This culling of the "best" cuts from the Bad Seeds' songbook avoids the pratfalls of many best-of compilations. First off, the songs aren't arranged chronologically, but instead for effect, raveling new with old, weepy ballads with adrenaline-pumped rockers. In addition, there aren't any rare live tracks, alternative takes, remixes, acoustic versions, or B-sides that clutter other compilations. What you get is pure Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds in all their gloomy glory. Things get off with a bang with the rollicking "Deanna" and the carnivalesque "Red Right Hand" that display Nick Cave's literary and narrative talent. After the wacked preacherman blues stomp of the excellent track "Tupelo," the disc slides into a series of ballads that highlight his baritone croon. "(Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For?" captures Cave in a, gasp, sentimental and lovely mood. The disc closes out with "From Here to Eternity," and the band hits the steamroller tempo with apocalyptic might. The Best Of... is a wonderful introduction to Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, but even weathered purists will enjoy the juxtaposed presentation of these songs. --Tod Nelson
