Friday, August 12, 2005

This Useless Old Fucker, and His Twinkling Cunt

Nick Cave – The Boatman's Call

Now Nick Cave probably isn't anyones idea of amping, pulse-racing music, but 'The Boatman's Call' must be among the gentlest, mellowest albums I own. Maybe it's a little too mellow for me, I don't like this album nearly as much as the others of his that I own.

Having said that, a few of the songs appeal. 'Into My Arms', 'Brompton Oratory' and 'Far From Me' are all very pretty, sad songs, but I think the album as a whole could have done with a change of pace every now and again.

The lyrics are still great though. On this album Cave deals with his religion more explicitly than on the others. Somehow, despite my normal adverse reaction to religious expression, Cave manages to make it interesting and appealing. Maybe it's because he's not afraid to admit his own doubts and insecurities rather than pretending to be almost as good as Jesus (what I think of as 'Creed-styles'). After the half-way mark he moves on to the more familiar and comfortable territory of heartbreak and unfaithful women, which curiously enough doesn't appeal to me as much.

See also:
Abbatoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
The Good Son

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