Nick Cave thread

[Bucklberry]

One thing I don't get about Nick Cave, although his lyrics are certainly dark and often rather morbid, how is he generally considered to be goth?

Surely Nicks more common theme of "You're gonna die mother f**ker", at least earlier on when he sang more about darker matters, is totally opposed to the moroseness of goth music? Nick is an arse kicker, not a depressive. Plus there's the fact that in his latter career, he's sang more about God in a positive light.

Goth my arse. God, perhaps.

[Morningstarr]

I think the whole "goth" thing stemmed from one song, "Release the Bats".

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Bucklberry

One thing I don't get about Nick Cave, although his lyrics are certainly dark and often rather morbid, how is he generally considered to be goth?

Dark and morbit sounds like traditional goth to me.

More seriously - maybe the Birthday Party were seen as an offshoot from punk into goth like Siouxsie were - but perhaps it's generally more of a context issue, ie, the bands and music that he'd generally be associated with.

I mean, in isolation, I can't see Nick Cave as an easy act to classify within any genre.

[Bucklberry]

One song really shouldn't pigeon hole someone. I think it's simply a case of lazy journalism. Yes, he has dark themes, but these are not themes usually associated with 'goth', they're much more brutal than any goth band could ever be.

As for his associations, during The Birthday Party period, he was singing his loves live rather alot, and he continues to do covers to this day, not a single one of them (that I've heard of) would be considered goth. Punk, garage rock or blues yes. Covers

[RoxyMoron]

Originally Posted by Kingmob

Ha. It's really weird to see him reffered to as "Mark Lanegan of QOTSA", are you familiar with his previous band Screaming Trees? He also did a colaboration album recently called "Ballad of the Broken Seas" with Isobell Campbell who used to be in Belle and Sebastian. I never heard it myself but it got very good reviews.

I think I saw that band name before...either from my friend who is the QoTSA buff or as credited on the Desert Sessions somewhere. I really like Mark Lanegan songs so I will have to check it out.

[RoxyMoron]

Originally Posted by Morningstarr

Aren't they PJ Harvey lyrics?

I don't listen to her but I know she was on one of the Desert Sessions albums...rare/experimental tracks as a side project of Josh Homme's and his friends. Some of the songs are just weird, but all of it's brilliant if you ask me.

[Bucklberry]

You really should get hold of some Lanegan solo, Screaming Trees and P J Harvey Roxy, I'm sure you'd love them all. I think they all rock hard anyway, though not in the QOTSA riff kinda way.

[RoxyMoron]

I think Mark's voice is unique enough that he could bellow to any tune and I think I would enjoy it. It's smooth but with just the right amount of gravelly-ness to it. To keep this back on topic, don't know if it's been mentioned yet but what's the best album to start someone off to get into Nick Cave?

[Bucklberry]

I'd go for the easy option and say The Best Of....as it has many fine songs, and then you can search out the albums of the tracks you'll inevitably find ace.

Failing that, Murder Ballads and Kicking Against The Pricks are probably the most representative of the Bad Seeds sound.

....and you're right, Mark's voice is ace

[RoxyMoron]

I usually tend to go for Best ofs anyway to be safe in case I hate it, sometimes I will like an artist but hate a whole album and it will ruin it for me...thanks for reminding me!

[Bucklberry]

My pleasure madamoiselle.

*doffs cap*

[tredinertok]

Hi all! Very interesting information! Thanks! G'night

[I, Brian]

Anyone listened to Grinderman? Any comments?