Customer Reviews

Let Love in

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Listening to this gloomy, heroin-soaked collection of songs had me ready to quit my job, divorce my wife and hunt down Nick and tell him he was to blame. Instead, I kept the job and bought the rest of his albums. The jury's still out about the marriage, but in the end, I'm convinced that my life will end in a fiery disaster and Nick will somehow be to blame.

I came unto Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds through a peculiar route. Metallica covered the song "Loverman" on their _Garage Inc._ c.d. and I happened upon _Let Love In_ and decided to purchase it in order to hear what the original version of the song sounded like. I was astounded! I keep track of how often I listen to my c.ds each month (so I can throw away those that aren't being put to use) and _Let Love In_ was listened to more than any other c.d. that I have ever listened to in one month. I am a poet and writer of short stories and the crafty lyrics and contagious rhythms of this c.d. put me in the creative mood. Highlights of this c.d. include the songs "Red Right Hand" (which was in the movie _Dumb and Dumber_ and on a documentary on Snoop Doogy Dogg... go figure), "Jangling Jack", and "Salty Dog". The bold headline above is a portion of the lyrics from the song "Do You Love Me: Part 2". "Do You Love Me: Part 1" and "Do You Love Me: Part 2" are the types of songs that one is simply unable to get out of their heads. The first part of the song begins the c.d. and the second portion of the song brings the c.d. to a beautifully chilling end. Part 1 deals with questions dealing with whether or not a female loves the narrator and the second part deals with homoerotic conquests and perhaps shades of past abuse. The pair of songs are strong enough to nearly leave one in tears... or at least breatless.

Its been a little more than two years since I was first introduced to the music of Nick Cave, and in that time I have acquired all of his CDs and have had the pleasure of seeing him in concert. Now that I have had time to listen many times to all of his work, I have settled on Let Love In as one of his best.
Particularly interesting is the juxtaposition of the two versions of "Do You Love Me?" which serve as the bread in this dark and chilling musical sandwich. The jaunty first version is filled with violent passion while the slow-paced second version is a macabre and profoundly disturbing tale of predatory pedophilia and torture. After long study of the lyrics, I have come to the conclusion that it may even reference a snuff film. Both are tremendous songs, filled with raw emotional power.
Other top-notch songs include the lusty Loverman, the sinister Red Right Hand, the drunken apologia of the Thirsty Dog, the somber Ain't Gonna Rain Anymore and the egoistic Lay Me Low. But the tour de force is I Let Love In, the plaintive lyrics of which ring with truth for millions. As usual, the Bad Seeds masterfully set the proper mood on each of these fine Cave compositions.
The only song I really don't care for is Jangling Jack. The lyrics are amusing, but the delivery is just too dissonant. It jangles the nerves and I often skip past it.
If you don't yet know the music of Nick Cave, Let Love In is the perfect CD to begin with. If you do know Cave but don't yet have this, you should order it without delay. It receives my highest recommendation.

I first heard "Loverman" on Metallica's "Garage Inc." cover album. I was playing video games and jamming to all of the cover tunes when the opening strains of Loverman came on ("There's a devil waitin' outside your door..."). As I listened my skin started to crawl and I scrambled for the booklet to see what sick, depraved human soul wrote such a WRENCHING tale of lust and longing. When I saw "Nick Cave" and the album name "Let Love In" I H-A-D to buy it. To my utter astonishment, Loverman was only one of many WORKS OF MUSICAL and LYRICAL ART on that album. Please, whomever reads this review--give it a chance. Buy it, borrow it, whatever. Just HEAR it. My favorites are: Do you love me? -- It's groovy, the words say a ton about doomed, futile love; it's like Hoyt Axton meets Darth Vader! Jangling Jack--It is an obvious statement on America, and Cave gets the point across by going INSANE right there on the album. He sounds like a rabid killer himself. But the music is shreddin' as well, see? And, the COOLEST SONG ever recorded, Red Right Hand--I can't describe how sultry, ominous, and creepily suave this song is. Listen and you'll understand what I mean.

By the way--EVERY other song on the album is AWESOME as well! I love them all. Oh, and Loverman is ten times better than the Metallica version.

I love this album because with every song you can smell, feel, and see vivid pictures, textures, colors. I know this review is sort of long-winded, but the album means that much to me. It IS art.

On 'Let Love In', Cave creates a pretty horrific 'anti-love' kind of mood - from the subtle cruelty of 'Nobody's Baby Now', to the demonic fury of 'Loverman', to the chilling pedophile in 'Do You Love Me (Part II)'. These are some really good songs that don't shy away from heavy themes, and in truth it is a relentlessly melancholic, violent album. The classic 'Do You Love Me' could be interpreted as the song of a brutal rapist, and the frantic 'Jangling Jack' is a pretty wrenching tale.

But that doesn't mean it's a bad album; rather, it's a d**n good one. It's hard-hitting, powerful and reveals all its charms and nuances after multiple listens. Cave comes through as a master songwriter and balladeer. This is top notch work.

Once in a blue moon, I feel absolutely compelled to review an album, simply because it has recently absolutely blown my mind. This is one such record. As much as I love the Birthday Party, and several other Cave output, this may be the single greatest album that I've heard with his name attached. "Nobody's Baby Now" is so good it almost hurts, and I don't care who the hell has covered "Loverman" (including Metallica), there's no topping the version included herein. Once you add in masterpieces like "Do You Love Me" and "Thirsty Dog," along with the supernal "Red Right Hand," there is barely a chance of topping this record. In terms of consistency alone, it's one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. If you have any curiousity about the work of Cave, with the BP or the BS, you absolutely MUST check this album out first. If ever there was a record that will lead you to pursue other records in an artist's catalogue, this is the one. Simply put, this is brilliant beyond words. I've studied the holy books, and this album will put you closer to "the truth" than most of them.

One of Nick's best. This is one of my favorite albums by anyone and therefore, one of my favorite by Mr. Cave. Opening and closing the album by asking the question "Do you love me?" gives chilling perspective into what this album is supposed to mean. From the deceptive delicacy of "Nobody's baby now" to the rage of "Red Right Hand" Cave takes us on a roller coaster of emotions and his unique voice and style never fail to entertain . . . and perplex. A true gem of the 90's.

Oh, Nick, I thank thee for what you recorded! I'd kill for 'Loverman', 'Red right hand (this memorable bass guitar line)', 'I let love in' and 'Lay me low'. These songs are nothing very innovative but anyway precious gems not only for Cave's fans. If you didn't like 'The first born is dead' etc. you may give Nick a second chance - he's more 'edible' now, but nevertheless fantastic, and singing unforgettable things, with his dark humour, and well-known deviations. As for music, it's almost an album to be played on the radio, as for lyrics, I'd never let my little child listen to the radio if I knew Nick was there. No drawbacks, as for this album, a complete masterpiece

Take it from someone who has been a longtime Nick Cave fan (from his first singles with The Birthday Party), even within his praiseworthy oeuvre, this is arguably the single best thing he has released. More than that it is one of the best music albums of all time. His lyrics are top notch-- like a cross between Edgar Allen Poe and Leonard Cohen. His voice is chilling. His and the band's playing is sublime. There is not a weak cut on it. Nick holds you in his grip from the first note to the last. Masterpiece is an appropriate appellation. Please do not hesitate in taking a chance on this album. Whatever your taste in music you will find a lot to admire-even thrill you.

Cave and the Seeds are the proteges of no one. Unique and inexplicable, what first sounds like a jangling garage band becomes more and more profound with each listen. Many people may be considering buying this because of the prevalence of the swooning, excellent Red Right Hand. And although that is the finest song on this album, everything else is of such exquisite quality that you're certain to find a new favorite. Do You Love Me? is powerful and irresistable; Nobody's Baby Now is quiet and majestic; I Let Love In is hilarious and miserable at the same time, and permanently infectious; and Do You Love Me? (II) is unforgettable. If you're looking for something easy to listen to, I cannot recommend this; I refrain from giving it 5 stars only because it is such an acquired taste. But once your in Cave's world, you'll never want to go back.