Is Kicking Against the Pricks a good place to start with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds?

Yes, Kicking Against the Pricks is recommended as a starting point for new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds listeners. A haunting collection of covers infused with raw emotion, juxtaposing gothic rock with deep blues undercurrents. Released on August 18, 1986, 'Kicking Against the Pricks' was Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' second studio album, following their debut 'From Her to Eternity.' At this point in his career, Cave was solidifying his reputation as a provocative lyricist and distinctive vocalist, blending elements of punk and literary storytelling into his music.

Who is Kicking Against the Pricks for?

Kicking Against the Pricks works well if you're into steady pacing with haunting intensity, emotional depth in every track and reflective moments for solitude.

How many songs are on Kicking Against the Pricks?

Kicking Against the Pricks has 14 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Kicking Against the Pricks

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds · 1986

50 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

A haunting collection of covers infused with raw emotion, juxtaposing gothic rock with deep blues undercurrents.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Muddy Water Start here — The opener reimagines a traditional blues standard with brooding intensity, setting the tone for the entire album while highlighting Cave's vocal prowess.
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Hey Joe — Cave delivers a visceral take on this iconic song, infusing it with a sense of urgency that showcases his ability to transform familiar narratives into something deeply personal.
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The Singer — This track stands out for its minimalist arrangement and haunting lyrical delivery, reflecting themes of despair that resonate throughout the album.
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Jesus Met the Woman at the Well — Cave's interpretation is both reverent and subversive, presenting a biblical story through a contemporary lens that emphasizes his storytelling skills.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album's unique covers and emotional delivery create a distinct sound, though cohesion suffers slightly due to its varied source material.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate sparse instrumentation, allowing the vocals and lyrical content to take center stage.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing with haunting intensity
emotional depth in every track
reflective moments for solitude
raw storytelling through covers

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat dance tracks
prefer instant gratification sounds

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A notable collection of covers, showcasing unique interpretations but not widely recognized as a key album.
Themes: gothic Americana· spiritual desolation· haunting folk reinterpretations
Moods: Dark· Melancholy
Career context: Released on August 18, 1986, 'Kicking Against the Pricks' was Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' second studio album, following their debut 'From Her to Eternity.' At this point in his career, Cave was solidifying his reputation as a provocative lyricist and distinctive vocalist, blending elements of punk and literary storytelling into his music.
Stylistic neighbors: The Birthday Party· Swans· Tom Waits