1994 saw the release of Let Love In, what I believe to be THE quintessential Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album. Do You Love Me? opens the album and it's Cave and co on classic form, the operative question is not "do you love me" but - "do you love me like I love YOU". It's a subtle difference, and for me it's the key to this track, as Thomas Wylder's drums march, Cave's piano tinkles, and Mick Harvey and Blixa Bargeld produce incidental guitar licks.
There is fire and brimstone contained here, Loverman is a full-on, guns blazing rave-up where Cave spells out his plea for L.O.V.E. But there are some great Cave ballads here also, more refined than ever on Nobody's Baby Now, Ain't Gonna Rain Anymore and the title track. Red Right Hand is another key song, creepy organ and pounded bells create a spooky atmosphere on the brightest of days, and there's a clever Neil Young steal in the lyrics ("you'll see him in your nightmares, you'll see him in your dreams" - Barstool Blues).
Jangling Jack is an unhinged pounder with Cave squealing and whooshing, and Thirsty Dog is another in a similar vein. All the songs here are really strong. In case the point was missed, the album finishes with a slowed-down Do You Love Me? (Part 2) arranged for strings. It's a must-own if you like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Showing posts with label Blixa Bargeld. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blixa Bargeld. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Album Review: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Firstborn Is Dead
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' second album The Firstborn Is Dead, released into the pop wastelands of 1985, opens with the rain soaked epic Tupelo. It's a lengthy, clanking diatribe, all thrilling stops and starts and Cave bawling lyrics about "the beast it cometh, cometh down" and "the sandman's murder". It's hard for the rest of the album to maintain that level of intensity. Elsewhere we get the dark blues of Say Goodbye To The Little Girl Tree and Knockin' on Joe, whoops and hollers on the romping Train Long-Suffering and the twisted call and response of Black Crow King.
Their version of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash's Wanted Man ups the ante considerably, transforming the original with a powerful vocal by Cave as the band display a fine grasp of dynamics, opening with Blixa Bargeld's slide guitar, speeding up gradually as the song progresses. They finish with the intensely moody blues of Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)

