Stories From The City Stories From The Sea - PJ Harvey > Reviews > PJ Harvey - P for Passion!!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Her music is flawless, so diverse, interesting
Disadvantages:	Nothing it's PJ HARVEY ! ? ! ? ! ? !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

---P.J Harvey - Discover something out of this world---

For people that love their music, and if you haven't discovered a wonderful artist yet, today you will have... PJ HARVEY.. Multitalented - Peej is, playing bass, guitar, and piano - and even drums.

Darn, didn't think I'd get round to writing this review, but I just had to force myself to do it - well not literally, and writing it isn't such a bad thing, but her music is just so diverse, and you can have so much to say about it -well I certainly have. I must say if you haven't heard of Peej, you have to listen to her stuff, as I now love P.J Harvey. P.J is just one of a kind, all her ideas are her own, her music doesn't sound like anyone elses, and is truly unique and original. Besides I have to make this review more than GREAT as my partner, is the BIGGEST Peej fan out there, with signatures, tattooed portrait of her that takes up most of her arm, as well as a nice little PJ Harvey signature on her wrist to top it off. Obsessed or what!! Haha, well PJ is certainly someone you can love and adore, as her passion for music is never-ending. Well I have listened to all of PJ Harvey's songs now, and had heard of her about three years ago but didn't really listen to much of her stuff back then, until I met my partner and really got into her music, just because it is so open, and comes straight from Polly's heart and finger tips.

This album is probably one of the most listened to ones in the car, great to drive to, great to sing along to. This album won the Best British Mercury Prize Award, so it definitely shows that this is a fantastic album you should get your hands on, and if you haven't got your paws on it yet you certainly should. For those who don't know PJ Harvey, you should be ashamed if you say, "who's he" - which cheeses off my partner, none of the least… Well actually PJ (Polly Jean) Harvey, is a gorgeous female, that puts her heart and soul into the music, Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea, is her seventh album, so she has been a busy bunny, but this is probably one of the most open, forward and extrovert, best British female artists of the nineties, and still today. PJ Harvey, from Dorset in Somerset, started off with a three piece band in 1991, releasing two singles, "Dress" and "Sheela-Na-Gig" which are probably some of my favourite PJ songs, and further on releasing their other mind-blowing debut album, "Dry" a year after in 1992. Her second album, "Rid Of Me" named after one of the songs on the album, was released in 1993. Three fantastic releases in three years, shows that she has put so much hard, dedicated and time consuming effort into her albums, whilst still maintaining a high standard of lyrics and musical standard, as well as developing her sound in each one of her albums, as well as achieving so much success.

To me this album sounds really different to the other PJ Harvey albums but still has a raw and powerful sound to it. In other reviews it has been said to be more mainstream, it definitely is more upbeat, and not depressing sounding like "This Is Desire" - with songs like Angelene. Upon further research, I found that it was recorded and produced in New York, by Mick Harvey, and the title relates to the city and the journey over the seas that was made. The songs lyrics, speak about love, breaking up, travelling far and wide, both mentally, and physically. What attracts me to this album is just the cover to start with, very bold and colourful, nice artwork - not over done and simple. The release date of this album was October 31st 2000, one disc, the label = Island. Peej also included explicit lyrics, because what is an album without swearing, and an explicit lyrics sticker on the front, swearing definitely helps depict emotion and create the atmosphere/mood.

---Tracks---

An album packed full of energy, and a few slower ballad songs, with THIRTEEN tracks exploring lots of music aspects and ideas. Not one song sounds like something else, every song is unique in its own way. Music by PJ is definitely not sounding like another artist or band, her ideas are her own, unique and original.

BIG EXIT

First track on Polly's album. Bursts in with a repetitive guitar riff with some kind of droan behind it, with the drums keeping a steady pace. A slight echo on PJ's voice, lots of passion, a raw edge and very aggressive vocals, "I wanna pistol, I wanna gun, I'm scared baby, I wanna run, this ones crazy, give me the gun," until it kicks into a melodic softer pure vocals, "baby, aint it true I'm immortal when I'm with you." Some nice piano running riffs in the background and a strong guitar riff. Till it all breaks down in the middle, just guitar and Polly, "feels like the end of the world," probably is the best standing out line of lyrics in this song - this section is a lot deeper in her vocal range, compared to her powerful voice in the verses. The song sounds really busy with instrumental parts towards the end, and just ends all of a sudden.

Personally probably one of my favourite tracks on the album, just because of the different ways her voice comes through whether its clear and pure, or raw and aggressive. And a great song to enter the album with, that has a perfect tempo. Big exit was the perfect song to start with - Polly hasn't put all the energetic songs at the start and ballad type ones to the end, but definitely has made this album like a story and journey.

GOOD FORTUNE

Second track, which doesn't sound so thick in musical terms. A very moderate paced song, with clear powerful vocals especially on the lyric "you" which slurs on for a while, fluttering between two notes. This song is very guitar based, and simplistic - some nice harmony here and there on the verses. The guitar line gets expanded with notes, sounding busier by the minute, on about the third line of lyrics in the verse. Reminds me slightly of a ticking of a clock, until the melodic light-hearted section progresses on, where the guitars just play blocks of chords rather than a more complex rhythm. A little xylophone ostinato riff is used at the end of the section. Polly I feel uses a lot of instruments in her songs, just to create that little extra perfect addition to the music that fits in nicely, also again the use of guitars/pianos for a riff can be very different, a piano has a dainty softer sound than an electric guitar, and a guitar sounds a lot more mellow. This song sounds mellow to me, the instruments and vocals balanced nicely, vocals always coming through clear, guitars just accompanying. The percussion/drum playing in this song is very simplistic compared to other PJ Harvey songs.

This song is very instrumental which makes it interesting, there is lots of stuff for you to listen to in each instruments tune/rhythm and I just love the slurring vocals at the start. Yet not one of my favourite tracks, but I don't know why..

A PLACE CALLED HOME

Complex drumming in this song, everyone kicks off together, vocals and a very rhythmic guitar riff. Whispered vocals and interlinked ideas make it sound pretty. Polly's vocals are more aggressive in this song, forceful yet clear, exploiting lots of pitches, and volumes. This song is very thick in textures. Again the use of various different instruments in the interlude sections between the vocals. This song is an easy listening one, just reminds me personally of being on an airplane. Use of piano is used here, and the song fades out nicely, and doesn't just come to a halt like BIG EXIT.

I love the thick sound in this song, especially the instrumental sections between the vocals, there is so much to listen to music wise. Piano is being used in which is interesting, PJ will be releasing another album in Autumn 2007, which is going to be more piano based, so it would be interesting to see how her sound has evolved over the years.

ONE LINE

Quiter, slower, and beautiful vocals, "stars shooting across the sky," creates imagery in your head, and it is just quiet guitars, with the drummer counting on the hi-hat, with a ostinato on the piano, ticking over and over. The song does come thicker in texture, behind Polly's vocals is like someone's vocals slurring, sounds like a mans to me. Rim clicks used by the drummer here instead of the snare for quiter sections, but heavy use of the snare to add to the texture during vocals. Another instrumental section within the song, just guitar, and something that sounds again like a ding - obviously a xylophone, which makes me think of shooting stars, especially with the reverb effect, and the song fades out nicely.

I always used to say this was a song for me and my partner, it's just really sweet and lovely. The lyrics are very different and meaningful, I love the way that she explores volume in the song and just doesn't shout out her vocals all the time, but does something a bit more mellow.

BEAUTIFUL FEELING

Very melodic in the vocal line, her voice sounds very different, with some backing vocals again. With a hint of harmony here and there on certain words. Only guitar starts off with the vocals, no drums and no bass, just very simple and an emotion-evoking song. This one definitely stands out so far compared to the rest of the songs on the album, as it is just so toned down in volume and instrumental texture - just clear lyrics and harmony throughout. I found this song very repetitive but the lyrics stand out and are very clear. Polly's voice is slow and stays at the same vocal range of about musical scale, of about 7-8 notes within her singing through most of the song. No drums, and no bass - just help create that lighter mood for the song and makes it stand out more. You could describe this song as a ballad, it has a really strange feeling to it, sounding like it has more of a minor tonality to it.

Most interesting track on the album instrumental wise. NO DRUMS AND NO BASS. Just very simplistic but effective, minor and sadder sounding but I still like it despite it being repetitive, it does have a good effect though.

WHORES HUSTLER AND THE HUSTLERS WHORE

Starts with a strange sound that gets louder. Loving the guitar in this song, rhythmic, drums more involved in this song, keeping a moderate speed. The bass in this song is more raw in sound, not distorted but comes through nicely. PJ's vocals in a very low-key but peaks here and there to a higher pitch, lovely vibrato on parts of her voice… This is such a catchy song, but probably one of the most unrecognised songs on the album, well in my case that is. A lot of echo used in the song, makes everything mould together nicely, definitely a song with a more upbeat tempo. The lyrics are smart in this song, and explore lots of different ideas.

I love this song, its really different from everything on the album, and it is just catchy - great tempo in this song, lots of energy and passion… I should perhaps listen to this song more.

Hope you're not bored yet, keep reading, and you'll definately want to check out this rock DIVA's music.

THIS MESS WE'RE IN

A catchy rhythm, just drums, guitar and bass enter, until it breaks down, guitar and only male vocals, very mellow and monotone (not just one note, but droany), then PJ comes in and they take turns in singing, whether it be separately, or further on in the song, together - mimicking like an echo. Especially the speaking of lyrics by PJ, perfectly effective. Again piano is used near the end to play some chords, that bring it all together. And explores male/female vocals as a duet.

Personally I like the way everything comes together in this song, especially the vocals - I could just listen to it over and over again, it's at a fairly moderate pace, which again I like moderate songs, being a drummer myself, I hate slow songs, they are so boring to drum to sometimes, yet can sound so effective, as PJ's songs show. Simple can always be better, as they say the acronym K.I.S.S - keep it simple stupid, it's better to address your ideas, and not over do them, if the song is too over embellished with musical instruments its going to sound overdone and you wouldn't be able to appreciate each section and instrumental/vocal part within the song.

I believe I heard a version where only PJ sang the whole thing, no male vocals, it sounded completely different, as males vocal range is obviously lower than a womans, but it was interesting to hear her own interpretation of it.

YOU SAID SOMETHING

Repetitive, and the song that makes me nauseous if I listen to it too much, Polly's voice is clear in this, the guitar sounds clean, the drums are simple and quiet. The song definitely grows in texture as it progresses throughout. More of a happy song, major tonality - again with hints of harmony. A very melodic song, guitar wise and vocally. Nevertheless this song may be slow, but it would be boring to have all energetic and upbeat songs, it wouldn't show the artists capability of exploring all music aspects. You should never doubt PJ, (as I'd get told off by my partner, hehe) besides this song is daunting for me.

On a personal matter I don't know what makes me not like this song as much, I accidentally had the song stuck on repeat once, and it's just one that I can't listen to over and over. But then again everyone's different.

KAMIKAZE

Upbeat, thick in sound, lots of bass and volume. Tonnes of energy in this song, with great guitar riffs popping up here and there, extremely complex drumming, got to love the speed of this song, and the high pitched vocals by Polly. Rockier, with stronger vocals, less soft, more raw, exploiting a lot of pitches - gotta love her "kamikaze" in an non-excruciating high pitched vocal, Polly hits it off perfectly.

I love this song, definitely more upbeat, shows a lot of their instrumental abilities, purveying many different ideas. This is just a song I can have a laugh at, as Polly likes to scream, moan and be aggressive, she isn't as innocent as she looks. ENERGY!!!!!!!

THIS IS LOVE

Fantastic volume, bass and guitar in unison. Vocals are powerful yet again, with a great tempo to this song, a very rocky-driven song, with altering riffs, that are very grinding and stick in your head. Some other nice instruments used in the background just to add to the atmosphere. This is one of the singles taken off the album, and definitely shows what this rock goddess is capable of.

I don't know why I love this song so much, just because it has a driving riff, doesn't sound so clean, more gritty and louder. The guitar parts are a good thing to listen out for in this song. It's just one of those songs you don't get bored of, you could listen to it over and over again. Fantastically written and definitely would be a great Peej song to see live… Just because of how powerful the vocals are, and the lyrics stand out.

HORSES IN MY DREAMS

An interesting title… Yet a gentle, soft and acoustic guitar and piano tune, that slowly increases in volume. Haven't listened to this song that much as I prefer PJ's more upbeat stuff, but it is very easy listening. The tempo of this song is extremely slow, making it appear dream-like. I don't really listen to this song enough so I can't really say that much about it, it's just not one that springs to mind when you say "PJ", but this definitely proves the theory of Peej making each one of her songs unique in a certain way.

WE FLOAT

A great song to finish off with, a deep driving piano riff, loving the drumming - just so busy. Polly's vocals are very gritty and deep in this song, apart from the chorus where everything just is on a higher pitch. No guitar in the song so far, just percussion, drums, piano and vocals - vocals again in some spots with harmony. Then it kicks in, laidback "take life as it comes"…. PJ also explores different vocal pitches within this song, and switches between a strong singing voice and a softer lighter "floating" type of voice.

This song reminds me of being on a plane, floating in the air. Maybe a weird interpretation, but just reminds me of the radio on the airplanes, very laid back music, with lots of instrumental sections. This song is the longest one on the album. My favourite one on the album. Give it a listen if you like experimental music.

THIS WICKED TONGUE (the extra track)

Last but not least, a raw, aggressive, grungy song by PJ. Packed full of energy, strong riffs and thick texture.
Guitar and bass play in unison. The rhythm is very unusual in this song, but don't let it put you off. This really shows how PJ likes to get down and dirty - extremely rocky song, very busy. Lots of instruments used again. I see this as my rock anthem now, it's definitely one to sing along to.

Another one of my favourite songs on the album, just packed full of energy, would love to hear this long live, as it would just have so much of an atmosphere. Raw, aggressive and grungy, you can't beat it.

OVERALL

If you haven't listened to this album yet, get your backside off down to the shop, if you aren't totally CONVINCD you maybe would listen to the short clips online, and if you enjoyed the short clips of her songs which can be listened to on iTunes or even Amazon.co.uk, you should purchase!! Unfortunately or rather fortunately!! PJ should have you hooked so if she does, get on down to the shop, or infact order an album online. If you like this stuff, you certainly will like her other music, as well as finding out that she is completely and utterly different to anyone out there, there is only one PJ, she doesn't compare to anyone else, and nobody compares to her.

---Prices---

Remember places like Amazon.co.uk and eBay.co.uk are great to find a bargain, whether its used or a new copy of the album, starting as low as something ridiculously cheap like £1.99, up to probably £14.00 in the shops. So if you like something, it doesn't have to be expensive.

Thirteen songs, at a reasonable price, is a bargain, if you are into rock then you won't be disappointed.

---Finally---

Got to the end, thanks if you managed to read this far without falling asleep, you'd be able to listen to PJ singing without falling asleep, her music is just so diverse. So thanks again, thanks for reading. - and hopefully my partner won't have a bone to pick with me, and hope I did PJ Harvey, justice in my review…

And if you aren't sure whether you'd love or hate PJ's music there is always short snippets of her songs on amazon and iTunes, if not you can look up videos on you tube, and see her live performances - which I must say her live versions of songs are pucca, they are perfect in pitch, she is a great live singer and I hope someday in the near future I can see her.

Thanks for reading.

(3200 words, sigh!! Is that enough Heather?)

Further Update June/July news.

Just to let you know that PJ Harvey's new album which is piano based, is coming out on the 24th of September, which is correct, I've at least heard my partner mention it like 20 times now.. the anticipation is killing her, and I can't wait for it either, just after my birthday =]

The album is going to be called "White Chalk" and is piano based so will sound different to all previous albums, she played Manchester in July at a Festival, where she played her new material. The new album has 11 tracks, some are available to watch on youtube, "the devil", "when under ether" and are definately a new side step for PJ, with a fresh new, different and unpredictable sound.

She will be gigging in london on the 29th of September, just after the release of her album white chalk on the 24th of September, but all tickets have sold out. Gutted? Yeah me too.

UPDATE SEPT 21st

Only a matter of days to go to her new album, everyone is giving it 5 stars or 4 stars which is great, but they are coming it to other albums saying it is her most fine piece of work, i've heard a few tracks, hevaily contrasted to this album, I like it still though, a bit more mellow and fresh sounding. Shame as I really like the guitars and it is piano focussed but still really catchy. No doubt you've seen a spread in a magazine for it. If anything interesting pops up I will be sure to keep it updated here.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 30th

Honestly her White Chalk album has been out ofr a while now, a little more mellow not so raw, a little depressing but without a doubt a fantastic album yet again from the one and only PJ harvey!!

Thanks for reading! 

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the one and only PJ