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Navigating a path between the mainstream and unconventional, he’s maintained his early avant-garde tendencies while releasing a slew of solo albums of enviable diversity. He’s also composed soundtracks, worked with the likes of Nick Drake and Terry Riley, and produced artists such as Patti Smith, The Stooges and Happy Mondays. His reputation, however, is perhaps indicative of the fact that, of the band’s members, he’s arguably remained truest to their adventurous spirit.
As the title suggests, Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood, his first full length in seven years, is a typically mischievous release. Characterised by Cale’s instantly recognisable, sombre delivery, it sees him turn his attention to the kind of adult contemporary pop recently favoured by David Byrne.
This time, however, Cale frequently pushes his voice through an electronic blender: he appears to be gargling mouthwash on Hemingway, and Living With You finds him distorted and dropped back in the mix. Both December Rains and Mothra, meanwhile, sport vocoder, albeit employed with a welcome restraint.
It’s hard to pretend this is entirely cutting-edge stuff, but the 70-year-old shows no sign of softening, his production rich without bowing to commercialism, his compositions full of unexpected twists and aggression.
These characteristics are particularly evident on the opening I Wanna Talk 2 U, a collaboration with Danger Mouse (from 2008) which trades hints of funk guitar and Eno-esque synths for a menacing chorus. Later, Scotland Yard, powered by a thunderous industrial beat, at times recalls a fresh, if claustrophobic, take on The The’s neglected 1986 masterpiece, Infected.
They’re balanced by tracks such as the haunting Vampire Café, which shuffles along like a sluggish take on Radiohead’s Bloom, and Mary, a thoughtful reflection on homophobia. In fact, by the time closing track Sandman (Flying Dutchman) has sighed its last breath, thoughts of The Velvet Underground have been almost entirely banished.
--Wyndham Wallace
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Customer Reviews
The lack of quality reviewers for someone as important to the rock world as Cale is tremendously disappointing (but perhaps shouldn't be surprising). At time of writing, there are already two reviews on this page by people who clearly know what they're on about.
If you have never heard John Cale before, aside from his VU work, this is a good place to start. I'm a little biased because I've immersed myself in all of his solo work and aside from a lean (but still interesting) period in the mid-Eighties, I love every album.
But to try to be objective, it's fair to say 'Nookie Wood' continues the hot streak evident on 'Hobosapiens' and 'blackAcetate'-- while not as epic as the former, it's not as abrasive as the latter.
For those that were listening, last year's EP provides a worthy primer. I think it's one of the best albums of the year.
on his new album 'Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood' (just loving the title
Mr Cale!) he still has lead aplenty in his pencil. There's a vibrancy and
finesse in these twelve new songs which not only belies his many years in
the business but demonstrates beyond doubt that he remains a major force
in the contemporary musical firmament. The project has a blissfully dark
ambience shot through with flashes of wry humour and deft melodic and rhythmic
invention. His fine band : Dustin Boyer (guitars, synth and backing vocals);
Joey Maramba (Bass) and Michael Jerome Moore (Drums) cook up a hot broth of
gritty sound around Mr Cale's inimitably gruff vocals. The voice is in
remarkably good shape for a septuagenarian. The man can still hold a tune with
the best. Perhaps the most striking thing of all, however, is how remarkably
easy it all seems. A consummate musician blissfully comfortable in his own skin.
Of the treasures on offer (and there isn't a bad egg in the box) 'Mary' comes
very close to being top of the pile. A warmly articulated performance of a
truly beautiful melody; chock full of tenderness and pathos. A real heart stopper!
'Nookie Wood' is a another cracker. A squelchy piece of swampy voodoo, a tad
redolent of eighties Berlin Bowie. So too the quasi-psychedelic ebb and flow of
'Face To The Sky', studded with angular electric guitar and a strikingly focused
vocal. The faltering beats of 'Vampire Cafe' shuffle and scrape along with spooky
aplomb and the lovely 'Living With You' positively glows with warm emotion.
Mr Cale has been a constant in my collection since the Velvet Underground years.
With this terrific album there is every good reason that he should remain there.
Essential.
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