Customer Reviews

The Boatman's Call

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Nick Cave is many different things to many different people. However he is generally only thought of as "The Ausralian Black Prince of Gothic Rock" in the printed media. Regardless of what you want to call him, in The Boatman's Call he has produced a beautiful and amazing masterpiece. More his own personal work, than a Bad Seeds album, Nick Cave produces some of his greatest Lyrics and Tunes that are rich in imagery, allegory and sadness. Such songs as "People Ain't No Good" "Brompton Oratory" "Where Do We Go But Nowhere" "Into My Arms" "Are you the one I Have Been Waiting For" are some of his best recordings in an career that has spanned more than twenty years. Maybe not for everybody, but the music is undeniably beautiful if incredibly sad. A good album to listen to when you are depressed, for Mr Cave will make you feel better in the knowing that there is at least one more tormented soul out there.

Bear with me now. Everything Cave wrote up to this album pointed to it.

Are you still with me? From the gleefully bleak and utterly violent world of From Her to Eternity, through the 50's poppy sounds of Kicking Against the Pricks, through the melancholic Good Son and all the way to Let Love In, Cave developed a singular sound that was part rock'n'roll, part blues and a lot of poppified country-folk (that kicks Garth Brooks' be-hind all across America). This album is the rawest and most sincere expression of his vision. At times it's bleak ("Black Hair"). Other times its sweetly loving ("Into My Arms"). And there are times it's outright angry ("People Ain't No Good"). The final spoken word poem at last shows us that Cave doesn't hate gays (is the narrator a she or a he? is the partner male or female?). Whereas Murder Ballads' "Stagger Lee" leaves little doubt on that score (even if it was a joke). Or the anhedonic "Do You Love Me? 2" with its theme of teen gay sex slavery. Gay bashing is a part of every Aussie's life and Cave is probably a man of his times. Here he shows that he can also break free of tradition.

Nocturama, which came out a while ago as of this writing, is good. But it doesn't match the levels of dark grace achieved on this album. It's too bad the market place won't let Cave explore the regions he does here further.

I am so happy to be ordering "The Boatman's Call"; it was stolen, along with all my other CDs, from my car a while ago. It is just such a dark, moody, wonderful album. The music itself is understated and lush, and it does not overpower Nick Cave's voice. As for the aforementioned singer, his lyrics are so dark that they are unforgettable. He sings passionately but not over-the-top; this whole album (and I do mean the whole, because this is one record that you can listen to from start to finish and get a cohesive feeling about) is just right on the mark. I also recommend "The Best of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds" if you like this one, or even if you don't. :)

If you missed out on this one when it was released as I did, don't forever rue the day, correct your error now. The Boatman's Call is the shining pearl buried for so many years in Nick Cave's irritated soul. "Into My Arms" is one of the most beautiful, poignant songs ever written and the cd's caliber drops little from that auspicious beginning. This is not "essential Nick Cave" it's just essential. A classic piece of music for the ages.

Another amazing Nick album. One to be heard over and over again. He's a favorite artist for any one who knows really good music and talent.

I love this album. One of two or three I listened to most in the past five years. Two songs that worked a miracle or two for me are brompton oratory and people ain't no good. Somehow as if Cave was inspired to speak in tongues. But, then, I am not a fan or anything just a casual listener. The song I could do without is the last one, green eyes: it drags on and on.

This album is THE fruit created after the famous and critically acclaimed Murder Ballads album. Amazing isn't it? This album was written during the time of the Murder Ballads albums. It is a more mature and poetic Nick Cave singing behind that Grand Piano with the sweet sounds of the Dirty Three's violinist Warren Ellis. It shows a side of him that no one has ever seen before, talking about love, religion, and life. What do you expect from a "Subdued album" that is intended for the romantics? Pick this album up and you won't be disatisfied. Hey Nick, don't let them talk you down...

Very good album. I'm not a Nick Cave fanatic, I don't listen to him all the time, I don't own all the albums. I'm here just as someone who loves music, knows Nick Cave without being a "follower" to say this is really quite wonderful. Some songs lovely, all unique - a love song in Nick Cave's hands is a love song in no other's. If the slow quality, the sound of his voice, and his style of lyric is something you'd like - you'll love it. If you want the younger Nick Cave or faster music or "murder ballads," this isn't the one.

This guy sold out many years ago, unfortunately. Like Crusty the Clown and Neil Young, Nick Cave puts his name on everything, as if the world is one big advertisement for his profit.

Musically this album is pretty boring, pretty boring indeed, just like all other Cave's ventures into the netherworld of goth-rock. On the positive side, though, Cave sounds a tad more upbeat, so perhaps he's finally beaten back that hernia he's been suffering so many years.

For true rock, check out the coming Limp Bizkit CD, plus I heard Van Halen has a new record coming soon. Is Roth back in the fold this time?

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!