Album of the Week: Grinderman - Grinderman 2

G2

Film sequels are often billed as being bigger and louder than the original work, and sure enough, while being a purely musical venture, Grinderman 2 is not just bigger and louder than the first album, it’s also nastier and dirtier.

Many cinematic sequels also have a descriptive subtitle, and if this were in fact a movie, it would have to be called Grinderman 2: Return of the Horn.

Because by god, Nick’s got it baaaaaad.

Again shorn of all but three of his Bad Seeds, Mr Cave has created a primal beast of a record, utterly dominated by his need to get seriously laid.

Lyrical references to shagging are scattered all over the album from the subtle I stick my fingers in your biscuit jar (Kitchenette) to the rather less subtle My baby calls me the Loch Ness Monster/Two great big humps and then I’m gone (Worm Tamer).

Actually that Kitchenette lyric isn’t subtle at all, is it? It’s a fantastic song though, with an  ”I want you” refrain that demonstrates Nick Cave’s vocal range rather nicely.

Overall G2 is brilliant, at least the equal of the first album. Every track is laced with scratchy, effects-heavy guitar giving Cave and co another outlet for some playful garage rock tomfoolery.

Bad Seeds songs tend to go for religion, death and a widescreen view of life and therefore can come across as just a little too serious.

However, a band that dresses up as centurions for press shots or as hare krishnas to film a video aren’t going to take themselves to seriously, are they? You can almost picture these 40 and 50-something men in the studio snickering behind their hands at the filth they’re coming up with.

Other highlights include Evil where the Grinderhenchmen snarl Evil…/Rising… over Cave’s own ominous sermon.

Thankfully, the leg-humping attitude is reigned in a little before it gets a little too overpowering with The Palaces of Montezuma, where an unnamed lady is promised untold riches and world wonders.

Nick Cave has already proven himself to be one of the finest songwriters of the modern era. The second Grinderman record can only enhance his reputation.

Have a blast at The Palaces of Montezuma right here: