Murder Ballads

by

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

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I bought this CD after reading some of the reviews and I must say its some of the most downright chilling music I've ever heard. It isn't the lyrics, you can hear songs equally violent listening to rap. Its all in the musical arrangements and Cave's sinister vocal style. That combustible combination makes Murder Ballads a vicious yet delicious masterpiece.

Stagger Lee is simply stunning. I have heard old versions and they don't come close to what Cave has done after he adds his touch.

Where the Wild Roses Grow is a hauntingly beautiful and strikingly sordid song that reminds me of one of Joyce Carol Oates' early macabre short stories. Kylie Minogue's angelic vocals as victim are in sharp contrast to the evil that emanates from Cave's.

My favorite is the epic O'Malley's Bar, a tale of a man gone mad who ruthlessly and brutally murders everyone in his neighborhood bar but shrinks at the end from taking his own life. Appalling violence marks this fourteen minute saga from start to finish.

Songs of murder and violent death have been around since the days of antiquity, but here Nick Cave masterfully takes the genre to a new level. If you enjoy mystery, horror, a well-written and well-told tale, aren't too squeamish and are open to something unusual, then I highly recommend that you buy Murder Ballads. You won't be sorry.

Years ago I knew who Nick Cave was but never really gave him any thought until I was listening to Johnny Cash's American IV. The song "I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry" made me stop in my tracks. Who was this amazing singer singing with Johnny Cash? I couldn't believe it was Nick Cave so I immediately went out and bought Murder Ballads. I needed to hear that voice again.

But.... it wasn't the same. Nick Cave isn't so much as singing as talking his way through each song. I really loved the song "Where the Wild Roses Grow" but I think it was only because of Kylie Minogue. She made that song beautiful. The cd as a whole is okay. I really don't go out of my way to listen to it but for the song I just mentioned.

So, I'm really disappointed. Nick Cave can sing so I want to hear him sing not talk his way through a song like he does. Is there an album that he does actually sing?? I'm still on the lookout.