and booming bass lines," while The Lyre of Orpheus "insists on being a separate album, due to its completely different more gentle feel." Dan Lawrence of Stereogum ranked the album at fifth in their list of best albums in Cave's discography, and described it musically as "riotous gospel rock". In a rave review, Tiny Mix Tapes critic Grigsby wrote that while Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus "may not be the best beginner's guide" to the band, for "anyone who is a fan of the duration of his career, this album rewards the listener with a bit of the best of everything he has to offer." Paste said: "Aside from the power of the music and lyrics, the set draws on Cave’s compelling persona: part priest, part sideshow barker--crooning one moment and eviscerating the next. While this has always been the core of his talent, on Abattoir/Lyre it is particularly rich and rewarding." In a more mixed assessment, Douglas Wolk, writing in Spin, was complimentary of Abattoir Blues but felt that The Lyre of Orpheus was "effectively Abattoir spillover: more mellow, less grand in conception, but—somehow—more pretentious in execution." In his Consumer Guide for The Village Voice, Robert Christgau designated three songs from the album ("The Lyre of Orpheus", "There She Goes, My Beautiful World", and "Hiding All Away") as "choice cuts", indicating good songs "on an album that isn't worth your time or money". Pitchfork named Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus the 180th best album of the 2000s. It was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Charts Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus reached No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart, its chart success in Europe includes No. 1 in Norway, No. 2 in Austria and Denmark, and top 10 in Belgium, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden. The album reached No. 1 on the Foreign Albums Chart in Greece where it also received a gold certification. Track listing Personnel All personnel credits adapted from Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheuss liner notes. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Nick Cave – vocals, piano, production, mixing Mick Harvey – guitar, production, mixing Warren Ellis – violin, mandolin, bouzouki, flute, production, mixing Martyn P. Casey – bass, production Conway Savage – piano, production James Johnston – organ, production Jim Sclavunos – drums on Abattoir Blues, percussion, production Thomas