Sucks. I don't like to use the word "pretentious" when describing art, I think it's a cop-out word that people use when the artist's intention is beyond their comprehension and sensibilities. Dictionary definition is "attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed," so I'm absolutely applying it here because this album is just full of grandiose ideas and goals and an affectation of intelligence that, given the bored, flat delivery, feels so incredibly phony. We've had at least one other Nick Cave album, and I generally like the guy, but he sounds really bad on here. Really morose, whiny, like he's in on some cosmic sorrow that we couldn't even imagine (good thing I'm not saying this stuff about Ghosteen, but then again, why would I? That album is good). From the two-part backslash title, to the vague mythology references amid tracks like--sorry, let me make sure I get this right--"Babe, You Turn Me On." Absolutely no thank you, I am not the audience for this. I'm as averse to this as I am to mustard, too bitter and too adjacent to poison for my palate. Favorite tracks: Let the Bells Ring. Album art: Cool flower picture, thick border, decent font. Formulaic, but not terrible. 1/5