Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
Mute - CDSTUMM233 - 20/09/04
By Patrick Walsh
After the relative disappointment of last year's Nocturama, it was with some degree of trepidation that the latest Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds offering was approached. A 2 disc set, Abattoir Blues/ The Lyre of Orpheus turns out to play like a reiteration of Cave's strengths both past and present, a refusal to play up to his past glories but without completely shunning them. In other words, this is quite possibly the greatest work Cave has put his name to since Tender Prey.
The departure of guitarist Blixa Bargeld from the Bad Seeds appears to have injected some kind of inspirational elixer into the band, the compositions on this album are so fresh and varied. Where Nocturama sounded tired and by the numbers, Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus glows with obvious passion and delicate beauty. Abattoir Blues, the first cd, shows Cave in an uptempo cruise control, with Mick Harvey splicing Cave's most playful lyrics in years with all manner of jarring guitar lines. Considering the subdued nature of his more recent offering, this certainly comes as somewhat of a shock at first listening. The presence of a gospel choir underpins Cave's ever present religious references, and although they are more overt than ever before ('Get ready for Love') they rarely become overbearing. Songs such as the biting 'Hiding All Away', the pop-rock of single 'Nature Boy' and bizarre obscurities such as 'Fable of the Brown Ape' show a group of musicians at the top of their game.
The Lyre of Orpheus by contrast is a little more in tune with Cave of more recent years, more laid back in nature yet equally as intense as its forebearer. The title track's chilling tale of the murderous Lyre in question amidst a plodding, bluesy foundation makes way for the chilling beauty of 'Breathless', 'Babe, You Turn Me On' and the looming desperation of 'Easy Money'. 'Supernaturally' is easily the best rock song penned by the group in years, while 'O Children' winds down the album in a typical forthright Nick Cave way, a sad hopelessnesss permeating his lyrics and the choir humming gently in the background to great effect. Put simply, Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is a masterful work from the master of the brood, and one for those of you who might have assumed Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds were aging too gracefully for their own good.
9/10
Official Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Website
Official Mute Records Website
Mute - CDSTUMM233 - 20/09/04
By Patrick Walsh
After the relative disappointment of last year's Nocturama, it was with some degree of trepidation that the latest Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds offering was approached. A 2 disc set, Abattoir Blues/ The Lyre of Orpheus turns out to play like a reiteration of Cave's strengths both past and present, a refusal to play up to his past glories but without completely shunning them. In other words, this is quite possibly the greatest work Cave has put his name to since Tender Prey.
The departure of guitarist Blixa Bargeld from the Bad Seeds appears to have injected some kind of inspirational elixer into the band, the compositions on this album are so fresh and varied. Where Nocturama sounded tired and by the numbers, Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus glows with obvious passion and delicate beauty. Abattoir Blues, the first cd, shows Cave in an uptempo cruise control, with Mick Harvey splicing Cave's most playful lyrics in years with all manner of jarring guitar lines. Considering the subdued nature of his more recent offering, this certainly comes as somewhat of a shock at first listening. The presence of a gospel choir underpins Cave's ever present religious references, and although they are more overt than ever before ('Get ready for Love') they rarely become overbearing. Songs such as the biting 'Hiding All Away', the pop-rock of single 'Nature Boy' and bizarre obscurities such as 'Fable of the Brown Ape' show a group of musicians at the top of their game.
The Lyre of Orpheus by contrast is a little more in tune with Cave of more recent years, more laid back in nature yet equally as intense as its forebearer. The title track's chilling tale of the murderous Lyre in question amidst a plodding, bluesy foundation makes way for the chilling beauty of 'Breathless', 'Babe, You Turn Me On' and the looming desperation of 'Easy Money'. 'Supernaturally' is easily the best rock song penned by the group in years, while 'O Children' winds down the album in a typical forthright Nick Cave way, a sad hopelessnesss permeating his lyrics and the choir humming gently in the background to great effect. Put simply, Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is a masterful work from the master of the brood, and one for those of you who might have assumed Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds were aging too gracefully for their own good.
9/10
Official Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Website
Official Mute Records Website
