Prayers on Fire cover

Prayers on Fire

Released

Forty years ago, an Australian band was firing the template of Touch & Go Records. Singer? Freak the fuck out and yell surrealist one-liners. Bassist? Play really flappy and nasty. Guitarist? Imitate a power tool. Drummer? Be very thumpy. Also be slower than anybody expects. That’s only half of what Nick Cave and his mates did, though. There are horns and keyboards and all kinds of other treats in this actual funhouse. You’re trapped in the Tunnel of Love with a tire iron and an accordion. How will you make the spirits take your side? Tom Waits was too easy on fellas!

Sasha Frere-Jones

Recommended by

Suggestions
Attitude cover

Attitude

Rip Rig + Panic
El Dorado cover

El Dorado

Aterciopelados
God cover

God

Rip Rig + Panic
Forever Now cover

Forever Now

The Psychedelic Furs
I Am Cold cover

I Am Cold

Rip Rig + Panic
Black and White cover

Black and White

The Stranglers
Closer cover

Closer

Joy Division
The Raven cover

The Raven

The Stranglers