First listen impressions of the album:
Rather one note in tone and instrumentation. Haven't been able to exactly dive into the lyrics of course.
I think it is beautiful and as always his voice is moving. However, I don't know if I'll feel compelled to return to it much. I'm a lot more drawn to rocking Nick Cave. I enjoy albums that have a balance between the rocking and sparser ballads as well, but this one certainly doesn't fall into that category. The one part where it seems to pick up in the middle of Ghosteen made me feel like maybe I would find more of that balance on Part 2 but it came back down pretty quick.
I'm not really in the headspace to hang onto his every word, which I'm sure doesn't help, but the instrumentation and vibe aren't really something I gravitate towards for a solid hour and ten minutes anyway.
Very fair, and I was pretty much in agreement after my first listen.
I haven't made up my mind as to comparing part 1 and part 2 in detail, particularly in deciphering what he means by part 1 being the child of part 2. I definitely prefer part 2 though, it feels more repeatable but then it would be strange to listen to it by itself as it seems quite conclusive.
I don't mind the length, despite how one dimensional that ambient aspect of part one is it doesn't drag out for me, yet.
As for the lyrical writing, if you've been reading The Red Hand Files or been to a Conversations show you've probably heard him mention the poetry anthology Technicians of the Sacred, which started to heavily influence his writing around the Push the Sky Away era (I think, maybe earlier).
It's a collection of 'primitive' (for lack of a better word) oral, written and ritualistic traditions from all around the world, presented as and therefore linking to what we think of now as modern poetry. Nick seems obsessed with this book, and reading through only a chunk of it I've definitely picked up bits in his last three albums, and particularly Ghosteen feels like it feeds from it. In the last few years I think he studies it, then half ad libs lyrics, then reworks then in studio.
If you're dedicated to interpreting Ghosteen I would recommend tracking down this book and reading it closely, I'm sure it will offer a lot of insight. It shares the very blunt naturality of part one of the album.
www.theredhandfiles.com
