Track Listing

1. Wonderful Life
2. He Wants You
3. Right Out Of Your Hand
4. Bring It On
5. Dead Man In My Bed
6. Still In Love
7. There Is A Town
8. Rock Of Gibraltar
9. She Passed By My Window
10. Babe, I�m On Fire

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33109 in Music
• Released on: 2003-02-03
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Emotive, passionate, disturbing, beguiling--there really aren't enough worthy adjectives to do this masterful album justice. Nocturama is Nick Cave's 12th album with the Bad Seeds and he has lost none of his poetic imagination, rousing romanticism and spine-tingling verve. With Nick Launey (whom Cave hadn't worked with since The Birthday Party) at the production desk the band were given more freedom and the results are mesmerising.

Having recorded Nocturama at break-neck speed, and with the Blockheads working on three tracks, Cave has created a feisty record that mixes edgy spontaneity (the 15-minute, 43-verse "Babe I'm On Fire") with heart wrenchingly tender ballads such as "Still in Love". Possibly Cave's most diverse album to date, fusing his many moods, paces and styles, it stands as a good representation of the diversity of the Antipodean crooner's work.

The opener "Wonderful Life" is Cave at his charming, evocative best, building around a rousing piano and mesmerising bass. "Dead Man in My Bed" sees him in hilariously sardonic mood, chaotically taking on the role of a woman bemoaning the shortcomings of her pathetic partner. But within this splendid musical range lies a breathtaking peak in the form of "Bring It On", which features a duet with Chris Bailey, singer with renowned pre-punk outfit The Saints. Its heartstopping beauty is nothing short of life affirming. --Chris Barrett

CD Description
Twelfth album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and the follow up to their 2001 release 'No More Shall We Part'. Recordedin a week 'Nocturama' displays Nick Cave's maverick songwriting, fusing black humour and emotional despair against haunting piano compositions and cathartic string arrangements.

Customer Reviews

More highs than lows
There are some tracks on Nocturama that fall below Nick Cave’s high standards, like the overlong and somewhat indulgent Babe, I’m On Fire and the raucous, messy Dead Man In My Bed. Fortunately these are more than compensated for by the wealth of beautiful gems like He Wants You and Right Out Of Your Hand, both gentle ballads with poetic lyrics and lovely melodies.

Bring It On is a strong rock ballad, Still In Love with its moving lyrics is another slow jewel as is There Is A Town with its mournful chorus. The masterpiece of the album is Rock Of Gibraltar, an exquisite love song where Cave rhymes “Gibraltar” with “alter”, “Malta” and “altar.” This is a melodic and lyrical classic, ranking amongst Nick’s very best compositions.

I don’t see how some reviewers can dismiss this album as a failure when it contains so many superb songs with intelligent, moving lyrics and memorable tunes, including She Passed By My Window. Yes, the last track Babe, I’m On Fire is five minutes too long but this isn’t a bad song, just too raw and too long. Nocturama is a great work and it deserves four stars.

Plain in comparison with his better work
Nick Cave albums generally fall into two categories - mean, hungry stompers (Murder Ballads, Henry's Dream) and melancholy, subdued classics (No More Shall We Part, Boatman's Call). This album fits into neither - and depending on your perspective this is either a Bold New Move, or a Neither One Thing Nor The Other.

For me it's the latter. It's pleasant enough, and enjoyable in places, but lacks the guts or the heart of his best work. Highlights like Bring It On work well but you're almost left wondering whether he hasn't worked on the songs as much as he could. There isn't the depth or simplicity of previous work.

If you;re a Cave fan, this is definitely worth buying - it's not a bad album. But for those curious about his work, you're best trying one of his stronger albums.

Its a wonderful life...if you can find it
First of all i have to say when i bought this a couple of years ago i couldnt help but notice how unattractive the cover is! Its unspeakably bad, which is unusual because The Bad Seeds artwork is usually pretty slick & eyecatching. Anyway..onto the music & Wonderful Life is without doubt a stunning song, as is He Wants You..a beautiful track with great piano by Nick. Other gems to be found include 'There Is A Town' & the rowdy 'Bring It On'. Some tracks bog the affair down slightly such as 'Still In Love' and 'Babe Im On Fire'which becomes torcherous after so long, in need of some much needed editing.
The album cant be considered to hold as much weight as its magnificent predecessor 'No More Shall We Part' or 'The Boatmans Call' before that, but its certainly a grower..i was slightly disappointed on first listen, but in 2006 im finding i appreciate its content more & more. Give it a chance if you like the Bad Seeds work.