Nocturama

Sure, postpunk crooner Cave likes to wallow neck-deep in angst. On his latest, though, it’s clear this brooding prince of darkness still has the will to rock out. He’s hardly getting all sunshine-and-unicorns on us, but on Nocturama, his usual parade of harrowing, theatrical ballads gets a welcome kick in the ass. A wicked guitar groove and Cave’s million-dollar snarl put some punch in “Bring It On,” and “Dead Man in My Bed” delivers a riotous, organ-fueled racket that suggests this old guy ain’t going gentle into any good night.