Nick Cave - Seven Psalms

    Nick Cave – Seven Psalms

    02 Jul

    By

    Label: Goliath Enterprises Limited – CAVETHINGS008D
    Format: (10″, EP, Limited Edition), 8 x File, MP3, 320 kbps
    Released: Jul 1, 2022
    Genre: Electronic, Rock
    Style: Art Rock, Experimental, Spoken Word

    Ingenious……………………

    It’s no secret I like the works of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. I even play Blixa Bargeld and Einsturzende Neubaten for those who can handle the divergence from “normal” music. Nick Cave has lived a life with its share of pain, suffering, disasters and joys many of them self-inflicted and some so tragic it breaks hearts. His collaborations are many and not for all.

    Nick Cave from 6 feet away live on stage at the Myer Music Bowl on a hot summer’s eve in Melbourne is a force to witness. He has a ferocity and passion that is rare to see. With Warren Ellis equally as impressive as an onstage performer it is something I can re-envision when listening to their recorded works.

    Ghosteen was an album I’ve reviewed here as a standout and my friend Dan Mayoh had excitedly said I had to get that album when it was released. Dan, wait till you hear this one!!!

    So this week I had anticipated the Seven Psalms on its release. It is a stunning short series of spoken poetry accompanied by ethereal keyboards and gentle rhythmic beats (like heartbeats you feel them). Choir voices underpin the spoken words of Cave. Bells and chimes are hinted with otherworldly notes designed to focus your attention.

    I’ve always loved quiet pensive ethereal works from numerous artists. On hearing this album I could immediately reference the track Fisherman’s Daughter from the seminal work of Danial Lanois on his Acadie album.

    Seven Psalms reminds me a lot of that genius work, where a spoken word is more powerful with atmospheric sounds underpinning the message. It’s like walking into a great cathedral space and the acoustics making you start to whisper quietly (as those buildings are designed to do).

    In Seven Psalms we are taken on a similar journey to a space for contemplation and deep reflection. Some fans of Cave have struggled with his journey towards iconographic themes of deity and religion.

    I don’t think Cave is trying to convert anyone to a new form of poison. But he is someone who has seen the piety, penance and hypocrisy of mainstream flavours of religion and somehow forged a restorative method of picking the good bits out of it and using it for healing.

    You’ll find plenty of ersatz versions of anything these days. We have ersatz coffee, ersatz meat, ersatz wine, ersatz leaders, ersatz entertainment and ersatz religions.

    In contrast here is the real deal – real flavours, real emotions, real thoughts and a glimpse into the mind of a brilliant (though deeply flawed) human who is rapidly becoming legend as a poet on a level with others such as Leonard Cohen (who have connected with many before him).

    As you get closer to a reflective period in your life, will you have regrets, will you have left a legacy of lasting value, will the waters of your well be refreshing for others to draw up?

    Ultimately going near this album will make you start to think about such things. In that sense making you stop in your tracks and re-evaluate your trajectory.

    Genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Track listing

    1. How Long Have I Waited? 1:36
    2. Have Mercy On Me 1:32
    3. I Have Trembled My Way Deep 1:15
    4. I Have Wandered All My Unending Days 1:42
    5. Splendour, Glorious Splendour 1:54
    6. Such Things Should Never Happen 1:45
    7. I Come Alone And To You 2:06
    8. Psalm Instrumental 11:43
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