One Mans Treasure (Standard Version)

Best known for his work as Nick Cave's right-hand man in the Birthday Party and the Bad Seeds, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey has also enjoyed a career as a solo artist. In addition to some fine film scores, Harvey has released several albums of original songs, and 2005's ONE MAN'S TREASURE might very well be the best. The music is atmospheric, yet rooted in country and folk forms, and the songs are given a narrative bent that's equally captivating -- especially on the devilish "Demon Alcohol" and the pastoral rocker "Mother Earth." Harvey plays nearly all the instruments himself, and his long history arranging for the Bad Seeds is evident here on this beautiful, ambitious album.