NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS
Nocturama (Anti/Mute)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Dispelling any rumours of a Perry Como style career veer, Nasty Nick absolutely torches his new disc with the reeling fifteen minute inferno "I'm On Fire." It is a jarring series of rambling verses with Cave spitting venom while his Bad Seeds torture their poor instruments into submission. Just as Cave is writhing on the floor, gasping for air, squeezing out a declaration of love with his last breath, the band kicks in again, and James Brown style, Satan is resurrected for yet another verse. Apparently the conspirators worked this one to death, and the final fifteen or so minutes is but a short edit of the proceedings. And folks, it is good. In fact the whole damn record is good. Fellow Aussie Chris Bailey lends a golden throat on the sweeping "Bring It On," in a long overdue collaboration: The Saints meet the Birthday Party - wahoo! Nevermind the last couple of so-so records - Nick musta been happy then - the tortured devil inside is back and firing on all cylinders.

© 2003 - John Sekerka