Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
The 14th album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds sees a change of style from more recent releases and a shift towards the garage rock of side project Grindermen. Cave has always been capable of both quieter introspective moments and louder expressionism and while the two were divided up almost equally on the double album Abattoir Blues/Lyre Of Orpheus, louder style dominates here. The album draws its inspiration from the story of Lazarus in the New Testament hence the albums title, but places him in a modern New York City setting. This may sound a bit strange, but listen to the record in full and it makes sense…..
The tone of the album is dark, yet playful, you can definitely tell that Cave is on top form lyrically and is enjoying it. Certainly the Grindermen project with whom he leased an album last year seem to have invigorated him. The whole record seems to be built around a very bass heavy groove that certainly lends itself to creating the dark atmosphere. While the tone is dark, it isn’t all doom and gloom, the lyrics are funny and playful and Cave is able to create some of the most fascinating characters of any lyricist, up there with Dylan. High praise indeed!
The opening, title track Dig, Lazarus, Dig sets the tone for what will follow. It is a sinister, yet alarmingly funny tale of Larry and his travels from New York to San Francisco to L.A. The song has an infectious groove over which Cave almost snarls his narrative. Second song, Today’s lesson opens with a heavy bass line before a brass section comes in with the vocal, followed up by the sombre Moonligh which plods along as if weighed down by its own gloom. Night of the lotus eaters never seems to take off but the pace picks up with Albert Goes West, an almost traditional sounding rock song akin to his work with Grindermen.
We Call Upon The Author sees Cave in full on rant mode, ranting against everything from God to world politics. It is all underpinned by a pounding bass line again over which organs and guitars seem to swirl in and out of a rich tapestry. This seems to be a theme throughout the album, being very bass driven, indeed even Hold Onto Yourself which seems twinged with a western feel carries this on, though to a lesser extent. The tempo is immediately picked up by the somewhat chaotic Lie Down Here (& Be My Girl) that still somehow manages to hold a melody in amongst splattering of guitar and organ. The album finishes in style with three very strong tunes, Jesus Of The Moon is closest to No More Shall We Part era but has a slightly jazzy feel at times and is heartbreakingly desolate and tender where the character wonders the streets struggling with temptation having left a woman curled up like a child in St James Hotel and it is possibly the standout track here. Midnight Man is a mid tempo song that has a rousing chorus of “everybody’s coming round to my place!” as though inviting you to a party in the deepest circle of hell. It closes with More News From Nowhere, a reference to William Morris’ utopian novel News From Nowhere.
Whilst some are calling this a return to form, I prefer to look at it as a progression on a ever changing musical journey. It may sound cheesy, but its true. Nick Cave is now 50 and still manages to produce fresh sounding music as a result of a constant evolution and not being content to stand still. Long may this continue.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
2008 Mute Records Ltd
Producer: Nick Launay and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Players:
Nick Cave
Mick Harvey
Warren Ellis
Martyn Cassey
Jim Sclavunos,
Thomas Wylder
James Johnston
Conway Savage
Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Today’s Lesson
Moonland
Night Of The Lotus Eaters
Albert Goes West
We Call Upon The Author
Hold On To Yourself
Lie Down Here (& Be My Girl)
Jesus Of The Moon
Midnight Man
More News From Nowhere