NICK CAVE'S been many things in his time. He's been the psychotic, drugged-up purveyor of cranked burlesque during his Birthday Party days; the dark, emaciated proto-Goth of his Berlin period and a credible singer/ songwriter with literary aspirations. He's also written an album about then-paramour Polly Harvey and recorded a brilliant duet with Kylie Minogue - although he does admittedly murder her in the video.
However, the last thing you expect Nick to do is turn in a credible, soulful pop hit, so we know what we won't hear is....a single flam on the snare leading into a piano-led, almost Motown-esque stomper propelled along by massive Phil Spector-style drums; a gorgeously louche velvet croon from Saint Nick and the most heavenly sweep of backing vocals from the London Gospel Cho......hang about, what the fuck's going on?
Well, you can double take as much as you like, but "Nature Boy" is verily the sound of The Bad Seeds gearing up for serious, credible chart action. Indeed, as he sings "she moves among the flowers/ and she moves something deep inside of me" you can almost hear the sound of Nick snapping on his dickie bow, clicking his fingers and leading the Bad Seeds on down to that dastardly TOTP appearance. It's proper hipswingin' top-drawer pop and I say that with (hopefully) all credibility still intact. Blixa Bargeld, you say? Sorry, squire, never heard of him.
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OK, they don't quite keep it up for the B-side "She's Leaving You", which I confess is typically recognisable, neo-murderous Cave in excelsis. This time, Thomas Wydler and Jim Sclavunos smash into a mutant disco beat, Cave and Savage poke each others eyes out at the piano, new boy James Johnston puntuates with one-finger organ and the whole thing descends into rollicking bar-room revelry not akin to an updated "Thirsty Dog" from "Let Love In." Actually, Blixa's very much here in spirit this time, judging by the mangled guitar solo and the tangible air of menace.
Stil, what's the odd six-inch gold blade between friends anyway? Besides, even a renaissance man popster's entitled to the odd, nostril-flarin' slice of possessed, demonic fun, right? Of course he is. And after creating something as utterly sublime as "Nature Boy" we'd forgive Nick virtually anything. Within reason, like.
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