The album Grinderman should have been
Before the release of Grinderman, I remember getting all excited reading that Nick Cave was coming out with hard rocking album. Unfortunately, the CD didn't live up to my expectations, it struck me as more of a throwaway than a committed project. But at least I didn't have long to wait for the real goods. Dig Lazarus Dig is everything I had been hoping for in a rocking Nick Cave release, full-fledged songs, fun yet biting lyrics, a diversity of musical styles, moments of pensiveness and beauty, and oh yeah, it really really jams. Welcome back, Nick!

I don't understand why some reviewers are knocking this album. This, to me, is not the sound of Nick Cave in a rut, this is the sound of Nick and the Bad Seeds revitalized. We all love Nick Cave the twisted balladeer, the lounge singer with the dark tortured soul of an Ingmar Bergman, the pensive Nick Cave of The Good Son, Murder Ballads, The Boatman's Call, No More Shall We Part and The Lyre of Orpheus/Abbatoir Blues, but staying in that same mode ad infinitum would have constituted the true rut. It was time for a change, and Lazarus indicates a deviation in focus I ardently applaud, even if it turns out to be for one album only. Nick's characteristic snarl is still here, but he seems to be having more fun this time around. Does that make some of the lyrics less deep than what we're accustomed to? Maybe, but that doesn't mean they're not every bit as intelligent and literate and black as before. Nick has opted for a more absurdist lyrical style on several of the songs, going off on bizarre tangents while spinning his characteristically sardonic narratives, and frankly I'm not always sure what the hell he's singing about, but the results are damned entertaining nonetheless. As for the musical element, I like the sound of Nick Cave cutting loose. This might be the closest thing to a party album that Nick and the Bad Seeds ever release, and it is appropriately raunchy, but that doesn't make it negligible. The title song which opens the album, and We Call Upon the Author, positioned directly at the middle, and the closing More News From Nowhere are the key tracks here, setting the mood of theater of the absurd spontaneity, but they aren't necessarily the strongest. This is a hook-laden album, with Nick's pop sensibilities in full swing. In addition to those three songs, I really love Today's Lesson, Hold On To Yourself, Lie Down Here(& Be My Girl) and Midnight Man. Besides its melodic invention and lyrical, flamboyance, Lazarus has the added advantage of being far from a one note adventure; musical ideas abound. Night of the Lotus Eaters employs what sounds like a steel drum, Hold On To Yourself and Jesus Of the Moon are beautiful ballads in the tradition of his more recent albums, but with some musical twists(Hold On has a distinctly western twang), and Lie Down Here is a barroom sizzler, the kind of all out assault Nick and the boys haven't done for a while(not counting Grinderman), with an irresistible melody and a propulsive performance by the band. Lazarus might be Nick's most American album, with its nods to American music and its darkly comic examinations of American celebrity and culture.

Some may argue with Nick's change in direction, I find it exhilarating. To the naysayers, criticize this album if you must, but please don't accuse Nick Cave of getting stale. For me this album is a refreshing change of pace, with the emphasis on fresh.

Dig It!!!
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds have just released the best record of 2008, their first studio release in nearly four years. Although many of Nick's albums tend to be a bit uneven, albeit brilliant in a scattered kind of way, this new release captures him and The Bad Seeds at their mature, informed best. This is undoubtedly one of their most cohesive, coherent, and beautifully engineered albums yet. But don't think for a minute that this one doesn't rock. Just because Nick recently turned 50, time hasn't slowed him or his bandmates. Drawing upon the raw energy of last year's raucous Grinderman collaboration seems to have infused the Bad Seeds with a power and freedom not seen in years. From the opening title track Dig Lazarus Dig with its irresistible, insistent beat until the finale of More News From Nowhere, there isn't a weak song, not even a weak moment to be found. I must make special mention of the beseeching scorcher We Call Upon The Author, undoubtedly the album's highlight, and a personal favorite Lie Down Here, a throwback sound to the mid 60's with a screeching lead guitar and the Bad Seeds providing vocal support behind Nick's snarling lead. I could go on mentioning individual cuts that stand out but the whole of the project sustains and creates a dark, irreverent mood that is simultaneously loud, exciting, and full of unexpected turns. Amid some of the album's ambient noise there is a dark humor loosed herein, certifying that Nick Cave more than understands the world we live in. It goes almost without saying that Nick Cave is at the the top of his game now: 2 successful albums in successive years, a second novel on the way, upcoming tours with both of his groups, great soundtrack work with scores for Andrew Dominic and John Hillcoat films. In short, to quote a line from the second track Today's Lesson, "We're Gonna Have A Real Cool Time Tonight..." Listening to this new CD, I can assure you, we most certainly shall.

Boring very and like a painted moustache silly
Ok grinderman was good for a week of playing
I saw them live and Nick looked very old.;still making the same yawn moves.
i have seen the Birthday party many times.and grinderman is like..a old mens Birthday party.;getting in the last stooges mood here?
Where they good,
no!
no real passion there
And this album its indeed like nicks looking for interisting new sentences too sing.
this album was thought up in an office.;a man dreaming of?
his fantasies?
The music is boring
all nicks albums are ok
this one.
superficual...Nah
I rather remberer him before his office days;
Sorry nick
Get from her to eternity or any Birthday party Abbatoir blues .;so many to choose first.
i cant help it..but do any of you also get bored extreemly quickly with grinderman?
And I loved it to death when it came out.
He was doing great on Abbatoir..what happened?

Really loud
Nick Cave is an acquired taste and he will never appeal to a wide audience. This album lacks appeal for Nick's usual fan. Specifically, Nick Cave music is always at its best when Nick is depressed. Nick cheerful is hard to take.

One of My Favorite Cave Albums
Dig Lazarus Dig!!! is one of my favorite Nick Cave albums. In particular I am fond of the title track, Night of the Lotus Eaters and We Call Upon the Author. The poetic turns of phrase and dark sense of humor are tightly balanced in Cave's most recent outing. It is also interesting to hear how Nick and the Bad Seeds have begun exploring the subtleties of Warren Ellis' electronic loops to great effect. I am very pleased with this album and if you are a fan of Nick Cave, I think you will be too.