10/19/2006

A Matter of Timing

After I watched The Proposition and wondered why Nick Cave had not been more heavily represented in my music collection, Holly suggested I give Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus a listen.

I bought the mp3 version of the album and loaded it onto the old music player and went to bed. The next morning, I set out on my early morning zombie autowalk to the train. I hit play. 6 seconds into GET READY FOR LOVE and I was. The urgency and force of the song got me all the way down the street to where the last beat of the song coincided with my first step onto the train platform. By that time, it no longer felt like 6:20 a.m. in the pouring rain.

I was able to hear most of the rest of the album on the way to work and fit the rest in at lunch time, happy to trade Nick in for the usual background boredom sounds. The album is filled with an intriguing mix of ferocity and simplicity that finds footing in several genres but mainly just sounds alive. The lyrics while beautiful are also often raw and unpolished to the point of undeniable weight. There's beauty in a well written line but sometimes the greater art is in the honesty.

With a little prompting, I recalled that I had seen Nick and the Bad Seeds perform in Wings of Desire and had also heard a few of his songs (Red Right Hand and Clean Hands, Dirty Hands) previously. I have a feeling I'm going to be hearing a lot more of you Nick.

Skincarver? I may need your help setting up that altar after all!

16 comments:

ziggystardust73 said...

Sorry I haven't been around, Dale - all work, no play makes Jack, etc.

I love Nick Cave. He is one of my many husbands.

Cup said...

*stands and applauds brilliant album review*

And, by the way, don't you just love Wings of Desire? It's on my top 25 list.

Dale said...

I guess if you're familiar with Nick's back catalogue, you may well be boyfriends naughty Ziggy.

The challenge is in finding new ways to say this album rocks!! Thanks for the nice words Beth. And yes, Wings of Desire is such a beautiful piece of work that I need to watch it again. I bought it on dvd some time ago and found it mesmerizing.

4 Non Blogs said...

You MUST get The Proposition soundtrack. It will make you weep. Great review for this album, by the way. IMO, stay away from "Nocturama", that disc let me down so bad. The "Best Of" is a good mix of older stuff. "Murder Ballads" is critical to your collection as is "The Boatman's Call".

I'll bring my tools and candles...you find a live chicken. Mob may help.

Knitty Yas said...

OOHHHH... Nick and the Bad Seeds makes my heart go pitter patter *drools* oh yeah baby. oohhh yeahhhhh lol *has a moment* You have no idea Dale. I didnt know he had solo stuff though. dur

Peter said...

I was thinking the same thing after watching The Proposition. He was sort of backed into writing it, so the story goes.

I'm just not really feeling dirge music lately. I'll wait for my next Leonard Cohen kick and couple in some Nick Cave.

An old roomate of mine was crazy for Cave's old punk band The Birthday Party. Any opinions?

Erik said...

And the only exception to your brilliant Booksquirm rule, which I generally wholeheartedly endorse, is if the book being read is St Nick's "And the Ass Saw the Angel."
Skincarver's recommends are golden, and I'd make a case for "No More Shall We Part," too.

I had a date once with a guy who'd had pictures taken of himself looking remarkably like Nick in "The Mercy Seat" video, but he was, apparently, too cool for me. The cad.

Tenacious S said...

Nice, Dale. Nick Cave is the king of cool.

mellowlee said...

GREAT review! It made me want to get this album. I haven't heard this one yet, tho I do heart Nick Cave
Thanks Dale :)

Dale said...

Thanks for the recommendations Skincarver, I was hoping you'd pony up with your thoughts on where to go next. I know Mob'll help out with either one of the live chickens or at least a Robot Chicken.

You had more than a moment Yas, you're soaking in it!

Good idea Pete, get it all in at once. Just don't try driving afterward. I know I should know more about The Birthday Party too but somehow I missed that day in school.

Thanks for your thoughts too Erik, much appreciated. Maybe if your date had had pictures taken of himself looking in a mirror, he'd have seen what a fool he was.

Thanks Tenacious, you've got great musical taste so you should know!

And you always get me with your musical choices too MellowLee so thank you too.

Anonymous said...

Just a perfect day. You made me forget myself, I thought I was someone else, someone good.

I love Nick Cave. How bout Nick and PJ Harvey and Concrete Blonde;s "Ship Song"? I have a great friend in NZ who sends me all good stuff...

Dale said...

Hi Bluez, I'm the last one on the planet to find out Nick rulez. Glad you're on board so the Ship can set sail.

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad you liked it.

Dale said...

It really took me somewhere else Holly and I'm still loving the hell out of it. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Angie Pansey said...

Nick Cave!!!

Dale, you are the perfect male specimen. Great review, too.

Dale said...

Except for the body and the age, I'm the perfect male specimen Angela, thank you for noticing!