Grinderman — Grinderman

For those who were under-whelmed by Nocturama and Abattoir Blues, Nick Cave is back with your salvation. The Grinderman is his new alter-ego, a lothario of the highest degree who takes after the Berlin-living, drinking and drug-using Cave, more than the reformed family man he's become. With a relatively sparse four-man set-up that features Bad Seeds Warren Ellis, Martyn P. Casey and Jim Sclavunos, the group produce loose, angry art rock and clever bar blues. Cave unnaturally tackles guitar for the disc, which perfectly suits the ramshackle and hilarious "No Pussy Blues" and the stellar "Depth Charge Ethel." It's slightly hard to swallow the moniker, but not having the rest of the Bad Seeds in tow has given Cave his biggest creative spark in years. So for now, all hail Grinderman.