Grinderman

Grinderman

(Anti-)

Grinderman is in no way a conventional comedy album, but an accomplished cocksman like Nick Cave howling the "No Pussy Blues" is pretty damn funny anytime. For a man who's (allegedly) sampled PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue and has been (by all accounts) happily married since 1999, he makes a remarkably persuasive – and, since it's Cave and some of his seedier Bad Seeds, extremely clamorous – case for ye olde blue balls. From his Birthday Party on, Cave has pursued the prototypical persona of the priapic bluesman yet hasn't articulated it this explicitly since 1994's "Red Right Hand" and Murder Ballads' riotous take on "Stagger Lee." And if randy acquaintances like "Depth Charge Ethel" or "Electric Alice" can't stand the heat, they're not exactly evacuating the kitchen. Indeed, Nick the Stick keeps 'em coming back for more and helps himself to seconds (and thirds) besides.