Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

[Il Anto]

Anybody else a Nick Cave freak like me?

He just released a new album this week. Actually, it's supposedly two albums - even though they were released in the same package.

Abattoir Blues & The Lyre of Orpheus

I haven't been able to listen to them closely, but one thing I know is that the new discs are a huge improvement from 2002's disapointing Nocturama.

[Jason Bivins]

Anthony, I love him too but I haven't heard either "Nocturama" (most people seem to share your opinion) or the new 2fer. I sure remember first hearing the Birthday Party's "Prayers on Fire" (still a good one) and early Cave albums like "Kicking Against the Pricks." Great musician. I think Lazarus said he loves the new one.

[john williams]

I have had the new album for some weeks now and think it's the best since Let Love In. It not only has great music but also the best cover art on a rock album this year IMO.

[Il Anto]

That's funny that you said the best since Let Love In. While I love that album, my two favorite Cave albums are The Boatman's Call and No More shall We Part.

I didn't realize Blixa Bargeld left the Bad Seeds. Maybe it was for the better judging by the quality of the new albums. I'm going to miss him though.

[BFrank]

FWIW, they have these 2 sets on eMusic now.

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by Il Anto

That's funny that you said the best since Let Love In. While I love that album, my two favorite Cave albums are The Boatman's Call and No More shall We Part.

Those are my favourites too, but it has to be said I haven't yet heard the new one. It's rare that there's a new Cave album out that I haven't heard as I used to be a HUGE fan of Nick Cave. I guess that Nocturama made me lose pace a bit. What a disappointment that was. Even the title is cheesy. He's one of the artists I've seen most often live. The first time I saw him was in 1985 and that was one of the few occasions I've been scared at a show. Not of the audience, but the artist himself!

[john williams]

Originally Posted by AntManBee

The first time I saw him was in 1985 and that was one of the few occasions I've been scared at a show. Not of the audience, but the artist himself!

Funny you should say that Ant. When I saw him for the second time (mid 90s) he broke a tooth on the microphone during the first song. He said angrily, though understandably so "Well there goes $4000 dollars worth of dental work." He scowled and stormed around the stage for the rest of the rather short show. He probably wasn't as scary as at in a mid 80s show but it made for a more intense show than might have been had otherwise.

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by JBW

When I saw him for the second time (mid 90s) he broke a tooth on the microphone during the first song.

Not a good start for a show.

The funny thing was that when me and a friend interviewed him after that '85 show, he was quite the opposite to his stage self. Very lowkey in a withdrawn sort of way, but very polite. It was obvious that he didn't feel too well back then, and he kept asking us "Do you have any drugs?". When we told him we didn't and didn't know where to find any either, he looked disappointed but continued the interview in his polite way. By the end of the interview, the rest of the Bad Seeds entered the place where we sat and Blixa had the most intimidating appearance. We didn't speak to each other, I doubt he even saw me sitting there in front of their singer, but when Blixa entered the room it was like a wave of ice came rolling through the hall.

I met him briefly a couple of years later (it must have been around the time of "Tender Prey"). The show was a bit so-so (Nick Cave doing "Nick Cave", sort of) but he was in much better spirit - possibly because it wasn't an interview.