Live Review: LISTEN: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds 'We No Who U R' + Aus Tour

I made the mistake of deciding to cram all the NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS news into one post. There's a lot to say about the man of The Birthday Party and Grinderman fame. So here goes- You see it's really a dream come true. I didn't think, after the release of 2008's Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! that we would see any more from Cave's second merry band.  I thought we were on Grinderman time, and when they disbanded I wanted to cry- it was possible I would not get to make eyes at the 55-year-old screenwriter/novelist/musician again. Take a moment to process that. He writes movies (and then cameos in them/others), he writes acclaimed novels, and he's also a singer/guitarist/musical god. And he's Australian. One of ours. The sheer breadth and quality of his artistic artwork is enviable. I just want to be that guy.

So you could say that I didn't take the release of their fifteenth album, Push the Sky Away, lightly. I am shall we say pretty god damn stoked. It was recorded in a 19th century French mansion (for proof, check out the decor in video below) and is due out on February 18. And here is a the tracklisting:

'We No Who UR'

'Wide Lovely Eyes'

'Water’s Edge'

'Jubilee Street'

'Mermaids'

'We Real Cool'

'Finishing Jubilee Street'

'Higgs Boson Blues'

'Push The Sky Away'

Expect wit and cultural references. Expect lengthy piano solos. Expect basslines that slither along. Expect me to buy the notebook in which he scribbled these songs for a ridiculously high price on eBay.

And now there's a first single, 'We No Who UR,' which was made accessible to people who pre-ordered the album (which you can do on iTunes or HERE; I'll be getting it on vinyl). Alternately pre-order it with your concert tickets (YES, A TOUR TOO) on December 6. The track is pure Cave: with soft backing vocals from the man himself, rich lead vocals, a piano riff and weird background noise (and flute!) to add atmosphere. Listen HERE.

If I had to choose one man from Australian rock to bang, I would choose Nick Cave. Just look at him in the below video, with his weird hybrid accent (mostly ocker, yes?) and having a good old time in the studio with the Bad Seed with the glorious beard, Warren Ellis. And Mick Harvey will be missed.

And looksie, below are the tour dates superimposed on top of the album cover. I'll be heading to the Sydney Opera House to listen to Cave's signature growl. That man has got swagger.

Words by Hannah Story

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE