Sunday 16 December 2012

Albums for Life: 81: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: The Boatman's Call

I don't believe in an interventionist God
But I know, darling, that you do

Following on from the menacing 'Murder Ballads' came this more intimate collection from 1997.
Gone are the gloomy narratives; that murky malevolent heart of darkness is replaced by brooding heartache. The songs are low key, the arrangements beautifully understated. Shimmering strings suggest redemption whilst the lyrics speak of inner struggle; the voice is magnificently sombre and emotionally adroit amidst the confusion.
Lost and found, our Nick is hopelessly hopeful; denying the presence of angels but praying for their guidance.  Has there ever been a more appropriately named crooner?
Cave might be conflicted by his shadowy angst, but at least he's searching for some kind of light.
This is pitch perfect gothic melancholia.




9 comments:

  1. This was very close to making my list - love the fact that it is the opposite of murder ballads ie a very personal set on songs about his relationship and break up with Pj Harvey

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  2. Ay, that particular green eyed lady seemed to have quite an impact...
    It was almost pipped by (a more commercial) The Good Son; even Boo covered one of his songs 'The Ship Song' from that album...

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    1. and that is the other Nick Cave lp I own ...

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  3. One of the key moments in my musical journey was hearing Nick for the first time - at the raw, terrifying stage of his musical journey when he was still with The Birthday Party. I was obsessed with him for quite a while and there will be a few albums from him and his 'circle' making an appearance in my list although I haven't yet decided which of his own albums to include.
    I love Brompton Oratory off this album. In fact I used to listen to side one (on vinyl) and didn't really listen to side two a lot. Must remedy that.

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    1. Agree that he seems to have front loaded the album; the later songs always come to me afresh...

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  4. You know that Into My Arms is one of my immortal wounds, one of the most moving songs ever recorded in my books. I really wanted this album on my list, and there are some other good songs here, but to be honest, I can only take Mr. Cave in small doses. His work is always a challenging listen for me, and sometimes the gloomy death/God/love obsessions become a bit monotonous. But I agree that this is certainly his best album...

    TT

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    1. You have to be in the mood for Mr Cave; not easy listening for sure.
      Have you read any of his prose?

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  5. Yes, a long time ago I read Ass & The Angel. I don't remember much about it other than it was shockingly graphic for my prudish tastes at the time. Southern-gothic themes of religion, sex, violence that Cave typically wallows in. I haven't read his latest novel. I'm really having a hard time reading anything longer than short stories and the occassional biography these days. Too busy having fun, I guess.
    I don't know if I mentioned it, but 25 Sunset Boulevard in Ormond By The Sea is finally ours, and we're pleased as punch!

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  6. PS: I just remembered something about Nick Cave that I read several years ago. I thought it was interesting that every day he goes to work in an "office" fully suited of course. I had to Google it to see if I'd imagined it. I typed in "Nick Cave works in an office" and came up with this 2008 Guardian interview:
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/feb/23/popandrock.features

    TT

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