An album titled 'Murder Ballads' is never going to be particularly cheery, but this collection of morbid songs is definitely worth a listen. A mixture of traditional murder ballads and songs written by Nick Cave himself, this unusual album displays a mastery of song writing and great vocal ... Read review
Nick Cave has been writing songs about killing and other evil things since he first ... more
surfaced in 1980 as the Birthday Party's pale, skinny, goth-punk version of Jim Morrison. But the murder ballads that provide this set's title are different, tantali...
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Song Of Joy Stagger Lee Henry Lee - (with PJ Harvey) Lovely Creature Where The ... more
Wild Roses Grow - (with Kylie Minogue) Curse Of The Millhaven The Kindness Of Strangers The Crow Jane O'Malley's Bar Death Is Not The End - (with PJ Harv...
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Nick Cave has been writing songs about killing and other evil things since he first ... more
surfaced in 1980 as the Birthday Party's pale, skinny, goth-punk version of Jim Morrison. But the murder ballads that provide this set's title are different, tantali...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Nick Cave has been writing songs about killing and other evil things since he first ... more
surfaced in 1980 as the Birthday Party's pale, skinny, goth-punk version of Jim Morrison. But the murder ballads that provide this set's title are different, tantalisingly deliberate. Sure, there's plenty of trademark Cave here, butMurder Balladsis a fascinating concept album that uses the narrative ballad form of the English folk tradition to tell of murder: random deaths, passion crimes, and killing sprees, all in one package. Cave clearly thrives in this genre, and he produces some of his sharpest and most facile writing to date: "Song of Joy", a genuinely scary campfire mystery of a murdered family and an unnamed killer, chillingly weaves clues into the lyrics, while "Where the Wild Roses Grow" is a narrative duet in which killer (Cave) and victim (pop star Kylie Minogue) reveal parallel tales. Cave even shows his knack for adaptation on Bob Dylan's "Death Is Not the End", recontextualising a song of heavenly comfort into a sort of zombie "We Are the World" (featuring Minogue, PJ Harvey, Shane MacGowan and others) in which "death is not the end" of pain and suffering. Above all,Murder Balladsshould be heard as a work of pulp fiction--as sensationally funny as it is harrowing. The already violent traditional song "Stagger Lee" becomes gangsta folk, so ridiculously packed with obscenity and brutality it would make the Geto Boys cringe. And Cave's (unintentional?) point to would-be censors--that bad-ass songs existed long before rappers polluted the airways--should not be missed. --Roni Sarig
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Advantages: Great vocals and lyrics Disadvantages: Morbid subject matter
...listen. A mixture of traditional murder ballads and songs written by Nick Cave himself, this unusual album displays a mastery of song writing and great vocal talent.
**Tracklist**
1. Song of Joy
2. Stagger Lee
3. Henry Lee
4. Lovely Creature
5. Where The Wild Roses Grow
6. The Curse of Millhaven
7. The Kindness of Strangers
8. Crow Jane
9. O'Malley's Bar
10. Death ... ...After nine tracks of death, murder and violence, a quietly uplifting song extolling that death is not the end seems fitting. This song features several artists, including P.J. Harvey and Kylie Minogue who dueted on songs earlier in the album.
**Overall**
It might seem morbid to buy an album called "Murder Ballads", but there are some beautiful songs on this CD, and some that really evoke feelings of melancholy ... more
An album titled 'Murder Ballads' is never going to be particularly cheery, but this collection of morbid songs is definitely worth a listen. A mixture of traditional murder ballads and songs written by Nick Cave himself, this unusual album displays a mastery of song writing and great vocal talent.
**Tracklist** 1. Song of Joy 2. Stagger Lee 3. Henry Lee 4. Lovely Creature 5. Where The Wild Roses Grow 6. The Curse of Millhaven 7. The Kindness of Strangers 8. Crow Jane 9. O'Malley's Bar 10. Death Is Not The End
1. Song of Joy (6:47): Like a lot of the tracks on this album, this is a story set to music. It tells the tale of a series of murders in a small town. Despite the morbid nature of the story being told, this is quite a pleasant song to listen to. Nick Cave's voice is very good, and he sings this well. The main instrument used is the piano, and in between verses it is almost as if the sounds of the piano are 'describing' the murder. A good song.
2. Stagger Lee (5:15): This song is my least favourite on the album. It's very crude, and harsh on the ears…a feedback noise backs Nick Cave's rough vocals. The song tells the tale of a mass murderer, Stagger Lee. There's a lot of swearing, and sound effects that leave a bitter taste in your mouth. The ending of the song is almost painful to listen to, with a horrible, grating noise. Not a happy song.
3. Henry Lee (3:58): As different from 'Stagger Lee' as could be, this is a duet with P.J. Harvey. This is a true ballad, with a lilting piano backing track. The lyrics combined with Harvey's clear vocals evoke a feeling of sadness, and you get the feeling that whilst 'Stagger Lee' was a tale of violence, 'Henry Lee' is a tale of sadness and emotion. One of my favourite songs on the album.
4. Lovely Creature (4:14): This has an altogether different sound from anything else on this album. It's quite a fast song, with Nick Cave's deep vocals soaring over a backing track of electro-pop, 'lalas', and a windy, breathy sound effect. There's a lot of repetition of words, which seems to give a sense of urgency to the song. It takes a couple of listens, but this song definitely grows on you.
5. Where The Wild Roses Grow (3:57): Probably the only song on this album you'll have heard of, because it is a duet with Kylie Minogue. This is the song that inspired me to buy the album: I've liked this song for a long time, and was curious about the rest. This is the tale of a man obsessed with a woman called Eliza Day, and he believes that she should die because she is beautiful. This song showcases some of Kylie's best vocals, and together with Cave's gruff voice, this is a particularly haunting song with a horrifying conclusion. My favourite song of the album.
6. The Curse of Millhaven (6:56): This opens with a noise that reminds me of a noisy bar brawl, and goes on to tell the story of a curse on the town of Millhaven and the murders that befall it. Cave's singing sounds hurried and urgent in this song, with the verses interspersed with "lalalas", giving quite a grim subject matter a lighthearted feel. The backing music occasionally has bursts of what reminds me of circus music. This is a strange song, full of oxymorons: cheerful singing about a terrible circumstance, but it's a good song - one that will grow on you.
7. The Kindness of Strangers (4:39): This is a slow ballad, with Cave's deep vocals accompanied only by a piano. It tells the story of Mary Bellows, 'found cuffed to the bed, with a bullet in the head'. Compared to the hurried urgency of the previous song, this is a slow building track, with an almost painful-to-listen-to sobbing behind the words as it nears the end. A melancholy song.
8. Crow Jane (4:15): This song sounds vaguely Country, with a strumming guitar and a breathy "aaahhh" backing Cave's vocals. Like 'Song of Joy', this is more a story put to music, in that Cave 'speaks' more than he does sings. It's quite a repetitive song, with the words 'Crow Jane' mentioned over and over. Not a favourite song, but not a bad one nevertheless.
9. O'Malley's Bar (14:28): This is a whopper of a song at almost fifteen minutes long. In style it reminds me of 'The Curse of Millhaven', and it tells the story of O'Malley's Bar and the horrors that befall it. It's not a bad track, but I find myself weary of the tune by about halfway through.
10. Death Is Not The End (4:28): A cover of the Bob Dylan song, I think this is quite a good way to end the album. After nine tracks of death, murder and violence, a quietly uplifting song extolling that death is not the end seems fitting. This song features several artists, including P.J. Harvey and Kylie Minogue who dueted on songs earlier in the album.
**Overall**
It might seem morbid to buy an album called "Murder Ballads", but there are some beautiful songs on this CD, and some that really evoke feelings of melancholy and horror.
Perhaps not the best album to listen to when you're in a good mood - as it might bring you down, but I like it nevertheless.
There are a couple of songs that I just cannot listen to, such as 'Stagger Lee', but there are also wonderful vocals and clever lyrics.
Advantages: Great lyrics, Great songs, Great Concept, Great Album Disadvantages: You will become a lifelong fan of Cave, costing money,
Murder Ballads is possibly Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds most well known album, partly thanks to the duet with Kylie Minogue, but mainly because it is one of the greatest albums ever released.
The concept was that each song would tell a tale of murder, amongst other subjects, and the addition of some guest stars playing the parts of different characters (PJ Harvey on "henry lee" and kylie on "where the wild roses grow") simply adds to the effect. ... ...with his own brand new compositions, but also when taking traditional songs and giving them his own sadistic twist, as on what is possibly his heaviest and dirtiest ever song, "Stagger Lee".
When you take into account that all these tales are completely seperate, it is amazing how well the album flows together. The heavier tracks such as "The Curse Of Millhaven" and "Stagger Lee" melding perfectly with the softer tracks such as "Henry Lee" and "Lovely ...
charlsayslol 05.11.2006
· Read full review
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Advantages: Great music and lyrics Disadvantages: None
-Pogue Shane MacGowan and Nick’s deadpan gravel-voiced sidekick Blixa Bargeld. The effect is of a choir made up of ghouls and angels. A musical observation of great humour and panache, Cave seems to be saying that death may not be the end but there sure is a good chance of your meeting a violent one!
This is a wonderful album. Rich in lyricism, musicality and yes…humour. It is a coherent work where the whole of the album is greater than the sum of its part. The coldly beautiful yet intriguing cover is a painting by Jean-Frederic Schnyder.
“MurderBallads” is available through the usual outlets. Can be obtained on the net from £6.75 at Playcentric.com. ...
Product Information for "Murder Ballads - Nick Cave/Bad Seeds (The)" »
Product details
Title
Murder Ballads
Performer
Nick Cave/Bad Seeds (The)
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
01/1996
Recomended Retail Price
14.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1996
Label / Distributor
Mute / EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics
Guest Artist(s)
Cave, Nick & The Bad Seeds
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
5016025611386
Catalogue Number
CDSTUMM 138
Additional notes
Album Notes
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Nick Cave (vocals); Mick Harvey, Blixa Bargeld (guitar); Conway Savage (keyboards); Martyn P. Casey (bass); Thomas Wydler (drums); Jim Sclavunos (percussion). Additional personnel: PJ Harvey, Kylie Minogue, Shane MacGowan (vocals); Anita Lane, Brian Hooper, Warren Ellis. Producers: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Tony Cohen, Victor Van Vugt. Recorded at Wessex Studios, London, England; Atlantis, Sing Sing and Metropolis Studios, Melbourne, England between 1993 and 1995.
In his trademark bottomless voice, Nick Cave narrates one tragic, violent tale after another. In excruciating detail, he examines the fine apects of murder, varying viewpoints between victims and killers, and investigating the dialogue between them from many angles. MURDER BALLADS, his ninth release with the Bad Seeds, is Cave at his most raw and lyrical. He delves unflinchingly into macabre territory with the backing of his band's spare, moaning, reverb-rich playing--by turns sweetly tuneful and disjointedly dirge-like. PJ Harvey assumes the role of a woman scorned on "Henry Lee," in which she describes stabbing to death the man who rejects her. Her story is interspersed with choruses of, "La la la la la/La la la la lee/A little bird lit down on Henry Lee," adding a sense of perverse humor to the ballad's bleakness. On "Where the Wild Roses Grow," a man kills his lover, explaining that "all beauty must die," and Kylie Minogue provides the innocent, breathy voice of the dead lover with a ghostly, haunting softness. Yet amid the troubling, startling brutality runs a sense of fragility and a poetic lyricism that makes these songs linger.
Album Reviews
Melody Maker (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #16 on Melody Maker's list of 1996's `Albums Of The Year.' NME (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #7 in NME's 1996 critic's poll. Rolling Stone (3/21/96, p.96) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...never before have manic elements elevated Cave's shtick to art as on MURDER BALLADS....literate, sultry and tortured....the performance of Nick Cave's life..." New York Times (2/11/96, Sec.2, p.30) - "...MURDER BALLADS is about more than storytelling. In each song, Mr. Cave meticulously creates a macabre fable and then distills it to a single image of death in much the way a photographer arranges a studio shoot..." Q (3/96, p.93) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Musically, the Bad Seeds touch on tinkling cabaret jazz, country-paced morbidity and every morose station between..." Mojo (5/01, p.46) - "More deaths than a Sam Peckinpah movie. Co-stars Polly Harvey and Kylie Minogue..." Melody Maker (1/27/96, p.33) - Recommended - "...the most avowedly grim in purpose of all Cave's records....also the funniest....It dips its toes into all manner of styles. Cave is a stranger to none of them, but many would--rightly--be considered unacceptable coming from anyone else..." NME (2/3/96, p.44) - 7 (out of 10) - "...grotesque, horrifying, and vaudevillian all at once, an uphill slog you would be hard pressed to term `entertainment"....[Cave's] baritone doesn't sound disgusted or repulsed, just...cold and diapassionate...so the tables are turned on the listener..." Entertainment Weekly (3/8/96, p.66) - "Not for the squeamish, this is the rare pop record that resonates with the weight of the ages..." - Rating: B+ Option (3-4/96, p.89) - "...On MURDER BALLADS, Cave offers literary devices that separate good murder ballads from gratuitous cheap thrills..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Song Of Joy
2.
Stagger Lee
3.
Henry Lee
4.
Lovely Creature
5.
Where The Wild Roses Grow
6.
Curse Of Millhaven
7.
Kindness Of Strangers
8.
Crow Jane
9.
O'Malley's Bar
10.
Death Is Not The End
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