Murder Ballads

Nick Cave always sounds like he's trying too hard to add bass to his voice. It's always come across as fake-y and affected. He writes some serious and seriously good lyrics, but his voice bugs me too much to listen to more than a song or 2 at a time. (On Ghosteen he does this a little less and was my first Nick Cave album I actually liked) This album would fare better if it didn't have "Song of Joy" as it's lead track. Bad song. Bad choice. I don't like "Stagger Lee" but I DO like his vocal stylings and the energy in it. "Lovely Creature" has some of the best music on the album. Cool song. The rest are pretty much sing/talk stories. Some a little better than others, but not many that grab me. He does have a good turn of phrase here and there, but also a tendency to be a bit repetitive with a noise. He's kind of like Tom waits without the gravel. Overall, I think this is decent, but I can't imagine when I would want to sit and listen to it all in a row again. I want to give it a 3.5, but I'll be kind and give it a 4 because while it's not 100% for me, I can understand why people would like it more.

We have Tom Waits at home. And idk a surprise PJ Harvey wasn't what I hoped for a sunday

Standouts Henry Lee The Curse of Millhaven

Ok ... I'll give credit where credit is do - great concept for an rock album. For once I didn't mind Nick Cave's singing; it seems to suit the macabre.

I liked it more than other Nick Cave stuff on here. It was pretty good

By all accounts, I should love this album. I love storytelling songs, where vivid pictures are painted, and I love a good murder ballad. But then Nick Cave comes in and it just doesn’t do it for me. Nick Cave feels like the kind of guy I would meet in high school theater class, who would tell me he has a movie “too screwed up for the general masses” and then proceed to show me Repo! The Genetic Opera.

Didn't care for it.

Song of Joy - 5/5 Stagger Lee - 5/5 Henry Lee - 5/5 Lovely Creature - 4/5 Where the Wild Roses Grow - 5/5 The Curse of Millhaven - 5/5 The Kindness of Strangers - 3/5 Crow Jane - 4/5 O'Malley's Bar - 4/5 Death Is Not the End - 3/5 Average score: 4.3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the difference between this and The Boatman's Call is like night and fucking day. i'm glad i didn't allow my lack of enjoyment for TBC to completely write him off kind of surprised by the ratio of hate on this album tbh. maybe even this isn't considered to be among his best? we'll see i suppose

after about 300 days or so... after the author entering the sincerely autistic fandom of they might be giants... before they begin to descend down the hell known as midterm exams... they returned to nick cave. people might think that since the reviewer have devoted themself to tmbg, their goth-related hobbies is just a phase. it is not. so they inserted their cd into the cd player. although to be honest, they never finished the album in its full. but they have two band tees, six albums, one vinyl, and how can they claim themself a fake under these conditions? literally impossible considering they have been listening to the same set of his songs on repeat for a long time. hehe. entering the reviewer's ears are the dramatic arrangement, the dark and brooding atmosphere, Polly and Kylie's feature, the... yes! the storytelling! since murder ballads is named murder ballads, it should feature a huge amount of killing and talking about killing! here, to expand the amount of visual sensationwalking a thin line between horror or humour, with the repeated use of "motherfucker" as representitive of the humour and twist and turns going from unexpected killer reveal to gory mention of blood depicting horror. i could never unsee the mjuxposition of the two since nick said in an interview or something that this album is indeed a comedy album. whats also worth noting is the absurd reusing of chrous melody of "henry lee" and "the curse of millhaven", which are coincidentally two songs that both features a female murderer. the first one is out of jealousy, and the second... she's just a little fifteen years old girl thats a bit mentally insane, what else can i say when nick sings these words in the character of a insane fifteen years old girl but using his 40 or something grown man voice, "I’m a wicked young lady/but I’ve been trying hard lately/Oh fuck it, I’m a monster/I admit it"? When speaking of gore, people often says "the more death happens and the gore depicted, the better the effect". Its validated when the protagonist of O'Malley's Bar, an unnamed person considering himself as handsome, murdered fifteen people under the influence of simply wanting to be noticed by others. he was granted satisfaction in killing, saying that his "dick feels long and hard", shouting cringeworthy stuff, and comparing his deeds with religious imagery. as the fifteen victims fall to the ground in various ways mentioned in the incredibly detailed imagery, we managed to peek into the murder's brain. but despite the vivid imagery, the effect of the words won't be as strong as in the song if its written on paper as a poem. it's Nick's delivery, sometime sinister and sometime panthetic, that employs the lyric to its maximum effort. Death Is Not the End gave us a comedic relief at the end of the album, as if what happened before is just a play and the song is the encore. but really, considering the theatrical and tense atmosphere of the whole album, and how most of person featured on the album each gets a stanza in the song, this theory is, to a large extent, weirdly correct. Knowing nick's nature of writing dramatic music and "acting" a masculine personality onstage, we can easily conclude that he is indeed a singer that has a performative nature and it is possibly alienating to non-fans of his, which also means that if you are not a theatre kid, you might not vibe with this album. Thus, since the reviewer themself is a ex-theatre kid with a love in the violence and craziness, they love this and is willing to give the album a 5/5

Unhinged, just loose and freaky

Music to want to end it all to.

2. Nope

The music itself isn't bad but I HATE his voice. Also the last thing I ever want to listen to is a bunch of songs about mainly women being murdered! I understand that the murder ballad is an important part of the history of folk music but that doesn't make this album any more enjoyable for me! I disliked every second of it. The last song is the ONLY redeeming one. He even ruined Kylie Minogue for me :(

This was caught somewhere between Tom Waits and Modest Mouse but didn’t seem to capture the best of either for me. A bit of a strange concept album that came off a little strange. An OK listen but I was hoping for more.

It grabbed my attention but not in a good way.

9/10

Murder porn the album. Truly the horniest man alive taking on characters to be horny as them. I’m not sure what it says that after that description I really like this album. The storytelling is great, there are solid lines on here, and once more who cares if he’s a bad vocalist he’s great for what he’s doing.

Have to be in a certain mood for this album. The storytelling is certainly interesting and enjoyable, also a bit shocking. O'Malley's bar is 15 minutes of murdering people. All in all I enjoyed this and would go back to it to listen to as a whole and not so much for individual songs. I'm guessing that this is not a popular record on this site. I'm going with a strong 4/5

the album art reminds me of christmas 😀

I only know the one with Kylie Minogue, that was played to death on the radio. Nothing else reached my childhood bedroom in Europe. The sound is spooky. I hope it’s not all murdered women. Love hearing PJ Harvey. It’s a concept album, but I don’t like the concept.

Nobody makes dark, sinister, and brooding as beautiful as Nick Cave. Love the guest spots from PJ when Kylie too. Favorite track: Where the Wild Roses Grow

Amazing

Good

Not for me. Hard to even rate because it’s mostly noise.

Delivers what it promises, but a bit too heavy on the murder ballads for my taste 3.85 stars

this is narration not music

Слишком мрачно и нудно за исключением двух баллад. 5 из 10.

What a bizzare album this is, but I can't help but feel engaged by it. The music that sits behind it all is really interesting, and the storytelling from Nick Cave is dark & moody, each of which contribute to creating a hugely dark & unnerving atmosphere. There are times when the vocals feel more like ramblings, and I can absolutely see why this would jar with some people, but overall I enjoyed it… I think. Maybe 2-3 tracks too lengthy too.

Drôle d'expérience

Got it already.

They made it on purpose. It couldn't have started better. Perfect Halloween album.

This album was a Lovely Creature.

this guy just generally hits

Exactly what it says on the tin. Despite seeming like something I’d enjoy - I like Nick Cave, and a bunch of murder ballads feels fitting a week before Halloween - I found this tedious. Maybe it’s too soon after the last Nick Cave album (just over a week ago), or - more likely - an entire album of murder isn’t actually that fun to listen to. O’Malley’s Bar was the nail in the proverbial coffin. Favorites: Henry Lee, Lovely Creature, Where The Wild Roses Grow 3 - 3.5

Musically was a bit middling for me but the lyrics put it over the top.

The lyrics on this album are an absolute riot. The music isn't that interesting, but the voice is great and the lyrics sell it for me.

Weird album

When I first started listening to this, I felt "Uh, not Nick Cave again". Even more so when hearing 'Stagger Joe' which felt a bit overly graphic. But after getting to around 'Where the Wild Roses Grows', I started appreciating the lyrics. Overall it feels quite similar to Tom Waits 'Rain Dogs' album. Though the stories are grotesque, and a bit sadistic at times, I find it interesting to just listen to it with the mindset not to be too upset by the lyrics. I found myself eagerly wanting to find out what the next song would be about. The lyrics are definitely well written, and rhymes well etc. 'O'Malley's Bar' was such a cool song honestly, a huge mistake not to go out on that one in my opinion. Overall it was a bit of a train ride, but I really liked it when it ended so going to go with a 4 on this.

Dark and brooding, with a hint of pretentiousness. Nick Cave’s voice really lends itself well to Murder Ballads. It feels akin to Tom Waits, whom I’m a big fan of. The tracks can feel quite samey in melody and structure, but that’s okay since the main draw of this album is the stories being told. The lyrics work very well and are interesting enough to revisit multiple times. My favourite tracks are “Where the Wild Roses Grow,” “The Curse of Millhaven,” and “Henry Lee.” With those three recommendations, I think I’ve used up my “la-la-la” quota for a while. A great album for spooky season. Weak 4.

Dark, somewhat pointless unless going for a faux scary vibe.

Happy guy this Nick

this mf fantasizes a little too much about killing women

The more I listen to Nick Cave the more I like him. This was great.

I have honestly never listened to a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album or really much at all (which I really should have by now). This is like a whole different type of music. I really fuckin' like it. Listened to on good headphones first time and glad I did as this album has crazy-good production. Like holy shit. Every song is an entire story with incredibly rich writing. The music is ridiculously well-made. I'm floored. Not surprising, but I really have been sleeping on Nick Cave. Maybe now is the right time in my life for me to finally get down. Whatever it is, I want more 'cause this is like no other shit.

ass

Ehh it was all right but repetitive. I kept wanting to hear "Red Right Hand." This gets a three on atmosphere alone. Top tracks: "O'Malley's Bar," "Lovely Creature"

I have no idea what this is supposed to be or who it's for. It sounds like noise more than music. I feel like an old man yelling at clouds listening to this. All the songs are very different but all sound exactly the same.

--Song of Joy...menacing. oh boy, this might be a slog --Stagger Lee...nice bass groove. interesting lyrics, to say the least --Henry Lee...PJ Harvey joins the party. meh --Lovely Creature...the background "la la la" brings this one together. this track also has a swing that earlier tracks lack --Where the Wild Roses Grow...Kylie! My Queen! cheesy melodrama but it's nice --The Curse of Millhaven...sounds like Gogol Bordello. It's a little repetitive oh god there are four more minutes --The Kindness of Strangers...more cheesy melodrama but where's Kylie? --Crow Jane...this one has a nice groove --O'Malley's Bar...14 minutes? really? this better be good. it's not. this entire album would improve immediately if this track got cut --Death is Not the End...PJ, Kylie, and Shane MacGowan join us for a simple and sweet bar closer

Fun but got old

This was kind of weird and was kind of like a musical in some ways.

Ryan Murphy should turn this into a show

Nick Cave Rules. Never listened to this one before it was a cool concept and fits his style perfectly. Duets with PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue were cool and the Bob Dylan Cover at the end with all the different singers was a perfect cap. Probably not the best Nick Cave Album but a fun listen and something I'll probably go back to.

Nick Cave proves yet again to be a man whose music style is very polarizing. This album is heavy, dark, weird, and a slow burn… for better or worse, Cave doesnt know how to stop singing, and loves telling deep stories in his lyrics. You really gotta be feeling a certain kind of way to let yourself get lost in his musical storytelling. Since I did with this album, I’m inclined to rate it highly

point8.

Strong 4.5

Making death and violence sound so luscious.

This is fucking weird. All the lyrics are just bizarre. Plus, this guy ruins any chance of any of these songs sounding good with his vocals... Whatever "I killed this guy and my dick got hard" concept he was trying to push here, it didn't work.

Really gets you in the mood for wonton violence. Nick Cave sometimes sounds like Shane McGowan of he sang of harming others instead of himself.

Hated the first track...just plain grim Some of the duets are better

I liked this a whole lot better than I expected to. Cave's uber-goth reputation precedes him. The title of the album is a giveaway about the subject matter. It does grow old over the length of an album (a couple three of them per album is just fine) but damn, the music and the musicians really make this a standout album for me. I will get it and let it live in the shuffle section of my music library.

Teenage me probably would have liked this album. Middle-aged me felt uncomfortable and sad. I did enjoy a few songs but enjoying murder for murder's sake is no longer my jam

Okay 1001 list you have made me a Nick Cave fan. And a Smiths fan. But still not down with Morrissey.

Really too dark and empirical for me. This guy has popped up in a few movies (like Wings Of Desire) and he works there but his music is just not for me. 3/10

Not my favorite. Feels like soundtrack music for Peaky Blinders or some such. "Death is not the end" did stay with me for a while. Three stars.

1.5

This is haunting gothic rock alternative turned up to 11. I still don't understand the appeal of Nick Cave, and so far this is the darkest of the three albums we've heard. I'll feel better once I check this one off as complete, never to visit it again.

I just can't find much that's enjoyable here or with anything by Nick Cave. I have honestly tried on this journey and it just consistently disappoints. The music is just a vessel for whatever poetry Nick Cave has brought to the recording sessions and is generally just haphazardly thrown underneath it. There's a certain type of human who enjoys this kind of music and more power to them for being able to hear it differently than I do. Enjoy it in my stead.

About like all Nick Cave. Meh. 2.5/5

"Murder Ballads" is the ninth studio album by Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The album consists of new and traditional murder ballads, a genre of songs that relays the details and consequences of crimes of passion. The album had guest appearances by vocalists PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue and violinist Warren Ellis. The band itself consisted of Cave (vocals, piano, organs, string arrangements), Blixa Bargeld (guitar, vocals), Martyn P. Casey (bass), Mick Harvey (drums, guitars, organs, bass, percussion, vocals, string arrangements), Conway Savage (piano, vocals, organ), Jim Sclavunos (drums, percussion, bells, tambourine) and Thomas Wydler (maracas, drums, tambourine, vocals). The album was the band's biggest commercial success at the time reaching #8 in the UK and also had wide-spread critical acclaim. Nick Cave's deep voice opens "Song of Joy." A creepy guitar, drums, percussion, piano and backing vocals. The music sounds like a musical score in a dramatic story of a widower recounting the murder of his wife and his children by a bloodthirsty lunatic. Cave double downs the intensity in the traditional tale of "Stagger Lee." Antsy, screeching and pounding drums and piano and a reggae-sort of beat. Cave in rapping mode as he recounts various scenes involving murderer Stagger Lee. Lots of swearing, screaming and gunshots. PJ Harvey joins Cave in the duet "Henry Lee." Nursey rhyme vocals with la's and le's in a story of a scorned woman who stabs her man and later burns at the stake. The first single released was "Where the Wild Roses Grow." Kylie Minogue joins Cave in the ballad of a man courting of a man courting a woman who he eventually kills. The music is more baroque with strings and piano. Whispering vocals as Cave creepily states he knew she was the one. The album closes on a happy note with the one song where there is no murder, "Death Is Not the End." All guest and band vocalists are involved even Shane McGowan. Words of encouragement and hope....there is something beyond. These tales of murder can be dramatic, very unique, fairly compelling and sometimes exaggerated. Most of the songs worked for me; a few didn't. There's good and selective use of the guest vocalists. The slightly different takes on musical styles kept the music interesting: duets, movie scores, cabaret, singalong traditional, reggae and baroque. The added noises of screams, gunshots, and other various noises were fine if bordering on campy. I know this ranks high for many critics in the Nick Cave discography; I thought it was good enough to recommend but find both his more recent albums and those albums near the time of this release better.

Melancholy and just plain dark but somehow captivating

Чудесный альбом, сдобренный немного мрачными поп-хитами.

jesus cristo eu quase bati o carro com esse vsf o colega que eu tava dando carona ficou até meio triste

ê vozerão, hein achei o conceito legal, mas algumas dão bastante soninho viu, apesar de terem outras legais. mas a música de 14 minutos lombrou o batalhão pra mim, que canseira!!

I always thought of Murder Ballads as one of the better Nick Cave albums but not the best from their 90s run. Even thought the concept is cool and most of the songs are great, I just don't find it among the bad seed's most compelling set of songs compared to say... The Good Song or Your Funeral My Trial or Let Love In, which is the issue with a band that was and is as good as they are and have put out such solid music for almost 50 years. But all in all, still great.

Escuchar un disco de Nick Cave es como sentarse a ver una peli. A veces es muy truculenta, otras muy dramática, otras muy sexual, pero siempre narrada con su penetrante y expresiva voz. En “Murder Ballads” se habla de (y se siente) la muerte. Solo al final hay espacio para el optimismo (?) con “Death Is Not The End”. Sea como fuere, este es otro de los sobresalientes álbumes del tito Nick, aunque no mi preferido.

Closer to 3.5

Going through a good run at the mo and this my 2nd consecutive album released in 1996. One that has come into my life at various points and I've always enjoyed it when it does. Musically a departure from earlier albums although the penchant for the cinematic remains. The introduction of various female, clean and smooth voices is a nice counterpoint to Cave's rough edge. It's an excellent and compelling album with some massive highs.

Interesting concept for an album but this just didn't vibe with me too much, unfortunately.

Definitely something I want for certain moods but also not the moods I'm often in (or often want to be in).

I’m sorry but I really have no idea what it is

71/1089 a very intense, folky album. Which was cool and atmospheric for the most part but it went on a bit too long for me. I’m so here for the Kylie features though. faves: Where the Wild Roses Grow, Lovely Creature, Song of Joy 3 stars or 62/100

Not my vibe at all. So strange.

Good stuff, somehow the Song of Joy sets the tone: grim content, but a joy in the making of it

Best Track - "Where The Wild Roses Grow"

Meh. Like what a 16 year old thinks is edgy

Finally someone I've seen live on this list! Even some of the songs on this album I've heard live! Generally I think Nick Cave was better live but I still like this album. "Stagger Lee" and "The Curse of Millhaven" are probably my faves on here, but this is the kinda music I have to be in the right mood for.

Spotify calls them “one of the world’s most influential, innovative and compelling bands.” I don’t get completely it. A couple musically impressive and catchy songs. Three stars because I get they’re talented but I wouldn’t listen to again.

too weird, but did a good job of creating a very specific creepy environment

3.5/5 01.03.2026

Listen... I get that this kind of music has an audience (and it's probably the exact same people who get genuine enjoyment out of true crime shows), but that audience does not include me. So many of the tracks on Murder Ballads ("Song of Joy," "Stagger Lee," "O'Malley's Bar") make me feel gross, like I need to go take a shower to wash them out of my system. Of course, not all art is designed to make you feel good and I've enjoyed my fair share of downer albums (heck, I gave Elliott Smith's Either/Or four stars), but it just feels like Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds went a step too far here. PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue ultimately saved Murder Ballads from getting a one star rating from me – their respective duets are genuinely compelling music, even if the subject matter isn't my favorite. I can commend the musicality on show throughout the LP as well, but it's generally hard to appreciate while my ears are being assaulted by some of the most vile lyrics and rank vocals I've ever heard in my life. Highlights: Henry Lee, Where the Wild Roses Grow

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds veröffentlichten 1996 mit Murder Ballads ein Konzeptalbum, das ausschließlich Balladen über Mord und Tod versammelt. Die Aufnahmen entstanden in London und Melbourne, produziert wurde wie gewohnt von der Band selbst. Cave, der aus Australien stammt, nutzte hier seine Vorliebe für traditionelle Erzählweisen und verband sie mit dunklem Rock, Folk- und Bluesanklängen. Bekannt wurde die Platte vor allem durch das Duett „Where the Wild Roses Grow“ mit Kylie Minogue, das die Band einem breiten Publikum öffnete. Weitere prägende Stücke sind „Stagger Lee“, eine rohe Adaption einer alten amerikanischen Folklore-Ballade, das fast 15-minütige „O’Malley’s Bar“ sowie „The Curse of Millhaven“. Als Gäste wirkten unter anderem PJ Harvey und Shane MacGowan mit, was die Vielfalt der Stimmen im Album zusätzlich verstärkte. Musikalisch wechseln sich ruhige, beinahe zarte Arrangements mit aggressiven, chaotischen Passagen ab. Die Texte erzählen detailreich und ohne Zurückhaltung von Gewalt, Schuld und Bestrafung, oft mit schwarzem Humor. Trotz der Schwere des Themas bleibt die Musik abwechslungsreich und zeigt die Band auf einem Höhepunkt ihrer erzählerischen Kraft. Murder Ballads ist ein Album, das verstört und fasziniert zugleich. Es ist nicht leicht zugänglich, aber in seiner Konsequenz beeindruckend und ein Schlüsselmoment in der Diskografie von Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.

There are so many moods and dark worlds to get lost in when listening to Nick Cave, especially from album to album. Tonight the choice is Murder Ballads. It’s not usually the first one I reach for, but there’s no denying it’s an incredible piece of work. The storytelling is feral and mythic. “Stagger Lee” is pure chaos, “Lovely Creature” is a twisted folk tale, and then you get both PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue playing doomed lovers in the shadows of his baritone. Cave writes like no one else. Leonard Cohen once asked, “You want it darker?” And Nick had already been living in the basement. And then—after all the carnage—you get Death Is Not the End. A gentle, aching lullaby of resurrection. It hits like a prayer at the end of a funeral. I'm here for the service. For the melodies. For the madness.

Fine, but not very special

An interesting series of songs but I have a hard time really vibing with Nick Cave. 6/10

This was pretty cringe. Stagger Lee sounds like if a teenager who just learnt the word "motherfucker" rewrote Rocky Raccoon.

This album makes me think of that scene from Arrested Development where Michael finds a brown paper bag in the fridge labeled "Dead Dove Do Not Eat," peaks inside and then proclaims "well I don't know what I expected." This album contains exactly what its title states: Murder Ballads. And honestly the concept naturally suits Nick Cave and his macabre delivery. While this isn't music I would listen to at full volume in my car, it has a surprisingly narrative quality to it that is entertaining to listen to. Not too much in the way of details to speak to. A lot of the songs fall into Nick Cave's pocketed slow dusty delivery. But there are a handful that stand out from the rest -- Stagger Lee is a solid trudging jam, the Curse of Millhaven feels familiar with its polka-like plonk, Crow Jane adopts a tasty jazzy bass line, and O'Malley's Bar is a long running space filler complete with barroom piano that succeeds on its storytelling. Not something I'll come back to often, but I did enjoy this beyond average... I'll give this a confused 4 / 5.

I have really enjoyed Nick Cave, but the albums are all so similar and I think I'm ready to be done with him. Great voice, unique style, more of a storytelling style. Definitely some weird bits in here, but overall just another really good Nick Cave album that I wouldn't listen to with company.

Well that was certainly one of the more morbid albums I have listened to in my life. And with his style of singing made it such a powerful album. Crazy spooky instrumentals and singing. I said it once and I will say it again, Nick Cave just does not miss with his albums. Every single one that we have had has been a high 4 stars from me and this will not change.

We've had a decent amount of Nick Cave on here. Damn this first song is dark af and not a song of joy! Stagger Lee is deranged in a great way. O'Malleys Bar is a fun one with the story over the sprawling bass line. Like most Nick Cave albums the story telling and production is on point. Don't think it was my favorite on here by him. Really liked some songs and really didn't care for others (Death is Not the End). Solid 3.

I was excited to see a Nick Cave album come up as I thoroughly enjoy him, but this album album did not do it for me.

Gave this a shot once, didn’t like it. Gave it another shot today, still don’t like it, but I liked it enough to not give it 1 star like I planned - there are some good moments on here (Where the Wild Roses Grow, Henry Lee), but O’Malley’s Bar STILL runs on 10 minutes too long.

Gross. Nick Cave can stop trying to prove how weird and cool he is any time.

Overall, this is a very original, poetic, and musically skilled album. I’d describe it as a blend of goth rock and folk rock, with a Southwestern flair running through its atmosphere. There are some notable guest appearances, such as PJ Harvey which makes sense given their history, but I was honestly surprised to see Kylie Minogue’s name attached. Like I said, it’s a good album, and I can definitely see why it’s so highly praised. That said, I personally prefer some of Nick Cave’s other albums over this one.

This was the worst yet. I hate this band.

A couple tracks throughout that I liked a bit, but for the most part didn't enjoy a lot of the tracks - not a fan of Mr. Cave's voice - great album art though!

Another slow burn on the list.

Love Nick

Een album vol melodramatische en/of vulgaire crimes of passions? Het is niet de makkelijkste kost, maar tijdens een vroege herfstbui gister zag ik mijn kans schoon. En eerlijk waar, is er iemand die dit niche genre beter kan toe-eigenen dan Nick Cave? De sfeer, de griezelboek-voorleesstem, de manische toon, de intense begeleiding van The Bad Seeds, en het charisma, het zijn allemaal ingrediënten die de 'murder ballad' tot leven laten komen. Dan wordt het pas een filmisch genre, zoals je dat verwacht en hoopt. Het is een match made in heaven, alhoewel het toch voor een heel uur soms een tikkie ongemakkelijk was om aan te horen. Hij gaat in ieder geval in de aankomende herfst/winterlijstjes. Én die ietwat sarcastische Dylan-cover op het einde is ronduit perfect voor het thema. 8/10 Highlights: Song of Joy Stagger Lee The Kindness of Strangers Death Is Not the End

Het kan met Nick Cave albums altijd alle kanten op. Maar dat is wat vreemd wordt, is een zekerheid. En soms lukt het om in zo'n album te komen, soms helemaal niet. Murder Ballads vond ik wel sterk. Volgens mij moet je al die verhalen niet te serieus nemen en probeert Cave vooral een sfeer neer te zetten. En daarin is hij natuurlijk ongeëvenaard. Daarop draait de hele Peaky Blinders serie. De duetten vind ik wel de hoogtepunten. Die vrouwenstemmen laten je (in combinatie met zijn stem) echt even op het puntje van je stoel zitten. 7/10 Highlights Stagger Lee Henry Lee Where the Wild Roses Grow

How many Nick Cave albums are too many Nick Cave albums? This is the 4th or 5th that I’ve gotten overall, the second in as many weeks. Honestly, I’m gonna say that 2 Nick Cave albums is already too many. The first one was an interesting listen, but after that his music is overly dark, melodramatic, and self-important. A bunch of story songs about murder? Come on.

it was spooky! and there was a song with kylie minogue on?? word

I'm not comfortable with the thing that is Nick Cave, except for The Boatman's Call, which I'll come back to. Generally he's working very, very hard at the performance that is Nick Cave. This contrivance as played out here is the very definition of turgid. Blimey how did the band stay awake through this. Even getting our Kylie involved feels a bit off, get your self obsessed mitts off her Cave! I don't like it. Now The Boatman's on the other hand is very good and I think it is because he applied his limited repertoire to something real; breaking up with PJ Harvey. Let me tell you as someone of no discernible talent, if I'd conned PJ into letting me into her life and she dropped me, I'd reckon even I'd make a smashingly good album of heartbreak...

"Essentially, Murder Ballads is a comedy record. It’s not supposed to be a serious look at murder and its social ramifications. It really ended up being a record about storytelling more than anything else. The murder side of it is treated quite lightly. Overall it’s quite funny, I think." -- Nick Cave in interview with the LA Times. Nick Cave takes his "dark" tendencies to their ultimate conclusion, and ends up with an album that is cartoonishly violent, morbidly funny, and above all wildly entertaining. I particularly like his take on Stagger Lee. Great guest appearances from PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue. Band is in top form. Heaps of fun.

Powerful sense of mood and strong in its concept. It’s not as riveting front to back as the other Cave record I’ve gotten, but it has its moments. The addition of featured artists helps keep things fresh and introduce other perspectives. It’s also very serious and more than a bit indulgent. It’s a dense record and I’d need to revisit to really take it in, but it’ll be a bit before I get around to it.

Day 32 Contains probably my favourite Kylie song about getting brained with a rock 8/10 Highlights Stagger Lee The Kindness of Strangers O’Malleys Bar

What a dumb fucking album

A little less rambling and more cohesive than I expected, but every song went on way too long in a seemingly self indulgent way

Oh no...I'm not sure who this style of singing is for.

Sympa mais pas trop mon del

4 stars I’ve meant to listen to this album for years but never found the reason to do that. I saw Nick Cave at Coachella in 2013 and he killed it with “Stagger Lee.” But I wasn’t sure how a whole album of that would be. Well, it’s pretty damn good. Great atmosphere, this sick record full of grisly descriptions of death through great storytelling, banging piano and popping drums. It’s unique. Might not be for everyone but I loved it.

Lots of fun. Great stories about darkness almost like a Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan for doom and gloom music.

Gosh, it’s just amazing. So creepy, so musical, and sung with such intensity. Nick Cave is a one of one.

This has a Tom Waits/Leonard Cohen feel to it. Stagger Lee's lyrics must have been written by a 15 year old boy...the thought of Nick Cave shooting anyone is beyond hilarious. Lonely Creature is the best song so far. Nick Cave is hit-or-miss with me. Where the Wild Roses Grow is another good song. The murder lyrics are definitely all in line with the theme. Bob Dylan cover with Kylie Minogue and the guy from the Pogues is a solid close.

3/5

Somewhat experimental. Not a big fan of Cave's singing. Reminds me of the Epic musical.

Synes konceptet er sådan ok corny, men det er velproduceret og stemningsfuldt nok til at gøre op for det. Han synger godt, og features er gode

Lige til den edgy side (jeg synes den var SÅ fed som teenager) men stadig pissegroovy. Hvis der er plads til den her på listen, håber jeg dælme også at der er plads til Tender Prey og Let Love In.

I've had a hard time with Nick Cave on this list, but this is quite the concept album. Could've done without O'Malleys bar though.

I don't think any of these songs are bad, but it's undeniable that I've not vibes with any of them so far. I respect the music but it's definitely not my thing. I think I've just been bored by most of the songs on this album, maybe it's the tempo? I feel like this is the genre of music I usually vibe with but nothing is clicking here, I feel like the songs miss a x factor?

This is silly. Vincent Price singing silly songs.

I see a lot of love for Nick Cave so I had high hopes for this, but it really wasn’t my thing. It was pretty theatrical and sounded good, but based purely on my enjoyment gotta go 2.25/5

Bob Dylan lite. In other words, oafish writing stretched over unintetesting music.

There are times listening to Nick Cave where I’m all in: the dark crooning, the often grotesque imagery - I find it incredibly effective and moving most of the time. But then you get to a song like Crow Jane and the fun stops. It’s indulgent, and I exclaimed when I glanced at the runtime to see I was only a third of the way through. That aside, I’m a big fan of all of the guest vocals on the album, and I think Cave largely accomplishes what he set out to do here with a somber lineup of dark and moody murder ballads. It won’t be for everyone, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve heard of Cave so far. Hopefully he shows up again on this list. ✨

Another Nick Cave record? This guy's got some steep competition (with himself). Very rambly, yet oddly intense. Almost like little Nicky is possessed by something sinister. I love the duet with PJ Harvey. The Pajama Harvester (as the neighbourhood calls her) really shines when she's battling it out with assorted kings of 90s rock (see: collaboration with Thom Yorke on Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea). The Kylie Minogue song is also very strong. Lots of medieval-fantasy allusion in the lyrics. (Probably. I don't take much notice of lyrics.) The instrument arrangements are a little bare-bones, which is not necessarily problematic by itself but can get tiresome if it's done consistently. Most tracks here read like slicked-up jam sessions, more so than other Nick Cave records, which tend to be more deliberate in their structure. Though O'Malley's Bar is definitely too long (no excuses here, it's not prog rock), it still features some fun lyrics, such as the swanky "And with an ashtray as big as a fucking really big brick / I split his skull in half / His blood spilled across the bar / Like a steaming scarlet brook". Me too, Caveman. But the track's length and relative monotonicity, ugh... it takes a solid 4/5 rating (up to that point) and drives it into the ground. A jam session interrupting what was well established to be a fairly high-calibre studio recording is not cool, yo. Fourteen and a half minutes of one chord, nigh one melodic note, and what is (by Nick Cave standards) relentless incoherent babbling. On the bright side, the final track Death Is Not the End comes as a blurred yet sweet relief from (ironically) the clutches of death. It seems Cave works well alongside other vocalists, particularly female ones. 3/5 Key tracks: Henry Lee, Where the Wild Roses Grow, Death Is Not the End

Listenable.

Slow and punishing.

Long album. Cool but definitely odd and not quite for me

This is too weird and interesting to dismiss outright. Weird and interesting does not equal good, though parts "O'Malley's Bar" and the songs with PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue are better than the others where Cave sings in a voice befitting a ghoul on Scooby Doo. I am glad for this list or I would have never heard this album. I am torn but I think it belongs on the list.

This type of music is more just story telling or a poem over a chord progression. I'm not huge on vocals so this is pretty boring to me. kind of feel sorry for the bad seeds. "Play these 4 chords for 134 bars while I monologue". The only nick cave song that i like is that one from peaky blinder

Pretty good I like the instrumentals but sometimes they take backseat during storytelling. I like Henry Lee, lovely creature and where the wild roses grow.

This is my seconds Nick Cave album on the list (first was Abattoir Blues). Was looking forward to hearing more of him after that one. Was not disappointed. This one was quite different than the first one, but even better. I'd head these kinds of songs before, but hadn't heard the term "murder ballad" before, and I'm totally on board. There is quite a range of song styles on here, but all of them have a macabre quality. Song Of Joy was really interesting and creepy. Stagger Lee was a total blast. Henry Lee was fun, and I enjoyed hearing PJ Harvey on there, she's better here than on her own albums I've heard. Where The Wild Roses Grow was incredible, Kylie Minogue and Cave are just haunting, sad, and sweet. O'Malley's Bar was a fun one, it was long but never felt like it dragged on. Death Is Not The End was a nice, well, end to the album. Hard to rate. If I had heard one or two of the songs (besides Wild Rose) I would probably give them a 3, but the entire album together, along with the whole concept, pushes it up to a full 5. Loved it, can't wait to hear more Nick Cave! Best song: Where The Wild Roses Grow

Accidentally discovered Nick Cave earlierthisyearon a triptotheUnitedStates (better late than never) when he was featured in a New York Times article. I really enjoyed (is that an appropriate verb in the context of Mr Cave?) this album, his style, the different musical genres used, his lyrics.

I knew 6 seconds into this album that I would hate it. It’s not my thing. I don’t care for theatrical songs. This could be musical theater music. It’s well done if you like that sort of thing.

I’m giving this album a 4 to a little higher 3. You need to have a particular taste for this album, but I still enjoyed it. Some songs were a little long, though. Most of the songs reminded me of the music from Peaky Blinders.

I’ve seen a graph online that puts music on a spectrum from “Dracula music” to “circus music”. Nick Cave is the most Dracula music. And not in a fun or campy way. I didn’t want him singing an hour of murder songs. Ugh.

That was weird. Some songs I disliked such as “Song of Joy” and “Stagger Lee”. Others were just disturbing “O’Malley’s Bar”. I didn’t take note like “Where the Wild Roses Grow” and Henry Lee so I’m thinking like Nick’s guest singers better than I like Nick Cave!

Great album

# In-Depth Review of *Murder Ballads* by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ## 🎵 Overview and Context *Murder Ballads* (1996) is the ninth studio album by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Released at the peak of their creative power, the album is a concept work exploring the murder ballad tradition—a folk subgenre narrating tales of crime, death, and morality. Unlike typical murder ballads, Cave reimagines these stories with grotesque humor, cinematic grandeur, and lyrical violence, creating a work that is both accessible and deeply unsettling . ## 📜 Lyrical Themes and Narrative Depth ### Storytelling and Dark Humor The lyrics on *Murder Ballads* are a masterclass in narrative songwriting. Cave draws from traditional folk sources (e.g., "Stagger Lee" and "Henry Lee") but injects them with modern vulgarity, dark irony, and vivid grotesquerie. For example: - **"Stagger Lee"** transforms a classic folk tale into a profane, violent showdown, with Cave adopting the persona of a "motherfucker" who embodies pure evil . - **"O'Malley's Bar"** is a 14-minute epic where Cave narrates a mass murder spree with chilling detachment and absurd detail (e.g., shooting a victim through a Banana Daiquiri) . - **"The Curse of Millhaven"** tells the story of a gleeful teenage serial killer, blending horror with macabre comedy . ### Dualities: Beauty and Brutality Cave contrasts romantic imagery with brutality. In **"Where the Wild Roses Grow"** (a duet with Kylie Minogue), the lyrics depict a murder with poetic elegance ("I kissed her goodbye, said, 'All beauty must die'"). Similarly, **"Henry Lee"** (with PJ Harvey) frames jealousy and violence as a tragic love story . ### Recurring Motifs - **Water and Drowning**: Symbolizes death and purification ("Where the Wild Roses Grow," "The Curse of Millhaven") . - **Biblical and Literary References**: "Song of Joy" quotes John Milton, adding layers to the narrator's unreliability . ## 🎶 Musical and Production Style ### Genre Fusion and Arrangements The album blends folk, blues, rock, and classical elements, creating a sound that is both ornate and raw: - **Orchestral Grandeur**: Strings and piano dominate tracks like "Where the Wild Roses Grow," contrasting with the subject matter . - **Punk and Blues Energy**: "Stagger Lee" features discordant guitars and Cave's snarling vocals, while "O'Malley's Bar" builds tension with repetitive piano and percussion . - **Folk Traditions**: The album pays homage to murder ballads' roots but subverts them with modern production . ### Production Quality Produced by Tony Cohen, the album uses analog recording to create a live, visceral feel. The mix is dense but carefully layered, allowing moments of subtlety (e.g., minimalist percussion in "Henry Lee") to contrast with chaotic climaxes (e.g., the raucous choir in "The Curse of Millhaven") . The remastered editions (2011) enhance the cinematic quality without sacrificing grit . ### Vocal Performances Cave's baritone shifts between narrator and character, from menacing whispers to explosive rage. Guest vocalists like Kylie Minogue and PJ Harvey provide haunting counterpoints, embodying victims or accomplices with eerie vulnerability . ## 🧠 Themes and Philosophical Undertones ### Exploration of Violence The album delves into violence as a primal human impulse, often juxtaposing it with humor to provoke discomfort and introspection. Cave stated that the album was a "holiday" project, allowing him to explore exaggerated narratives without the weight of personal confession . ### Morality and Ambiguity Songs like "Song of Joy" and "The Kindness of Strangers" feature unreliable narrators, forcing listeners to question guilt, innocence, and complicity. The album challenges moral simplicity, suggesting that violence arises from desire, jealousy, and societal decay . ### Cultural Critique Cave highlights the murder ballad's history while critiquing its sanitization. As notes, many traditional ballads originated from Black and working-class communities but were co-opted by white artists. Cave’s explicit version of "Stagger Lee" reclaims this history, emphasizing its racial and cultural context . ## 📈 Influence and Legacy ### Commercial and Critical Impact *Murder Ballads* was the band's most commercially successful album, largely due to "Where the Wild Roses Grow" (a Top 10 hit in several countries). Its appearance on *Top of the Pops* introduced Cave to mainstream audiences . Critically, it was praised for its audacity and artistry, though some found the violence excessive . ### Artistic Influence - **Genre Revival**: The album revived interest in murder ballads, influencing artists across genres (e.g., folk, country, and horror rap) . - **Mainstream Subversion**: Cave proved that dark, narrative-driven music could achieve commercial success without dilution . - **Legacy**: The album remains a touchstone for storytelling in music, inspiring theatrical productions (e.g., *Brokeneck Girls: The Murder Ballad Musical* ) and academic discourse on violence in art . ## ✔️ Pros and Cons ### Pros 1. **Lyrical Brilliance**: Cave’s storytelling is both poetic and brutally effective, blending humor, horror, and humanity . 2. **Musical Diversity**: The fusion of genres keeps the album dynamic, from orchestral ballads to punk-blues explosions . 3. **Thematic Cohesion**: Despite its variety, the album remains focused on its core concept . 4. **Cultural Relevance**: It critiques and revitalizes a folk tradition, highlighting its Black and working-class origins . ### Cons 1. **Graphic Content**: The explicit violence and profanity may alienate some listeners . 2. **Length and Pacing**: At over 60 minutes, tracks like "O'Malley's Bar" test endurance with repetitive structures . 3. **Tonal Whiplash**: The shift between comedy and horror may feel jarring or insensitive to some . ## 🎭 Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Dark Art *Murder Ballads* is a landmark album that transcends its genre constraints. It is both a tribute to folk traditions and a subversion of them, using music and lyrics to explore violence, beauty, and morality with unflinching intelligence. While not for the faint-hearted, its artistic ambition, musical innovation, and cultural impact cement its status as one of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' finest works .

Tales of Murder, narrated in song in the style of Vincent Price and the Crash Test Dummies.

Great songwriting and performance on this album.

A lot of murders

Never really got into NC & TBS... This album was really interesting though... Not sure about every track - but overall I enjoyed it.

Pues está bastante bien. Jamás lo hubiese dicho.

I have no idea how I already ended up with three Nick Cave albums on this list, but somehow here we are. Out of the bunch, this one was definitely the least painful to sit through. I’ll admit it though, I’m a sucker for concept albums, and at least this one fully commits to the whole “murder” theme. The stories are dark, over-the-top, and kind of ridiculous in a fun way. Cave leans all the way into the theatrics, and sometimes it works, sometimes it feels like he’s trying way too hard. A few tracks drag and get stuck in their own gloom, which makes the album feel heavier than it needs to be. Still, I have to give credit where it’s due. Murder Ballads is ambitious and weird enough to stand out, even if it’s not something I’d put on repeat. Out of the Nick Cave stuff I’ve heard so far, this one at least made me crack a smile while shaking my head. Favorite song: Stagger Lee

7/10 Nick Cave makes some really dark, menacing music, his voice occasionally wavering between singing and speaking like a man teetering on the border between reality and fantasy. The album starts off strong, with pulsing, brooding threat seeping out of every tone. Sometimes that threat drifts and drips from the speakers and sometimes it tips into manic urgency as the music drives away behind him. It’s a really interesting and gripping opening half that is sometimes uncomfortable to listen to, and can sometimes hint at something really pretty, but there’s always that undercurrent of grime and mania that persists from song to song. I really enjoy his use of sound effects and fleeting slices of tonality to inject further emphasis and musical variety into his songs, and the opening set rarely seems to rest without throwing something new and uncomfortable your way. But as the album progresses, things do start to slow a little. The variety and interest seems to drain away a little from The Kindness Of Strangers onwards, which isn’t helped by a 15 minute song that musically is pretty repetitive, although remains held together by the psychopathy of the narrative. Things just get a little stale by the end, and I can’t help wishing he’d released a 40 minute cut of the album with a slight resequence of the track order and dropping a few of the less interesting numbers. That first half of the album, though, is absolutely fantastic and the rest is decent, but just doesn’t quite hold up to the same standard for me. Song Of Joy - A bleak and brooding start to the album with little pulses of hope here and there that break through the gloomy bed. The distant elements in the background that sweep, throb and occasionally swarm to the foreground add a massive amount of depth and threat to the track. Nick Cave’s delivery is as dangerous and menacing as ever. Really good stuff. Stagger Lee - There’s a good groove to this one, especially in the bass. There’s a sense of urgency to the vocal delivery that drags forward against the groove which brings great momentum to things. It’s very sonically rich and dynamic with chords that ring out or drift away and the use of sound effects make things so visceral. The build at the end is so darkly evocative of terror. Henry Lee - This is a prettier track, but there’s still an undercurrent of menace. It’s like PJ Harvey is bringing the beauty and Nick Cave is bringing the threat, while the instruments straddle the two. It’s more stripped back than the previous tracks, but it allows the vocal parts to take prominence. Lovely Creature - There’s a driving pace and urgency to this straight out of the gate and we’re back to some more sweeping swells of noise that bring more of that grimy threat to proceedings. It feels like this is a constant build, getting fuller and more grimy as the track progresses, but never really revealing its destination in the best possible way and then just drifts away into the night. Where the Wild Roses Grow - It’s Kylie! I love the way her vocal is recorded here, it’s so closely recorded and feels really intimate as a result. Perfect for the part of a murder victim retelling the story of her murder. This is a more straight down the line song than others on the album, but it’s a beautiful and masterfully written song. It doesn’t lose the melancholy, but spins it into something more open and pretty. The Curse Of Millhaven - Wow, the intro to this jerks you straight out of the calm of the previous track, and then the swell subsides into a really pacy number. Love the organ. It’s perhaps got a little less grim depth than other tracks, but boy does it move. The variation in instrumental focus between the verses really keeps it interesting. I’d say it probably goes on a little too long, but it’s still really good. I bet this is fantastic at a live show. The Kindness Of Strangers - We’re back in calmer waters now and more into an actual ballad that the album title promises. It’s nice enough, but it’s not massively interesting. While the sound effects use on other tracks really add to the depth, I found the use of the woman in the background actually distracted from the song a bit here. Crow Jane - This track does meander just a little bit too much, and off the back of the last track, I feel like the pace of the album is seeping away a little too much. It just kind of plods along and it doesn’t really carry the same menace as earlier tracks. It also doesn’t really offer much in the way of variation or development through its duration either. O’Malley’s Bar - This has got some bite and swagger to it. But it’s also very long, and doesn’t do much interesting musically to justify the length. Narratively, there’s enough content, but personally, I feel like lyrics always come second to music and when the music doesn’t evolve or vary enough over this amount of time, things can start to become stale. It’s not bad, it’s just long. Death Is Not The End - A Bob Dylan cover with quite the gang of guest stars. It’s a bit plodding, hymnal, and fairly uninteresting. Not much to note other than PJ and Kylie are back, and Shane MacGowan and Anita Lane pop by too. It rounds out the album nicely enough, but unfortunately, things had been winding down a bit in the second half anyway.

I like Nick Cave and this is definitely an interesting concept but as a result it feels a bit one dimensional (despite the interesting guest singers). Had high hopes for Bob Dylan’s “death is not the end” given the supporting cast of Shane McGowan, PJ Harvey, Kylie Monique ?! But it didn’t move me. Fave track: “Stagger Lee”

Not for me really 2/5

Still can't quite get into this group. The drone and somber sound gets dull almost immediately. It feels operatic and showtimey at times too. There are moments where I dig it, but overall it's not something for me. Maybe it'll grow on me over time?

Me gusta muchísimo la música de Nick Cave así que no me importaría que estuviese toda su discografía aquí porque siempre es garantía de éxito, sobre todo gracias a su voz y a esas letras profundas y tristes que tanto me llegan. 4/5

1. -his voice is deep -i like the album cover art -i wonder if all these songs will be about murder -when will this song end -finally its ending -inception 2. -that guitar noise is kinda scary -cant believe this is from 1996 -why are all these songs so long -the next one has a lot of listens -i should get to bed soon -i dont really like this song so far this album is kinda boring -11:11pm -lots of swearing -song is going nowhere -what is this part -omg its almost over finally -i dont like this screaming noises -FINALLY ITS ENDING 3. -sounds chill -is the name related to the other song -omg a girl singing -why are the 2 most listened to songs the shortest (3:57, 3:58) -girl and guy singing? -this album is kinda boring -i really should get to bed -im gonna read 1984 in bed ill continue this tomorrow -i feel like ginny would like this song/album -its kinda like theatre kid music 4. -sounds pretty cool so far -nice bass -kinda cowboyish -deep voice guy again? -sing talking? -ambient noises cool -girl backup vocals -i get they are ballads but they are all kinda nothing -why is he breathing like that -ok spooky part -oh its over 5. -this is the most popular one -sounds cool nice violin -woah girl singer -and guy singer -im not excited for the 14 minute song -are these really about murder -i cant wait until this album is over -bruh the next one is almost 7 minutes -now i know i dont really like ballad albums -ew kiss? -oh cool i think these are all about murder -finally its over 6. -WOAH FUNKY noise -i like this one -upbeat -ska sounding? not really -silly but also evil -this one is my favourite so far -murder again!!!! english class reference -idc that this is 7 minutes -i like the "story" in this one its interesting -reminds me of mafia game -only halfway done?? -is the character a girl -a bridge?! kinda?! -reminds me of postal -its almost over 7. -chill piano -too chill? -murder again!!! -idk if i like this one too much its too slow -i mean they are ballads but IDC! -sounds like a 90s tv thing idk -ok this is from the 90s but -i dont like the crying sound effects -ive kindda been doing other stuff while listening to this one -booooooooringggggggg -ok i like the "duet" -ITS OVER FINALLY 8. -jazzy? -meh so far idk -santana guitar? what is that -cool intrumental thingys -vocal got harder -girl backup vocal again -trippy? whats the word -got freakier? -ive kinda been not paying too much attention again -why he doing that -ITS OVER 9. -OH NO 14 MINUTE SONG -woah ok whats this -kinda upbeat or whatever it is -freaky -i wonder what the next album is -ok got a bit freakier for a second cool -just get freaky already bruh -why he doing that -WHAT DID HE JUST SAY -i just want this to end bruh -i cant handle 14 mintues of this -OMG MURDER!!!!!!!! -vocals got louder? hes kinda yell speaking now -JUST GET FREAKY ALREADY -its getting a bit freakier i think? -cool bass -OH MY GOD STOP DOING THIS -ive been not paying attention again -booooorrrriinnnnnggggg -this is a doozy -idek whats going on anymore -murder -2/3 done!!! (9:11/14:28) -oh hey its 9:10am -now its 9:11 -coincidence? I THINK NOT -i should read more 1984 today -wth is he doing -3 minutes left!!!!!!!!! -im cold -this song has no climax bruh its kinda wack -wth is he doing now???? -ok -murder!!! -wth?! why he doing this -ITS FINALLY ALMOST DONE OH MY GOD FINALLY -last song next!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -ITS DONE wth is he doing 10. -woah this one is chill sounds coolio -too chill maybe? -idk it sound like a good ender -ONLY 4 minutes -what is this song trying to tell me -duet -this sound like a song papa likes or something -like the...chord progression -too chill? -i cant tell if this is happy or not -who is this guy -HALFWAY DONE!!!!!!!!!!! -i think ive been doing this wrong -WHO IS THIS GUY -ok back to normal guy -this song is so BOOOOORINNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG -DOOZY -i miss english class -OMG ITS ALMOST OVER YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS -20 SECONDS -IM SO HAPPY review: too chill, i mean i know its ballads, but SO BORING. DYING HERE. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA im glad its over but i think ginny would like it. the second half was doozy, first half was funky murdery. FAVOURITE SONG: The Curse of Millhaven

The obsession with Nick Cave has got to end. We get it, the author loves Nick Cave and wants everyone to hear his bland boring albums and music. Not happening for me. 3 songs in and I was done. 1/5

Kinda sounds like if Meat Loaf couldn't sing. Also, it has all these murder stories but doesn't mention the best murder song of all time: https://genius.com/Tim-robinson-the-day-robert-palins-murdered-me-lyrics

I don’t know how I feel about this. It feels really all over the place. If you like theatercore music with some experimental elements then this is for you. I don’t even know what to make of it.

59 minutes of singing about murder is too many minutes singing about murder.

Really great gothic folk. Love how dark and macabre it is. Definitely think it is a tad front loaded. Not that anything is bad, just a song like The Kindness of Strangers didn't hit me as hard, being more of a "sweet" ballad when the rest of the album stuck strongly to the really heavy and dark gothic folk vibes. O'Malley's Bar is a tad long, but great itself. Love when Nick Cave is in this mode. Up Jumped the Devil from Tender Prey operates on the same wavelength, just more horror than gothic folk.

2/5 large variety of sounds but many not very good

Worst album I’ve got so far.

sick as fuckkkkkkk

I would be really uncomfortable around anyone who played this unironically.

A pretentious album that sounds like the soundtrack of a high school play. What’s the point of this crap? Tedious melodies, pretentious lyrics, and boring as hell… a two is the highest score this miserable listening experience deserves.

Does what it says on the tin! Some really visceral imagery. Loved ‘The Curse of Millhaven’. Reminded me of The Pogues and then Shane shows up for the last number!

I quickly tire of deep voiced men singing brooding lyrics over weak instrumentals. Maybe it's why I never got into bob dylan, and maybe it's because I don't appreciate poetry enough, but this type of music doesn't excite me.

PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue on this??? Yup this is officially my favorite Nick Caves album so far. Favorite track: Henry Lee

Dark, but moody.

Does exactly what it says on the tin... Songs about death. "Where The Wild Roses Grow" gets a lot of the plaudits but this entire album is dark and menacing, both beautiful and violent...

im never escaping this man am i i cant at this point. no hate to mr cave but i'm just not in the mood for this at this point. i just feel so out of depth since hes a seemingly complicated artist, so im just cant really get into any thing yet. ill relisten someday but im not that interested at this point. 30/100

It’s dark and brooding, classic nick cave.

Not my cup of tea.

He's very effective at creating this cinematic film noire mood musically to convey the style and atmosphere to go with his dark storytelling songs. Dark bass grooves, clinking piano hooks, huge echoey drums, tremolo guitars and light orchestral touches. He's also very effective at using his voice to create the main character/narrator: a wretched debauched staggering low life inhabiting a nasty urban underbelly. Wierd mismatch between the album and the cover though. His voice is less grating than Tom Waits, but it's the same deal basically. This is the best of his I've heard so far.

Fantastic. Just overall a cool concept, well executed and with surprising guests. Henry Lee will forever be one of my (if not the) favourite duets. Love Nick

Geweldig album. Hier staan een aantal van hun beste nummers op (Henry Lee, Stagger Lee, Where the wild roses grow ...). 5.0

ну я ваще валяюсь от его бубнежа с придыханями. тексты слушала плохо, но верю, что там все прикольно. почему все молчали, что ник кейв такой хорни? это нам надо да

Death may not be the end, but death definitely works better for Nick Cave. This album is so much better than The Boatman’s Call. Not me buying it better but I could listen to it again better. It’s actually pretty amusing.

boring, and depressing. -100/10 i would give it a 0 if I could

I don’t get it this album was genuinely hard to listen to

at first, I was like "why is this guy's voice so familiar??" and then I remembered his most famous song Red Right Hand. the name "Murder Ballads" is 100% accurate for this album. weird how incredibly accurate it is. this album is most songs that I feel like are a great example of toxic masculinity. in a hating women way bit also in a like look at how cool I am way. which means I rate this very low. shout out to a toxic bi-icon in Stagger Lee. I wish I liked it more.

Is this some sort of parody?

At his best, I love Nick Cave. This album however, is a bit of a mixed bag. Some songs, Where the Wild Roses Grow and The Kindness of Strangers are really good. Most of the others are decent, but there are a couple, Stagger Lee and O'Malley's Bar where it feels like Cave is trying too hard to be dark. They're a bit adolescent. It stops Murder Ballads from being great, but it's still a good album.

Not a big fan

Ruim, não é meu estilo

Listening to this is like watching a train wreck. It's awful to watch/listen, but there's nothing you can do to stop paying attention to it. The guest singers (shoutout PJ Harvey) prove that this could be a decent album if the singing is good. But Nick Cave is a terrible singer. What stinks is that murder ballads have an opportunity to be really good music. But this sucks. I think I like this more than the order Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album that we already got, but that has nothing to do with Nick and the Seeds, but everything to do with the features. Favorite Song(s): Henry Lee

Bernster - 4 Big L - 5

I hate how this album sounds

Grew on me, bit in the way a tumor does. Kind of cringe but okay if you embrace it

Ugh! This is terrible. Like someone trying to imitate Tom Waites’ dark burlesque sound — poorly. I don’t want to hear how “…all god’s children must die...” repeated for 5 minutes. This is a 1.

An interesting concept, creepy-ish vocals, a cool sound. Not bad

Transition from early Nick: violence and death with violent music, to classic Nick: violent and death with beautiful music now complete. One star off for the length of O'Malleys bar.

i normally reserve my 1 stars for sex offenders, racists, and other terrible people. i have nothing against nick cave personally and don't want to imply anything of the sort with this review. but holy shit - i hated every single second of this. utter misery. terrible vocals, boring instrumentation, *unbelievably* irritating repetitive vocal lines/melodies that bordered on torturous (that "la la la la" will haunt me tonight as i'm trying to sleep, i just know it). i really cannot put into words how annoyed i was for the entire runtime of this album. it is threatening to ruin my day. maybe nick cave will write a terrible murder ballad for me when this record makes me go postal.

this was decidedly not for me. not the worst album on this list, but it sure was long and plodding and difficult. nick cave sounds like he's going for tom waits or leonard cohen vocals and it's honestly miserable. the only halfway-decent songs were the ones where a guest vocalist took over the singing duties for most of it. also i really didn't need multiple songs mentioning how long and hard the singer's dick was. but thanks anyway nick. 1.5 stars. favorites: henry lee, where the wild roses grow

Oh my.

Cool concept, ok execution. I generally enjoy Nick Cave, but this one isn't his best.

Why was that?

Before: Never been a big fan of Nick Cave. Find him pretentious and the music never really grabbed me. After: yeah it’s pretentious. Some of the music and production is cool.

Reminded me of tow waits a bit. Felt a little more like spoken word about some dark topics. I think it's something I'd need to be in the mood for

Far too self indulgent. Nick cave needs to try take a break. Some nice stuff musically but I don't want to hear it again.

Eh, it was okay.

3.5

3.5

I really enjoyed this album, not quite 4½, but I can see it moving up that way. I can also see this becoming one of my halloween time Staples. Not that it's typical Halloween fodder, but it does have a very dark sinister feel to it. I'm wondering if this came up in October I would have easily given it a 4½, but I'm going to give it a high 4 (8.8) ★★★★

Nick Cave is great, but my sweet spot for him is a bit later. 4 stars

This isn't my favorite Nick Cave album (I think the albums released before and after it are better), but there's some pretty great stuff here, and the overall concept of the album is pretty interesting. Highlights for me are "Kindness of Strangers", "Death is Not the End", and the incredible duet with P.J. Harvey, "Henry Lee". 4 stars.

3.5

Generally minor shades of good but because of the majorly murderous main theme of the record it gets a bit much over the course of an hour. Could it not have been Care Bear Ballads instead? The PJ Harvey and Kylie duets and I guess the Dylan cover at the end are the main things that provide a welcome relative break from all the moany murdering monotony.

Finally, a Nick Cave album I think is decent! Love the duets the most. 3.5 stars.

Nick Cave esta guay y es un buen crooner? Las letras son autenticas pinturas capturando la imagen de lo que quiere contar y junto con la ambientación te pone en situación. Pero un disco completo de emociones intensas agota un poco

I can't believe this guy is on the list so many times. His "music" is unbearable. William Shatner at least puts some energy into his spoken word crap.

Whew, what can you say about this album? They killed it! This album slays!! Imagine the sacrifice that went into this record. Ok, I’m done. Ooh, one more. The execution on this was amazing! This was, how shall we say it, an interesting album. At first, I just didn’t think I was going to get through an album full of songs about murder. But the more I played this, the more I appreciated it for the storytelling and how the songs were built. Is this something I would pick up and listen to over and over again? No. But taking it for what it is, this is a solid effort. Not sure I need five Nick Cave albums on this list, but at least this one got me intrigued to hear the other four.

This is #day341 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… as I've mentioned before, I find it hard to connect with the earlier works of the Bad Seeds after Skeleton Tree and especially Ghosteen. But if there's one earlier record of theirs (among those represented on the list) that you could hear before you die, it's probably this one. Murder Ballads feels like a detective thriller set to music. Again, I'm not a huge fan of this version of Nick Cave, aka the dark preacher persona, telling stories, but "Stagger Lee," "Henry Lee" (didn't know these were traditional songs), and "Where the Wild Roses Grow" are standouts, though. Otherwise, there's always Let Love In. Let it be a low 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day342.

I struggle with a full album of Nick’s voice. A track or two is fine, but it wears on me after a while.

It’s a little silly and I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to listen again but there is some charm here. He really does evoke someone reading spooky short stories at a campfire in the woods

2.5 of 5. Some good some okay

This has been an experience. I didn't love it. I'm probably going to listen to it again at some point. But only once.

sad white drunk man "sings" about things

Delightful. My girlfriend liked making out to it.

Lyrics: 5/5. Music 3/5

Generally speaking, I'm a fan of 90s Nick Cave, but I do struggle with these Murder Ballads. Some of them I really like, but others, I just hate. I don't mind the disturbing and weird feel of the album, and i quite like a wee murder ballad. I think Nick Cave's voice is a taste that I have acquired, and his style is a bit quirky which I enjoy. Tbe album is a grower, and I've listened to it a few times recently, prior to the albumator throwing it up today, and liked it a tiny bit more each time. This album is so long, and there are only so many times you can be battered to death with a fucking really big brick, which sometimes what this album is akin to. Nick Cave also has a tendency to sound like a depraved serial killer at times, which puts me off. All in all, there is as much that I like, as I dislike. I don't think the album is essential listening however. There are better Nick Cave albums.

Probably my least favorite Cave so far, but not bad by any means. 3.5/5

I never heard of a murder genre! Didn’t care for it. Couldn’t finish it.

No. I dont like his voice and the dark macabre vibe is something I am uninterested in. It is storytelling.

You really have to be in the right mood for this one. I was not.

Bleak folky country cabaret murder ballads sung by a bargain-bin Tom Waits? This was destined to be polarizing and I was filtered out. I respect a cohesive theme and vivid storytelling, but this is not for me at all. I don’t like true crime or horror so this was a hard sell from the beginning. There’s probably a way into this type of material that could’ve won me over, but this is not it. It’s the voice, the goofiness, and the conspicuous number of female victims. It feels like he’s fetishizing violence against women. Where the Wild Roses Grow is particularly disturbing. Nick Cave said he wrote the song with Kylie Minogue in mind, because he was obsessed with her. So he wrote a duet about murdering her? But maybe it’s a good thing he did, because Kylie and PJ Harvey’s guest vocals were the best part of this album. I guess O’Malley’s Bar is this album’s litmus test. 14 minutes of a drunk-sounding man raving over Halloween music? I will pass. You can’t like everything, and I don’t like this.

This album is the epitome of a mixed bag. When it's good, it's really good. But when it's bad, it is quite bad. My honest rating is probably a 2.5 but in this rigid system of whole numbers, i'm torn about whether to go up or down with the rating. Why go down? Well... on several tracks, Nick Cave doesn't seem that interested in editing himself or honing his stories or sticking to a damn rhyme scheme etc. And that leads to some really really long songs and some really low moments for the listener. This album is at it's worst when it completely gives itself over to his rambling, improvised nonsense. It almost feels like some of these were one takers... or he wrote the story on paper and was committed to putting that story to the music whether it made sense or not. There are some poetic lines... but there are also a lot of blunt, unpleasant, mediocre lines. I love a good story track... but the story needs to be satisfying and have momentum and have a good rhythm to it. He really struggles with that. The opening 2 tracks are pretty brutal. O'Malley's Bar just can't hold interest for 14 minutes... it's fine for a bit but eventually I got bored. Even on a track I do really like, The Curse of Millhaven, he goes on like 2 minutes too long. Another issue I have is with one of the female vocalists.... Kylie Minogue does not work on this album. Any songs she's on, she drags it down for me, especially Where the Wild Roses Grow. That even includes the closer. I like the song at the core of the track but the mix of vocalists is just a mess. I wish Nick Cave sang that on his own... woulda been more of a highlight. Why go up? I love the concept of this thing. A collection songs telling stories about murder and outlaws... that intrigues me. And it's a big swing, which i like. I like that this album is weird and wild and ambitious and arrogant. It tries something and even though it doesn't always land, it goes for it and I find that admirable. It's better to make art that people hate than make art that people are indifferent to. For me, i felt hate and love towards this album. It's very interesting. And I was never bored. I also like the spooky, goth country vibes/aesthetic. His voice is very at home in it and it works for me. And I think when he reigns himself in and delivers a song of reasonable length with choruses and everything, he does a great job. I love Henry Lee with PJ Harvey (great, catchy little chorus), might be my favourite song on the album. Lovely Creature is haunting and driving. The Kindness of Strangers is a great piano ballad. Love the name (refrain) Marry Bellows. Makes me want to be in a room full of cigarette smoke. And then there's The Curse of Millhaven. If this thing was cut down a few minutes, it would be by far my favourite track. I love the driving bass and beat, the country rockabilly energy, the punk freakout at the beginning, the organ in the background and that la la la refrain is incredible. It just didn't need to be 8 minutes long damnit. 5 would have been perfect. Damnit Nick! You fucked it up. Anyways... I'm gonna round up... in spite of Nicky Cave.

Dette vil jeg mene er lidt et album for folk, der leder efter en god historie, nærmere end en musikalsk oplevelse. Fortællingerne er i sig selv gode, men størstedelen af albummet minder mere om en digtoplæsning end musik. 2/10

Love the storytelling.

God I hate Nick Cave. All shock and very little substance.

I just cant with this guy. Second Nick Cave album on this list. Just sounds so so miserable to me. Bleh.

Aptly named and kind of endearing in a creepy melodic collaborative way. I didn't want to like it but kind of did.

Why do I keep enjoying every gothic rock album I hear? This is the most interesting concept album I’ve heard in a while. I don’t really like vocal-based music usually, but his voice is so good that I, for once, thought that the vocals were actually a highlight of an album. Just the sort of “cabaret” vibe this album brings forth with its vocals and instruments is really cool. And the lyrics being exclusively about someone getting murdered help too. I wouldn’t say there’s anything particularly mind blowing about this album (it’s pretty much carried by the atmosphere alone), but it is a very pleasant listen.

This was just a bright ray of sunshine. Lots of fun. A real laugh riot!

+mamá, podemos comprar Pink floyd de época mala (the grass was greener)ft. Johnny Cash? -no, hijo, ya tenemos Pink floyd de época mala (the grass was greener)ft. Johnny Cash en casa Pink floyd de época mala (the grass was greener)ft. Johnny Cash en casa:

the worst part about being murdered by nick cave is that you'll die knowing he's gonna sing one of his little shitass songs about it

Highlight Song/s: Song of Joy, Stagger Lee, Where the Wild Roses Grow and Death Is Not the End I've only heard Let Love In (separate from 1001) before this one, so this is my second Nick Cave album (third, if you count The Birthday Party.) This album has incredible songwriting. It's quite dark, with murder being the main theme. Even though murder themed lyrics seem a bit juvenile, for some reason the way that he does it, it doesn't.

4/5

So... Yeah, this album was awesome. I'd love to write a whole bunch of big, ramble-y paragraphs like I normally do when I discuss albums, but... Gosh darn and dang, I don't think I can. My enjoyment of the album is just that simple that I won't need too many words to describe it. This album's got... Basically all the kinds of murder ballads I'd wanna hear, and they're all great. You've got the uneasy and disturbing ones with "Song Of Joy"; the oddly beautiful ones with "Where The Wild Roses Grow"; the fun yet messed up ones like "The Curse Of Millhaven"; and even an absolutely badass one with "Stagger Lee". Seriously, that song is **so** badass, goodness me. That's one song, along with a few a few others, where he sounds like Godforbid from That Handsome Devil and I am **so** down for it. Not to mention, this is the third album I've tackled from my backlog with a 14+ minute song and "O'Malley's Bar" is easily my favorite of them. Nick Cave pulls a great performance, and so do The Bad Seeds, and every guest he pulls, including PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue... And I really can't think of anything more I wanna say. I could pad this out a bit more to hit my average word count, but screw it. This is a great album, fulla great songs about murder, and goodness me, I love it. To death, you might say. Hardee harr.

Good stuff on here, even if it's just a bit similar to Henry's Dream in terms of sound. 4.5 bumped down to 4.

I’m at a 5. This is the second time we’ve gotten Nick Cave, and while I liked “Henry’s Dream”, my big thing with that album was just a big disconnect between the bombast of the instrumentation & the rather plain storytelling that accompanied some of the tracks. This album remedies that in the best way possible, giving the same sort of storytelling tone as “John Finn’s Wife” did, but expanded out for most of the runtime here. That creates a much more satisfying top to bottom album, powered not only by the strength of its lyricism, but pulling out much more measured & intentional vocal performances that fit each track. Special shoutouts to both PJ Harvey & Kylie Minogue, who absolutely kill it on their features. Obviously, all of these tracks (save for the last one, kind of) are based on titular “murder ballads”. If you hate death (or every track having a similar subject matter), you’re not gonna like this album, and if you like death, you might really like this one (especially on “O’Malley’s Bar”). For my money’s worth, I think these are pretty well written & they’re certainly well performed. Yes, some of them are a little cheesy, and a few of them are a little awkward (namely “Lovely Creature” & “The Kindness of Strangers”), but I never once found myself bored throughout the 59 minute runtime of this album, which is a pretty good sign. Part of that is from how many tracks still manage to infuse a lot of humor, despite the morbid tones present throughout this thing. “The Curse of Millhaven” & “O’Malley’s Bar” fit the bill for me here, with the former acting as a sort of 7-minute Irish drinking song about the biggest menace in the most cursed town in the world, and the latter acting as Nick Cave doing his best impression of a deranged Batman villain, killing without a care in the world & monologuing while doing it, in one of the most entertaining 14-minute tracks I’ve ever heard. I’d also be remiss to not acknowledge Nick Cave dropping so many “motherfuckers” in the span of 5 minutes on “Stagger Lee” that you could say he’s doing a Limp Bizkit impression a few years early. All in all, I just think it’s a damn good album; lots of fun variety throughout, and captivating enough storytelling (despite some repetitive themes) that it made a whole hour fly by pretty quickly. It’s not gonna be for everyone, but if your ear is more attuned to the cinematic tones this album reaches for, it should click well enough to at least give this a 4. For my ears, it’s a pretty easy 5.

Atmospheric and haunting tracks. Grim lyrics and sharp piano. Very cinematic.

Well, who needs murder mysteries podcasts when Nick Cave delivered this album? . The production and the singing of Nick are really good in setting the listener to murder stories. The first two songs are slaps in the face which are kinda soothed by the ballads with PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue. I personally think OMalley Bar was too long and Death is not the End a very funny and ironic way ro end the album. Good album, but you really need to be in the mood and prepared to listen to it and rake all the gruesomeness. I wasn't.

WHAT DID HE SAY?????

Strange that this is his biggest selling album. It's more of a novelty album to me - still great songs but different to the rest his output. Same general mood, but Murder Ballads has collaborations and covers Songs vary from good to great. Stagger Lee is outstanding - that bassline is a dark and powerful beast, and the guitar work is great. Bad Seeds have always punched above their weight. Nick Cave is the perfect artist for these songs, he's a brooding and compelling live performer.

Why true crime now? Hail Gein!

Heavy, dark.

Phenomenal. Can only listen to in a certain mood but one of the best.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1001 Albums- # 64 Nick Cave…you bad bad hellion! Tales of murder in a punky cabaret style that only this man and his evil Seeds could pull off 😎 Murder ballads are a powerful subgenre of traditional folk music that tell stories about crimes of passion, revenge, betrayal, or justice, often involving murder as a central theme. This album is solely dedicated to this conceptual theme, raw, poetic, violent, and darkly beautiful. It’s both a tribute to the traditional murder ballad form and a visceral reimagining of it. The album blends gothic horror, black humor, and literary lyricism, with a cast of murderers, victims, and ghosts. 🎧 Classic Track: Henry Lee (Featuring the sultry PJ Harvey 🔥) 🎧 Deep Cut Gem: Death Is Not The End 🎧 Personal Favorite: Stagger Lee 🎧 Memorable Standout: O’Malley’s Bar On Murder Ballads, Nick Cave doesn’t just revisit the old folk tradition — he revives it with blood on its hands and poetry in its mouth. Each track tells a tale of death, often murder, and often at the hands of narrators who are cruel, charming, or insane. Cave is a masterful storyteller. His lyrics feel like short stories — grim, vivid, and literary. There’s a sense of dread, suspense, and often irony in each tale. He channels murderers, victims, and bystanders with chilling conviction. Despite its singular theme, the album never feels repetitive as it offers a mix of spoken-word horror, violent blues, duets filled with longing and betrayal, black comedy and haunted lullabies. 🖼️ Album Artwork: Chilling yet inviting 🏠 The arrangements are sparse where needed, explosive elsewhere. Piano, strings, distorted guitar, and baritone vocals create a macabre theatrical atmosphere. It feels like listening to a gothic stage play set in a graveyard saloon. Cave doesn’t moralize. He embodies monsters, yes — but also reveals the loneliness, guilt, and madness that ripple through violent acts. These aren’t just shock songs — they’re about the fragility of love and the horror of loss, pushed to extremes.

Nick Cave is the Radiohead of the folk-rock genre. The critics love him, but has anyone ever actually met a fan? This is tolerable, but not nearly as good as you might be led to believe.

Great stories backed by great instrumentals but I think the weakest part of this album is Nick Cave himself. Something about his voice / performance is not clicking for me on this one.

Must admit I’m a late convert to Nick Cave. Had dismissed him from my list of likes until I heard Skeleton Tree. His albums since then have got better and better with Ghosteen becoming an all time favourite and certainly the best album of 2019. Because of my new found love I obviously delved back through his back catalog but this album is still relatively unknown to me apart from the Kylie duet. As a general lover of music originating from tragedy and blackness I’m surprised this has never come to my notice. There is a lot to like on this album with a lot of underlying melodies which contrast with Nick’s dour vocals. Nothing as good as what’s on Ghosteen but you can hear the seeds of what developed to become the mastery of that album. An excellent album narrowly missing out on 5 stars but one now on my list to buy. 4/5 22/6/25

ANOTHER one I've been meaning to listen to for a while. Throughly enjoyed.

This deserved two stars, but the style and charm caught me.

I don't get it

The Good: We’ve managed to plant seeds… The Bad: Do I have to say it?… The Ugly: How these ballads left me… There is a universe where Men in Black rule, and I am not talking about the kind who need to go chase after aliens. This is a universe where gloom and doom, at least the way that they present themselves, is all the rage, and people will throw themselves at the feet of these Men in Black, and herald them as kings… It is the universe where Johnny Cash and Nick Cave vie for supremacy… I don’t live in that universe… So why have I being dragged into it? I’ve listened to the album, I can put the notch on my belt… and dish out 2* as there was nothing that stood out for me, shame on those who want to live in the MiB universe...

Wow this was a tough listen. All the songs where Nick Cave was alone on the track were dreadful. The songs with featured singers were decent. It's a shame because the instrumentals aren't bad, but Cave's drunk, creepy rumblings drown it out.

Who is this music for?

I already owned Where the Wild Roses Grow. Interesting album. Much better than the other Nick Cave album I had to listen to. The songs were interesting and I liked the theme of the album.

Disney Villain ahh music

No thanks

на любителя. (парочка песен напомнила Гарика СУКАчева)))

Was so strange at the time to have a pop starlet and the devil on a song. Stands up. Mid 3s

difficult listen as someone who hates murder and hates ballads

I am surprised to see another Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album. I think this makes 3? They aren't bad but I'm not sure they are all worth being on the list.

I've heard a lot about Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and Murder Ballads was a great place to start listening. Nick's voice is hypnotic and addicting, This is the kind of album that instantly grabs your attention and instantly makes you a fan. Great stuff that isn't for everyone but should be. This so good and it's almost impossible to pick just one good song because they're all good.

Store brand Leonard Cohen

Next Gen, dark side Cohen vibes, with a splash of Tom Waits, and a dash of Lux Interior. Humorous and sophisticated in it's murderous musings.

Took a little bit to warm up to it but i ended up enjoying it after awhile. Quality isnt consistent but the good was pretty good

Pretty good

No thanks

This really appeals to me. The subject matter, the story telling, the dark humour, the guests. It!/ quirky and different and I’ll be coming back to this one

I do like when an album name tells you exactly what you're about to listen

It sounded like parody music

fat boy asshole

I did not enjoy having a guy who sounds like a cartoon frog sing me the blues about fat boy’s assholes. I actually thought parts of the instrumentals were cool, so maybe Nick Cave IS the Bad Seed

This guy is a sick freaking cyclepath.... Fav song: Henry Lee or Death is Not the End

I enjoyed the parts when someone else was singing as I don’t enjoy Nicks voice.

Enough with the nick cave albums!!! This one was the best so far, at least lyrically but I can’t jive on his monotone voice and just seemingly lack of enthusiasm for everything he does

For a record I’ve never spun before I was surprised at how many tracks I recognized, particularly Wild Roses, Death Is Not The End and Henry Lee. I do enjoy a good murder ballad. This was a great album, quite iconic for its genre. I'm learning through this project that I really enjoy Nick Cave's body of work.

Just not for me, "Draining" is the first word that comes to mind. Even the better songs on the album like O'Malley's Bar just drag on and on for far too long. Not 1/5 because I listen to artists who were primarily influenced by this guy.

If there's a thin line between genius and insanity, Nick Cave straddles that exact line. Songs like Where the Wild Roses Grow show you the genius side; songs like Stagger Lee and O'malley's Bar show you, for better or worse, the insane side. I suppose one cannot exist without the other.

didn't connect with this at all, except maybe for "O'Malley's Bar" which I really liked. This came back to back with Abbatoir Blues - which I liked way better.

Thought I’d like it more

Sounds a lot like it’s trying to be a concept album. I don’t know this band enough to know what is satirical or not, like the last song. The storytelling is okay but a bit weird and not in the way that I like weird songs. I liked “the kindness of strangers”. Sound a bit like pink Floyd wannabes. 2/5 Also the 13 minute song was unnecessary

The album that got Nick Cave a Grammy and a wider audience. This is a good album to step in Cave's world. It's so over the top, full of humor and gruesome storytelling. Easily one of its most intense and funny albums, quite unique in his catalogue.

I really like my Nick Cave when he tells stories about shooting people in a bar for 15 minutes.

I loved that album. It was varied, eclectic, funny and dark at the same time. This album is real adventure to dive in!

A very interesting concept for an album with some very well told stories. Glad I listened but not one that I think I'll revisit often (especially not The Kindness of Strangers, incredibly bleak!) Favourite tracks: Stagger Lee & Where the Wild Roses Grow Probably won't revisit. 4/5

Starting to learn to love the not-so-big Caves, and I do like this a lot! But I’m not quite there yet.

This was a great listen. Stagger Lee is worth the price of admission alone. Death is not the End is great as well.

Now that was a worthy record. Incredible. The album that elevated Nick Cave to the rare space occupied by Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. Almost like a haunting, heavy audio book - Bukowski meets Bret Easton Ellis, with perfect music/delivery and stunning vocals throughout. Great tongue in check ending, and an absolute treat to hear Shane McGowan take a line too.

Some cool sounds and story telling but overall I think I just don't get it. Its Broadway but for hicks...

Couldn't get engaged with it. I liked the dark nature of the songs but I don't think they were actually good songs. But it does seem like an album that might be better after another listen

Dad- 6 Mom- 4 Mike- NA Lori- 6 Michael- 8 Miles- 4 Cole- 3 Avg- 5.17