Grinderman — Grinderman
Grinderman is inevitably going to draw comparisons to the Birthday Party because it's primal and stripped down. That comparison would be way off base, because this album is nowhere near as insane or experimental. Instead, Grinderman is an extension of where Nick Cave was headed with Abattoir Blues, with less embellishment, and in-the-red recording levels.
The great thing about this album is that it's immediate, aggressive, and stripped down. It's more Stooges than the Stooges are today. It's also a smart, satiric rock album, with both brilliant, poignant lyrics, and some downright funny ones.
One of the highlights of this album is Nick Cave's guitar playing. Nick is not a very good player, but good rock and roll is, as the expression goes, 99% inspiration and 1% skill. His over the top guitar scratches and roars add a welcome non-professionalism to this album which gives it a casual, yet dangerous air.
The band is equally vehement in their attack, though obviously they are indeed skilled players. Jim Sclavunos' drums are propolsive and inspired. There are quieter moments, which are accompanied by Warren Ellis' whining violin and viola (a good thing) and Cave's keys (electric piano, organ, acoustic piano), but nothing is laboured or burnished.
Grinderman is all the more amusing because its lyrics parody the macho attitude that goes along with rock music while, in fact, rocking.