304) PJ Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

Way back in the mists of time I reviewed PJ Harvey Dry (https://www.albumsin200words.co.uk/post/21-pj-harvey-dry), a wonderful debut and as each release came along, she achieved more recognition, acclaim, and sales but there was still something strangely enigmatic about her.

Songs From the City, Stories From the Sea was a major moment for Harvey as she was the first female solo performer to win the Mercury Award for this record and through the years has become a modern classic.

The record was inspired by her stay in New York and once you have listened to the twelve tracks you would have to say the Mercury Award Panel got it absolutely spot on.

The record is mainly Harvey and long-term contributor Rob Ellis with Bad Seed  Mick Harvey, the three of them produce beautiful, rounded songs all filled with melodies that uplift, the saying less is more has never been truer.

Big Exit is an immediate song and Polly is confident from the off with strong guitar playing and I feel her voice has gone to another level, the confidence of the material maybe and she dominates over a swirling beat for Good Fortune and provides a haunting backing vocal over her direct delivery on One Line.

The traditional side one ends with The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore over a ferocious beat from Ellis and a rough-edged riff and another exhilarating vocal.

For three of the tracks, she enlists the help of a certain Mr Thom Yorke who provides keyboards and backing vocals and duets with Polly on This Mess We’re In a beautifully sung song of a couple ending their relationship where the female makes the decision for the gentleman to leave. Harvey’s guitar on You Said Something is stunning in its simplicity before we then launch into the downright dirty groove fest of Kamikaze where Harvey’s voice goes to almost helium like levels.

This Is Love, well how about a lovely big riff and an opening line of “I can’t believe life’s so complex, when I just wanna sit here and watch you undress,” surely just reading this lyric makes you want to hear the song. We Float has a haunting piano over a simple beat as Harvey advises us to “Take life as it comes.”  A good sentiment and life can sometimes be difficult, this record will only enhance it.

8/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: This Is Love