Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds‘ ‘majestic and desolate masterpiece‘ Push the Sky Away was released ten years ago on February 18th 2013, marking an evolution in their sound; trembling with sparse intense noir rock, it is a subtle and beautiful album that set the scene for ongoing sonic explorations ever since. As Cave sings in the titular track, “Some people say it’s just rock and roll/ Oh but it gets you right down to your soul”.
To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the band is launching a dedicated website to explore the album which will feature details about the record, video, audio, imagery, lyrics and exclusive merchandise. HERE
Fans can also watch a superb performance at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre, from February 21st, 2013, available worldwide to watch for free on the site, for a limited time HERE The band played Push The Sky Away in full followed by a set of classic tracks.
Nick Cave said,
“Push The Sky Away was the start of a new, wild adventure for the Bad Seeds. The record opened up a whole different approach to the way we created our music. It was the beginning of a way of writing – a kind of controlled improvisation. Because of this shift, the record was to some extent divisive – but it was the necessary reinvention that the Bad Seeds desperately needed.“
“For that reason Push The Sky Away continues to stand as one of my most loved of all the Bad Seeds’ albums.”
Push The Sky Away played loosely with traditional song structures and unidentified instruments, with an atmospheric, weightless sound that has inhabited subsequent records like Skeleton Tree and Ghosteen, redefining what is possible for a rock band.
The album featured current live favourites ‘Jubilee Street’ and ‘Higgs Boson Blues’ interspersed with rich, lush yet sparse songs like opener and unsettling ballad ‘We No Who U R’, or the graceful title track, or ominous ‘Water’s Edge’ and its dark sonic undertow.
Acclaimed at the time as a band breaking new ground, it set the blueprint for a decade of creativity.
Push the Sky Away set list at Fonda Theatre
1. “We No Who U R”
2. “Wide Lovely Eyes”
3. “Water’s Edge”
4. “Jubilee Street”
5. “Mermaids”
6. “We Real Cool”
7. “Finishing Jubilee Street”
8. “Higgs Boson Blues”
9. “Push the Sky Away”
Second Set
10. “From Her to Eternity”
11. “O Children”
12. “The Ship Song”
13. “Jack the Ripper”
14. “Red Right Hand”
15. “Deanna”
16. “Love Letter”
17. “The Mercy Seat”
Encore
18. “Stagger Lee”
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – 10 years of Push the Sky Away
