Recorded during the interval between Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' two sets at this year's Coachella festival, there is a feeling the band are very much enjoying the intimacy of this Los Angeles live session.
Not to suggest that would ever take away any of the darkness and poignancy that defines Cave's performance. Haunting ballads of love, sex, loss and death make an impression with every single lyric that is spoken.
An encapsulating version of Higgs Boson Blues is followed by another unexpected injection of light-heartedness as Cave urges the fans in the room to shout out what they want to hear next. It's an impossible task when you take a step back and consider a 29-year career that has rarely disappointed.
It's not often Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds get the chance to play such a small space these days. But Live From KCRW demonstrates that the growing distance between them on huge festival stages has in no way neutralised the deep-seated chemistry they share.
This stripped back reincarnation of the Bad Seeds retains the intensity they have on record but also adds an extra softness with some of the harmonies that accompany Cave's vocal.
The rendition of Mermaids is a particular highlight, switching from menacing love song to swirling psychdelia in a heartbeat. The crowd seem to agree too, with a rapturous response.
Cave has always come across as the kind of songwriter who will only continue to improve as he goes through his later years. Having never been earmarked as part of any particular movement or era, the Bad Seeds transcend fashion. Even with a performance as simple as this, there is still a sense of occasion.
The album's only step away from Cave's eerie and twisted lullabies is the set-closer Jack The Ripper. After consulting his band as to which chords - and indeed key - he needs to be in, it is eventually a barnstorming finale of brooding rock'n'roll. It sticks out like a sore thumb to be frank, but with a return to the Coachella Valley planned a few days later, they can be forgiven for wanting to get back into festival mode.
"Thank you, you've been fantastic", Cave says as he leaves the stage. His admiration is something that most listeners of this record will be inclined to echo.
