PJ Harvey & John Parish: A Woman A Man Walked By

Working with habitual collaborator John Parish, Polly Jean abandons the edgy piano focused vibe of her last solo album “White Chalk” (incidentally produced by John Parish), in favour of a return to 90’s grunge and guttural folk rock.

Anyone bought up on an insipid sugary musical diet of Take That and James Blunt will most probably find this album a little harsh, with its pointed musical edges and unforgiving lyrics. Those with more encompassing musical tastes will recognise sparks of genius.

Album opener “Black Hearted Love” is a powerful and brutal song with a dominant rhythm guitar over gnashing and scraping electric guitars lurking in the background. A beautiful elegance lies beneath this perfect piece of Nirvana-esque grunge pop.

“Sixteen, Fifteen, Fourteen” has a more folky rhythm with distinct PJ vocals producing a track reminiscent of 2000’s seminal “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea”.

"Leaving California" is delivered in a pitch that is likely to shatter any unrestrained wine glasses in the vicinity of your tweeters. Meanwhile, John tinkers away with guitars and gizmo’s to provide a weird Radiohead style backdrop.

The title track sounds like a feminine Grinderman that starts with gentle acoustic strumming and ranting lyrics before descending into a Beavis and Butthead snigger, more intense guitars and a chorus enabling her to repeatedly growl “I want his fuckin ass”. There is no parental advisory sticker adorning the album cover, but I guess that’s just because her natural audience are more mature anyway.

“Pig Will Not” is a raw sounding sonic attack featuring an angry Polly barking “woof, woof” at us.

The wife thinks it’s all just a terrible din, I think it’s an engrossing joyous noise.

Incidentally Amazon delivered the album on Saturday, 2 days prior to the official release date (30th March 2009). Hence I got the weekend to review it and was able to post this review on the release date. You lucky people.

White Denim: Workout Holiday

I saw White Denim at the Mighty Boosh festival back in July but prior to that I hadn’t heard of them. So for those still waiting to be introduced, White Denim are a three piece from Austin, Texas consisting of Joshua Block (Drums), James Pertralli (Guitar & Vocals) and Steve Terebecki (Bass). Workout Holiday has a completely unrefined and raw sound, fully taking on board the DIY punk ethos. High points include the album’s first track and also their first single, “Let’s Talk About It” with its punky riff and gruff vocals and “Shake, Shake, Shake” which continues with the enthused high energy garage grunge.

Grinderman: Grinderman

When most men hit their mid life crises they normally buy a Porsche or have an affair, Nick Cave’s answer seems to be to make a raw grunge album. The album consists of a harsh sonic attack of brutal edgy blues that must seem quite unpalatable to those brought up on boy bands and similar easy listening commercial filth. I think my favourite lyrics of the year come from the second track of the album “No Pussy Blues” which recants the tale of a girl he meets and invests a certain amount of time and effort into but alas she just “doesn’t want to”. Other highlight include “Depth Charge Ethel” and the excellent “Go Tell The Women” its main refrain of “Go Tell the Women we’re leaving” could be an anthem for Men’s Lib (if there is such a thing).

PJ Harvey: Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea

In addition to writing, performing and producing a mercury prize nominated album, Polly Jean Harvey has acted in a number of films, exhibited sculptures in art galleries and had her poetry published. "Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea" is Polly’s 6th Album since her 1992 debut "Dry" and her third album to be nominated for the mercury music prize. The album makes an explosive start with "Big Exit"; the high-energy guitars and piercing vocals captivate the listener from the start. "The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore" is perhaps the most abrasive track and more akin with her earlier work. Previous albums have included duets with the likes of Nick Cave, Bjork and Tricky. On "Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea" Polly includes a mesmeric duet with Thom Yorke who’s style and emotion fit perfectly with the overall feel of the album. Other standout tracks include "Good Fortune", "A Place Called Home" and "We Float". An unexpected sonic treat and highly recommended.