Ten or so albums into their careers, most artists have subsided into laziness, self-parody or witless second-guessing of the current musical climate. It is entirely in keeping with the wilfulness that has characterised Cave's career that at roughly that point he should start making his very best work. Let Love In is a masterpiece. It sounds both like a summation of everything Cave and his peerless band of virtuosi The Bad Seeds have ever done well--string-laden ballads, gothic blues, brooding gospel-tinged rock & roll--and a cohesive collection in its own right. "Do You Love Me?" might even be the single best thing Cave and The Bad Seeds have ever come up with: he's passionate, literate and funny; they are muscular, sensitive and menacing. --Andrew Mueller