7: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig
After albums spent writing primarily piano-led, maudlin introspection on love and loss (The Boatman's Call, No More Shall We Part), and quasi-religous bombast (Lyre of Orpheus / Abbatoir Blues), Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds returned with a record that was the most pungacious and louche in feel since Let Love In. The influence of Grinderman, and especially the scuzzing hands of Warren Ellis, were writ large over these 11 vignettes of keeping things filthy in a questionable world, where Lazurus is as likely to end up in a soup kitchen as in the arms of the Good Lord. But it was live where Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! most came into feral, snarling life, though; the Bad Seeds being a bunch of accomplished musicians never shy of a glorious disdain for melody when there's a chance to keep things fast and fierce. Luke Turner

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