I'm pretty sure Flea understands that his band is the butt of many jokes and the object of much derision. I read his book, and the dude is pretty hip, has good taste and is obviously a good musician, yet he'll forever be tainted as a member of the Monsters of Mook. It's kind of tragic.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 1 December 2020 20:27 (three years ago) link
Nearly all of Flea's recording and performing endeavours outside of the Chi-Peps show him to have fine and interesting taste.
― huge rant (sic), Tuesday, 1 December 2020 20:39 (three years ago) link
"god in the house"
as a pretty regular seeing nick cave live kinda guy, this song becoming a setlist staple has been both inexplicable and unbearable
― the least famous person you were surprised to discover (emsworth), Tuesday, 1 December 2020 21:46 (three years ago) link
......I like "The Curse of Millhaven", it's fun
I love Curse of Millhaven too. It being simply Henry Lee speeded up gives it additional poignancy the lyrics perhaps don't warrant. I feel moved by this psychopathic stock character brought to life just to have (very) comical rhymes hung off her, which is a trick he pulls off multiple times on Murder Ballads. Saw it in an encore at Brixton in the early 2000s - that was a thrilling few minutes.
― Eyeball Kicks, Tuesday, 1 December 2020 23:51 (three years ago) link
well I made it like four tracks into Ghosteeen, that album is soporific in a bad way
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Tuesday, 1 December 2020 23:52 (three years ago) link
completely blown away by AB/LoO and DLD, so I think it's a win overall in terms of catching up
Skeleton Tree is uninspiring as well but not as boring as the new one
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Tuesday, 1 December 2020 23:53 (three years ago) link
as per sic's great post above, it turns out that my favorite thing about Nick Cave might have been Mick Harvey
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Tuesday, 1 December 2020 23:58 (three years ago) link
As I re-listen to the disappointing albums, I can confirm "God Is in the House" is the worst song he's ever written. Cave's songs are at their best when it hard to determine what he thinks of the characters, including himself. Jello Biafra-levels of easily digested irony and sarcasm just blow his whole game.
And I like God is in the House too! The whole of No More Shall We Part (as the title suggests) is about the weirdness of being domesticated. Maybe a few years earlier this would have been a straightforwardly sarcastic song, but from As I Sat Sadly By Her Side onwards the guy's writing songs about becoming a bit like the kind of people who are in God is in the House. Sitting indoors, judging the neighbours, scared of the world. He's hamming it up, for sure, as usual, but I don't think it's clear at all what he thinks of the characters in God is in the House - he kinda gets where they're coming from!
― Eyeball Kicks, Tuesday, 1 December 2020 23:59 (three years ago) link
I haven't been a fan of latter-day Nick Cave in general, and this one sticks out because it's ranked so high in the year-end polls. Except for Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! (which was like a revitalization after the shot in the arm from Grinderman), a lot of the later stuff sounds much less compelling to me even when the inspiration has been credited to harrowing circumstances. I'll give them another chance after this poll - I'm curious to see what makes the best tracks portion.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:14 (three years ago) link
my take:
a lot of the later stuff sounds much less compelling to me even especially when the inspiration has been credited to harrowing circumstances
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:17 (three years ago) link
no more shall we part is kind of a slog (same with boatman, to be really real), but there are two or three of his very best songs nestled on there, including "as i sat sadly by her side" imo
― la table sur la table (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:19 (three years ago) link
If sleeve ever covers "Moon Song," he's swapping out the Clapton lyrics with Cave references.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:23 (three years ago) link
I'm glad I have no idea what that means
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:24 (three years ago) link
I admire Boatman more than I love it. Some great tracks, but it doesn't really sustain itself from end to end.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:26 (three years ago) link
it does have "lime tree arbour," which is one of his very best ballads
― la table sur la table (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:34 (three years ago) link
Brompton Oratory one of my alltime favorites -i love Boatman’s Call so much
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:40 (three years ago) link
and There is A Kingdom is great too!
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:41 (three years ago) link
I love "Brompton Oratory," that's going on my ballot. I think it's great in small doses, but it feels a bit lacking when I listen to all 52+ minutes of it. The music is fairly minimal, which actually puts more burden on basic stuff like the tunes, the lyrics, etc. and it's tough building a whole album around that, so my hat's off to him for trying.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:49 (three years ago) link
um that record easily has three of my top ten on it, none of which have been mentioned. and generally I prefer rocking Seeds! but those songs are undeniable IMO.
as a whole-record listen, yes is is a sloggy overlong breakup album, but the highs are so high for me (personal associations noted)
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 00:58 (three years ago) link
The beginning 6 song run on Boatman’s Call is so good. “Lime Tree Arbour” will definitely make the shortlist.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:00 (three years ago) link
i always think of Boatman as a collection of secular hymnsi dont know if its exactly what he was going for def v ...reverential? vibes
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:01 (three years ago) link
also reminds me VERY specifically of that year & the boring suburban house i was renting & listening to the album nonstop staring at my bedroom wall
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:02 (three years ago) link
it's a breakup album for me, hence its power
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:03 (three years ago) link
i found ghosteen to be very dull on first listen until i got to the second disc which has more movement and then the rest of the album completely opened up to me and now it's solidly my second favourite album he's ever done, only just behind abbatoir blues/lyre of orpheus
boatman's call has never quite clicked with me though, it's got some very good moments but as a whole it's a bit much. not bad but not yet a favourite either
― ufo, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:07 (three years ago) link
LMAO, I can see it being especially good on a loop under those circumstances.
Weird seeing that after you put down his mournful albums for being soporofic, but regardless, I will agree it's moving for that reason
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:09 (three years ago) link
breakup != death of child
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 02:28 (three years ago) link
the first happened to me, the second happened to Cave, to be clear
the reason I like Boatman is because it mirrored my life at that time, the songs stay with me. I don't have the same emotional investment in his later work.
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 02:29 (three years ago) link
Amazing how many great covers he's recorded.
afaict there are twice as many compilation albums of "songs that Nick Cave covered (or liked)", as tribute albums covering his own songs
(one album commissioning covers, two recordings of tribute concerts.)
― huge rant (sic), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 03:36 (three years ago) link
covers should be a side poll
― ufo, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 03:45 (three years ago) link
I was thinking about making a list and suggesting that
― huge rant (sic), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 04:01 (three years ago) link
I would appreciate it, he has so many good originals that I have no room for the covers
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 December 2020 04:58 (three years ago) link
some covers he does are so good that he completely makes them own. "wanted man" is his "all along the watchtower".
― stirmonster, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 07:38 (three years ago) link
Love his cover of Disco 2000.
― Eyeball Kicks, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 09:31 (three years ago) link
(Forgot he did two! The slow one obviously.)
― Eyeball Kicks, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 09:34 (three years ago) link
One my fave covers, Nick & Warren going all Grinderman on the Gatlin Bros for True Detective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttPMvXBOAaI
― chr1sb3singer, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 15:33 (three years ago) link
having a separate covers poll would be great!
― sarahell, Wednesday, 2 December 2020 18:26 (three years ago) link
ok The Abbatoir Blues Tour is their best live album for sure, it's touring their best album, not as muddy as live seeds, the band is in top form (that version of "red right hand"!), and there's great backing vocals!
― ufo, Thursday, 3 December 2020 09:23 (three years ago) link
Would be totally up for a cover's side poll. His delivery of "Long Time Man" was the first time I got anything but macho posturing out of a kill-my-woman song. I felt the lack of control the character had over his emotions, the heartfelt regret, the acceptance of personal evil.
Now that I think about it, when the song clicked for me, Cave created same chill I felt during a "scared straight" session in high school where they brought in some inmates to talk about their experience, and after an hour of hearing these well-spoken if haggard men talk about life inside, they revealed their crimes. One of them had killed his wife and kid during a freebasing binge.
"Mutiny in Heaven" created a similar chill on first listen. I've gotten it from Jubilee Street. At his best, he transcends theatrics.
― Julius Caesar Memento Hoodie (bendy), Thursday, 3 December 2020 15:41 (three years ago) link
Man, I just had a magical memory moment. I put on "Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus," which the streaming service began with "Abattoir Blues." First, I have no idea why but I always listened to "Lyre of Orpheus" first; maybe based on where the CD was slipped in the sleeve? Second, because the service played that album second I had moved on to washing the dishes, but then I heard the flute that starts "Breathless" and I suddenly remembered I put it on a mix of really pretty songs for my wife to listen to when she was pregnant and ready to give birth to my first daughter (who is now 16). I hadn't heard the song in years. Very special.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 4 December 2020 00:50 (three years ago) link
An additional point about Mick Harvey's essential role: that he would unfussily take whatever position in the band was vacant at the time. Tracy's in jail? Okay, Mick will do bass and we'll have one guitar. Everyone hates the drummer enough that he's staying in Australia this time? Mick will be the drummer for, oh, three years. Barry Adamson has got a solo deal? Mick can be the bassist for five years. The Triffids have split up so Martyn Casey is available? Back to guitar and organ and writing string arrangements for Mick.
― huge rant (sic), Sunday, 6 December 2020 20:26 (three years ago) link
Yeah, Harvey's ever shifting roles are fascinating. Were he more than a competent vocal presence I think his solo albums would be pretty impressive.
― Julius Caesar Memento Hoodie (bendy), Sunday, 6 December 2020 21:14 (three years ago) link
oof i may be too close to the deadline to relisten to the catalog or deliver a ballot but i'm very happy to read all of these positive posts about abattoir blues/lyre of orpheus in a row, that record was huge for me in my senior year of high school/freshman year of college
that same year of college i got heavy into no more shall we part and i still love every song on that record even tho it could and should be shorter yes
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Sunday, 6 December 2020 21:20 (three years ago) link
the results will be interesting as it seems like there are quite a number of millennial ilxors voting in this ... I also realized that I don't have Tender Prey on my iPod, which might actually be my favorite? (see also: records that were huge for me in high school).
― sarahell, Sunday, 6 December 2020 21:50 (three years ago) link
still wondering if we can do a covers side poll
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Sunday, 6 December 2020 21:54 (three years ago) link
yeah somehow i have every album but The Good Son i had it on cassette & wore it out, no idea why i never got it on cd wtf
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 6 December 2020 21:57 (three years ago) link
(xpost)
I give us permission to do the covers side poll
― sarahell, Sunday, 6 December 2020 22:48 (three years ago) link
not 100% sure how a covers side poll would work, given you can obviously choose covers for the Bad Seeds & non-Bad Seeds polls (which will ideally give us an understanding of how we rank/ interpret them)?
happy to accept separate lists of covers if we want to go down that path though.
― charlie rex, Monday, 7 December 2020 01:32 (three years ago) link
there's just so many good originals! thank you for accepting my list
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Monday, 7 December 2020 02:28 (three years ago) link
yah the covers poll idea is to free up lists (and listening) for all originals this time. I'm happy to run one separately after this is over, if that's simpler?
― huge rant (sic), Monday, 7 December 2020 02:46 (three years ago) link