A double album can indicate legitimate ambition or a lack of self-criticism. In the case of Nick Cave's sixteenth album, it is clearly the former. Nick Cave sounds old-fashioned inspired again. On Abattoir Blues, the songs are quite personal and the music is a perfect blend of garage rock and gospel, with a remarkable starring role for the London Community Gospel Choir. Highlights are the smashing
… opener Get Ready For Love and the rousing There She Goes, My Beautiful World. Nick Cave has never feared the great themes of world history. On the somewhat more subdued second CD The Lyre Of Orpheus Cave is inspired by the ancient Greek tragedy Orpheus & Euridice. The story is sung with the occasional dose of black humor, as only Nick Cave can, without undue respect for the original. After all, the ancient Greeks had never heard of an atomic bomb that shows up in Baby You Turn Me On. (MS)more
