Grinderman: Grinderman

Label: Anti-

I have never ever really listened to Nick Cave’s music at all, even in all my years of musical exploration and record-shop workery, so this makes me quite an objective reviewer of his new album under the moniker of Grinderman. Consisting of several of the Bad Seeds, Grinderman was formed out of Cave’s desire to collaborate musically with his backing band. The album is filled with an edgy garage-rock darkness, a brooding psychedelic mood, a glam-rock paranoia, a dusty trunk overflowing with lush musicality and straight-up rock and roll energy! At times I am feeling serious Rolling Stones vibes and then at others Iggy’s various formations, but then the rabid experimentation and avant production on this really wipe those slates clean, and I’m thinking, “Oh, this is Nick Cave, the guy I arbitrarily never listened to all these years. What the f**k was I thinking?” With plenty of dirty talk, tight-as-a-whip blues change, Nick’s trademark rants, Grinderman really kicks. Finally a pop record for the masses that doesn’t soften a bit for the public. Thank you, Grinderman! (Adam)