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

From HoldenM 07/16/2026 17:30 | #315305

A perfect example of an album that I listened to years ago knowing it was the consensus favorite NCatBS album among critics and fans that I didn't get at the time, but that makes perfect sense as I'm listening to the band's catalog in order.

There are earlier NCatBS records, and certainly songs, that approach vulnerability. Even albums like The Good Son can't shake the group's more barbed tendencies. The Boatman's Call is a far more patient album than NCatBS have released up to this point. Many of their best songs get significant mileage out of stripping elements out, save for the harshest sounds and stories. The Boatman's Call takes that a step further, sanding down the jagged edges for a serene and mannered collection of songs that doesn't completely shed Cave's bitterness, but that is at ease with itself. Because this album is so comparatively accessible, one could mistake NCatBS for playing it safe or selling out, but that's just not true. They're testing their limits and finding resonance without holding their knives out. It's a legitimate evolution, and a successful one at that. (Edited)

all time favorite - love this album (Edited)

Not for me, too slow and boring. Into My Arms is a good track though. (Edited)

There are better Nick Cave albums than this but it does have its moments however which stand out as some of his greatest. The two big songs on here are probably my favourite Cave has ever made. Both In My Arms and People Ain't No Good just work so well in the style he was going for on this album and the choruses just get stuck in your head. I find myself singing these songs days after finishing the record. He is definitely going for a more ballad sort of style on here and for me it doesn't work as well as his other styles. It feels too slow at times and in my opinion there is a few skippable tracks on here. With that being said I still enjoy the atmosphere of the music and Cave's lyrics and vocal are as strong as ever. Overall, this isn't a personal highlight of his career for me but it is one that I enjoy revisiting when I do and has some outstanding moments.

Album Rating: 87.92
(1,055/12)

1.Into My Arms. 94
2.Lime Tree Arbour. 91
3.People Ain't No Good. 95
4.Brompton Oratory. 81
5.There Is A Kingdom. 96
6.(Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? 78
7.Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere? 96
8.West Country Girl. 74
9.Black Hair. 86
10.Idiot Prayer. 99
11.Far From Me. 88
12.Green Eyes. 77

More piano and ballad based than a lot of his other albums. But I've never heard a Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds album I didn't like. He's a true legend of the gothic croon. 'There is a Kingdom' & 'Idiot Prayer' being my track picks

From VictorVale 05/20/2021 19:11 | #269946

Sombrio, mas bem palatável. Gothic pop...

Just hearing this in 2020 - almost hymn like songs. Not heard any other albums from him but based on this I will follow up on his albums

Just so beautiful. Not a dud song. Not even any songs below perfection. (Edited)

From Boltzmann 03/15/2020 10:49 | #248753

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