Best Ever Albums

Re: GHOSTEEN

badseed — Sat, 6 Jun 2020 20:17:40 GMT

Author: badseed

Posted: 06/07/2020 00:17

I'm in a hellish living situation right now. Today I decided to sleep all day because depression, yay. Put on the headphones and played Ghosteen. Wound up in a dream, in my previous living situation which was also hellish. The album continued to play throughout the dream. As I went through all the bullshit, various sections of this album made me cry. Well, not really cry, but dream cry. Anyhow I don't know if and when I'm gonna update my chart again but I'm almost certain this album is my new #1.

Re: GHOSTEEN

LedZep — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 18:29:38 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 04/12/2020 22:29

Always glad to have another Nick Cave fan on BEA. And it’s a huge thing to listen to his whole discography in 6 months time, cudos to you.

Re: GHOSTEEN

badseed — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:30:13 GMT

Author: badseed

Posted: 04/12/2020 19:30

Lachapelle wrote:

Well.. 6 months later.

I'm currently spinning Ghosteen for the 1st time. What a journey.

Nick Cave may very well be my favourite artist of all time now. Thank you for making this thread.

�'�

I still lurk even though I hardly post, but was surprised to see this thread still active. Even more surprised that it resulted in a new superfan. Thank you for taking the time and effort to properly digest the albums. I hate that I wasn't here for recommendations but the fact that you did it chronologically over a decent amount of time is impressive. I literally listened to them all in random order over the course of a few days. He truly is the GOAT, I don't care what anyone says. Probably the reason I'm still alive.

Ghosteen took me aback on first listen, which honestly was well over a month after initial release. Like I said, I was scared. But also it didn't help that I was in a very dark place for the latter half of 2019 which had me avoiding pretty much all music and films. Anyone who knows me knows those two mediums are my life, so I must admit to have supplemented myself with far less healthy activities. However, Ghosteen helped me through those times, and while I'm unsure I'll ever be happy again, I have my escape back.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Spyglass — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 12:54:12 GMT

Author: Spyglass

Posted: 04/12/2020 16:54

I was able to catch it live when it came out. It was a beautiful experience, even if it wasn't Nick Cave's most matured album. There were times where the album was unnecessarily slow, but it managed to stay new and fresh enough to keep me in a state of serenity.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Lachapelle — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 12:43:14 GMT

Author: Lachapelle

Posted: 04/12/2020 16:43

Well.. 6 months later.

I'm currently spinning Ghosteen for the 1st time. What a journey.

Nick Cave may very well be my favourite artist of all time now. Thank you for making this thread.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Lachapelle — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:59:04 GMT

Author: Lachapelle

Posted: 02/13/2020 17:59

babyBlueSedan wrote:

I wouldn't call it a disaster

Ok so I've listened to Nocturama multiple times now and I don't understand the hate. I'm not sure off the top of my head where I believe it should rank in his past discography, but even if it did land at the bottom it is nowhere near a "bad album" as I've seen many others describe it. I feel like this happens often to albums released in between classics, but given the quality of Nick Cave's previous output I'm shocked that people could dismiss it altogether.

Now I'm even more excited to continue this journey, knowing that I've endured/enjoyed his worst.

Re: GHOSTEEN

babyBlueSedan — Thu, 6 Feb 2020 22:16:34 GMT

Author: babyBlueSedan

Posted: 02/07/2020 03:16

Lachapelle wrote:

I have just reached Nocturama and I am a bit worried to give it a spin as it is singled out as the only Bad Seeds album that is not a classic, with some even calling it a disaster altogether. Any thoughts on this? I don't think I can skip it seeing as I've already come this far (over 15 albums later).

Nocturama is fine. I wouldn't call it a disaster, it's more that it's a lesser retread of the last few albums before it. It's mostly just uninspired and forgettable, but the closing track is pretty great.

I wouldn't put off listening to it, because Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is fantastic and his best of the '00s.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Hayden — Thu, 6 Feb 2020 19:30:19 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 02/07/2020 00:30

Cave for the Nobel 2034, just you watch.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Lachapelle — Thu, 6 Feb 2020 18:17:14 GMT

Author: Lachapelle

Posted: 02/06/2020 23:17

LedZep wrote:

If you have the time and will to do it, that's the best way into Nick's discography.

So here's another update..

I have been absolutely loving my venture into Nick Cave's work. I haven't skipped a single album the whole ride through, and I genuinely spent a good amount of time digesting each album before moving onto the next. This guy is a legend. I've yet to hear a track I would call poorly executed or lacklustre. It truly amazes me that I never hear his name pop up in my music circles. I'm going to be spreading the word of Cave to as many people as I can.

I have just reached Nocturama and I am a bit worried to give it a spin as it is singled out as the only Bad Seeds album that is not a classic, with some even calling it a disaster altogether. Any thoughts on this? I don't think I can skip it seeing as I've already come this far (over 15 albums later).

Re: GHOSTEEN

Jhereko — Wed, 9 Oct 2019 10:53:39 GMT

Author: Jhereko

Posted: 10/09/2019 14:53

Coming right at the end of the end of the decade gives this album an extra significance as if it's closing multiple chapters. Crazy to get something this good this late in the game.

I think listening to some of the Bad Seeds' 90s work (Good Son is I think the most consistent work but it all carries the qualities that are undeniably him) is a good place to start. Then you could probably skip ahead to Push The Sky Away, Skeleton Tree then this.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Daydreamer — Wed, 9 Oct 2019 03:00:26 GMT

Author: Daydreamer

Posted: 10/09/2019 07:00

Nick Cave was one of the greats it took me the longest to get into. Since he has several phases it's a hard question where to start with him.

I for one wouldn't recommend Murder Ballads as a first choice for classic Cave, since it's a bit long and takes a time getting into. I think Let Love In is the better choice as a first album, followed by The Boatman's Call which represents the gentler Nick Cave the balladeer. And then you could try some modern Nick with Push The Sky Away which is the most accesible one from this decade.

So I'd take this route.

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Let Love In by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Classic Cave, has some of this most well known songs and has his trademark gothic sound.

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The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Piano ballads on this one, and his lyricism is definitely on godly lever throughout this record.

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Push The Sky Away by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Here comes the best part, I honestly think 2010's are his best decade, even though he should be well past his prime. Only three albums released, yet two are great and the third one is just relesead and appears to be on the similar level. This is the minimalistic, ambient Cave, and I think that the style suited him perfectly.

Re: GHOSTEEN

LedZep — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 17:02:21 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 10/08/2019 21:02

Lachapelle wrote:

Thanks for the suggested albums!

After doing some more reading I've decided to delve even further into the past, with a couple streams of a compilation from The Birthday Party which I absolutely loved. I'm now moving onto his debut with The Bad Seeds so I can get a better sense of the transition of style and sound between both ventures. After listening to just the 1st track - Avalanche, I had to go back and listen to the original from Leonard Cohen a few times (which is also a fantastic song). Now that I've listened to both versions back-to-back I'm loving the way Cave transformed the original to his liking. Maybe now I can continue this journey..?

I am starting to become unsure that I'll be able to skip any of his previous albums now that it seems I'm fully invested, so it may take me some time to get to this newest release. Either way, I'll dig at the local record stores this week to see if I can stumble across any of his material - and if so, then maybe I'll skip ahead.

Also. I stumbled across this https://www.theredhandfiles.com/ and have been reading many of the letters. Cave sounds like a such a genuine person.

If you have the time and will to do it, that's the best way into Nick's discography. Also Avalanche cover is probably better than Cohen's original, and that's saying a lot.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Lachapelle — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 16:09:00 GMT

Author: Lachapelle

Posted: 10/08/2019 20:09

Thanks for the suggested albums!

After doing some more reading I've decided to delve even further into the past, with a couple streams of a compilation from The Birthday Party which I absolutely loved. I'm now moving onto his debut with The Bad Seeds so I can get a better sense of the transition of style and sound between both ventures. After listening to just the 1st track - Avalanche, I had to go back and listen to the original from Leonard Cohen a few times (which is also a fantastic song). Now that I've listened to both versions back-to-back I'm loving the way Cave transformed the original to his liking. Maybe now I can continue this journey..?

I am starting to become unsure that I'll be able to skip any of his previous albums now that it seems I'm fully invested, so it may take me some time to get to this newest release. Either way, I'll dig at the local record stores this week to see if I can stumble across any of his material - and if so, then maybe I'll skip ahead.

Also. I stumbled across this https://www.theredhandfiles.com/ and have been reading many of the letters. Cave sounds like a such a genuine person.

Re: GHOSTEEN

RockyRaccoon — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 14:08:45 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 10/08/2019 18:08

I absolutely loved Ghosteen, it's my AOTY so far.

I loved Skeleton Tree too, but if Skeleton Tree was raw grief in the wake of unimaginable loss, Ghosteen is more settled grief, the idea that grief is part of your everyday life and that that's okay, that you can live with it. Sometimes it'll knock you down, but sometimes you can move on.

I'd agree though, this isn't the place to start with Cave. My personal start with him was this:

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Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

I think Murder Ballads is a solid intro too. I'd also personally recommend listening to his two previous albums in order before getting to this one, there's a sort of progression here that makes sense.

Re: GHOSTEEN

LedZep — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 13:25:25 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 10/08/2019 17:25

My 3 picks for start would be:

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Tender Prey by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Combines his early work with a bit more accessible songs, The Mercy Seat is an absolute must listen for anyone who is a music afficionado. Also it's the one most cherished by the fans (or at least I think so)

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The Good Son by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Probably the best place to start.

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Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Has his biggest singles.

Let Love In, No More Shall We Part and my favourite Henry's Dream are also good choices for getting into his music.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Hayden — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 10:58:10 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 10/08/2019 14:58

Lachapelle wrote:

Which ones would you suggest to be must-listens before streaming this new one?

Ghosteen would be a terrible place to start with Nick Cave. It's important to know where he comes from before diving into it.

I'm spin these:

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Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

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The Good Son by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

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Henry's Dream by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Which all showcase some slightly different aspects of their music. Hope you enjoy them. The Boatman's Call is a great album, but there really isn't any reason it's Cave's top-ranked album on here. He has a whole bunch of great albums that are all kinda on-par with each other.

Should note, after a couple listens, I think Ghosteen might be one of his best.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Lachapelle — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 10:48:28 GMT

Author: Lachapelle

Posted: 10/08/2019 14:48

badseed wrote:

I'm actually more interested in hearing the opinions of people who haven't fallen for him like us.

Seeing as Ghosteen is getting such great reviews I figured I have to give it a shot. However.. I've never listened to Nick Cave.

So before diving into the album I figured I owe it to him (and his band) to go through his past work. I've seen you and many others give him such high praise and it has me excited to explore the discography. Seeing as the group has such a large back catalog I've decided to start by making a playlist of the top 20 songs listed here on besteveralbums (excluding the ones from Ghosteen).

I've gotta say I'm enjoying what I'm hearing so far. I'm looking forward to working my way to the new release. I will want to listen to at least a couple albums in full before jumping into it. Which ones would you suggest to be must-listens before streaming this new one?

Re: GHOSTEEN

LedZep — Sat, 5 Oct 2019 06:24:19 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 10/05/2019 10:24

Listened to the stream and once again yesterday, and I think it's even better than Skeleton Tree. That opinion might change, but damn, how do those 50-something year olds release something so trendy and fresh (not to mention good)?

Re: GHOSTEEN

babyBlueSedan — Fri, 4 Oct 2019 12:43:58 GMT

Author: babyBlueSedan

Posted: 10/04/2019 16:43

I listened to this on the stream last night and my main impression was that it was too much to take in on one listen. The songs are big and beautiful, with a lot going on, but also all very similar and they kind of fly by without leaving an impression. I thought the second side was way better, and Hollywood is a masterpiece. I tried listening to it again at work and I had to stop because I kept tearing up, so I think my impression will improve. I didnt care for Skeleton Tree on first listen but after a couple more it was one of my 30 or so favorite albums ever.

Nick Cave is one of my favorite artists and honestly one of the artists I think has aged the best. Even better than like Tom Waits or David Bowie. To put out this trilogy of albums, which has almost no reference musically to any prior works, in his 60s is incredible. Yet even though he's shifted from post punk into alternative rock into ballads into whatever this is (ambient new age??) his music has kept the central themes and storytelling throughout. I'm hoping Ghosteen grows on me after I'm able to listen again. Undoubtedly though I can see this being difficult for a lot of people to listen to because of the heavy subject matter.

Re: GHOSTEEN

Hayden — Fri, 4 Oct 2019 10:58:31 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 10/04/2019 14:58

I'm going to have to give it another listen today, maybe with a lyrics sheet. It's slightly lengthy, but it goes by fast.

I had a whole bunch of thoughts when I was listening to it, but I didn't write any of them down, and a good night's sleep has seemingly wiped those clean.

I remember the main thing going through my head is that I wish he full-assed it. He should've shot for a full-blown Sigur Ros-esque higher plain elation. It's oddly minimalist, yet... not? Which might come off to some people as weak. It feels like casual solace.

No solid opinions on the album (albeit, I'm not one of these people throwing it a 1-star review after listening to only one side 🤣 ). It might grow on me, it might not. For such a simple album, I feel like there's a lot to analyze. For now, I think my views on it will swing positive. It has the makings to even be my AOTY... but I need to listen to it more.

Quote:

Let me know what your history is like with the band (if it's your first album or you've listened to some stuff or everything once or if you're a big fan too).

And I'm someone who has Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds as one of their most listened artists (15 or so albums, haven't heard Nocturama), who would gladly put two or three of their albums in my top 100, but doesn't particularly have a favourite or consider any piece of their body of work a magnum opus.

Also, I think Nick Cave will be a serious contender for the Nobel come the mid-2030s. Just wait.