Prayers on Fire album cover
Prayers on Fire

The Birthday Party

1981
Missing Link

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

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