Gallantly Streaming: Nick Cave At His Majestic Best

Stream Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' Push The Sky Away here, courtesy The Guardian Music Blog.

Following the dissolving of odd rock project Grinderman, Nick Cave's fifteenth album with The Bad Seeds is three years removed from the last Grinderman album and five years removed from the last Bad Seeds (2008's extraordinary Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!).

Push The Sky Away is a fair bit more subdued than anything we've heard from Cave over the better part of the last decade; but, then again, Cave's albums always seem to hit harder when his poetic crooning is at the forefront. See Waters Edge and Jubilee Street (NSFW video below) for a prime example of what makes the man an enduring treasure.

Like all of his best work, to pass quick judgment on Push The Sky Away is a disservice; this album doesn't beat you over the head with its awesomeness. It slowly sinks in, its majesty so subtle that repeat listens aren't just recommended, they're demanded. Fortunately, I see no reason not to give this at least a few dozen more spins; come year's end, we'll see what time has done to this one, but it sure sounds like a contender for the time being.

Push The Sky Away is released February 19 on Bad Seed Ltd.

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