Junkyard opens with one of the signature tracks, “She’s Hit,” a slow burning ballad about the dangers of love. It’s a powerful kick-off to what is to come as it delivers an undeniable punch of raw, emotional power. The witty lyrics and Wild vocals from Nick Cave meld together into unforgettable exhilaration.
The album gradually unfolds with a series of dark, brooding tracks such as “Dead Joe” and “Big Jesus Trash Can.” The latter features an unexpected steel guitar solo, giving the track a unique edge to it. The Birthday Party also demonstrates their range of songwriting throughout Junkyard with “Happy Birthday” and “Six Inch Gold Blade.”
The album’s highlight, “Release The Bats,” showcases the choppy power of the band’s instrumentation as they create an iconic track that pushes the boundaries of punk rock . It’s a raucous, anthemic track that rebels against society and its expectation to conform. Nicholas Cave’s talents and imagination whirling around in the song make it stand out from the rest of the album. “Release The Bats” would later go on to be covered by artists like The Horrors, who cited The Birthday Party as one of their biggest inspirations.
Junkyard provides a distinctive experience, and the tracks are not merely ones that can be replayed, but ones that stay with you after the