The past year and a half have been good for both the nascent and hardcore Cave fans. There's been a new album, Henry's Dream, a Birthday Party compilation, Hits, a Boys Next Door re-issue, Door, Door (both previous Nick Cave bands) and now Live Seeds, hi s first live album with the Bad Seeds.
Generally speaking, live albums are perhaps best served as souvenirs for big fans and this is no exception. Fine, inspired performances but not the first thing I'd recommend to newcomers (try Your Funeral My Trial or the B-day Party compilation).
My main complaint with Live Seeds is that I'd prefer a wider selection from the Bad Seeds catalog. The four-man Mick Harvey, Barry Adamson, Bargeld and Cave period only gets two songs ("Tupelo" and "From Her to Eternity"). C'est la vie. To me, Nick Cave nonetheless remains someone who has been around over ten years and hasn't released anything embarrassing. (Pat Johnson)