Monday, December 7, 2009

PQ's Top 10 Songs of the 2000s: No. 8

Who doesn't like epic and apocalyptic Oz Rock?

You shoulda heard it live. A huge song. HUGE. Particulalrly back when Blixa was still in the band, you know, being Blixa and all.

Here it is... "Oh My Lord" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

41 comments:

Puss In Boots said...

I don't know why, but I hate Nick Cave with a passion. I'd rather stick burning hot pokers in my ears than listen to Nick Cave.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

This saddens me Puss, it really does.

patchouligirl said...

One of us has no musical taste Perseus and it really doesn't matter which one, as long as I remember not to listen to any more of your suggestions. I was much happier dissecting your love life. Hows it going by the way?

Lewd Bob said...

Brilliant, brilliant, genius-like song. Best of the album, possibly best of his from the 90s.

I almost weep with fear/excitment when he sings:

and the hairdresser with his scissors
he holds up the mirror
I look back and shiver
I can't believe what I can see

squib said...

Wonderful, wonderful choice

Perseus said...

I was much happier dissecting your love life. Hows it going by the way?

Train wreck.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Oh dear.

Puss In Boots said...

I've tried to appreciate him, but I just can't. He's as bad as Bob Dylan, in my view. I once physically ran out of the Apple store in Sydney when Bob Dylan started playing. I'd do the same for Nick Cave.

Patch, are you saying you agree with me that Nick Cave is awful?? Do I finally have an ally?!

Lewd Bob said...

Oh Puss, Puss, Puss.

Sorry, that was meant to be a lament, but my cat just sidled up to me and began rubbing on my legs.

patchouligirl said...

I haven't liked any of Perseus music choices. Melt banana definitely took out first prize as my least favorite. I'm also agree with you regarding men and facial hair Puss.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Nick Cave has been one of the towering talents in the Australian artistic scene over many decades; not just in music but in a wide variety of fields.

So there.

Melba said...

This is the only person I know so far on Perseus's list, and I like him alot. Love the album, what was the one, with Stagger Lee?

Oh my fucking god.

Lewd Bob said...

Murder Ballads, Melba.

Mr E said...

A personal Nick Cave favorite.

Melba said...

Thanks Bob. Yes it came to me as I was walking the dog. Wonderful stuff.

patchouligirl said...

Nick Cave has just been on ABC 2. After about 20 seconds my husband winced.
Me: "A lot of people think he's good"
Mr Patch: "He cant sing for shit"
Me: "Mmmm I know"

Unknown said...

I saw Nick Cave on ABC 2 as well, Patch and thought to myself; now is the time to see what all the fuss is about.

I lasted about 2 minutes before changing the channel. I don't know if that says more about Mr Cave than it does about me.

I did try.

come.to.mumma said...

Oh Puss, Patch and EMS, my admiration for you just grew in leaps and bounds (not that you need my approval or anything, but still...). I've always loathed Nick Cave's voice but no one else has ever admitted feeling the same. Sure, he's got a way with words, the music's good and he's been around for an unfortunate length of time, but I just can't stand his voice.

Dr. Golf said...

Have you noticed that nearly every song on that album centers around Nick taking a walk (not a criticism).

I really love the last song on the album "darker with the day"

Amateurs, dilettantes, hacks, cowboys, clones
The streets groan with little Caesars, Napoleons and cunts
With their building blocks and their tiny plastic phones
Counting on their fingers, with crumbs down their fronts

patchouligirl said...

I admit if someone else (who could sing in tune) was singing Nick Caves songs I'd probably appreciate them a whole lot more.

homesick said...

I admit if someone else (who could sing in tune) was singing Nick Caves songs I'd probably appreciate them a whole lot more.



I feel the same way when it comes to Dylan. Not all poets should necessarily sing their work.

Unless, of course, they're just out to get rich and get laid. Then no matter how shit you are go ahead and sing, badly if you must.

Puss In Boots said...

Patch, that definitely applies to Dylan. And Connor Oberst. I appreciate his lyrics, but everytime I hear him sing, all I hear is, "baaah baaah baaah!" I keep waiting for the border collie next door to try and round him up.

Perseus said...

Cave can sing - he has good vocal control and breathing. He's a deep baritone, which is an acquired taste because I reckon 90% of rock singers are tenors, so everyone is just used to the tenor voice. The baritones jump out and sound odd because we're not used to it. Leonard Cohen is also a baritone.

We appear to be split 50/50 on the Nick Cave thing, which is still better than the Melt-Banana division, which I would suggest is split 4/96 (me and Obtuse get two points each).

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Quite so, Pers.

Which gives me a chance to trot out my tenor joke.

Ahem.

Did you hear about the tenor who was so stupid all the other tenors noticed.

RandomGit said...

Perhaps if you all listened to Johnny Cash's cover of The Mercy Seat you'd 'get Nick' a bit.

The original 13 minute version is the only song to have me spiralling in a trance on the constant edge of exhaustion. And that without a crumb of spirituality or barbituate in me.

Perseus said...

I agree Random.

'The Mercy Seat' is indeed my favourite song ever... in its many incantations.

Leilani said...

Ramon, it's too early for dad jokes.

You know I used to hate Nick Cave, or more accurately I hated the hype surrounding him. Did anyone else ever go to the Razor Club in the late 80s or early 90s and notice the fawning masses for Cave and just get put off totally?

I've since come to appreciate him.

Puss In Boots said...

Ugggghhhhhh, Johnny Cash!

Another person I can't stand to listen to. He completely ruined NIN's Hurt.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

It's never too early for dad jokes, Leilani.

Puss, you're beyond redemption.

Puss In Boots said...

That's ok, Ramon. I'm happy to stick to my Andrew Birds, Sea Wolfs, Decemberists, Ra Ra Riots, Dodos, etc. I don't need warbly old men who can't sing. :p

RandomGit said...

Hey wait a second.

Puss In Boots, kitten, never in the same room at the same time, both feline...

:P

Puss In Boots said...

Hey! I know I've changed my name a number of times, but I resent that implication!

And we are often in the same room at the same time. Usually cat fighting.

Heaven forbid anyone ever thought I was as narcissistic as Kitten.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I imagine you're as excited by the final day of the cricket as I am Puss.

Puss In Boots said...

That would take some imagination, Ramon. I'm not sure I'm creative enough for that.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

But the Windies only need five wickets Puss!

Five wickets!!!!!!!!!!

Puss In Boots said...

You may as well have just said, "Bahlghg a gjfhgjfdhs!!!" for all the sense that made to me.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

It means "quite close and exciting".

Anonymous said...

But the Windies only need five wickets Puss!

Aren't the two on the pitch enough for them, the greedy bastards?!!

As for Nick Cave, his appeal is not whether he has a fantastic singing voice (it's ok, and has gotten better over time), or that he writes great poetry (he doesn't - his lyrics don't stand up that well when separated from music), but that he synergises lyrics that usually evoke some atavistic passions, with some fantastically moody piece of music that his band has created. And in the 80s, he used to put such a lot of energy into his live performances (although that tapered off after he went through manopause).

Melba said...

I also like Leonard Cohen but I think I have to draw the line at Dylan. The voice is too distracting and has been too parodied to be able to take it seriously.

So that's it then. I like old men who are tenors who half of the population think can't sing.

Fad MD said...

So did you miss me?
Fucking new work filter blocks TSFKA. I can get the articles through google reader, but like stick mags, I'm not here for the articles. and I haven't got any work to do!!

So, how about that 10ft Windies spinner? He makes me think of the future for the AFL - Sudanese ruckmen in every team!

Melba said...

Oh my epic yes. So many suits and shirt sleeves, all of them sexy.

It's a shame the clip doesn't match the recording; the energy you see, wow how that must have been on stage, as you say awesome live.

The way they gather together in a huddle and make the music. Teh violinist is a bit sexy too. My internet cut out at the 7.5 minute mark which seriously pissed me off.

This song completely wiped out my memory of number 9 with its balloons.