Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds “Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus” (Best of the Decade)
One could easily get into a heated argument with fans of the band about what should be considered Nick Cave’s “best work.” The singer has released such a stunning body of material between his 1973 debut with the Birthday Party and last year’s Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! that choosing a favorite becomes no easy task. Though when narrowing down Cave’s post millennium output—which that makes the decision much easier—2004’s Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus double album leads the pack as such an achievement that it even overshadows the utterly fantastic Lazarus.
While both albums share themes unsurprising to anyone with a cursory knowledge of Cave’s discography (philosophy, morals, degradation, and SEX) the two are also markedly different. Abattoir is a no-holds-barred look and the coarser side of mankind’s nature, from craven sexual perversions to murder and depravity. Cave’s insistent shouts never quite feel like lectures though; while his themes are largely of a moral nature he almost always seems complicit in man’s dirty deeds, rather than holding himself above them. In this way Cave is your guide through a tour of the failings of mankind—throwing dirt on the fire with his right hand while fanning the flames with his left.
On the flip-side, Lyre of Orpheus finds Cave re-imagining the Greek Orphic myth, complete with Orpheus and Eurydice, and a few peculiar additions to the story (like Eurydice threatening to shove Orpheus’s lyre up his ass). Lyre contains a few of the album’s more tender moments as well, such as a yearning “Babe, You Turn Me On,” and “Breathless,” as great a love song as Cave ever wrote. Both albums have some assistance from a backing choir, as well as the Bad Seeds’ incredibly bombastic sound. “Get Ready for Love,” “Supernaturally” and “O Children,” use these most effectively, making a fuller sound one of the defining characteristics of Cave and the Bad Seeds’ recent work.
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Also: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!” Review
In revisiting the albums I seem to prefer Lyre of Orpheus… it might not roll as fluid, but the songs seem to stay with me longer. Great commentary on them both!
This is where I kind of dropped off following Nick Cave, or I guess I should say Nocturama was the last thing I have heard. I should really check into this one still.
I didn’t get into Nocturama as much as I probably should have, considering how much I enjoyed these and Lazarus (though I think I enjoy Lazarus the most out of these mentioned here). There were definitely some great songs on that though: Bring it On, Rock of Gibraltar & I think my favorite might be Babe, I’m On Fire.
Nick Cave at the State Theater around 2001 or whenever that was still ranks as one of my favorite few shows of all time.
I think Erik was at that one, and I think he’s on the same wave-length as you in that regard (though it’s far from my place to speak for the guy)
Cave is one of those performers that I have never seen live but want to before I die (or he dies). I think Nocturama is ok, but is absolutely blown away by the past couple records
Well written piece on a consistent artist. Best regards