FOLLOWING Grinderman's wanton howl from the basement, Nick Cave returns to cogitate the human condition from a somewhat loftier nest. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! conjures humanity is all its flawed glory, with the title character hosting Biblical miracles in New York City and the singer himself appearing to call his own talent to account in We Call Upon the Author. Jesus of the Moon is an extraordinary love song, while Hold On To Yourself decants its masculinity into a silver sewer.

Cave's words can soothe your soul and punch you in the heart at the same time, while the Bad Seeds settle into insanely restless rock 'n' roll grooves ground from their objuration of playing anything too obvious. It's as dignified and edifying (and funny!) as any such mining of our inner workings can be. Have mercy!