Kuepper’s recorded output slowed in the new century, and he seemed to be reconnecting with his past – the Laughing Clowns returned for a time, and a Bailey / Kuepper / Hay line-up of The Saints played some shows. But when he did hit the studio with new material, Kuepper sounded rejuvenated. Jean Lee & The Yellow Dog is a concept album based on the story of the titular character, the last woman hanged in Australia. With partner Judi Dransfield-Kuepper writing most of the lyrics, Kuepper worked up his most potent collection of songs in some time, since, perhaps, 1994’s Character Assassination – the performances here can get ferocious, the recordings bustling with febrile excitement. The album also features a gorgeous cover of The Go-Betweens’ “Finding You”, and there are some notable guest appearances – Jeffrey Wegener of Laughing Clowns is on drums throughout; old sparring partner Chris Bailey turns up, as does Warren Ellis of Dirty Three/The Bad Seeds, and ex-Go-Between John Willsteed. A stunner of an album.

– Jon Dale