Nick Cave's new album: what does Ned think?

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and everyone else too...

― gabe, Friday, 24 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What do *I* think? Er, why me?

Much to Fred's utter disgust, I am sure, I have been very lax in getting the album and still have not heard it all as a result. I did see his semi-solo tour in America back in March, though, and the new songs all sounded great -- I was especially tickled by "God Is In The House," and the audience as a whole loved it as well. For whatever reason, though, the album seems to have radically divided the following -- I know some long time fans who think it's utterly horrible and others who find it captivating. Once I finally listen to the darn thing all the way through I'll let you know my take. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

and i was hoping this thread was posted by ned in the true dj martian style. what disappointment.

― ethan, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ned if you do not listen to this motherfucking album I am doing to steal a motherfucking car and drive out to motherfucking California and force you to motherfucking listen. And then write a motherfucking ILM post about it.

― Josh, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

A little over-long, some stodgy tracks, but great. Far from his best ('The Boatman's Call'), but great.
'Love Letter' is still my favourite song of the year.

― DavidM, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

So Josh, what you're saying is. ;-) All right, all right, I'll scare it up somehow, if not this weekend then the next (when I have money again and all).

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think it's interesting that he's introducing some more contemporary topical references into the lyrics (having a panic attack at the hairdressers [cute], cell phones, guns in schools etc.) instead of using his usual Flannery O'Connor/Faulkner mythic southern milieu. I know that's been gradually disappearing over the past few records, but it's altogether gone now, isn't it?

At first it threw me off a bit, but I think it's brave of him not to strain so much for "timeless/classic" status. It's a bit smaller, humbler, more willing to laugh at himself. That's all well & good, but it's not really what we want from our Nick... I want grandiose, melodramatic, overblown & mythic. I guess with age that's harder to pull off and he's wise to zero in more on the personal.

And where the hell are the Bad Seeds? I like the intimate piano cabaret thing, but it seems a shame not to make more use of such a fine and versatile band. I do like the album (esp. that last song!), just find it a bit distressingly grown-up.

― fritz, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

the more i listen, the better it gets - though some tracks like god is in da house, 15 feet stand out more than others....agree with the commetn re boatman's call, but it's still miles ahead of most other shit I've heard this yr.

― Geoff, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It is a bit more of an intimate approach, but I love it. I also like the vibrato he's added to his vocals as well.

― Sean, Monday, 27 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one year passes...

Last night at the concert one kind reveler heckled: "Get off the piano!"

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 26 June 2003 12:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I did finally hear it and all and...it's nice. But now I haven't heard the new new one.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 26 June 2003 13:16 (twenty-two years ago)

keep away from it. there's a few passages where he sounds just like bruce springsteen. i swear.

― joan vich (joan vich), Thursday, 26 June 2003 13:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think there's any reason to stay way from it, but there's simply no reason to come close to it, either.. Quite bland, esp. that god-awful new single 'He wants you'

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Thursday, 26 June 2003 13:42 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, maybe you're right. i was just astonished to hear nick cave go AOR.

― joan vich (joan vich), Thursday, 26 June 2003 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Yup. A-O-R.. I've been told that it's a grower but nothing really compels me to try to let it grow..

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Thursday, 26 June 2003 14:00 (twenty-two years ago)

B-b-b-but what about that last song, guys?? and the video for it? "Babe, I'm On Fire" is fucking brilliant

― roger adultery, Thursday, 26 June 2003 16:10 (twenty-two years ago)

"love letter" from the album that prompted this thread is one of my favorite songs of his.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 26 June 2003 16:15 (twenty-two years ago)

the new album is supremely dull, and I'm a big fan who even liked And No More Shall We Part (well, much of it anyway). Babe I'm on Fire is great but wears out its welcome; I listened to the record a lot the week it came out and nothing else about it has remained in memory. BUT, I heard that his latest tour was smoking anyway (didn't go, too expensive), and that with Blixa gone it kind of took the band in an interesting direction live. Cave is maybe one of the greatest living performers; I just wish he could channel that into his recordings these days.

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Thursday, 26 June 2003 16:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Both No More Shall We Part and Nocturama are supreme classics. Wonderful Life is one of his best songs ever, and Babe, I'm On Fire never gets boring.

― Tijn, Thursday, 26 June 2003 17:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Babe I'm on Fire stars boring an dend boring, on first listen and on 20th listen.. I don't know maybe I don't get it, but I've always found NC's humour completely flat.
Anthony - tell us more about the tour reports.. Who's replacing Blixa? What's their new direction?

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Friday, 27 June 2003 06:34 (twenty-two years ago)

two years pass...

hey guys, fuck you robot.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Monday, 14 November 2005 16:07 (twenty years ago)

Robot?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 14 November 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

someone is spamming all over ilm

― D.I.Y. U.N.K.L.E. (dave225.3), Monday, 14 November 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

Are their other songs on his recent works that sound like "There She Goes, My Beautiful World"? Cuz that song might be my favorite song of his I've heard since the Birthday Party.

― 'Twan (miccio), Monday, 14 November 2005 16:43 (twenty years ago)

it's the best song on those two records but those records (abbatoir blues and lyre) are really good all around.

― kyle (akmonday), Monday, 14 November 2005 16:52 (twenty years ago)

Abbatoir blues title track is also mighty fine. I really have to dig these albums out.

― Baaderonixx ménage ses forces dans l'attente du Grand Soir (baaderonixx), Monday, 14 November 2005 16:59 (twenty years ago)

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