Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

This is solid stuff. I remember This Is Love from when it came out and probably hadnt listened to it since. Nice to hear it again. The Mess We’re In with Thom Yorke was another one that stood out. Probably a 3.49 so I’ll round down to 3

My favorite PJ Album

4/5 deserves to be on this list Good album, but definitely less experimental than other pj Harvey albums. The first half is probably the best. PJ Harvey is a really great vocalist. The instrumentation is also good but gets a little less interesting as the album goes on. Overall though it’s a very consistent album. Also thom yorke mentioned! Standout Tracks: Big Exit, A Place Called Home, This Mess We’re In

PJ Harvey is an artist name I'd never heard of and that, unfortunately, slips away as if it were a clothing label or department store brand. Easily allusive and forgettable, but thankfully the music isn't that — the sound is accessible yet memorable. As soon as I heard the voice, I wondered "Oh, maybe it's the woman on the album cover?" — a surprisingly raw and grungy sound when contrasted with the first impression that picture gives! My next impression was that she sounds like Nick Cave. I don't think I've managed to exist at both ends of the "surprised spectrum" as much as when I read they were partners... Have you ever noticed couples who look like twins or siblings, and it feels super weird? A few of these tracks are interesting. I like her voice, musical talent, and easy-to-grasp lyrics. I'm reminded of Feist — an artist I adore to my core — but I think this teeters too much on things I didn't enjoy: repetitive grunge mood, trying too hard to be haunting, and boring melodies. Suddenly, the unmistakable voice of Thom Yorke! They sound good together on the track, but it feels wasted on a relatively boring few minutes. When I realized he was also on an earlier track, I wondered how they managed to waste his talent even more on that one. That's almost 8 minutes of Thom Yorke where I somehow didn't think "wow, this guy fucking gets it" and I feel like I must've missed something. Alanis Morissette also comes to mind in a good way and so, based on the timeline, I must give credit to Harvey for paving the way for artists like Morissette and Feist. However, this album experience is falling short for my ears. It hasn't kept my attention for the whole 40 minutes. It redeems itself quite a lot with the final track but the middle of the album was truly "mid" — and I didn't enjoy the wailing. I can understand why some people could love and be inspired by this work, though... just not me. 3.5

5/1001 - Call me Saoirse Ronan cause I'm that meme of her in Little Women looking emotional and just going "women."

I enjoyed this album - Polly Jean's vocals and lyrics, combined with the instrumentals conveyed stories of longing, darkness, and the chaos of life.

brava lei, mi piace!

4.5

I don't know any P J Harvey. I've always wondered who she was and what she sounded like. Turns out, she occasionally sounds very much like Radiohead! I liked this album very much. I've been missing out! High 4

Really glad it was this album cover which was stuck on my home screen for two weeks. PJ is the greatest.

Low 5

Man, I really want to love this album, but it just isn’t clicking with me. I just can’t fully get into indie music yet. I can tell there’s something special here, though, and with more time and the right mindset, I think it’ll hit harder. For now, I can’t give it higher than a 7.5/10. I’ll come back to this one when I’m ready for indie.

This album captures PJ Harvey at a moment of sharp focus and clarity. The production is clean and direct, pushing the guitars, drums, and vocals right to the front. Unlike some of her earlier, rougher work, this record leans into a more structured rock sound while still keeping its edge. It feels carefully assembled, but never sterile, with each track locking into a steady rhythm that drives the album forward. Songs like “Good Fortune” and “This Is Love” stand out for their immediacy, built on tight riffs and strong vocal performances. “A Place Called Home” and “You Said Something” add a more reflective tone, showing how the album balances its louder, more anthemic moments with quieter introspection. The lyrics are clear and grounded, often touching on themes of desire, connection, and urban experience without relying on abstraction. Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea works because of its consistency. It’s neither experimental nor overly slick, sitting in that space where rock can still sound both modern and classic. While it doesn’t take wild creative risks, its strength lies in its precision and confidence. It’s a well-crafted record that stands as one of her most accessible and cohesive works.

Really not my cup of tea.

Great 90s vibes, was a hit with Megan.

Like a modern day Yoko ono. The screeching killed my ears

I wasn't familiar with this album going in, having skipped it in favour of Rid of Me and Let England Shake previously. Although I knew a few of the tracks, this was a mistake - I've loved exploring this today. The album has a huge opening, with Big Exit and the banging Good Fortune. The influence of Thom Yorke throughout the album helps it stand out as a unique piece of work, with Beautiful feeling warming the listener up for the outstanding This Mess We're In. The album winds down with the simply delightful We Float. Overall, this combines the rawness PJ is so well known for with some incredible softer tracks. It's exquisitely balanced and a real treat to listen to. 8/10

2.5 I got Dry by PJ Harvey about 20 albums back and gave her a 3 (rounding up) so I figured a 2 rounding down was fair. Dry she was angry and powerful and I really see why some people may have that album in their top 20 (not me but. . . ) This album was more contained but also more boring. A plus is her vocals have improved. She's got a powerful voice and is an amazing songwriter but I just can't get into her stuff. Same comment as Dry I think with time I'd come to like her stuff more but I don't have that kind of time.

Voix féminine qui change un peu, sympa mais un peu toujours pareil

La pochette me parle mais jamais ecouté pourtant Bon bah… c’est du rock classique des années 2000. Ça m’a fait ni chaud ni froid…

J'étais enthousiaste au début de l'album mais finalement ça ne m'a pas transcendé. Sympa mais sans plus! 3/5

3.5, but might revisit

This is PJ Harvey's best work. I listened very carefully. I love the vibe it creates. It contains everything you need to know about how 2000s rock music sounds. The production and songwriting are on another level. The whole album is thoughtful and driving - strong female vocals with driving guitars and a punk sensibility. "The Mess We're In" is one of the greatest duets ever created in alternative music, IMHO.

I liked the songs, just not my usual style!

I’ve tried many times but I can’t get into PJ. The songs just seem boring and empty

A terrific record. I typically don’t love the “step up in production quality” records from artists that thrive with a raw sound. But PJ’s songwriting and performances are of such high quality the crisp production lifts rather than stifles. Just killer art rock.

Never heard of PJ Harvey, but this album was a pretty good indie rock album. I actually have no idea how to classify all these rock sub-genres. It's not very heavy, but it's a pretty chill rock album. Very melodic and heavenly euphoric. Q Magazine had it as the top album for their Women Who Rock list...which seems....a little extreme, but it is a solid album. I like The Whores Hustle And The Hustlers Whore and We Float the best. Not a fan of the Thom Yorke songs.

Great album! I like the music a lot and her voice reminds me of Siouxsie Sioux.

I would buy this record

Didn’t like it then liked it, so listened to it again. Didn’t like it then liked it again. Probably a 3.5 rounded down.

It's just OK.

A whore and a hustler

A little sleepy for me

2.5 stars It all kind of blurred together for me. Some tracks were better than others, but honestly my favorite song was the Thom Yorke song and it was sung by Thom Yorke. That being said, it wasn’t bad. But I wouldn’t recognize these songs in another context.

Kinda boring. Definitely of its time. A couple good tracks but overall not really my cup of tea. Added to library: Big Exit

Really medium album. Unfortunately for this list, medium has become not quite good enough.

Favorite tracks: This Is Love, The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore Overall, not impressed with this album. There were two tracks I would maybe revisit, but even those didn't wow me. It felt a bit like she was trying to be edgy, but never quite got there for me.

Nothing about this had any kind of spark to my ear. Less interesting version of Radiohead.

I remember one of my middle school teachers telling me I would probably like PJ Harvey, and I didn't listen to her then. My teacher was right, I probably would have been into her back then.

First time actually listening to this album and it's decent. Nice cameo from Thom Yorke.

I used to think PJ Harvey was too shoegaze or whatever for me, but listening to this album as a whole and realizing how many single songs I love off of it (the thom yorke song haunts me always), I am now a full convert.

As someone who wasn’t familiar with PJ Harvey before, I found "Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea" to be a well-produced album. Tracks like "Good Fortune" really stood out and are definitely ones I’d revisit. However, as I listened through the entire album, I noticed that the sound and vocals started to feel a bit repetitive and monotonous.

++: Big Exit, Good Fortune, One Line, Beautiful Feeling, The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore, Kamikaze, This Is Love, Horses in My Dreams +: A Place Called Home, This Mess We're In, You Said Something, We Float 8,5/10

Kind of forgettable for me and wasn't crazy about the mixes

Gritty, fun rock and roll blues

Awesome

This album won me over. I was NOT a fan at the beginning. It was just not what I was expecting. But by the third or fourth song, I understood. This is a gritty, emotional, breathtaking album. And it's not supposed to make you feel good. But it IS good. I ended up loving the album for all it is and all it isn't. I can't believe I had never heard of PJ Harvey before this.

I like Horses in My Dreams and Beautiful Feeling because I'm kind of sucker for that kind of guitar. In general I'm not the biggest fan of PJ Harvey's music and I'm glad this exercise forced me to at least listen all the way through once.

This is really good. Falls in a similar category to Fiona Apple

Not my type

4+ was in relationship with Nick Cave. Good songs.

Everything I love about 90s alt dialed up to 100. One of my favorites of all time. Polly Jean the woman you are!

This was a fun album, artsy and creative. I didn’t have any songs that stuck out, but I liked the album as a whole.

WTF. I am sure this person has fans but definitely not for me.

I didn't like her voice. The music was standard 90s alternative. Overall not for me.

Better than the last one, bump it up to 4.

PJ Harvey's most complete album -- might be a bit tad too long, but sometimes that excess is justified.

This Mess We're In was already a favorite of mine as a Radiohead fan, and it did still stand out on this album. That said, there were a few others that really hit that same spot, for instance A Place Called Home and We Float. All in all great album.

Haven’t listened to this in a while, forgot just how good it is. I mean it has 2 Thom Yorke features!

Got a little samey but actually judged this before listening and it surprised me!

Good indy. Classic PJ.

banger

This album was great. I’m not a fan of Thom Yorke, so that was a bit of a miss for me, but there are some great songs on this album that show an evolving PJ Harvey (I like her early stuff a lot too)

3.25

great album

Better than I thought it would be

An okay alt-pop album. Reminiscent of Alanis Morrisette without the distinctive voice. Everything here is competent, but nothing here is truly great.

I wasn’t a PJ Harvey fan when she was at her peak, though I wasn’t against her. About the only thing I knew from her was her appearance on Beavis & Butthead with the song, 50 Ft. Queenie. I also heard her on Josh Homme’s Desert Sessions album, vol. 9 & 10, I think. So I went into this album cold, though not afraid. She’s a rocker. Pretenders Critics say this album is her best, and it is really good. The album came out in 2000, so it still has a ’90s sound to it. Harvey is a great singer, and she reminded me immediately of Chrissy Hynde from the Pretenders, a band I like, though I'm not a superfan. The album also includes an appearance by Thom Yorke from Radiohead. While I enjoyed the album, and maybe this is a Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois hangover, it just didn’t make that big an impression on me. It’s good and I’m sure some of you would really like it, but I’m not sure I’ll even remember the title in a year. Perhaps I’ve heard too much in my day. This sounds like 1995-2003. It’s good, but not great. I do love the song Big Exit, which is Harvey’s feelings about being exposed to the gun culture in America. Both songs with Yorke are great, and I loved The Whores Hustle The Hustlers Whore. If you like that kind of alt-rock from the late 90s, I think you’d dig this album, but I don’t really think it’s that special. Maybe three weeks from now, it’ll draw me back for another listen, who knows?

Barely listened

Pj harvey, the only 2 times winner of the Mercury price (as of 2024) I find the Mercury prize weird, theres great winners: Suede, pulp, Arctic monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, English teacher. But some I really don’t like: roni size, badly drawn boy. But I still think it’s a great capsulation of styles. On ‘beautiful feeling’ I was literally just thinking, sounds like Radiohead, thom york is literally on there… and he’s on another ‘the mess we’re in’- which is a very good song (possibly the albums best), weirdly this is the closest he’s got to a mercury prize is this album. I like the heavy ones a good bit ‘big exit’ and ‘the whores hustle and the hustlers whore’ and ‘kamikaze’ great examples of this, on the latter two PJ also goes to an incredibly high register, respect for her there. Good fortune is a great single and this is love (even though I don’t find the latter to be one of the most exciting on the album as a whole). If it was between this/ dry and rid of me I’d pick this

This is ok for what it is, but there is nothing remarkable here. Well made and well produced, just not very interesting.

A decent album that I feel like could be 4 stars if I was in the right mood. Definitely some great songs on it.

seductive

Pretty good and I'm sure it was ahead of its time. It was cool catching Thom Yorke in there, and I can definitely see the impact on someone like Courtney Barnett.

3/5

She has a soothing voice. ★★★

I forgot to take notes while listening and I don’t remember anything about it. I know I didn’t like it.

Probably much better in its time, but I found it pretty unremarkable overall, felt like music that would be playing at a JC Penney. The one Thom Yorke track was somewhat interesting, but I think just because it was a new vocal rather than actually liking the song. Feels like a 2.5.

Sounds like a strange mix of Patti Smith/Television/CBGB scene but updated with the smooth/suburban production aesthetic of the early 2000s….Somehow it kind of works?? She’s got a great voice. I’m not as crazy about the acoustic/whsiper-y songs and get a little bored with ‘love letter to New York’ type songs. Pleasant surprise to hear Thom Yorke on there. Overall, mostly enjoyed.

Sounds like P Harvey

Fabulous album

After three songs I was ready to turn this off and I'm really glad I didn't. What a pleasant surprise from an artist I've never heard of.

I've been meaning to listen to PJ! It's good. And hearing Thome Yorke half way in was a nice surprise. Fav song: Kamikaze

I like PJ Harvey. I don't love this album. I also once again find myself wondering "why this album"? I guess 1001 is a lot of albums.

Mehhhhh not really for me.

I happened to hear about PJ Harvey recently, in the sense that she's a well-known artist. Well, she wasn't that well-known to me. Pretty good music.

Mouais/10

I just realized an odd bit of coincidence, today is the same day as the day that PJ Harvey received the Mercury Award for STORIES FROM THE CITY, STORIES FROM THE SEA, exactly 24 years later, to the day. What it is even weirder is that it took 25 years for me to hear this album. I don't recall bumping into any of the tracks from this album organically. I enjoyed this way more than any Nick Cave record, clearly he didn't infect her with his bullshit. Unlike Nick, PJ remembers, for people like me, who are not enamored with lyrics, to keep the instrumental hooks and earworms coming. The Thom Yorke vocal backing on "Beautiful Feeling" is okay, but honestly feels a bit like a nod to a collaboration idea that Tori Amos did with Trent Reznor in 1994. Did not enjoy "The Mess We're In". Fortunate enough for Harvey manages to not get stuck on the pretension bus and gets back to straight forward hook driven pleasantness. One of the few Brit rock albums from the 1990s that I actually enjoy. I know, it came out in 2000, but everything you hear on this album is a finely crafted piece of rock that was distilled from the everything the 1990s had embraced. Also SFTCSTFTS us an album where no song seems like a particularly strong single, but it doesn't matter because the song order and pacing makes for a pleasant album listen anyway. Favorites: "Good Fortune", "Kamikaze", "This Is Love", and "We Float".

Boring, plain, not interesting at all.

Didnt listen

Thought I would like this more than I did. It had a few good songs but ultimately lost my attention- a lot of songs that were both gritty and boring for me. Overall- not bad but not my favorite. 2.5/5, not quite a 3

From what I remember, she really mellows out in this one (or did that first happen earlier?) It's decent, but I'd rather listen to most of my favorite more straightforwardly indiepop albums than hear PJ Harvey approximate the same thing.

Not bad, great collab with Thom Yorke I wasn't aware of

I like her voice, but the songs are just so dull and samey, no real hooks or anything to make me pay attention. The only song I liked was the one with Thom Yorke. Fav track (already in library) - This Mess We're In

Not a dull moment to be found on this impeccably recorded, excellently presented, approachable yet artful piece of art. Incredibly impressive stuff that I will be relistening to as soon as possible.

Favorites: Big Exit Good Fortune A Place Called Home One Line Beautiful Feeling The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore This Mess We're In You Said Something This Is Love We Float Mysterious qualities, but satisfying rock feel and impressive vocals. Would listen again!

Excellent

Should revisit

It wasn't a bad album just kinda one of the more meh ones, not bad not good but ok!

Cool album, appreciated it more as it progressed. Bonus points for Thom Yorke guest track.

I mean I put it on but nothing really jumped out. Retail store music. Non offensive (other than some spicy lyrics) but not exciting. Would give 2.5 if I could.

PJ Harvey with Thom Yorke is one of the best things that’s ever happened

Gentler listen from PJ Harvey. The album has both light and shade, and a couple tracks featuring Thom Yorke. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

7/10

I could have done without this one...

I half like this. Its kinda that ethereal whispy thing I dont like but it has some edge in places. Kamakazi is one of the songs I liked. Thumb yorke is here and im not sure how to feel about that. It at least is interesting to listen to. It held my attention the whole time but I dont see myself back to this one again.

I liked it. Will definitely investigate more.

Honestly didn’t listen

I don't know what it is that other people hear in this music that I'm not hearing. To each their own I suppose.

жесть крутая тетя, я уже фанатка кажется she was pregnant with st vincent here

Pattie smithish, sheryl crow Beautiful feeling Horses in my dreams

Amazing, some songs were a little too slow but overall it's a amazing. 5/5

Nice, topical nyc lyrics lol

Cool album, love the tune with Thom.

A lot of elements from the Clash, I'm not the biggest fan of the Clash and certainly not the biggest fan of the style through this artist. However, I'm sure it's amazing for others, just not my thing.

It's a good album, PJ Harvey can write good, interesting songs and shows this throughout the album,I specially liked the second half. I liked her singing style, sort of laidback but still expressive. Instrumentally it's pretty straightforward. My favourite tracks were "A Place Called Home" and "This Mess We're In".

I really did not like this. I don’t like her voice or her lyrics.

W końcu kobiecy głos ale to tyle

So great

Good writing, decent music. Yes, these are stories.

It was an ok album, I liked the music for the most part. I was not a big fan

I can't believe I've never heard of her before. Great voice and the music style is just up my alley. Reminds me of the 90's <3 good shit. Almost a 5

Not bad. Refreshing to hear a female English singer. Songs about the city that never sleeps. Not really my jam. Just ok

Not bad. Kinda fills a similar niche to Fiona Apple. Often moody, often upbeat. Harvey has a nice smokey voice. Feels quite 2000s, in a good way. A lot of the time this feels like Radiohead, or maybe the Thom York feature just got me thinking about them.

Dosta loše, baš ono dosta. 1/5, 1/10

Wow honestly didn’t know PJ Harvey was a woman. Maybe thought they were off PJ & Duncan? Awful music, moany & a Radiohead collab 👎🏼

Thom Yorke song was dope

Another album by PJ Harvey, another reminder that I have been missing out by not paying any attention to her music.

Klasse, gefällt spontan. PJ Harvey ist gemerkt.

Not a hardship to listen to this one as it's only a few days that I did in "normal" l know that PJ was not happy with this one as the sound was too slick and mainstream for her, but the songs are so strong and the overall mood so cohesive, that it's power and brilliance is impossible to deny. In my favourite three albums of hers with Rid Of Me and Let England Shake.

It was ok

I think that this album is why I thought I didn't like PJ Harvey. A bit disappointing after how much I enjoyed Rid of Me

i loved all of this except the thom yorke ambush

Wish I had the words to describe why this album felt grating and slow to me, because I think i enjoyed the other PJ Harvey album we've gotten during this project. Everything felt kind of quiet and plodding.

Cannot imagine a scenario where I would willingly put this on

PJ goes mainstream whilst still maintaining her integrity.

Not my vibe

Big big fan of this genre of music. Reminds me of bjork and fiona apple a little. Kamikaze and This Mess We’re In were my favourite tracks on my first listen but it might change — was not expecting to hear Thom Yorke’s voice lol. (This is def becoming one of my car ride albums though)

Personally not a big fan. Not sure what it is might be her style of singing but didnt enjoy this one as much

An interesting rock album, though not one that is exactly to my taste. This is Love stood as particularly memorable. Most of the other pieces were alright, though I think some of the lyrics were questionable

Du vieux rock sympa Rien de surprenant cependant

Ambient, moody guitar riffs that are kinda cool. Some of the vocals strike me as out of tune or grating. Hard to understand the lyrics

thom yorke jump scare

PJ Harvey giving some Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) vibes on Good Fortune 3 songs in, it's ok so far, but not great. Kind of one note late 90s early 2000s stuff Beautiful Feeling feels like a Thom Yorke before he even starts singing. Kinda liking the ethereal feeling of it I like this other Thom Yorke song, This Mess We're In Ooh Kamikaze slaps This is Love, meh Kind of coffee house, punk ish (I mean that in the loosest way), 2000s drama soundtrack vibes. Not totally my cup of 'coffee', but it's artful and fun at times. Didn't resonate, but hey imma big dumb boy

Grungy. Listenable.

Apparently I am supposed to like this….

a charming little singer-songwriter album. kinda reminded me of melissa etheridge, and then i listened to melissa etheridge immediately after and this is 10x better.

Really love this album, some belters, but not quite 5/5.

HEY!!!!

Its so hard to review someone who is the coolest person alive, no matter what she does. Like if she cooked me a plate of noodles it would be 5 stars just because its PJ. So, who am I to give anything but 5?

Good,but I liked Rid of Me much better. 4/5

This will be my third PJ Harvey record on this album journey, following her early 1990s output. I already heard the single "Good Fortune" last year and liked it. How does the rest of Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea compare? Simply put, this is a very exuberant alternative record, capturing the sort of joy and raw beauty that PJ must have felt towards the turn of the century. From the pursuit of love on "Good Fortune", to the positivity shown where she was at the time on "A Place Called Home", to outright confirming her sentiments on "Beautiful Feeling", her energy, complemented by the brighter textures in the guitar melodies and reverb, made this album come off very warm and pleasant to listen to. While an argument can be made that Stories was her "mainstream" record, the album still retains darker undertones and experimentation to keep it above a typical commercial pop sound. Opening with PJ's own observations of gun obsession on "Big Exit", the rat race of bustling city life on "The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore", the implied aggressive sexual act on "Kamikaze" while dealing with the emotional fallout on "This Is Love", all culminating in the sentiment on "We Float" where the bid is made to make the most out of what life has to offer before our souls move on to the afterlife. Along the way, there are some abrasive guitar riffs on tracks like "This is Love" and "The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore" to match the grittier tone, along with notable contributions from Thom Yorke of Radiohead on tracks like "This Mess We're In" and "Beautiful Feeling" to add dimensionality to those tracks from having the male counterpart for the relationship exploration she delves into. Even more sobering is the piano-led ballad "Horses in My Dreams", where PJ recalls some vivid imagery in her sleep that could be interpreted as her free spirit, unburdened and able to roam wherever she wanted to. Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea was an impressive record. I know that PJ was already well-established as a singer-songwriter by this point, but even then, this album feels superbly ethereal in its sentiments of a moment of bliss, so frail and fleeting, yet it came when it needed to.

One of her albums that I had never heard. It sounds of its time in a way—it sounds like the year 2000 somehow. Overall, interesting melodies and a few rockers, too. The Thom Yorke duet is beautiful. Nice record!

My kind of music. Intelligent lyrics

Non sono riuscito nemmeno a finirlo, la base strumentale mi piaceva ma lei troppo lagnosa e non avevo voglia di intristirmi

PJ goes full Fiona Apple here. Favorite track: Big Exit 3.5/5

one of my favorites albums of 2000s. fuck it, it's 5/5.

I love PJ Harvey. I hate I've given a couple of her other albums 3 stars on here, she's one of my favorite all-time artists since I did a deepdive of her. This is probably my third favorite of hers behind Is This Desire and Dry, but each of her albums have their own feel. This one definitely makes me the happiest out of all of hers. The Thom Yorke cameo works so well, love the album art as well. 18th perfect album, 782 albums in. Rating: 5.0

I enjoyed this album. There is a timelessness about her voice that I love. I really enjoyed this album and will be returning to it over time

Some dirgier parts were a little tough to sit through but especially at the start were some solid pop rock.

Decent indierock, not my genre but clearly well crafted

Thom Yorke is on this one

Alright

This is a perfectly OK album, but feels like an attempt at something radio-friendly or even late 90s adult-contempo by PJ. The gloss isn’t unwelcome nor ill-fitting (as was part of the critique at its release, which I didn’t share), but that she never returned to something in this guise makes it feel like a dalliance. It *was* financially successful and she could’ve continued mining this format, but works like Let England Shake or the preceding Is This Desire? show an artist with much more complex aesthetic concerns. She tried this one on, it more or less worked, and she moved on.

Pretty good often catchy 3.7

Muy agradable de escuchar no la conocia pero iconica

Some brilliant songs on this, although the Thom Yorke collabs are perhaps highlights

Best Track - "Good Fortune"

Enjoyed listening. New to me.

I love PJ Harvey, but I prefer Dry over this album.

Favorites: The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore, The Mess We're In, Kamikaze Inspired by PJ Harvey's experience in New York City and bolstered by her stunning vocals and premiere songwriting, this album is an absolute blast to listen to. Definitely one of the finest alternative/indie rock albums of the early 2000s in my eyes. 8/10

Listened to it a few times in a row, enjoyed it. There were a few stand out songs, the one featuring Thom Yorke in particular

Not too bad, loved thom yorke’s random appearance.

Just a really great album. PJ Harvey rules in general and this presentation by her definitely doesn't disappoint.

Didn't get much out of this. The last song was nice. Also there's 2 Thom Yorke features and one the first one, he just sort of moans and wails for a bit ovwr the track. Made me giggle when I realized that was going to be the extent of his contribution.

I liked the album. Never heard of the artist but has a nice indie/alternative sound to it

Boring. Sounded like every other mildly successful female artist in the 90s (I'm not talking about queens like Mariah and Whitney). I had never heard of her before and will happily go back to never listening to her again.

nikakav specijalan utisak mi nije ostavio

carino

Cool album, I’ve not heard this before, and although I am not a big Thom Yorke fan I like her, so I'll listen again.

Saw her open for U2 and couldn't wait for her set to end. She sounds like someone yelling at you with a bullhorn. Decent # of listens for the entire album. Not sure why. 25M for "Good Fortune" which is annoying as fuck. 69M for "This Mess We're In". 24M for "This Is Love". I had no idea she had a following, she has no music on the radio outside of "Down By The Water". This was my era, I just didn't connect with her sound, and it's not a good thing to revisit 25 yrs later. 2.5 stars for not being awful and for including Thom Yorke on a few tracks.

Brilliant - hadn’t heard this before but such a solid album.

Album bien, para tener de fondo, tampoco me dice mucho más. Nota: 7,2/10

This is so fucking boring

This is a note to myself to come back to this. Because I should like this. I can see why other people would. But there is something about this that just didn't click for me. The Vienna of albums.

*Man listens to Sleater-Kinney once* Man, this sounds like Sleater-Kinney. Mostly I joke, because I said the same with Elastica yesterday, but the guitar tone and style is giving me some SK vibes as well, just with some more standard late 90's/early 00's alt rock vibes. Similar to what I said about Aimee Mann's record, but some of this record could easily slot into an episode of Buffy. But yeah, this is a great record. Not much specific to talk about it, but I'm liking it more than Let England Shake (which I gave a 4) because of the aforementioned SK-isms. Really cool Thom Yorke feature on This Mess We're In.

Uninteressting

Aufgenommen im Great Linford Manor bei Milton Keynes, präsentiert PJ Harvey auf ihrem fünften Studioalbum einen klarer produzierten, songorientierten Sound, der sich vom raueren Charakter ihrer frühen Werke entfernt. Die britische Musikerin verbindet Elemente aus Indie- und Alternative Rock mit melodischen Strukturen, die stark von ihrer Zeit in New York City geprägt sind. Neben der kernigen Rhythmussektion und eingängigen Gitarrenriffs sorgen ruhige, introspektive Momente für Ausgleich. Besonders markant ist die Zusammenarbeit mit Thom Yorke, dessen Gesang in „This Mess We’re In“ und Hintergrundstimmen in weiteren Titeln einen atmosphärischen Kontrast setzen. Bekannte Stücke wie „Good Fortune“, „A Place Called Home“ und „This Is Love“ zählen heute zu den charakteristischen Songs ihres Repertoires. Insgesamt wirkt das Album geschlossen, urban inspiriert und in seiner Balance zwischen Energie und Melancholie gut austariert.

8/10 really really liked it, hole and cocteau twins vibe, the songs with thin yorke on were beautiful, some songs were a bit samey but we’re still good so who cares. also a feminist icon 😛 Fav song the mess we’re in.

You said something good

I really want PJ to be a 5-star artist, on paper she should be a huge deal for me. Everything I’ve heard has been pretty great, this is my third of her albums. But there’s still something missing. Can’t put my finger on it. Still, again, this like her other albums is great and a must-listen #194

Good, but I preferred Let England Shake.

strong start. 80's rock vibes. Thom Yorke's vocals on beautiful feeling are instantly recognizable. Overall pretty good. I'd listen to it again, though not while I'm at work because its a bit too wordy for that.

Pretty avant-rock. Structures are different, but overall a pleasant tone. Harmonies and progressions are pretty unique and cool throughout each track. But it takes a certain mood and attention to get the most from these tracks. Thom Yorke is a surprise on “The Mess We’re In.” This album does sound very much like a more guitar-and-acoustic-instrument-oriented Radiohead record. Maybe a little less experimental than that, but similar vibes. Some weird choices in production where vocal peaks are staticky. Sounds like when a vinyl is cut too hot. Not for me and rather annoying to me. I appreciate some of this record (especially on the front half or so), but overall, I’m not sure if it’s for me. 4.5-5/10 Standout(s):

Meh

didnt really pay much attention while listening to this one, played only in the background while cleaning my room. it had a good vibe overall, it gave the y2k movies soundtrack feeling. but it isnt really anything i would come back to, no special melody that would stay in my head.

Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Sehr feines Album.

Solid album, probably wouldn't listen again but was fine. Loads of buzz about PJ Harvey winning the mercury prize a couple (?) of times but I don't really get through hype 6/10

So I'm a fan of PJ Harvey. I know this album reasonably well but for some reason it never really hits as effectively as what I'd consider her best work. There's a lot of great music on it, but was it too polished? I think she's best when being more abrasive and confrontational.

Polly is very much a musical chameleon and you never know what to expect. This album is a bit easier to pin down and is all the more enjoyable for that! I don’t listen to her often but when I do and always challenged by her stuff. Keep it up girl!

Thissssssss I was so pleasantly surprised. I had no ide what to expect - never heard of PJ Harvery. She has that dark mysterious sound, kinda post-grunge alternative pop and I loveeee it. Especially the collabs with Thom Yorke I was stoked to discover. I am definitely interested in looking more into her work.

I was impressed by this album! Not familiar with their work at all. Immediately reminded me of more rock version of Lana Del Rey. And funnily enough, when the record had finished it auto played right into her. Rock bands with lead female vocals just make sense. Would listen again!

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea – PJ Harvey (2000) | Alternative Rock | Avg: 5.58 | Favorite Song: “You Said Something” This PJ Harvey album feels like her attempt at accessibility—cleaner, more melodic, and far less abrasive than Rid of Me—but based on your ratings, it doesn’t seem to fully deliver. “You Said Something” emerges as the high point, bringing a sense of clarity and emotional warmth that much of the album lacks. A few other tracks inch toward that 7 range, but most settle firmly in the mid-5s, suggesting that while the album is more listenable than some of her earlier work, it doesn’t necessarily strike a deep chord either. There’s a recurring feeling here of almost—but not quite. The songwriting is solid, the vocals are emotive, and the production is clean, but the spark isn’t always there. It’s the kind of album that plays well in the background but rarely demands attention. Compared to Harvey’s more intense records, Stories from the City is undeniably more approachable, yet that smoothness might be what holds it back. It’s a competent listen, just not a gripping one.

quite boring and uninspiring. Listened to the whole album and can't remember a single thing about it.

Absolutely fantastic album.Unique and fresh.Most of the songs are amazing!

Good singing but I don't care about this type of music.

This is ok. I don’t love it but it isn’t bad. Kind of a rough start until the whores hustle. Songs added to/on playlist: 0 Solid 3/5

I listen to a good chunk of these albums with my wife while we enjoy some fresh air in the evenings on the balcony. I'd normally share my review, but I thought some of what she said was dead on, so I'm going to incorporate it. She isn't doing anything new that the female vocalists of the 70s haven't already done. I think you'd need to be on heroin to enjoy this properly.

I like her voice and I thought the music was put together very well. Not my cup of tea but I still enjoyed my time with it.

4/5

Very fun songs and the Thom Yorke features are great

I liked this one, it was pretty decent the vocals were all pretty good and I liked the production a decent amount. I particularly liked “Good Fortune”. It’s like three and a half stars.

Crazy 2000 vibes from this one.

THAT WAS SO FUCKING GOOD BRO 9.3/10. Like I have no idea what I was expecting but it had so much variety and some of the songs went so insanely hard. Like dear GOD the best on "We Float" is so mad. Absolutely AMAZING album I fucking loved it sm

This album is a little disappointing. I already knew the one song that Thom Yorke is on and really like it, and there are a couple of other songs here that are really good. However half of the songs feel like filler. Overall I still enjoyed the album though, I just expected move.

Pretty good, I liked about half the album and would listen again. Some songs weren’t my style, but some were.

It was nice hearing a female voice after do many male ones. Really good album. It even encouraged me to listen to some of her other songs. Added a coule to my playlist

What a great Album

Very low opinion of this album lol. It was sonically annoying, lyrically superficial, and really seemed to lack any focus or coherent throughline. Every song both sounded the same but, paradoxically, like they had nothing to do with one another. Will refrain from judging the entirety of PJ Harvey off of this album though. I hear that this is generally seen as her most commercial album and not a big reflection of her whole work, and that she doesn't return to this album herself. But I really don't like the song writing, the music itself is limited and boring, the singing is hard on the ears - especially when trying to do any kind of 'grunge'. Big pass for me.

Maudlin and bleak Not my thing

Artiste connue et album connu, vite oublié, sauf le morceau 'This Wicked Tongue' qui est en bonus de cet album, et qui est bien plus original (plus rock, dissonant, chorus). Même si j'apprécie assez sa voix, je trouve les premiers morceaux plutôt ennuyeux. Et j'ai eu vite envie de faire autre chose. Heureusement quelques morceaux au milieu de l'album sont un peu plus intéressants ('One Line', 'The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore', 'This Mess We're In'), ou dynamiques ('Kamikaze'), ce qui pourrait me donner envie de l'écouter de nouveau. =>3/5

i really really liked the mess we’re in, but as a whole the album didn’t really stand out to me too much, and (i may be wrong but) the social commentary aspects felt more like an item checked off a to-do list rather than genuine observations. i liked both of her other albums on this list better than this one, but credit where credit is due the cover photo eats

I should like it but I don’t. Instrumentals sound good and I appreciate the artistic spunk but not my jam

I liked the track Horses In My Dreams here. And the end of the closing track

I think PJ Harvey's vocal intonation and chosen production style for this album go together very well. The Thom Yorke contributions are crazy to me since both Harvey and Radiohead feel like such singular artists who exist outside of the tides of the music industry (which isn't true since both Harvey and Yorke have always drawn attention from critics whose praise was conditional on how 'experiemental' each new album was, with comparatively mainstream-sounding albums such as this one being snubbed as sellout-bait.) I am giving this an honorary 5 on account of To Bring You My Love not being on this list for some reason.

BANGER

what can i say, pretty boring lol

Two chords songs are easy to write. Good two chord songs are incredibly hard to write. PJ is proof

The album grew on me as it went. Pretty good overall

This was a nice surprise that are unfortunately rare from this list. Thought it was a great solid album all throughout. 7/10

PJ Harvey is a singer-songwriter for people who don't like singers-songwriters (so me). Since they usually focus on vocals more than anything else, instrumentation on singer-songwriters' albums tends to be an afterthought and pretty boring, in my opinion. But PJ Harvey has a bunch of great riffs and overall more present and exciting instruments, which I prefer over complete focus on vocals. This album, however, leans a bit to much into the singer-songwriter part for my liking and has more slow, laid backs songs, so I enjoyed less than Dry. The album is still good overall, but she has a least one album (I haven't heard any more) that is closer to my preferences. 7/10

Jump scared by Thom Yorke, but i actually liked This Mess We're In. Big Exit and The Whores Hustle were the songs that stood out most to me on first listen. Much more accessible than Rid Of Me which I've already had on the generator, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's better. Happy to give the same rating, 4 Stars.

Sounds way better than the other 2 PJ albums, so maybe she's grown on me and I need to give them another chance.

this was okay, not a favorite not a least favorite

Wow!!!! I REALLY love this album!!!! Had never heard of this group before. SOOOO GOOD!!!! Every song is a WIN!!!

Thom yorke muy buen plus, 7.6/10 Buena guitarra

Big Exit 4.5/10 Good Fortune 6/10 Beautiful Feeling 5.5/10 This is love 6/10 This mess we are in 5/10 you said something 5.5/10 we float 6/10

Not a vibe. The only song I liked what this mess we're in. Kinda bored.

Feels like the music was made separately from the vocalist. It sounds like music made to be popular with less individualism.

This was alright, decent alt rock.

Felt a little generic and bland. Did not stand out as an amazing alt rock from the early 2000s, unsure why on the list. Not bad, not good, feels a little like an industry plant.

Not great, nineties coffee house music. A lot of these albums have been really dull recently. What’s going on? Don’t you expect the greatest albums to be made by virtuoso musicians and not singer-songwriters? I understand that these albums are well-liked, but do they sound like the greatest records ever?

I liked it. Good voice and good vocal lines.

My mood was great today. It became okay

Interesting how I've gone from a 4 to a 1 to a 4 with PJ Harvey

the first time I heard of PJ Harvey was in gilmore girls when Tristan called her a guy and Rory corrected him

It's another album I've enjoyed. Much better than that Mekons album. I loved Harvey's collaboration with Thom Yorke in "The Mess We're In". I think "We Float" is the best song from the album. It has a perfect chorus, and Harvey nails it with her singing. 4 stars for "SFtCSFtS".

not for me

Perfectly adequate early 2000’s alt-rock laced with some nice guitar, shades of Nick Cave mixed with U2, and an unexpected but welcome cameo from Thom Yorke. ‘This Is Love’ and ‘Horses In My Dreams’ are my favourite cuts off this, whilst I seem to remember ‘Good Fortune’ and ‘A Place Called Home’ got played a lot on the radio at the time. This was fine overall.

Great album. Songs flow brilliantly from one to the next. Will be adding to my rotation!

tom yhorke es mi novio

Overall: 9/10 PJ Harvey is just in a world of her own. Her songs are simultaneously cool, fun and beautiful. I've actually listened to most of her discography since I got Dry in this list a while ago and I love that even though they all sound like her, they also sound very different from each other. This is one of her best and the vibes are immaculate. Fav Song: Horses in My Dreams Least Fav Song: This is Love

Critical darling of the 90's! Not sure why.

I like this one. I think only 3 stars though, but This Mess We're In is an amazing song to me!

A NY love letter. Didn’t know too much about PJ Harvey but did enjoy it overall especially the Thom Yorke collabs: “this mess we’re in”

The only PJ Harvey song that I'm familiar with is The Mess We're In, which is on this album. Really enjoyed the whole album. Will definitely be listening to more of Polly Jane!

I own this already. Good album. Well worth a listen at any time.

Ja.

Never been the biggest fan of her music but this is good Also Radiohead guy is on it which makes me like it more

Bit boring

нормалек, раньше часто слышал ее имя, но ни разу не слушал музыку, думал это что-то современное типа чарли хсх)) порадовал мистер Йорк.

Rock with blues inflection, with a dark, moody sound. Nice vocals too. I like this sound. Strong opener but rest of album is more of the same? Best track - Big Exit, This Mess We're In, Kamimkaze 4 stars just for the 1st impression. Not the albums fault it's too much of a good recipe

This album was a very experimental look into alternative/indie rock. PJ Harvey is an artist who I’ve never heard of before, but after listening to this record, I will definitely have to listen to more of her stuff!

Have already listened. Good listen.

PJ writes and plays with such raw emotions. Every song hits hard.

The duet with Thom Yorke, This Shape We’re In, is fantastic. So is the rest of the album.

Very good

I’ve long skirted around PJ due to her former relationship with Nick Cave who I love but rarely actually listened to her properly. I definitely like some tracks more than others. Overall it’s not my favourite sound, some of it rocks but a lot is also not terribly interesting to me. This Is Love probably my top track. Not an album I’ll come back to likely.

I'm sorry but this was just boring to me. A three for not being bad, but not being good either.

Spennende plate. Gode låter og sterk vokal.

Bastante guay, de 12 canciones he metido 5 a mi playlist. Las demas no estaban del todo mal pero no me han acabado de convencer. Le pondria 3,5 estrellas pero no puedo meter medios, asi q pongo 3

Best one of hers so far. My favourites were This Mess We're In, You Said Something and We Float.

I feel compelled to listen to this again in the near future while at the same time not thinking it is spectacular.

Sounds almost like a newer Pretenders album.

klang irgendwie alles gleich in meinem Ohr

Naja

As well as introducing me to some new artists, this project has been a welcome reminder of how much I bloody love PJ Harvey. I’ve already given five stars to Dry and Let England Shake, and this isn’t going to break the streak. At the risk of sounding like her mum, it's nice to hear her sounding happy.

Maybe my favourite PJ album!

Some very good tracks, great opener but some songs a bit screamy

Little more alt rock than her last album

Couple of days on from saying that Let England Shake was 𝘯𝘰𝘵 my favourite PJ Harvey work, I now know what 𝘪𝘴. It's this one. She's still got the edge and anger from her early work but there are some really complete and accomplished songs here. Is it maybe too safe or pedestrian in places? Yeah it is. But she's matured and the songwriting and poetry is obviously a bit more subtle than 'lick my legs, I'm on fire'. I don't love the Thom Yorke duets but are there many other recording artists who could casually just call up the lead singer of Radiohead and get him to do some vocals on their album? I still don't think I'm coming back to listen to this all that much and I feel four PJ Harvey albums is a little more than needed, but glad to have had a good rummage through her highlights.

Skjønner mer av hypen rundt PJ Harvey nå, men treffer meg ikke helt. Kule låter og partier, men gir meg lite. Beste låt: This Mess We're In

Kult! Må høre mer på PJ Harvey.

Very much enjoyed this

masterclass. flawless

This is like if Fiona Apple was good

maybe he should’ve stuck with 500 albums because this feels like something you’d add to meet a quota

Lots of talent on this album. Impressive.

Was only vaguely familiar with Polly Jean, a little edgy at times, album was more enjoyable than expected.

really great vocals

Two PJ Harvey albums in 3 days, separated by Black Sabbath. I would not have expected to be giving all of these albums 4 stars at the beginning of the week. Such a different album to 'Let England Shake' but there is such brilliance once more. Track with Thom Yorke is perhaps unsurprisingly a standout.

This album is the most mid album I have gotten so far

Bonne découverte, rappelle radiohead

Happy to see PJ Harvey on the list and of course this album rules

This feels like flipping through photos of early 2000's city nights. Favourite Songs: Big Exit, Good Fortune, The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore, This Mess We're In. Least Favourite Songs: Kamikaze, Horses In My Dreams.

7/10

This is my first PJ Harvey listen and it is exquisite. Big Patti Smith energy, punk sensibility, layered with beauty. A sublime piece from a singular artist.

PJ seems to be channeling both Chrissie Hynde and Liz Phair here quite a bit. But I found her most engaging when she was just being herself. Those are the most enjoyable tracks for me, anyways- “Big Exit,” “This Mess We’re In,” “This is Love,” “Kamikaze.” A few of the other tunes feel like they could’ve used a bit more time in the incubator. It rocks, it soothes, it tries to scare you a little. Good times. THREE STARS.

9/10

Nice background music. Nothing to capture my attention. 3/5