Blues Funeral (Double Gatefold LP)

Mark Lanegan has been the voice of many musical projects over the years - from grunge originals Screaming Trees and as an honorary member of Queens of the Stone Age, to collaborations with Greg Dulli as Gutter Twins and a prolific solo artist. On Blues Funeral, his seventh solo album, he has come up with his finest work yet.

What makes it so impressive is it moves seamlessly from smouldering and agitating songs like the opening Nine Inch Nails-style rumble of The Gravedigger's Song, to moody and reflective refrains (on six-minute-long Bleeding Muddy Water), and then tough, stomping rock on Riot In My House with Queens frontman Josh Homme sidling in for some signature guitar wails and squalls.

Then there is Lanegan's penchant for electronic music, which surfaced previously in his work with Gutter Twins and Soulsavers, and comes through again on the synth and beat- driven lash and lope of Ode to Sad Disco, which could also be an ode to Kraftwerk, perhaps. Though the album has its desperately depressing moments, like St Louis Elegy, which addresses Lanegan's many demons over the years, and the haunting whimsy of Phantasmagoria Blues, musically the songs have a mesmerising pace and beauty to them. That's when he's not kicking out the jams like on the thumping, woo-hoo-inflected Quiver Syndrome.

And holding it all together is his distinctive, husky voice, like he's gargled with gravel and washed it down with a fine scotch, and his trademark dark, volatile intensity. This funeral is one worth celebrating.
4.5 / 5 Nz Herald