Grinderman
(2007)

Review by Sean Lynch

What does one of Australia's most recognisable - and depressive - musicians do for kicks when the down trodden piano ballads get too much?

Ballsy, Dirty, Motherf**king Rock! That's what!

Grinderman is a very unique side project from the various minds behind legendary Aussie band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (specifically: Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos). Now for those who are expecting the usual from Cave and his cohorts - don't be fooled - Grinderman is a completely new beast.

It's garage rock at it's most raw and primal - with anger and emotion spitting venom from every guitar lick and drum beat. Each band member has a sordid past of sorts - with everything from drugs, violence (many may recall the infamous Cave/Audience Member stoush which ended with some pretty bloody fisticuffs), rejection and death surfacing.

I must admit, I've never been a huge fan of The Bad Seeds. I certainly respect what they do - and I'm never one to shy away from a sad old ballad - but for mine, it always seemed like to much of a good thing. However, from the moment I heard No Pussy Blues I was hooked.

I'm sure that the music has been born from the repressed anger and rage of Cave - and by gum - it seems to have the ability to do get that out of the listener as well. It's powerful stuff which takes you back to the early days of rock, where energy bursts through your veins in the most primeval of fashion.

The new sound, is due in part, to the extension of Cave's somewhat primitive instincts to playing the guitar. The band has even confessed that the project is simply "Foul-mouthed, noisy, hairy, and damn well old enough to know better." And that pretty much says it all.

Honey Bee (Let's Fly To Mars) stands as one of my preferred tracks, while Grinderman will either become a fan favourite - or grindingly frustrating.

Cave is also working quite well with lyrics here as also (of course, he is a genius when it comes to The Bad Seeds), but much like the tunes - there is a raw, simple energy which works a treat on this latest outing. There is the dark broody humour which seems to seep through of the aforementioned No Pussy Blues, (I Don't Need You To) Set Me Free as well as the awesome Love Bomb.

This certainly isn't going to please everyone - so don't expect it to be heard on Fox FM anytime soon. But for those who have the rage within - this is certainly the energetic release you've been waiting for.

It's distorted, loud magic.

RATING: 3 out of 5