Found an unopened vinyl reprint of Tender Prey in a local record store a couple weeks ago and I had to bring it home. I gave it a spin, but I was a bit distracted, so I'm going for a second, more attentive listen now.
The last of the Seeds' Berlin albums, Tender Prey nails that dark, brooding, wailing tones that had become distinctive of the band's artistic production since their relocation in '85. I guess the ambiance (and the consumption of copious amounts of drugs) helped with that?
Any other band would've tried to build some sense of tonal and thematic progression in their album; Nick Cave decided to start with the plea and confession of an unrepentant killer instead. And since Mercy Seat is the track through which I discovered The Bad Seeds, it holds a special place in my heart.