, but it is a little cool. I've listened ti a few Nick Cave reckrds on this list so far, and this one at least really sticks out as something completely original.

So he is not my jam, but for this album it works good. Maybe part of it is I am getting this on Halloween so there is already a little creep factor in the air. I don't see myself pulling this out on Christmas day but for today it works.

We pulled this on Halloween? Seriously? This fit the holiday perfectly and it was a dramatically deranged delight. He’s got some dark imaginings in his brain and they come to life here as short murder stories through song. Very creative and creepy and the storytelling is pretty next level. He does not hold back and I love that about this. Certainly not an album to just toss on for the good vibes, but it has masterpiece qualities in the concept it was built on.

This has got to be THE Nick Cave albums right?! It’s clearly better than the others. The track with PJ Harvey and the track with Kylie are the best ones, they really elevate the entire vibe.

So so

It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Dont quite know what to make of it. More of a wild one time expirience than anything I'd ever go back to.

30 Oct 2026 · 1/10 Awful, just terrible, really bad. Is he taking the piss? Only good song is the last one, and Bob Dylan wrote that. If this is a prank, then he got me good.

Music itself is not bad but man is he trying so hard to be dark and edgy, makes it a hard listen. Maybe 2.5

If everything's 11 with noise or gore nothing is. Still, interesting listen. Somehow some of the dumb vocal tics stuck with me a lot longer than many of the albums on this list.

That's a pretty album cover. If only the font didn't gouge my eyes out. Anyway, in terms of music, I like the whole album being full of murder ballads. Means there's a consistent theme. Cave's vocals are one-note, but including PJ Harvey scores some points from me. It's what folk says on the tin: tell a story while trying not to rock the boat too much musically.

This generator gives you phil spector's christmas album on christmas day, which is a nice touch. And I would like to posit the idea this very album should be for halloween. It is grotesque in its subject matter, dramatic in its delivery and not really for casual everyday listening. Except maybe for "where the wild roses grow". There's homeric violence galore, depictions of incredible insanity, and at the end a reminder to not take it all so seriously. Because death is not the end anyway. Halloween story time with Nick Cave deserves that spot. Let's make it so!

I think this is an unusual Nick Cave album to include, and I'm probably giving it 3 Stars instead of 2 because it's almost Halloween. Pretty weird all around.

Songs about murder have never been my thing. Terrible singers really aren’t my thing either.

When it comes to Murder Ballads, all i can say is there were things i liked about it, and things i did not like about it. The music was the thing that was the most consistently good about the album. The guitars, pianos and everything else sounded quite nice and really added to this album's vibe. Now for the vocals and lyrics though, i was a bit more divisive towards. For the most part were pretty solid from Nick, Kylie, PJ, Shane and Anita but when Nick would start doing weird mouth sounds in some songs, it got annoying. The lyrics could also range from inspired to insipid. Overall, it's an album with pretty divisive aspects to me but was overall a pretty decent listen. Best Song: Song of Joy Worst Song: O'Malley's Bar

Cool idea. Spooky vibe. Couple good tunes.

The bones were their money, so were the worms. That was the day that the skeletons came to life

I liked how it sounded, but lots of the songs sounded similar to me and also lots of them seemed to be about sexual violence so I skipped em. Not that nobody can make a song about sexual violence, but in my own leisure time I’m gonna skip em every time.

Duets save this one from the usual drudgery

I could probably survive listening to a single Nick Cave track before moving on to something else, but his voice for an entire album is too much for me!

Pass. Don’t enjoy the voice and the stories didn’t do it for me either.

No

second album by this artist that I have listened to in this exercise and still no more impressed than I was with the original selection. This may be someone's taste in music but there is no need for them to be on this list once much less twice.

revisit album - dark - feel like a deep dive into all lyrics necessary to appreciate. I don't love it (Nick Cave is overrepresented I agree with basically 'everyone'

Nick Cave being as dark as can be is not a new thing. I did like Henry Lee with PJ Harvey, but most of the rest fell a little flat.

this was super different than what i normally listen to because of how story-based it is. i definitely would've gotten more out of it had i been paying attention to the narratives but for the songs whose narratives i did hear, it was pretty interesting. some of the songs were really gorgeous and others kind of repetitive and grating due to how long they went on, but for the most part i really enjoyed this. Fav tracks: Henry Lee; Where the Wild Roses Grow; The Curse of Millhaven

I like this more than the previous Nick Cave album--not sure why he has 5 albums on this list, but I like this one. Mainly for the smattering of female voices. But also for the uncontrolled swearing and vulgarity.

I miss the beach boys.

Mais um disco do Cid Moreira dos Estados Unidos. Sério, cada disco é um pior que o outro.ja ouvi o suficiente de Nick cave pra saber que eu não suporto esse cara

heavy. the final song ticks it down to 2.49 stars for me

What a wild album. Nick's voice is, as usual, the instrument here, but the storytelling, the theme, the rest of the band and collaborations, made sure I didn't get bored with this one.

It was a nice album until the last two bum tracks. PJ Harvey what are you doing here ?!?!?!?!

4 - great album

This album is fine and there are some great tunes on it but honestly, it's not my favourite Nick Cave. This one gets so the hype and it's partially deserved buy it's mostly because of Stagger Lee.

I'm a big Nick Cave fan and I find this record a bit weak!!

Another guy I missed along the way. Really good stuff.

Stagger Lee, Death is Not the End, and The Kindness of Strangers stood out. This is a great album of storytelling. I need to re-listen while looking at the lyrics. 4/5

No. No more Nick Cave. I honestly do not understand the love this guy gets. Its overdramatic nonsense. I've now listened to everything he's put out because he is overrepresented on this list. To a ridiculous degree! So no more Nick Cave. Anything with him on it gets a 1 without listening from here on out.

I loved it but less than the other caves. Still ML 422

2,2/5

Nick Cave makes songs about murder sound like show tunes but better. Show tunes that aren't annoying. He's got a quality to his voice that reminds me of Tom Waits, but tempered and controlled instead of filtered through all the cigarette butts discarded on the floor. The duets on here are absolutely beautiful. I could listen to ten albums like this. Just as long as I never have to listen to the Beatles again. My Rating: 5/5

I don't know what to think of it.

Sleeve designed by the band's longtime collaborator, artist and designer, Dave McKean. Type is lazy, and the painting a poor illustration. The sound, which is a better description of Nick Cave's art than music, is horrifically compelling. Like it or loathe it, this is a record you should hear.

Any one who listens to Nick Cave expecting a happy tune will sadly be disappointed but at least this album gives you a clue in the title. I like Nick Caves voice and his delivery but this is not his best album, a mix up of traditional songs and original songs just doesn't work in my view. However any album that has a song as good as Where the Wild Roses Grow can be forgiven a lot. It's a great track and deserves a listen as does the re-recording of Bob Dylans Death Is Not the End with the strangest mix of featured artists.

Not even my favorite Nick Cave record, but maybe the one that represents him best. It's got it all, horror, beauty, darkness, humor and weirdness. Classic.

Nope, nope and nope. Did Nick Cave concoct this list? I've heard enough of this sad sack to last 10 lifetimes.

Very good album for halloween season

Interesting, but ultimately not for me

Two Nick Cave albums in less than a week and I'm not complaining. Talk about committing to the bit! Fantastic storytellin' record. Gruesome funny and earwormy.

This is Nick cave in his 90s peak

Man I do not get this album. It's not the concept, I think a series of story songs about murder is actually an interesting idea. I think it's odd how Cave handled it. You'd think there'd be some sort of moral about how violence is horrific and tragic or a warning about turning to the evil of murder. But there isn't really? Cave sings like he's really relishing in the bloodshed like these various killers. And there could be something there about the darkness of the soul but he doesn't really sell that either. It just kinda sounds like an edgy guy being edgy to me (with the exception of "Death is not the End" which is a weird deviation). It doesn't help that he isn't a great singer. Kylie Minogue and PJ Harvey do well on their parts. 2 for having a concept? I guess?

8/10

I love Nick Cage

I like the concept, the execution is meh

General thoughts: Opens like a boom, but then it gets repetitive. Too much of the same gothic ballad patterns. Having already heard The Boatman, most songs remind me of "Where Are We Going But Nowhere" and "Spanish Girl with Green Eyes"... There’s actually a streak of really good songs, but the rest is subpar. The album is very story-driven, so the less appealing stories end up falling behind. That said, you have to be a bit psychotic to make an album of complete murder. I like the grimness of it, yes, but I still liked the Boatman's more. There's also the Kylie Minogue duet, of which I liked her voice a lot, and of which I've never heard her music, but I'm now more than ever eager to listen to. "All beauty must end" seems like the overall summary of the album, one way or another. Outstanding song(s): The Curse Of Millhaven Where The Wild Roses Grow Weakest song(s): O'Malley's Bar Cover: Lovely. Even if this weren't the cover; that's what I would picture in my mind after listening to the album. Sweet yet haunting. Real rating: 3.2

Bien.

Ehh. Didn't love.

Just wow!!! Already one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite artists but it was a pleasure to hear it again. Where to start? Song of Joy is an incredible start..the bad Seeds making a spectacular sound. Stagger Lee is just terrifying aggression. Great lyrics....as always. Henry Lee...with PJ Harvey...is a very touching song but is eclipsed by his duet with Kylie...Where the wild roses grow. Beautiful and disturbing in equal measure, this could easily be the best song on any album. But..... This album contains Nick's absolute crowning glory. The most utterly joyous romp through murder, mayhem and canine cruxifiction you could possibly wish to here....The Curse of Milhaven. Funny, catchy and delightfully twisted, this song sums up his entire career in 5 utterly captivating minutes!! Ironically this album (my 5th 5 star rating and totally my favourite) is the first time in the project i have skipped a track. I have never liked O Malleys Bar and at well over 10 minutes i decided i didn't need to hear it again. It's testimony to the other 9 songs that O Malleys Bar doesn't even come close to denting the rating! I'd give it 6 stars if i could!

Not my cup of tea. Not without merit.

Not a fan of Nock Cave. Not a fan of spoken word songs on here.

The lyrics were fun (like reading Edgar Allen Poe), but I just don’t vibe with his music.

A few solid tracks, but far from my favorite Cave. A bit too droning and lacking his usual turns toward gentler emotion.

Uh geez. Good luck with all that stuff, Nick.

Sounds like the opera

Maybe 3.5

Cowboy poetry murder music, just not for me.

Oh Nick, you’re so dark and moody and cool, with your unconventional performance and foul mouthed lyrics. I love how you totally leaned into your bloodthirsty and macabre stories of mass murderers. I think it’s a really brave and groundbreaking thematic album. Huh? No I’m not taking the piss.

Too earnest and self-satisfied with their own determination to be as gloomy and morose as possible, they forget to include any positive attributes in this album (so far as I could tell after 3 tracks, and before I gave up completely).

Although initially amused by Stagger Lee, and it has a certain reprehensible something, the longer this went on the more I could not wait for this to be over.

Bonus star for PJ and Kylie cameos

It was fine

favourite: Where the Wild Roses Grow | least favourite: Stagger Lee a very nostalgic album for me. "where the wild roses grow" is one of my mama's favourite songs (understandably) and I just adore it. this is unique and strange but so loveable. there are some misses (Stagger lee especially) but the overall album vibe is so interesting with really cool songwriting. somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4 for me. ಄ albums remaining: 937 ಄ albums I agree with being on the list: 67 ಄ albums I would consider for my list: 33 [+1 Murder Ballads] ಄ albums I would not include on my list: 119

Ashtrays as big as a fucking really big brick, where have they gone?

what a crazy ride, my god. It was a fun listen in a "wtf is this guy gonna say next" kinda way, so I'm giving it a boost just for straight originality. That said, I probably won't listen again unless I need to laugh at "an ashtray as big as a fuckin really big brick" again

Brutal, Morbid and Cartoonish. This album feels like listening to "Tales from the Crypt: The Musical - 18+ Edition". My favorite track is the opener "Song of Joy". It tells of a mysterious family murder while leaving who did the deed open. It is implied that the culprit is the poor soul telling this story, but we cant be sure. Now they are asking us to open our doors for them. Probably a bad idea, but their morbid story was so exciting and the prospect of them telling us more of his tales is too enticing ... I couldn't think of a better introduction to an album of this kind. The following tracks are a mixed bag. Strong tracks are "Where the Wild Roses Grow" and "The Curse of Milhaven" which engage due to their drama and interesting reveals. "Lovely Creature" and "Death is not the End", are also to my liking, letting their horror unfold between lines. However, most of the tracks are more "Show, don't tell" and focus on blatantly describing gruesome acts of violence. Worst offender is the 14 minute long "O'Malley's Bar" which feels like a school shooters power fantasy. "Stagger Lee" is extremely profane for no reason. "The Kindness of Strangers" concludes that trusting strangers will only get you raped and killed. It is dark humor that aims for nothing more than shock value. To some this might be distasteful, for me it's just boring. The music in this album couldn't stand on its own without the lyrical content. While the musical ideas presented are interesting enough, they are repeated over tracks that are often a bit longer than they should be. Ultimately, I can appreciate what this album is going for, but for me it is too blunt. I prefer ghost stories to be subtle, mysterious and eerie. This has too much splatter for my taste. It's a light to decent 2.