The second Grinderman single is an absolute hoot.
It’s garage-rock with a tune and lyric The Cramps would have been proud of which opens with a middle-aged Lothario singing about his face and body failing him and how he’s reduced to self-love. He then goes on to explain how this state of being has come about, namely that he has been reduced to doing a range of demeaning things in an effort to persuade a woman to have sex with him.
He’s tried changing the sheets on his bed, combing his hair to hide the bald patches and sucking in his gut, all to no avail. He tries poetry, DIY repairs and even petting a revolting pet that she dotes on, but still with no progress towards his goal. In the end, he comes to the conclusion to he ain’t going to get any and it’s given him the blues.
mp3 : Grinderman – No Pussy Blues
All of this could have made for an uncomfortable listen, a song filled withy bitterness and bile, full of misogyny and sexist language; but in the hands of a happily married in real-life composer, it becomes something hilarious and as memorable as any of the weepy ballads that had brought Nick Cave to the attention of a wider public.
The b-side turned out to be a track originally considered for inclusion on what would become the debut Grinderman album but left off at a late stage.
mp3 : Grinderman – Chain of Flowers
As time would demonstrate this was the lightest and softest song that would be recorded under the Grinderman badge – it really should have been kept back for the next Bad Seeds album.
One of my favourite Nick Cave songs.
One of his best.
And its the self deprecating humour that makes. I’d trade every weepy ballad he ever made for this song.
I love chain of flowers so much
Great track from a great album.
Great side project. Both albums are really enjoyable and the remix album is worth checking out too.