Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/ The Lyre of Orpheus

Pedants among you will point to the fact that these are essentially two records bound together, but if you can distinguish between that and a double album without disappearing up that dark cavern three feet below your head, then you’re a better person than us at Ragged Words. What is beyond doubt is that these are two very fine records, showcasing the complimentary ying/yang that represents much of Cave’s canon. What elevates Cave above the rest is his ability to sound equally comfortable on the blistering ‘There She Goes My Beautiful World’ as on the luridly beautiful ‘Babe You Turn Me On.’ (Barry Glynn)