Nick Cave's Slaughterhouse
When Nick Cave releases an album (which seems to be every bloody year), I dutifully part with my cash for the CD. He's one of the artists I'll buy just about every release of.
The last couple of years his albums haven't really done much for me, though I had a few weeks intense enjoyment of his last one, Noctorama. In particular the single 'Bring it on'.
Abattoir Blues, the first CD of this lovingly packaged release, continues with the energy and drive that 'Bring it on' had, but the rest of Nocturama lacked.
Lyrically, Cave takes us from God to cannibalism (I'm sure it's a metaphor...), drops names like Auden, Nabokov and Marx and mentions his 'flag' at 'full salute'. Sweet.
I'm on track 6 and I've heard at least three possible singles. And I keep thinking: "This is how R.E.M. would sound if they still cared."
Well, perhaps not the title track Abattoir Blues, which seems to have barely grown out of some sort of demo stage. Think U2's So Cruel, i.e. interesting idea with maddening drum beat.
But it's immediately followed by the beautifully crafted 'Let the bells ring', where Cave's almost in Crowded House territory.
Purists might scream 'sell out' like they'd never screamed 'sell out' before at Abattoir's almost middle-of-the-roadness, but I'm quite taken with it. In fact, by the time the first track finished I had gone and ordered a ticket for his November 2004 concert in Amsterdam. And I'd told myself I would skip this tour.
Part II, The Lyre of Orpheus, tomorrow.
I thought this wasn't coming out for another month. Is it out earlier in Europe? not fair!
tell me more, I can't wait.
-S-
Got the promo from Mute. :-)
I enjoyed his first two or three solo albums, but haven't really found him compelling since the mid-80s (with the exception of some of The Boatman's Call, notably Into My Arms).
I like the idea of him becoming more MOR. He's always going to have that edge that sets him apart from the mainstream, but I really don't need to hear yet another song called I Murdered Her In A Ditch (And Her Hair Looked Beautiful In The Moonlight).
He's one of the most captivating artists I know of, once he gets on the stage, beckons the crowd forward, stepping to the edge of the stage, crooning over them... Or see him clutch onto his microphone, pouring his soul into it... Amazing.
I personally can't wait 'til November, and not quite sure if I'll manage to restrict myself to the two gigs I have planned so far...
Yeah, he's #1 for me when it comes to playing an audience (without begging for attention like, well, Bono who's also a master, but a bit shameless, really). It's very skilled and absolutely mesmerising on a good night. There's a dignity and self-assuredness to it that you don't find in other artists.
(You'll probably say 'but what about Gavin?' Well, he's a more emotional and histrionic performer and he hasn't got that detachment that works so well for Cave.)
OK, so I need to see a live performance to get a more rounded view of him. Admittedly I saw him perform one song at the Harry Smith tribute thing a few years ago, but I can't say that it made much of an impression on me. I suppose it paled by comparison with Jarvis and his cockroach, or Gavin singing with Mary Margaret O'Hara.
Correction: it seems I saw him perform three songs (one with Kate & Anna McGarrigle), which kind of reinforces my claim that it made little impression on me. But I recognise that his own material would probably be different.
Harry Smith was more about doing that material justice. Cave doing his own stuff live is a whirlwind. I've seen him around 10 times or so and only one gig was disappointing. That's a very high ratio.
I'm with Caroline and E on this one. I've seen Nick so many times over the last 20 years or so, in small clubs where I've been up by the stage, and in larger venues too. He's really a most compelling performer. He doesn't inspire me to travel to other countries to see him, the way Gavin does, but I have to say he's probably my favorite of all time. Ex: the lyrics to a Nick Cave song were the cover of my wedding invitation -- Gavin got the back of the programme. Since I don't write as well as any of you, I'll leave it at that!
Lucky you, Caz, getting a promo! I can't wait for Sept. 20th.
Not lucky, worked hard for it ;-)
Feel the same as Sue. Not inclined to travel for Nick.
Gav = addiction
Nick = admiration
Near the bottom of this interview there's a section about recording Nocturama, that you might find interesting.
http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_nick_launay/index.html
Cool. Nick Launay's also done work for the Virgin Prunes.
when I said "lucky" I didn't mean to imply that you didn't earn it!
hmmm, didn't I chastise someone recently in the Gavin forum for saying you were 'lucky' to have his address...
I must be more careful with my choice of words. Remember, I am a mathematician, not a writer!