Junkyard

A ton of people when looking into Nick Cave's musical efforts, will eventually land here. Though fair warning, this is extreme, uncomfortable music dripping with schizophrenia. Crazier and far less accessible than any of The Bad Seeds material. In fact, you can compare Nick Cave's Bad Seeds career with Iggy Pop's solo career, and both of them have never been able to top what they did with their first band.The Birthday Party is what happens when the Stooges self cannibalize after they go through an exorcism. It is the forsaken offspring of Pere Ubu, and Public Image Ltd. with a sprinkle of rock-a-billy, drunk blues, and loose jazz. Don't be fooled with the way these guys dress or by the "post-punk" label. These guys are much dirtier, filthier, and a helluva lot more demented than any of those bands in the genre. The only band with the label of "Post Punk" that is as ferocious as these guys are the Pop Group. (Who the Birthday Party took great influence from...)Don't come in here looking for "The Boatman's Call." That is a Nick Cave who has left the "Mutiny in Heaven" and is a loving father and a dedicated husband. THIS is the Nick Cave who has a chemical diet, stays up all night writing while smoking countless cigarettes, and spends his live performances banging his head on the edge of a drum and smacking people in the front row with a microphone stand screaming, "EXPRESS YOURSELF!!!"Even though Nick Cave would be the obvious thing to focus on, he would be nothing if it wasn't for the band backing him.Rowland Howard and Mick Harvey (interchangable lead and rhythm guitarists) provide the ear piercing "shroom cloud" of sounds that are the equivalent of getting stung by bees and getting euphoric by it. It sounds random, but it's calculated. The entire band is calculated.Phil Calvert (the drummer) bangs on the drums like as if he has having a nervous breakdown. It sounds more like gunshots than anything else. He provides the whole loose, yet captivating jazz influence in.And last but not least, Tracy Pew. (The sex cowboy/bassist) He provides the only stability/structure in this entire album. Without Tracy, this would sound like some jazz session of disemboweling screams and metallic guitar notes. Tracy gives the BP groove, style and its sexual prowess.If you are interested in the crazier, wild, bloodshot-eyed, OUT-THERE music, then get this as soon as possible! It is like a sawed off shotgun blast to the brain at point blank!This is gutsy music at its most uncompromising nature.Easily, one of the best albums I've ever heard and already one of my favorites!

The birthday party aren't everyone's cup of tea but they are essential to anyone with an interest in punk or alternative music. I think prayers on fire is a better album, and if you like that album then this one won't disappoint.

Received pressing number 1449. Overall a really good pressing. The glue for the top of the record doesn't really hold well. In fact, when it came, the sleeve wasn't even attached anymore. Nothing a little bit of glue didn't fix however. The Artwork is gorgeous. Very well produced, they definitely used a high-res source. The audio is even better. Crystal clear. Overall, a very good release.

A li'l context for yer Cave.

This is my favorite album of all time. From early 80's to now nothing has come close to this album for sheer creativity, authenticity and power. Saw them live around the time of this record - best gig I ever saw

This was my first Birthday Party album back in the day. I saw the cover, turned it over, saw the song titles and picture of the band members, bought it. I've never looked back. Best band ever. And I'm a Deadhead!

Wonderful post punk from Nick Cave....they are unlike anything..... Beautiful!

Bought this POS after reading reviews on great this Band is, and it was a total waste of money. So bad I couldn't listen to more than a minute of any song!!! FKG GARBAGE.

I bought this to replace my very ropey original copy,don't get me wrong this is one of my all time favourite albums but this is remaster is rubbish,there seems to be more reverb on it(especially side 2)it sounds faster which seems to lessen its brutality,also as with most remasters it is horribly compressed,all in all very disappointed,saving grace for this release is the cd of the album,also there is a totally pointless addition of a free copy of release the bats(which nick cave openly hated as it was done as a piss take of the current(at the time)goth scene,an inclusion of the peel sessions would have been more relevant

Excellent. Dont know why i waited so long to buy this. Can hear the good roots of the bad seeds.

Not only do you get the album, but you get a CD and the release the bats single. The best value purchase you can make on amazon. Music isnt half bad either

i shouldn't love this - i'm old enough to know better. but fook it - i love it to death

Great!