After a four-year break, the Australian Prince of Darkness makes a welcome return with more seedy tales of love and loss. On this, his 11th album, all the old Nick Cave trademarks are present and correct: apocalyptic lyrics, dramatic appeals to God and myriad images of death underpinned by slow-burning gothic music. Driven by anxiety, confusion and rage, Cave's songs have a grittiness and emotional honesty that is all too rare in today's pop scene. It all gets a bit brutally morbid at times but for the most part the old master carries things off with style and conviction. One of his very best albums to date.
