Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Let Love In (1994)

Album Review

 

This is an album that resonated in me from the day I first heard it.   It makes me feel comfortable in the knowledge of my imperfections and quirks.

 

There is more than just a touch of depravity in this offering from Nick Cave, however that is just one element of this multi-faceted album.  Sleazy sexuality, oozing from every note of ‘Loverman’, the remorse and sorrow of songs such as ‘Nobody’s Baby Now’ and the title track ‘Let Love In’, sit comfortably side by side with the untamed ramblings of ‘Jangling Jack’ with his perverse Freudian mother issues and jarring, clashing, angry music.   Thrown artfully into the mix is the wild rodeo ride that should be an alcoholics theme song (Thirsty Dog), a song I sincerely believe was written with my ex husband in mind. The disturbingly painful ‘Do You Love Me’ Part 2 tears at my heart and my conscience and reminds me of the evils in the world. I cringe just a little when I hear it through unease.  I think though, the absolute highlight of this wonderful work is the smooth, bluesy, Chris Isaac sold-his-soul-to-the-devil sound of ‘Red Right Hand’.  It entices me and terrifies me, seduces and cajoles and belittles me and I feel chills every time I listen to it. There is little wonder it has been used in numerous films and TV shows, from the ‘Scream’ movies to ‘The X files’.  It is absolutely, terrifyingly compelling.

 

Conversely, I cannot put any song above another, as they fit together perfectly, a jigsaw of the human psyche.   It would be like a mother picking a favourite child.

 

Simply said, I love this album.

 

Nick Cave’s eighth studio release, Let Love In, is a masterpiece, a culmination of all of his efforts to this point.  I'm swept along on his roller-coaster ride of emotions, and enthralled by his sweet, depraved poetry.  This album shows a maturity beyond his earlier work, yet never compromises on Nicks’ unique Gothic, alternative rock style.

Reviews

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i was sitting at prague pub thirsty dog and listening all this album. and my heart and and mind blow up. i specialy love JACKIE story. thank you write nice impression about his album. his song several times save my lifes from darknes. man who make end stress of crissis. that s amazing example . and his musice is still better and better. who want love rise up hands.

[Skai Rain]

A great review, I personally also loved the album. Rock all the way!

[Jayne Disdaine]

He is pretty awesome. His deep vocals and his mad dancing do something to me, and lyrically he is phenomenal ..

[yashmita13]

Some good pondering on the relationship and the overall sensitivity that comes with things in that magnitude...Bravo...............