Review Summary: An overall amazing record from Nick Cave
I have always had a certain degree of fondness for the lyrical mastermind Nick Cave, even before I heard his albums in full. I remember hearing snippets of his music play at a local cafe joint roughly 7 years ago, and while the music was chirping peacefully in the background, I managed to fully engross myself with the calm, sedative melodies and luscious vocals. During Nick Cave's early days, his music was quite noisy and rather disjointed;
The Good Son, however, sought to include calmer, more tranquil themes to it, along with a variety of musical genres. After the moody, dark, and bitingly intense "Tender Prey", many fans questioned "The Good Son" for its calmer qualities - most were quite shocked by his turn into the "unknown" zone. Nevertheless, however, "The Good Son" proved to be one of his most phenomenally written studio albums to land in the market, with its wide range of genres ranging from folksy rock to classical to straight up alternative rock.
As soon as "Foi Na Cruz" begins, it's pretty evident that this album is made for a specific feeling and gist: the song's very laid back with its lusciously dreamy guitars, tender piano setup, soft drums, and a few twinkling bells that recall a lovely autumn evening by the hammock. "The Good Son" picks up the tempo only slightly during the main verse, the chorus is however very beautiful and even includes a choral setup through about half of it. "Sorrow's Child" continues with the tranquility and calmness, with a devastatingly emotional piano line and insightful lyrics evidently about a long lost love. There's a comforting quality to this song, one that feels as if its cradling you and gradually soothing your soul into a lucid state.
"The Weeping Song" is honestly the darkest tune on the record, and one that is outrageously catchy with its sparking chimes and bells. Lyrically intense, some of Nick Cave's best lyrics are located on this song: "This is the weeping song, a song in which to weep." ...."Father, why are all the woman weeping?". Tangled with a variety of upbeat, devastatingly emotional, and downright depressing songs, "The Ship Song" is a juxtapose of all of these combined, and Nick Cave utilizes these themes for the song amazingly. Dreamy ambiance and a subtle piano drive the song, and as the song progresses, it eventually breaks its mold and forms into something beautiful; the chorus is probably the best indication of its gorgeousness. With lyrics such as "Come sail your ships, around me, and burn your bridges down/We'll make a little history, baby, everytime you come around." Nick Cave harmonizes this track perfectly and emotionally - as a guy, I find it extremely difficult not to shed a tear to how soulful and deep this song is. The entire album is indefinitely prestige and unquestionably brilliant, but I find "The Ship Song" to strike me the most in terms of musicality and lyricism.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, "The Hammer Song" is a manic, pulsating song that fights the woozy mood this album retains, it truly prevails at providing "The Good Son" with a new sight of imagery and atmosphere. Nick Cave sounds downright angry on this track, and is a markedly exhilarating experience to say the least. "Lament" is a jazzy tune which features devilishly handsome lyrics and a dreary chorus.
In a way,
The Good Son is like a silent but deadly music revolution, one that takes humble steps to reach the surface, but nevertheless manages to full circumnavigate its way around. There's a certain type of lyrical interpretation here, letting the listener pick out specific cues and emotions for his/herself. Although this album is at times extremely depressing and rather sorrow-choked,
The Good Son is a spellbinding masterpiece made from a musical genius, and one that will probably spark intense emotions. In 1990, released "The Good Son", and honestly, is one of Nick Cave's most touching, amazing records that has yet to be topped by many in the same field.
