Murder Ballads

An intense lyrical listening experience 💀 'Crawl over fifty good pussies to get to one fat boy's asshole' ... aye, alright Nick, calm doon 😬. It's like Cormac McCarthy: the Musical over here. All in all it's pretty great but also, if your partner listens to this more than once in a blue moon, I reckon that's a serious red flag 😅

Liked this overall but it’s the weakest of their albums I’ve heard so far.

sooo many references to characters i’m like who are these people - not sure i’m the target audience fav song: death is not the end

Moody and orchestral. I love the backing tracks but I have mixed feelings about Nick's vocal delivery. It is strangely compelling though and I can see this growing on me more over time. Maybe another Bad Seeds album will be the one that converts me. Where The Wild Roses Grow is fantastic though.

Good

Jeg er veldig glad i Nick Cave, og hadde til og med en t-skjorte det sto "Murder Ballads" på. Men selve albumet har aldri vært blant mine gjengangere i Cave-katalogen. For meg blir det litt Tim Burton-aktig, en slags påtatt estetikk som er litt for tivoli-aktig for min del. Det er høydepunkt på plata, og den starter sterkt. De to tradlåtene "Stagger Lee" og "Henry Lee" funker veldig bra og funker tekstmessig fordi det er ekte murder ballads, resten blir litt fan fiction. "Where the Wild Roses Grow" har heller aldri vært noe for meg, men jeg skjønner at det er hiten fra plata. Syns også det er gøy med Dylan-coveren på slutten, med det mest brokete pubkoret med solister som har fått boltre seg i et studio noensinne. Det er ikke mye å hente fra plata den kommer fra, Down in the Groove, så det er nok like greit at Cave valgte "Death is Not the End" og ikke "Ugliest Girl in the World". Jeg lurer på om Cave hørte plata til Dylan og ble like skuffet som så mange ble, og fant ut at det var mulig å gjøre "Death is not the End" bedre i alle fall. Han klarte det i alle fall.

Starter sterkt, men det blir for kjedelig i lengden. Gjør det samme trikse om og om igjen

Funny that Kylie minogue is on this but I guess they’re both Australian. Nick cave is pretty good

Never knew such an album/genre existed. Interesting, but not my thing. Stagger lee was fun and I liked the Nick Cave Kylie Minogue combination.

had some hits for sure. i don't think i've ever heard of a 14 minute song before so that was cool.

this one was different, very creative

Not my jam... I tried but it was ok at best.

++: Stagger Lee, Lovely Creature, The Curse of Millhaven, Crow Jane +: Song of Joy, Where the Wild Roses Grow, Death Is Not the End +-: Henry Lee, The Kindness of Strangers, O'Malley's Bar 6,9/10

This is one of the weirdest things I've listened to in years.

A perfectly fine gothic album, not Nick's best, not his worst either!

Decent, nothing bad nothing amazing 3/5

Nick Cave is an artist I often lack understanding of. I hear his music, a lot of it reminds me of others artists I love, and yet his particular style has never really clicked with me in a way that I would have hoped so. Granted, I only listened to two of his full albums so far, but I have heard more of his music than that. I'll give his other projects a listen at some point. Overall, I did enjoy this record. 3.5/5

Weird crap, bad singing, pedestrian music.

Fine

Slasher film in album form. (Unfortunately, I don't really have the stomach for slashers.)

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.

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.

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.

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

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

This album was a Lovely Creature.

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

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"

--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

Ryan Murphy should turn this into a show

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

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

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.

Closer to 3.5

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

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

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.

3.5/5 01.03.2026

Fine, but not very special

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

3/5

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.

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.

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

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.

A lot of murders

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

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”

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

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

It’s dark and brooding, classic nick cave.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Eh, it was okay.

3.5

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.

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.

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

Delightful. My girlfriend liked making out to it.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Exactly as expected

...

I did like this, but it lacked the quality of the previous album rated on 1001 (abattoir blues). I appreciate this is a concept album but I found that wore thin and by the lengthy O’Malley track I was done really. Weirdly seemed like Nick’s charisma carried some songs but not others. However, I did enjoy the PJ Harvey and Kylie tie-ins that would have been a bit barmy NOT as part of a murder themed album. A strange but not unpleasant listen.

Had to double dip on this to ensure I got a good view of it as not as easy going. Again another softer and more stripped back Nick Cave experiance which I dont prefer. I quite like the more atmospheric experiance this album brings mind. Its more intimate stance and it feels more centered around Nick. I think this could be an absolute winner if he managed to currate all his styles in the music. A bit like a genuine ballard that has impactful sections and up and downs. Lacked this contrasting energy. My worst review as I am struggling to explain myself. Have absolutely no issue playing this again though. Oddly doesnt bore me in the slightest as so much to it but still leaves me wanting more.

Nick Cave can be a bit hit-and-miss for me and this one is more of a miss than a hit. Some great song writing and often dripping with cool, but then a few slower and schmaltzy tracks that Cave seems quite partial to and I don't enjoy. Quite often I find listening to Nick Cave is like listening to really good music that I'm not sure I really enjoy. I think this album has relistening potential though so I may rethink my opinion after repeat visits.

The story telling on each song makes it seem like it would be fun to listen to on a long car ride.

It's a 3.5/5 for me but I for Nick Cave I have to be in the mood. 'Where the wild roses grow' is only getting better.

Nieco nie mój klimat

I love the Wild Rover. It’s such a great song. This album is pretty dark but generally great. Getting some bonus PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue is always a treat.

Interesting and pretty unique album. Probably won't revisit, I don't hate it, just not my cup of tea. 2.5/5. Rounding up to 3.

Pretty unique, not really my thing

Ik vind Niek Spelonk maar lastig. Het is eigenlijk altijd enorm zware kost. Hij vertelt meer dan hij zingt en het zijn echt flinke verhalen, die ik natuurlijk niet helemaal kan volgen want ik heb het aanstaan als muziek en niet als luisterboek. Het zit bomvol sfeer en de kwaliteit en het vakmanschap staat ook buiten kijf. En ondanks dat ik er die positieve dingen ook in zie heb ik eigenlijk nooit echt zin in zijn albums. Zo ook dit album eigenlijk. Het is niet onprettig, maar het voelt toch als een gigantische huiswerkopdracht. Zeker als PJ Harvey ook nog even een paar nummers mee mag komen zeiken. Dit is voor de mensen die echt naar de tekst luisteren en ik heb daar helaas het geduld niet helemaal voor. Bij 'Stagger Lee' heb ik een klein stukje mee zitten lezen en dan wordt het wel meteen een stuk beter. Anders had ik toch even gemist dat een man tijdens het gedwongen pijpen van een andere man een paar kogels door zich heen gejaagd krijgt. Lastig te beoordelen dus. Ik vind dit wel goed en ik weet ook dat ik zelf niet het maximale hieruit haal door passief te luisteren. Desondanks moet ik toch ook m'n luisterplezier mee laten wegen. Eigenlijk 3,5 ster. Ik hou het op 3, want ik ben blij als we de Freek de Jonge track aan het einde bereikt hebben. Zeker gezien die track van 14 minuten die eraan vooraf gaat.

Decent enough hour

Some music isn't for everyone, and maybe I'm one of those people this time. I will give it another listen, though, because it was actually starting to grow on me a bit by the end.

Favorite Track: Where the Wild Roses Grow

Nice and spooky!

Really? This is the 5th Nick Cave album for me on this list. It is still not my cup of tea, but it is a bit better than the rest and his duet with Kylie (Where the Wild Roses Grow) is great.

I don’t know how to feel about this. The music is good and the felt pretty unique/creative

A strange concept album.

I feel like I should like it more

At times I got the vibe of this, but it is not too appealing.

Listened to a bit - pretty cool but didn’t listen to the lyrics much so a little lost on me. But will come back to for sure - liked the PJ Harvey collab.

Honestly thought I would hate this... But I was pleasantly surprised! More entertaining than I thought

Moody, macabre. Meh.

Well I know for I fact that I don't want to meet Stagger Lee. Nick Cave is an odd fellow, takes a minute for me to lock in to his vibe. He's a good story teller, just comes across weird. But also this is like the 5th Nick Cave album I've gotten, I feel like maybe the list would be fine with only one or two

Nick Cave is a fascinating performer. This won’t be an album I play again any time soon but it has some surprises on it (particularly the lyrics on “Stagger Lee”). I respect it and I was entertained by a lot of it. Nearly an hour of folk songs about brutal murders is tough to love though.

This is a cool album, and every time I listen to Nick Cave I further my respect and interest in him and his music. For some reason though I feel like I've read more interviews with him than I've actually heard his records, so any reason to listen is a good one. Unfortunately, I feel like his dense storytelling is kind of tough to chew on in the form of a music record, instead of something like a narrated movie or an audio book. There's cadence and rhythm in his delivery, melody exists, and I mean he's in front of a band... but I can't help but feel like I need to sit and listen to this with no other stimulation around me going on to truly "get it". Maybe that's my millenial brain that is slowly transforming into a more TikTok-addled Gen Z variety, but if I lose track for a moment then it's actually a bit hard for me to get back into the story. Even now, as I'm writing this review while I'm listening, I can't help but feel like I need to pause and go back to the lyric sheet to see what I missed. It's just a little too much "storytelling that happens to be set to music". It's certainly a compelling sound though, and there's a ton of excitement, interesting vibes, and rich material to listen through.

Didn't like this as much as the first Nick cave album I drew here. Feels a little more murdery than the last. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood?

I like nick cave but never heard that album. Good stuff

Not bad. Kind of interesting. Like listening to a Tim Burton movie.

Probably a 3 on this one. Stagger Lee is one of his best and the duets are classics. Some of the other songs are middling for me though. Always fun to listen to the storytelling though.

What are the chances we got all these Nick albums so close together?! I’m still not a fan of the violence (I’ve never liked true crime or murder movies etc. and even his poetic stories on the subject don’t prove an exception) but I do very much enjoy the flow and pacing and delivery. I’ll never forget seeing Stagger Lee performed live, for instance, he’s like a man possessed when he performs that song, and performs is the right word for most of these tracks too, as he’s playing these wild characters, erratic and angry and ugly. But still with some beauty in the music and vocals to be found. (3.5 stars)

I was a bit bored by how each song seemed to continue exactly the same way it started. But I suppose that's a ballad, isn't it? Repeating melody and beat to emphasise the sung story. Weirdly reminds me of Johnny Cash in that sense. But I think the stories were not interesting enough to warrant such repetitive songs.

It’s not bad per se, just a little dragged into length and the songwriting to me feels a little lazy, i know it’s for storytelling purpose, but what can i say? it’s an acquired taste that i don't think i possess

-it’s what it says on the tin… murder ballads… -This is probably my favorite of the three Nick Cave + Bad Seeds albums I’ve heard so far. I love the vibe and theme, I liked the other two but they felt more directionless compared to this one -PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue are such great features too omg -Favorites are Stagger Lee, Lovely Creature, and Where the Wild Roses Grow

Fine album.

I’ve come to learn I really like the storytelling type of music that this is. And with an album consisting of murder ballads, I know I’m going to be into it. I did find this to be slightly too attached to creating shock value, and the song writing was lazy at times. I enjoyed the listen. A few of the tracks were great. I just wish that as a whole the album was executed with a little more versatility.

A bit weird but overall worthwhile. Probably enjoyed the collaboration tracks the best

Yesterday : Not sure how i feel about this yet, so not sure where my rating will land tomorrow. Nick Cave is someone I always thought I’d like (I like his books and films) but the music up until recently I couldn’t get into. This strange gothic western theme was definitely interesting but was it good? I’m not sure so fresh from listening to it. Today: playing it safe and giving it 3/5

It was pretty alright. 3.5

interesting but I wasn't completely sold on it, love a random kylie feature tho!!

3* for creativity only. I never want to listen to this again.

I was a bit uncomfortable a few times, but those moments fit the theme of the album. They deliver even if I wasn't quite in the mood for this.

There are some really good songs but i can't like the album overall, experimental vocals are not this group's strong point in my opinion, another reason i didnt like Wild God too

cool music, more of a story told along with song. some catchy songs tho

This just wasn't for me. I found it flat at times. I like the guest apperances by the various female guest vocalists. I find his voice feels like watching a trained dog jump through a hoop. I'm impressed the first 2 times but it gets old fast. The instumental compositions and production are well done. Might have needed more time and a headphones listen.

I can get on board with a lot of what Nick and company are bringing here, but I can just as easily fall off. The morbid themes throughout are fascinating, until they're just morbid. I was left with a rotten feeling by the end. Still, I'm almost interested in revisiting, and I can already feel the darker side of this album creeping back up in my head.

Morbid, morose, and whimsically wicked, Cave opts for darker shades on this particular canvas.

Kind of interesting but I am not sure I need to hear it again. 3 stars or C.

Makes me want to smoke.

nice enough

Sì beh è Nick Cave

7/10 Ridiculous album. Mostly its just a monotonous listing of various people being killed, often for no appararent reason, with occasional touches of sexual violence for extra shock value. At the same time there is something intriguing about the relentless commitment to the theme. The instrumentation is quite enjoyable despite being somewhat repetitive. Personally I suspect death actually is the end. Not sure if that makes this album better or worse. Highlights: Where the Wild Roses Grow Song of Joy Lovely Creature Death is not the End Crow Jane Henry Lee

I’ll give this one a 3/5 although I don’t think this one should be on the list. I appreciate that nick cave and the bad seeds have a very unique sound, but I don’t think they deserve to have the 3 or 4 albums that are on this list. Give me their best album and I’d be happy. I admire their uniqueness.

Toller Sound und Stimmen. Aber die Texte doch recht düster.

I don't think i liked this exactly, but it was compelling

as a lifelong ballad hater, turns out some murder ballads are ok. i liked a number of these while listening but i'm almost positive a future me is gonna be listening to shuffle asking wtf is wrong with current me.

Interesting to say the least

Meh, songs about murder and not much good about it. not bad, just not good.

It had its moments but a lot of this was trying too hard

A dark, twisted tale set to music. The storytelling feels theatrical, almost like Tom Waits with a sharper edge. The themes are haunting but draw you in, like staring into the abyss. It’s unsettling, yet oddly beautiful. The rawness won’t appeal to everyone, but it’s hard to ignore.

Not bad, but the songs aren’t the best for casual repeat listens. The stories were very entertaining though, some pretty funny.

Well, at 628 albums, I have reached my fifth and final Nick Cave album to review. Ghosteen has easily been my favorite album of theirs so far (5 stars), followed by Henry’s Dream (4 stars), with The Boatman’s Call and AB/TLoO rounding out the back end (both 3 stars). Based on what I’ve read about this album, I have pretty high hopes for it. This sounds really interesting, so I’m excited to give it a listen. I thought Murder Ballads was good, but not great. If an album of murder ballads falls into anyone’s wheelhouse, it’s Nick Cave. His deep and brooding voice was perfect for the dark tone of this album, and even though I’m not familiar with the source material that he used, it was pretty easy to distinguish what parts of these songs featured more of his own influence. I really love Nick Cave’s piano playing, and I was glad that it was front and center on this album. The duets with PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue were really great, but I think that “Death Is Not The End” was the best song on the album. Knowing that Nick Cave would eventually lose his son almost twenty years after this song was recorded really added some emotional gravity that made it even better. I really enjoyed the songwriting on this album as well, and it showcases how talented Nick Cave is as a storyteller. My biggest gripe with this album is that it was a bit too long, and a few of the songs really overstayed their welcome with me. I also wasn’t a fan of the barrage of f-bombs on some of the songs, because I felt like it was a cheap way show anger and strong emotions. I don’t have a problem with swearing in songs, but it really felt like some of Nick Cave’s word choices took a power drill to the folky atmosphere of the album. Still, I’ve enjoyed exploring Nick Cave’s discography, and I’d be quick to return to his music once I’m done with this project.

Pretty enjoyable listen. The piano playing is quite impactful and Nick Cave has a great voice. Some of the songs linger a bit long for my tastes though. Will have to listen again.

Where to start with this one... I knew a couple of songs like Where the Wild Roses Grow and love the few Nick Cave songs that I know, including his new album....but at times this was a bit of an uncomfortable listen in terms of lyrics. Song of Joy was pretty full on and I wish they'd have built up to it and had it as anything but the opener, but I guess that's a minor quibble and arguably the whole point of the song/album is to create those feelings of discomfort in the listener.

A pretty dark set of tracks but then I guess the title of the album gives that away. Some good collaborations on here and some strong tracks- 1st listen today went over my head a bit but I became very intrigued on a revisit and enjoyed it - definitely a keeper in my streaming collection. I do find that Nick Cave has aged well when it comes to his music. Big fan of his last album.

Ive wanted to listen to them for a while. This one was... weird. I didnt hate it. But it was something else.

Good ol’ Nick and his circus of ghouls! He’s so fun at parties!! If only he didn’t suck the air out of the room…

Nice ballads! Very dark lyrics obviously - Nick Cave is pretty good.

Kinda odd to make an album all about murders

I don't think it's as good as some of his other albums like From Her to Eternity.

As much as I like the concept and all the fine work on this album, I must confess that it really didn’t grab me. It’s nice. Was hoping for something more.

This is really fun, not sure if it belongs on this list for anyone but me but I'm glad I listened.

Day289 - to have the talent to make an album like this and not turn out silly only nick cave could pull this off

My third Nick Cave project received here and so far this is the best. Very murdery.

Not his best but some good songs

bravissimo ma un pò pesantino da ascoltare

Levy soi tunnelmallisesti komeasti. Jos olisi aikaa ja intoa syventyä teksteihin pintaraapaisua syvemmälle, voisi tästä löytää aivan uuden tason. Nyt mentiin soinnin kautta ja taso perus OK.

Its ok. I did like the Mersey Seat off another alnu, a long time ago. BUt don't really care for this one too much.

I went back and forth on this. It delivers on the promise of its title. It’s unbelievably violent and nasty, it’s right in Cave’s wheelhouse. It had some stinkers but some real highs too. Musically neat and varied. I loved the conclusion. Ultimately the rating will suffer due to my own earlier misjudgement. Junkyard shoulda have been a 5. This maybe should have been a 4, but it ain’t Junkyard.

Very good, I prefer his more cinematic later works

Good music. Some of the lyrics feel a bit weak.

Wasn't in the mood for this brooding style today. Will come back and listen later. What I heard was decent, but not enough to draw me in for the rest of the album.

I don't really get Nick Cave.

Some of this was good. Some of it was meh. I do appreciate Nick Cave's songwriting ability and it's always a pleasure to hear PJ Harvey make a guest appearance. Overall, decent but not outstanding.

Ei mahdu omaan Cave top kolmoseeni, mutta siinä perässä kuitenkin hiihtelee.

An odd album. Wasn't bad for the most, but the theme made it a niche listen. Could have done without the screeching at the end of Stagger Lee.

Pretty much what I expected it to be, Tom Waits with better vocals.

+1 for Kylie minogue -1 for O'Malleys bar

Favourite Song: Stagger Lee

spooky

This is murky and emotional and drunken and gets a lot more credit than I think it deserves, but I also think to fully enjoy it you need to hear the songs performed live in a drunken bar. 3 stars

As grim as the album title would lead you to believe. I don't think I get Nick Cave very well.

Omallys bar is one hell of a ride. Epic, but the last couple minutes are too much for me with the moaning and stuff Still the best nick cave so far

3 stars solely for the PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue tracks.

I see the concept here. Let's make a bold dark project that's unashamedly gruesome. As society advanced and things that were once shocking gets less of a reaction. I think this album tries to get the same kind of vibe as Johnny Cash in Folsom Prison but for a modern audience. I like a lot of these tracks. I think they capture a particular place and particular time well. Stagger Lee, Wild Roses, are good tracks. I don't like O'malley's pub it's too long and sacrifices too much music for the storytelling. I also think the last song 'Death isn't the end' is lame and annoying. Overall the problems with this album are mainly it flirts with being 'cringe'. It's pretty self serious, like a kid telling an over the top scary story at a campfire and no one is all that scared but he keeps drumming it up. I could see revisiting some of these tracks around halloween. I like the multiple vocalists as well.

Good musically but I spent the whole album wondering if they were trying to make a commentary about murder or if they just did it for funsies

Weird but not awful couple of songs I liked staggerlee

Je comprends l’intérêt du genre des murder ballads, mais celles-ci m’ont peu inspirée, à l’exception des collaborations

Seems like a spooky tiki bar fever dream. Similar to Rain Dogs by Tom Waits.

Nick Cave is still a consistent 3/5 for me. The music is pretty chill and nice. But the melodramatic delivery ruins it. Something about him just rubs me wrong.

Een bij vlagen sfeervol concept-album van ome Nick, met wat gastoptredens en (er is leven na de dood...) een Dylan-cover. Mooie prestatie om van zo'n naargeestig maar gloedvol nummer als Where the wild roses grow toch een hit te maken. Maar ja, dat taalgebruik in een aantal nummers, dat drukt het luisterplezier hup een punt naar beneden. Jammer Nick, je was net zo op dreef.

3/5. What's wrong with Nick Cave? I know he is not incapable of writing well-written songs and great melodies and yet the choice to write slam poetry and uneven structure is unique but can definitely feel a little old sometimes. Maybe I am being close minded by not being able to experience new structure but it's hard to listen to nonetheless for me. I like the theme of these songs and some are great, but not all of them. Best Song: Stagger Lee, Where The Wild Roses Grow, The Kindness of Strangers

Almost got through all of it. If it wasn't for the overall darkness/goth feel to it. I would have only given it a 2 but we'll go with 3

Not a big fan of piano ballads. Cool album artwork, and I can dig his vocals most of the time.

Slam poetry shock rock

The one with Kylie, and the last one Death is not the End we’re alright, otherwise it was a bit painful in places

it’s fine, airplane type music (I listened to this on the plane)

unfortunately needed this this morning

Pretty interesting

2nd Nick Cave album in a row, what are the odds? Quite high I believe, in any case like the other the musicianship here is great but I just can't get past Nick Cave's singing and wordy lyrics, just too much. 3*

I do not enjoy Nick Cave but I know enough to understand this is a skill issue on my part.

Music to cut yourself to. I liked the cussing though.

I feel like there is plenty in here to like but maybe 'murder ballads' aren't really my thing? Also Nick's style is pretty distinctive - I feel like you're either going to really really 'get it' or you won't and for the most part I didn't. I do see why people like this though and I think there is a lot of creativity and depth on display.

2.5 - It's not my favourite, but I'd say it's solid and the concept is interesting to some extent.

Some great songs on this. The concept itself is great. But Cave's vocals are too growly on so many of these songs. When he just sings it's great, but that's too rare for my taste.

This is a really cool album. I know very little about Nick Cave, just a few songs here and there. I really enjoy the melodic slow casing of those songs. He has the storytelling “voice“ of Jim Morrison sober stuff. Storytelling this is reminiscent of early country music. Overall, a really good album.

Pretty cool concept. I especially like the duets. Pretty indifferent when it comes to most of the songs. Some songs go on a big too long

Feels like something my appreciation for might grow with repeated listens, but for a first listen it’s just not grabbing me.

Seemed to be a bit obsessed with sexual violence!

3.5

3.5

I like Nick Cave quite a bit; enough to play one of his songs at my wedding. But, I think Murder Ballads gets way more cred than it deserves.

Dark

I wish I could copy paste my review from the album 2 days ago: "perfect for the morning commute" LmAoOo Good vocals, creative stories, steller instrumentals. I would seek out more from this artist but not necessarily more murder ballads. A whole album of them seems a bit much..

Nick Cave osaa tätä musiikkia (en kuuntele tällä hetkellä lyriikoita) Perkele.. 5 tähteä meni viimeksi Ghosteen albumille pakko se on hyväksyä Nick Cave uskomaton artisti (en kuuntele lyriikoita mutta tiedostan ne) Toiseksi viimeinen kappale soi... Artistry biisi ja saatanan pitkä... Sama vanha likki soi perä jälkeen.... tunistan likin jolla yritetään ihmisille saada musiikista nautintoa.. Caven ääni kaivelee ja kaivelee tällä likillä tunnetta artitistisesta kappaleesta.. Hyväksyn hän on paljon fiksumpi kuin minä.. Hyväksyn herra Cave on viisas.. sitten herra Nick Cave ottaa munan käteen.. tulee ensimmäine lyriikka jonka ymmärrän, kuulen ja käsitän.. lyriikka on: "And my dick felt long and hard" Jahas ja paska artisti... Katsotaan tässä nyt 3 pv päästä albumi review boxia ja heh näkyy siellä ollaan toisen puolen siellä alistuttu... 5 ja 4 tähteä... Katso seisovaa munaani, Nick

Ooh it's a bit spicy isn't it? But unlike the Depeche Mode album, which I criticised for being pretentiously 'dark', this album works. The Bad Seeds play brilliantly and Nick Cave gives an impressive performance. Fave tracks: Stagger Lee (nsfw), Where The Wild Roses Grow, and O'Malley's bar.

Difficult start. Standouts are the duets with PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue (\"Henry Lee\" and \"Where the Wild Roses Grow\" respectively) and \"Lovely Creature\" in the first half.

Edit: I was clearly feeling some kind of way when I rated this because I definitely do not love it like I did the night I rated it. Downgrading from a 4 to a 3. Wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this album, but I surprisingly enjoyed it. I loved the concept and the song selection. "Henry Lee," "Where The Wild Roses Grow," and "Death Is Not The End" were probably my favorite songs, but there wasn't anything that stood out to me in a bad way either.

I wanted it to be better, in my mind (before I heard it) it was a certain 5. Turns out to be 3.45, rounded down.

Забавно, что в день анонса нового альбома Ника Кейва и компании мне попался их же альбом. Я не знаком со всем-всем творчеством группы, но сравнивая этот альбом с Mercy Seat, Let Love In или их поздним творчеством, этот как-то выделяется в обратную сторону что ли. Но это не плохой альбом в любом случае. Лучшая песня - Henry Lee.

Nick Cave has always been an enigma to me. There are A LOT of people out there who reference him as one of the best, but I don't know that I can get behind it. I was turned on to Nick Cave a few years back from the Peaky Blinders theme song, but had no idea he was such an accomplished artist. This album is equal parts spooky and funny, but I don't think I would listen to it with regularity.

Fun vibe but repetitive

I enjoyed it. Reminds me of the doors

Cave is unbearably out of tune at times. It's a shame, because i like other aspects of this album. Except the first song, which I really disliked - I almost gave up during it, but was ultimately was glad I didn't.

Fín plata, hlustaði mikið á áður. Where the wild roses grow er classík

Really strange and disturbing but somehow really good. First time listening to a Nick Cave and the bad seeds album, I hope they don't always make music this creepy please. I was afraid of listening to a boring voice for an hour. It turns out Nick Cave's voice almost becomes the most interesting element of the song to me. The bass player Martin P. Casey was perfect the best instrument player of the band. Strange way to tell stories but a beautiful one. I'm really curious of what others strange records they made. Fav song : The Curse of Millhaven Worst song : Song of Joy

Yea,pretty decent

3.25

Ник Кейв конечно молодец, что так проникновенно исполнил песни о насилии, но местами это было слишком уныло. Особенно дизреспект за 15-минутную песню (как же меня заебал этот хрон). Из плюсов отмечу в целом неплохую атмосферу на альбоме, как смешно Ник Кейв произносит МАЗАФАКА, и ахуительню песню с Кайли Миноуг (что она вообще тут забыла???)

bastante raro y curiose, nick cave parece un tipo oscuro pero escribe bien

Mmmm quizá no es para mí pero me gustó la canción con Kylie!! Australian legends

Drone, monotone, not terribly interesting to me. I'll give them credit for the fact other people like them.

An angry man

I like this, but the intent and vision is so clear that the whole thing ends up feeling like a single track. Not something that's easy to come back to.

I’ve fell in love to a Nick Cave song once...but I’m just not in the mood for this today. Too depressing. It’s no where near as shit as Graceland; a record so shit it’s made 2 pretty much obsolete for me as a score. As I type I’ve got Isis (the band) on; this album (in the absence of truth) would get a 5 and Cave is no where near them. Given that Cave isn’t as shit as Paul Simon and is nowhere near as good as ISIS he gets a solid 3/5.

Quite an interesting concept, very edgy though with all the murder stories and the music itself is not really worth listening to

Never really listened to Nick Cave. His voice is an acquired taste but he clearly is intelligent and writes some entertaining stuff so he's got Moby beat. Moby wouldn't know a good a melody even if it hit him in his shiny bald head. Moving on, the album was fine but felt drawn out at times.

Ok

A good Nick Cave Album not as fond of the duets and not something I want to wallow in…. Still prefer The Good Son album.

Good soundtrack to kill someone by hahaha. Very Dark.

Took some getting used to, a bit outside of my comfort zone. But I eventually found it enjoyable.

Nick Cave has always felt very Tom Waits meets Leonard Cohen meets Tim Burton for me, this Murder Ballads album especially so. Unfortunately that means there is a ceiling for how much I'm gonna enjoy versus appreciate it. The storytelling is great but the music itself doesn't really grab my attention.

What a strange, strange man. Some beauty mixed with unease. I wish I knew which ballads were original and which were older. At least it was interesting. Death is Not the End was the only song I really liked. Also, this counts as a PJ Harvey album.

Wow, what a macabre album theme. This is ok, but as with most of Nick Cave's work, I just don't get his appeal. I did like the cover of Stagger Lee; probably the best song in this collection. Not likely to listen again.

A random Nick Cave album from 2011 with a song featuring PJ Harvey? This list is officially a parody of itself. The music was fine but this is rediculous. I wish I liked these people as much as these list makers clearly do.

Spoko muza ale nie będę tego słuchał

I'm not sure if I'm just not in the mood for Nick Cave this morning, or what, but I didn't like this album quite as much as the previous Nick Cave albums that I've gotten. It's not bad at all, but I really enjoyed his other works, while this left me a bit flat, though, to be fair, I am in a shitty mood 3/5

1h de lamentations de la part de Nick Cave et ses mauvaises graines, qui revient une nouvelle fois dans le générateur sans que personne ne comprenne bien pourquoi.

My favourite songs are the ones where Nick brings in PJ and Kylie as co-vocalists. I like the other tracks individually, the production more than Nick’s delivery, but at the end of the day it’s difficult to listen to a whole album about murder, sometimes graphically recounted.

This is the most deplorable, disgraceful, and depraved collection of songs I think I may have ever heard. It’s beautiful. The album thrives in the gutters of life. I wish it was just a little more exciting and that he took a little more time with the writing, but I’m fine with everything else. 3/5

3 Nick Caves in a month after ~600 albums without him, better late than never I guess In the first 3 songs, I couldn’t decide whether this was going to be a 5 or a 1 star. Lyrics are certainly grisly and profane, yet there’s something admirable about the stubborn commitment to the titular murder ballads. Will need more time to process, but loved much about the music, even though the over-the-top morbidity of the lyrics started to wear me down. Highly recommend listening after dark HL: “The Curse of Millhaven”, “Henry Lee”, “Wild Roses”, “Song of Joy” 3* or 1* or 5* November 29, 2023

story

I really wanted to like it more than I did! 😂 I find the concept interesting but the final result a bit stale. And how much more Nick Cave do we really need on this list?

Reminds me of Spanish train

Shew. This was a rough listen. The vocals were obviously done before auto tune. Lyrically it was rough too. I won't be revisiting this album.

tositosi raskas, samalla kyl varsin vaikuttava! ei ehkä paras lattiakaivon pesun yhteytee eikä sellanen et päätyis mun listoille mut mielenkiintone nontheless

Completely mixed feelings. 1 or 5 stars so I split the difference. Interesting and riveting on one hand and disgusting garbage on the other hand. Draws me in or pushes me away.

I was listening to the podcast Behind the Bastards and the host, Robert Evans, was talking about his love of this album. Just a funny little coincidence. I would call it spooookkkkyyyy, but it happened the day after Halloween

Just a bit too avant garde for me.

Quite shocking lyrics for a first timer but the melodies and keys were quite seductive. Increasingly grew on me. Good for what it was. Ended on a high.

Interesting one! I probably wouldn’t seek it out for a re-listen but it’s unlike a lot of albums I’ve heard.

What crazy album. Great fir holloween. Literally Folk Murder Ballads.

Cool stories

That was interesting, but tried to carry and unearned weight. It didn't say anything, just reveled in darkness. It was interesting, but I cannot say I enjoyed it.

I love a good concept album.

I didn't really enjoy the concept behind this album and I'm not a massive fan of Nick Cave's voice but I liked the the duets and a couple of other songs with quite pretty vocal arrangements.

Incredibly weird but a good listen a high 3.4

Ok

Why is there a 14 minute song.Besides that it’s fine.Nick caves usual spooky sounds.

Sauvé par les feats

ça tue littéralement

Weird concept album by a progenitor of the emo movement.

Tough to rate, I actually love the arrangements and concept and vibe. Some of the songs were cool, very dark and fucked up. I really liked the duet and the storytelling. But the vocals were so awful it kind of ruined the album for me. Such a shame bc it could’ve been a really cool album with a better singer. Someone like colter wall I think could’ve made this an amazing album. Idk 2.5?

Song of Joy // Henry Lee // The Curse of Millhaven // 2.5-3/5

The kind of thing you’ll like if you like this sort of thing. To others, this will feel an overcooked art project. There are a few moments – “Lovely Creature” and the new spin on “Stagger Lee” are interesting and“The Kindness of Strangers” and “Death Is Not the End” feel like authentic efforts. Everything else is contrived, though perhaps it can be said it's effective in what it sets out to achieve. The band is tight and Kylie adds some badly needed sparkle, but overall this thing dies slowly and the corpse is pretty bloated. Cant’ say we weren’t warned by the title.

Pretty unique theme. I got bored of the tracks without a female singer on them. Didn't really like the sometimes crass lyrics.

A reluctant 3

This is probably one of the darkest albums I have listened to. But then, with a title like "Murder Ballads," you should probably EXPECT that going in. I'm glad I listened to this with the family not around, because songs like "Stagger Lee," YIKES. I felt a few of the songs did overstay their welcome, like "O'Malley's Bar" (14 minutes, really?) and "Death Is Not The End." That last song could have lost at least a verse and its poignancy would not have been diminished. I think I liked "Henry Lee" and "Where The Wild Roses Grow" best. The duets worked well. I find it interesting that "Where The WIld Roses Grow" garnered so much attention, and I wonder how many people bought the album because of the song and were horrified by what they got. I think this was a good experiment, an album of these type of songs. But it's definitely not something I would find myself coming back to. It's way too dark and depressing.

I saw this is pure theatre; it felt like a dark rock musical. And it's either Nick Cave's voice or his face but I kept picturing Matt Berry/Laszlo the vampire from What We Do in the Shadows. Anyway, the heavy material just felt like farce / satire or tongue in cheek; not bothered by it at all and it felt like a unique combination with the musical stylings chosen (lots of piano and pomp). Very unique, and as a genre it's worth being on the 1,001 list to know it exists. Solid 3 and I thought about a 4. The Curse of Millhaven (uptempo) and Death is not the End (somber) were my favorites.

I romanticise the notion of Nick Cave. I get really excited to begin with. Then I'm done for a while.

I try and try but I can't get into Nick Cave. Saying that, there are some moments on this that are tuneful and interesting, especially the duets.

I have mixed feelings, it was dramatic then sweary then smooth then it sounded out of tune, it was a weird experience

Good!

I liked the idea, but I wished it was more musically flushed out throughout the album

No jes kaikki kuolee. Vitsihän tämä levy tarinankaarineen on. Mut joku mua kiehtoo kolmeen tähteen asti

Another album from the Harry Du Bois school of drunk, depressed, music. Murder ballads are an incredibly intriguing and compelling subgenre, but it's hard to pay attention to these stories when Nick Cave himself seems absolutely uninterested in whatever's coming out of his mouth. If only every song on this record spotlighted another artist, because hearing PJ Harvey, Kylie Minogue, and his other guest singers added so much life into the tracks they were heavily featured in. Too bad. Needless to say, the standout tracks here were Henry Lee, Where the Wild Roses Grow, and Death is Not the End.

Maybe songs about whole families being murdered just aren't for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

som diferente, vocalzao, instrumental mais de acompamnamehto

Uhh this was a really weird one. I enjoyed a part of it, the 12 minutes track was way too much though Saved songs: Stagger Lee, Crow Jane

I love Nick Cave’s tenth album, The Boatman’s Call, which is described on Wikipedia as “a marked departure from the bulk of the band's post-punk catalogue up to that point.” Murder Ballads is certainly… different from TBC. I didn’t hate it, but I don’t know if I’d listen to it again, and I may be concerned if I came across someone who was blasting this album or declared it their favorite album. 3/5

I didn’t hate it but I didn’t enjoy it either