2008 Woodie Awards
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The Scene
Review: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
C-
By FAHIMA HAQUE on 4/10/08
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"Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!"
Mute
Sounds like: A cross between blues and folksy '60s rock
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have actually created real music. You know, the kind of music your grandparents listened to back in their day.
In the 14th studio album, "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!," Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds have birthed 11 sensational tracks. The songs on the album strongly stem from the classic blues and rock genres - all teamed with a bit of raw humor. Cave is clearly a comical character complete with an Elvis-like coif.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Australian-based singer, the album sounds like a less catchy version of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" sprinkled with the brooding sounds of The Velvet Underground. The band often emulates the same melodic sound as The Doors. The album is also incredibly bass-heavy, often transporting listeners into an almost drug-like state, also reminiscent of the bands hailing from the 1960s. In other words, you can seriously jam to "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" whilst sporting a genuine smile.
While Cave is definitely a crooner with his smooth, deep voice, it is often hard to distinguish the lyrics on some tracks. One downside, though, is that the musical construction often obstructs the story the lyrics would otherwise have told. On some tracks, however, like "Jesus of the Moon," the words become far more recognizable.
Ultimately, the band's strength lies in creating music that should be felt, not dissected. Standout tracks include, "We Call Upon The Author," "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" and "Today's Lesson."
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