Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
2011
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!Normally I like pretentious shit like this, but this one just felt like… well, pretentious shit. Like a female Thom Yorke without anybody to ground him.
The glorious land has a very nice trumpet sample. The last living rose is a very fulfilling song. I like how the album flows, on the first glance the songs show similarity on an level that it sounds like an concept album. Also, how PJ sings on this album (quite different than on other her albums). Awesome album, I really liked it.
Very coherent sound, dark but futuristic, relaxing but engaging, like an elf making a nick cave album. Has something of björk I'd say... Definitely sounds of maturity and maybe a bit of complacency, but not in a bad way.
There's something in the instrumentation that compliments the subject matter perfectly. That autoharp has a ghostly quality about it that makes me thing of old-timey soldiers trudging off to war, and rugged, wintry English countryside. Not every track is a galáctico (The Last Living Rose and On Battleship Hill are my favourites) but as a self-contained album it's more the sum of its parts. 4.5.
Not a fan, sounds confusing for me, I prefer other melodies, couldn't get to the end, had to stop listening it.
She definitely doesn’t have as much gruff in her voice as her past records, but I think it suits her better. The intro track is a little odd. It’s not COMPLETELY blowing me away but I definitely enjoy it. The production from inside the church definitely has this cavernous feeling to it. Like you gotta lean in to it. Nice reverb to everything. GREAT instrumentation. It sounds pretty consistent, maybe “uniform” if you want to be harsh. Butevery track is super solid.
Completely new to me!! Really inventive and exciting. Not only have I never experienced PJ Harvey before, I've never heard other music I could compare this to. I think that makes this extremely clever and enticing. Love the mixture of sounds and the album kept my interest throughout.
A perfectly polished PJ album with some interesting vocal and instrumentation changes. Her songwriting and delivery always pair well for me.
PJ Harvey’s songwriting skills are on full display with this powerful, poetic, impactful collection of songs lamenting the history of England’s wars and the West’s more recent military interventions. Harvey has assembled a team of talented musicians to produce a clear and consistent vision and the album is a cohesive, satisfying whole. The mood is sorrowful and contemplative whilst also pulsating with an insistent tempo and a laconic wit. Harvey’s vocals are soft and exquisite. This is a stunning record and a fine work of art.
PJ Harvey does not disappoint with a more delicate and wavering voice which communicates the disillusionment that is found throughout this album. The music is more atmospheric with jangly new wave inspired guitars which further build the sense of disillusionment and distrust
When I first listened to this album, I put this repeat for 3 or 4 times then I read the lyrics for each track and my first thought was how much research she should have done to write like this ? Then I found out she spent about two and half to three years on researching. It has definitely paid off. Brilliant album. These are highly poetic songs full of rich dreamy melodies which reminisces the poetry of Randall Jarrell. "Francis Ford Coppola can lay claim to the war movie. Ernest Hemingway the war novel. Polly Jean Harvey, a 41-year-old from Dorset, has claimed the war album."
This is the third PJ Harvey I have rated and I must admit, this one kept my interest the least. The earlier albums were more raw and hungry, while this one never connected with me maybe because it wasn't very interesting or unique. A bit too bland for my taste.
What in the wordle? I'm not really sure that's how you play it, but it sounds good to me, so I'm going to go with it. This has the same classic PJ vocals, but seems even hauntier. Yeah, I just made up that word. Wordle it. The last few tracks here offer voices other than PJ (VOTPJ) more than we have experienced in the past, and some of them don't quite compliment as much as you'd like.
Disappointed in this one - feels way too tame for a Harvey album. Missing the usual frenetic, undeniable energy of her past LPs and feels deflated and limpid as a result.
I really don't get it. One of the songs I had to mute because it was squeeling and I thought something was wrong with my car
Lots of polyphony which was interesting, but not fun to listen to a lot of the time. It was not my cup of tea. She's interesting and definitely a musical pioneer. It just wasn't enjoyable for me.
This is the third PJ Harvey album we've had and listening to half of it was enough to give this album the same rating as the other two. It's weird, unpleasant and I can't hear any justification for this album's inclusion on this list.
Meh. Not really for me. I think I might have appreciated the more political songs if I was a bigger lyrics person but nothing melodically gripped me here.
1001 albums that to listen to before you die and/or before considering putting Let England Shake on deck in Spotify: play the White Album 1000 times and Clair de Lune once. Then die. Don't listen to Let England Shake. It's entirely about death anyways and 100% hell. I thought I liked PJ Harvey, but maybe that's just 90s PJ Harvey. Or maybe Liz Phair? I was absolutely fine living the rest of my life without listening to this one.
I'm assuming that this was included on the list of albums to hear before I die just so I could understand how bad music can be. I've gotta check to see if my ears are bleeding now. Absolutely awful.
Not great, really folky (with an indie tinge to it as well). Reminds me of something Yoko Ono would have come out with at points.
Let England Shake by PJ Harvey (2011) This is a concept album, and the concept is intense, but naïve. PJ Harvey writes songs depicting the horrors of war, especially those fought by the English (specifically WWI and the more recent wars in the Middle East), as if generations of soldiers had not composed literature treating the theme more authentically and powerfully. She laments the fact that England achieved greatness with bloodshed, apparently unconcerned about possible alternatives. In other words, her worldview is shaped by horrified indignation and spiced with gore, without providing any evidence of an awareness of either history or political science. Musically, it’s a mess, and she should have either revisited her decision to play saxophone or she should have tuned it to the guitar. Rarely have I been so eager to hear the final strains of the closing track. 1/5
really enjoyed this! it's gentle and peaceful and much better than her others, liked her vocals and the music was super easy to listen to. 9
British people are okay, I guess. Genuinely had a nice time listening to this. I had a feeling I'd like this but I didn't think I'd feel so calm listening to this.
I can't believe this album is over 10 years old still think of it as being current. ii quite like PJ but this album blew me away when I first heard it. the vision of it is staggering and quite unique. the visceral lyrics play on the horrors of war of the cultural constructs of nations. the music is amazing, distorted guitars, bulges and autoharp makes an altered sound. but back to the central album question what is it? this one answers by the fact the songs hang together all part of a shared vision of a something unique brutal and beautiful.
I think there are two types of PJ Harvey. Great ones and greater ones. The power of the work is extraordinary, and the work is one of beauty notwithstanding the pervasive images of war. Time will tell if this is her career peak.
It's like the angriest most darkly produced folk you can get, I really love this album.
Well this is unlike the PJ Harvey I'm familiar with - way less abrasive and raw, this is dreamy and folky, and I can't help feeling a little sinister... PJ Harvey does the Wicker Man! Fave track - "The Words That Maketh Murder", perhaps? Will definitely be coming back to this album....
I’ve been hearing that this album is great since it came out and I’m dumb for not listening to it until now because it is great.
Timeless sound and feel to the album, harkens back to a Scott Walker grandiosity in scope and tone
Let England Shake is the eighth studio album by English singer-songwriter and musician PJ Harvey, released on 14 February 2011 Upon release, the album received numerous accolades. It was placed 2011 "Album of the Year" by 16 publications[3] and in September 2011 won the coveted Mercury Prize. Mike Williams of NME wrote: "Francis Ford Coppola can lay claim to the war movie. Ernest Hemingway the war novel. Polly Jean Harvey, a 41-year-old from Dorset, has claimed the war album."
Rich orchestral live sound. Really beautiful instrument, is that autoharp? Also really weird, would expect no less from PJ. Lots of folk influence, lyrically, conceptually, musically. I think I would give it a 5 if this was less obvious. I do prefer her more growling vocal sound from older albums. The thinner vocals here have a slightly annoying faux childish sound. I still think of this as her "new album" even though its now 10 years old.
Im Erscheinungsjahr von „Let England Shake“ hat mein fantasy-PJ-and-Fiona-Apple-fangirl bereits eine Tochter; Lotta heißt sie, benannt nach der Kölner lefty Kneipe und gezeugt in einer dieser seltener werdenden, unverkrampft freudvollen Nächte, auf einer sich übermütig brechenden Woge des dort ausgeschenkten Newcastle Ale. Nun ist Post-Brexit und das Töchterchen schon fast ausm Nest und da widmet sich mein körperlich gealtertes/geistig jung gebliebenes fangirl diesem Spätwerk Harveys, von dem fangirls und -boys behaupten dürften, es sei PJ zu recht zum 2. Mal der Mercury Prize verliehen. Und da sind mir dann alle meilenweit voraus, weiß ich doch kaum etwas über PJ, hab mich nie interessiert, hatte wohl auch mit keinem ihrer weiblichen Fans, so wie ich sie mir vorstelle, je Sex gehabt und somit keine Chance auf eine Tochter namens Lotta. Zu wenig Übereinstimmung, zu disparat die jeweiligen Welten, obschon man sicherlich schon im Stereo Wonderland oder in Odonien nebeneinander für Bier anstand. Ich erkenne aber, dass manche Unterschiede sich zunehmend auflösen, als Eitelkeiten oder Distinktionsgeschiss erkannt und als solches zum Teufel gejagt werden. Im besten Fall. Und in diesem nehme ich diese Abrechnung mit der Heimat eine halbe Dekade vor Referendum als etwas sehr gutes, wertvolles und verständliches war. Verspielt ist alles ein wenig, ohne an Ernst zu verlieren, vielfarbig instrumentiert. Sanfte hooks, gute vielleicht politisch etwas zu vorhersehbare Englisch LK-taugliche Texte, sanft flirrende Gitarre, glaubwürdige Erzählerin. Der Flood‘sche Sound erinnert mich an Scott Walkers Produktion des Pulp Schlusspunkts „We Love Life“, was eher eine Bilanz wie auch Aussicht auf das Älterwerden in UK & überhaupt überall bereit hält; demgegenüber drischt PJ‘s Rundumschlag auf das historisch abgewickelte Empire ein. Ich hoffe, Lotta hört mal so unvoreingenommen rein wie ich nun. Vom ersten Ton an 3.9
This is pretty cool, very unique obviously. Can't name a standout track, I'd never put it on but never turn it off either
Geen al te speciaal album. Goed voor op de achtergrond. Niet het beste werk van PJ Harvey
I had never heard of this band before, but this album was super fun! The lyrics were fairly eccentric at times, but I think it added to the uniqueness of the record as a whole well.
What a great album! We had never heard of her before. Very innovative, and reminiscent of Bjork.
I don't immediately love this album, but after a few listens I am really starting to enjoy it.
this album was AWESOME but the first 3 songs werent as good as the rest of the album imo, at least on first listen. it only got better as it went on though!!! i liked it it was pretty good. id have to relisten to appreciate it better
It was really good, the sound and the topics are dark, but there's some lightness and airiness, which gives an interesting experience. The Last Living Rose is such a nice song.
Was afraid this was going to be another british punk album. It probably got an extra star just because it wasn't
"Sing, sing PJ, with your other-worldly voice Pack up your troubles and let's head out To the fountain of joy and listen out Swim back, forth, back, back, laugh out loud"
Ooooo. I've been on a PJ jag lately... This is very exciting... I loved this when it was released, now time for a focussed relisten! Yay. Love the autoharp, didn't she play it like a rockstar 😍 The bugle in The Glorious Land fascinates me everytime I listen to this album. Super cool inclusion
I actually really enjoyed this having been rather skeptical about the last PJ Harvey. Would definitely listen again
4.0 + More interesting as a concept than as a collection of songs to love, this album's more of a "thinker." Still, it's thoughtful and well-crafted, striking the right tone without too much sentiment or intellectualizing. I prefer the raw sexuality of early PJ Harvey but I'm glad it's not bland like some other recent records.
Melodically, I was super into this. Lyrically, it was pretty solid but I have to admit I wasn't paying as much attention because the music sometimes captivated me so much. A few songs here and there that didn't stick for me, but I'm sure a re-listen will do just that.
Hmmm, an interesting listen, one that I will come back to definitely. Particularly enjoyed Bitter Branches
Didn't know what to expect and yet still don't know what to feel. Grabs me in moments and I'm gone in others. Overall still 4 Stars because it makes me question myself.
tosi kivat melodiat ja saundit ylipäätään. varmaan pitäis kuunnella lyriikoita tarkemmin, nyt taustalla kuunnellessa sain lähinnä irti että okei englanti mainittu, ja sota.
The epitome of consistency… album after album. This is another instant classic from Polly!!
Really good actually, despite being the 3rd folk rock album I've had in the past 4 days. I liked the weirder and darker-sounding tracks a lot. "On Battleship Hill" and the title track are certified bangers.
PJ Harvey je zakon, već neko vrijeme pokušavam preslušati njene albume, ali nikako da dođe na red, ak neće tako, onda će mi ovdje reć kad da šta poslušam od nje. Od "On Battleship Hill" pa sve do kraja mi je najdraži dio albuma = 2. dio, iako mi se najbolja pjesma s albuma "The Last Living Rose" nalazi na početku.
Great sound and lyrics slightly lacking at times in the tunes dept hence 4 stars. Dipped a bit on re-listening from when I remember it last.
Very different from her other album that showed up for me earlier, but equally as good.
By 2011, PJ Harvey had been on the scene for long enough to become one of the old guard: a figure of the establishment in alternative rock. "Let England Shake" is has a gravitas and elegance to it which befits this reputation, but still takes plenty of bold risks along the way. It won Harvey her second Mercury Prize, made her even more of a critics' darling and left me feeling a bit cold on it initially- as though she could do no wrong. However, after listening to it, I have to agree with the consensus that this is a dark and gripping piece of work. I've only heard bits and bobs of PJ Harvey's other albums, but I'm fairly certain that none of them sound much like this. "Let England Shake" already feels both timely and timeless: drawing on generation after generation of pastoral folk, hymnal music, protest songs and wartime poetry. In doing so, Harvey asks what it means to be English, how any sense of pride is distorted and perverted by prejudice and hate. It's very literary, inherently musical, and it’s a rare concept album that really WORKS without getting too bogged down. The relentless focus on war, conflict and violence only intensifies the impact of each successive song. As fun as it is to hear Harvey expanding her musical reach (she plays the saxophone for the first time! Her vocal range is expanding way beyond what she's done before! And so much autoharp!) the lyrics are understandably the focus. Once I'd started reading them alongside the music, it was hard to tear myself away. Some choice turns of phrase: "Let me walk through the stinking allies, to the music of drunken beatings"… "I've seen flies swarming everyone… soldiers fell like lumps of meat"… "Some dove in the river and tried to swim away… through tons of sewage, fate written on their foreheads" Such powerful, visceral imagery. There are many other highlights worth singling out in the music. The waiflike banshee howl of the vocals in "On Battleship Hill". The tribal urgency pounding its way through "Bitter Branches." And "Written on the Forehead"- one of my personal favourites - making use of an intriguing sample of Niney's reggae hit "Blood and Fire". There aren't many flaws at all here: "Let England Shake" is clearly a well-thought-out, fully realised work of art. Though "The Colour of the Earth" is a strange closing track, with a sudden appearance from duet partner Mick Harvey (The Bad Seeds). It doesn't quite end on the desolate, wartorn note I was expecting. Still, I really enjoyed getting to know this album and it's absolutely deserving of most of the praise heaped on it.
This was new to me and I liked it. PJ is an artist who, whilst she has been on my radar, hasn't been an object of concern.
Kende deze niet, wel een aantal andere plaatjes van haar, die eigenlijk net wat beter zijn, maar toch behoorlijk goed!
Pleasantly surprised. Love the vibe of this album. Very emotional. Will come back to this album.
Enjoyed the vocals a lot. Favourites: "The Last Living Rose", "The Words That Maketh Murder", "On Battleship Hill"
Of the four PJ Harvey albums I've had so far, this one is by far the best. At times a haunting intersection of interesting muscality and thoughtful lyrics. (It's also sometimes annoying.) Best track: In the Dark Places
I don't like this album as much as the more gritty albums PJ Harvey delivered prior to this one (I miss her guitar sound); but that's called being picky, as those are some of my all time favourite albums. Nevertheless, this is a huge album. The narrative driven songs with their ever so relevant anti war message add on top of the great (and very original) music to deliver an album that's much more than the sum of its parts.
I liked this one a lot better than the previous PJ Harvey album. THere were some definite highs on this one, songs that I really enjoyed, sand a few that were just kinda so so. Still, it's a step up from the last one which was a strong 3. So this would be a 4. I like the harmonies, and listening to it on youtube the song intros worked for me.
I really like her sense of melody and she's a terrific songwriter. Some really nice guitar playing by her on this album, too. Overall, I dig the sound and style of this album, even though it's a little jarring in spots but I have a feeling that's how she intended me to receive it. Very interesting album.
A really bold change of style with some incredibly catchy hooks and a strong message. The first 2/3 or so is amazing but it does fizzle out slightly towards the end
Well this was a bit different from the other PJ albums. It's moody and floaty and eerie, but so cool and inventive and PJ goes hard on every song. Loved it
PJ est de loin la personne ayant fait les progrès les plus visibles sur le générateur. Après un premier album catastrophique sanctionné d'un 1, elle revint avec une nouvelle proposition couronnée d'un 3. Pour continuer sur cette lancée, je suis très content d'accorder un 4 à Let England Shake.
This is a very interesting folk album. The music is well composed and the lyrics are complex and cover a variety of themes that are not typically covered in commercial music like war, imperialism and nationalism. I find Harvey's singing to not always be the most enjoyable, seems somewhat common of a lot of folk musicians. Overall a good album, and it goes to show that there is still a place in modern society for good, meaningful folk music that's not just faux old-timey folk sounding pop like a lot of indie-folk outfits. Fav Tracks: The Last Living Rose, The Words That Maketh Murder, In The Dark Places
This one surprised me, I really enjoyed this listen. The vocals are great, the instrumentation is dramatic and moody, and the lyrics are meaningful, and often political. Reminds me of some spoken-word-esque artists that I really like (Nick Cave, Patti Smith, The National) The production and the recording location of choice being a church really compliment the content throughout this album. There are strings, electronics, percussion, vocal layerings and doubling, so many crafty ways to get just the sound they were looking for. Really good. 4.5/5 Fave tracks: The Glorious Land, On Battleship Hill, England, Bitter Branches
More varied and interesting than the early records and a strong contrast even to Stories. The anger takes on more compelling forms than rage and hollering. PJ actually sings most of the record, and in a sense it’s almost more haunting to hear her voice at lower decibel and more accessible pitch. So many grace notes – the bugle gate-call on “This Glorious Land” – add texture and dimension. “On Battleship Hill” and “Hanging on the Wire” are lovely. The lighter touch makes a bigger impact on this mature minor, masterpiece of a sort. 4.2 for 4.
1/4 Cool modern folk album. Standout Tracks: The Words That Maketh Murder, On Battleship Hill
Decent albums, not as wannabe different than her previous one from the 90s however still with an edge. Ultimately though not enough standout songs to warrant a 4
2.75. There was one or 2 songs that were enjoyable. But couldn't get into it. Music was good, but nothing blew me out of the water
The songs themselves are good. The instrumentals can be a bit weird at times which is ok but not my thing. Where this album shines for me is the vocals, her voice is amazing. At times it has a haunting feel I couldn't get over how great they sound.
I like her voice. Musically it’s ok. I suspect it’s mainly a lyrical success but I haven’t closely listened.
i like PJ, but this one kinda missed me. the first track that made me turn and look to see what it was...was the first one that played after the album was finished.
Not my typical genre. Very interesting sound. Sorta mix between 90s female grungey sound with a splash of bluegrassy sound? Hard to pinpoint but enjoyable none the less. "On Battleship Hill" she HITS it. Cool song and flow. A handful of sprinkling of surprise instrument fills heard throughout. I didn't listen to the lyrics closely but overall I enjoyed this quite a bit. Would like to relisten with attention given to the lyrics.
Again, amazing musician, but her songs after 2 decades still come off a bit forced. But not a bad album.
6/10. Sounded fine, just wasn't too interesting to me. Kinda like all the other PJ Harvey albums I've heard.
I remember a huge buzz about this at the time and I was non-plussed at the time. Still am really... its fine...
This was a bit quirky as you’d expect from this artist. It was enjoyable but probably not something I’d voluntarily seek out.
This was an interesting listen. I liked the almost antifolk and alternative genres she blended together, and she incorporated some external melodies synonymous with England to varying degrees of success. I feel like there's better songs by this artist, but the music on this was good enough to want me to learn more. Favorite song: The Words That Maketh Murder
I might like this one more with a few more listens, but such an improvement from the first album!
She back, pj harvey onze eerste artiest die we twee keer tegenkomen? dit is al iets levendiger dan Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea. Wat ik ookal goed vond. Dit vind ik iets beter maar ze heeft gewoon een sterke algemene discografie me dunkt
As far as musical quality and meaning go, it’s superb. Doesn’t help me get over how jarring it can be to listen to though. Good protest album, not great for easy listening
England, 10s, Folk rock + Multi-instrument, Vocal = Female - Slow, ?Mood¿, Boring {0/12} [3/5]
This is apparently a protest album, but it’s done in an artsy discordant etherealesque manner. I don’t plan on a repeat listening. It isn’t bad; I think it accomplishes what it set out to do- express grief over England’s actions in the world, and I think it achieves that satisfactorily. But no song stands out and nothing really resonates with me, which is the entire reason I listen to music.
I wish the ratings were out of 10, as this is a solid 3.5 for me. Clearly musically impressive, but I've just never been a huge fan of her voice - bit too drifty.. Fav new song: The Words That Maketh Murder
I have struggled with this album for the last week. It feels like an album I should love, but something just leaves me feeling disconnected from the central theme. The sound is amazing: poignant and eerie... it just doesn't hit like I feel it should.
I dont have so much info about England history in order to understand the album message bu anyway, videos aesthetic is good and sounds well.
Love PJ Harvey and this album is generally good but that f*cking bugle in the first song just ruins it.
Really like the closing track on this one. It's a weird, but I like it. Solid music all around I'd say.
I would have been way into this in high school/college. I like that folk revival shit. It feels a bit tired now and this isn’t the best example of it. A FINE OKAY ALBUMEN
I'm not a big fan of the sound. I found this album to be a little schizophrenic but maybe that's the intent. I might circle back for another listen but I'm not hot on the genre, unfortunately.
I absolutely loved the first song - that's going straight on multiple of my playlists. After that, though, it fell off pretty fast. I actually really liked the high pitched singing in the middle of the album, but altogether it kind of blurred together over the back half of the album. That being said, I overall really liked it (and that first song gets it at least 3 on its own).
Weird stuff. Everything sounds that little bit off. "On Battleship Hill" is pretty ok. It picks up as it goes on. 3 stars
Truly beautiful album but something about it didn't grab me. Maybe it is my personal taste as this album ticks all the right boxes and much more sonically mature and accomplished in comparison to Stories From The City. Maybe it neeslds a few more listens. PS: whoever thought the bugles on the third track was a good idea needs a talking to
Not bad. I didn't love it but there were definitely some good songs here. A few that were just kind of there. I would consider listening to it again or more of her work in the future. Somewhere between a 5 or 6 out of 10
Cool album, I remember this topping lots of charts for best album in 2011. I didn't listen to it then though, but I had done since. Would recommend listening in you PJs
Had this on repeat for a bit thanks to some surprisingly good songs. I'll need to explore more.
It's good. Bleak and cold and atmospheric. But the folkiness and crunching guitars feel a bit samey as it goes on. Busy day, short review soz.
Hi: The Glorious Land, On Battleship Hill, In The Dark Places It's a pretty decent album, though it feels like Siouxie and the Banshees? The Glorious Land is a pretty solid track, if not for the reveille samples?
PJ Harvey is one of those artists that I just don't get the attraction. It's OK, but not great. It's not necessarily even that good.
Nothing really catches my attention honestly. A few bits here and there but yeah I might maybe maybe come back to it but that’s all.
This album definitely needs a second listen with a stronger focus on the lyrics. On my first go, I was easily getting distracted and it became really good background music.
soz pj this is not cool. it’s not a bad album but compared to her other stuff it’s just not fun. also ugliest album cover i’ve ever laid my eyes on. still worthy of a 3 i guess
This was a nice chill album with some good musicality, but not really a standout for me. I liked the track 'All And Everyone' the most, the interesting beginning grabbed me.
It's a coherent album, but having the same theme in all songs makes it a little boring. It's also such a specific experience, being british and outraged by war in the early 10s. I find it hard to relate. A good album though, just not my type. I enjoyed "the last living rose".
Beetje aparte muziek die me aan de band Hole doet denken. Dit klinkt echter veel Engelser en iets minder energiek. Wel leuk voor een keer. Mijn favoriet is "The Glorious Land". ***
A album seems to suffer from a pretty similar sound across the tracks and there are not many interesting or catchy melodies that elevate many of the songs. The lyrics seem interesting and i enjoyed All & Everyone as well as In the Dark Places.
I've mixed feelings about this album. At it's best (like on the title track) it blew me away, a really trippy cocktail of great lyrics, vocals and a sonic landscape that is as eerie as the video. But the long gaps plus some awful singing elsewhere on the album really brings it down. I can't fault PJ Harvey's individuality and vision though. Her music is often fascinating.
Genre: Art Rock 3/5 I'll give PJ Harvey, another artist I was unfamiliar with, this: the girl can sing. She can write some good songs, and she's got plenty of attitude and individuality. Unfortunately, this project fell a bit flat for me. One big thing is this album was heavily front-loaded. The first four tracks have great energy and some interesting arrangements and instrumentation, and while the experimentation continues through out the project to an extent, nothing sounds as refined as those first four for the rest of the album. Certainly, the last four felt like they needed to get to the finish line. Decent, overall. Not sure it deserved Album of the Year in the UK (Adele's 21 or James Blake's self-titled effort may have been more deserving). But not bad.
Первая половина альбома претендовала на высокую оценку, но потом все же альбом начал навевать некоторую скуку. Добротный альбом, но не шедевр на все времена
Another PJ Harvey album! (3rd one so far) Starts out decent, but drops off steeply after the fourth song. I suspect PJ just kind of.. isn't my thing. This album does grow on you though. Although some songs remain annoying, rather than haunting (England).
I liked this more than I expected I would. Don't love her voice, especially when she sings in a high whiny voice, but several of these songs have very good "protest" lyrics.
Reminds me of arcade fire. No catchy hooks so far, which would be helpful in some of those very repetitive sections of songs. Singer is great in a weird way. Interesting choice for using samples in a very plain and unprocessed way (so far based on what I'm hearing).
Meh. I liked her earlier work, this just doesn't captivate me the same way. Probably shows my rock bias. I liked her as a rocker, less as a pure songstress. I admit she's got more range than I thought given her earliest work. Like Kate Bush but less annoying (mostly - England was hard to listen to). Let England Shake, The Last Living Rose, and Bitter Branches were pretty good, but I don't think I'd go back and listen to this album even for those three.
La PJ Harvey ne faisant pas la follasse marginale est de bien meilleure facture que la PJ Harvey follasse marginale. Ce sera le principal enseignement de cet album.
Suffers a bit from coming straight after Portishead - just not quite as good as that. But, the music is a bit more upbeat (even if the songs aren't really). I like the title track, but not much of the rest is super memorable. Yesterday was the top end of a 3, this is the bottom end.
I immediately feel in love with the music of PJ Harvey when she first appeared, and her first three albums were all played repeatedly and religiously at my house. I found her powerful, emotional, honest and with the ability to rock. I really liked the raw production of her first two records (Steve Albini seemed a really good pick for her), and the change to \"To Bring You My Love\" was welcome. The brooding, seething restraint of To Bring You My love is a masterpiece that I am, frankly, surprised to see is not on this list. But, as I listened to less new music in the late 90s and early 2000s, I lost track of her new release. I certainly continued to read about PJ Harvey, and saw her live at the Enmore Theatre in the 2000s. Which brings me to this album, that I do not care for. Maybe it's because I don't care about England and its travails. It seems overly cerebral and emotionally distant (compared to her earlier work). I understand she changed her vocal style to make the songs work, but I don't like it. Her power and immediacy seems diminished to me. The arrangements don't hang together for me. It doesn't move me. Again, I suspect, because I don't really care about the thematic material. I am disappointed, because I really was hoping that this would be a really great album that I just hadn't heard yet.
My first reaction to seeing another PJ Harvey album from this list left me asking '¿How much PJ Harvey will I have to listen too?' (see similar comments for Leonard Cohen and David Bowie). Harvey is an artist that I know others like, but I've never quite caught on to. This album was better than I had expected. I saved "Written on the Forehead" and "In Dark Places" for my personal playlist to come back to later. The guest vocalists on "The Colour of the Earth" reminded me of the Pogues, and Billy Bragg. Overall the album was okay, but I'm still not sure if I get Harvey.
Eh. I wasn't really crazy about it. Appreciate the anti-war lyrical content (at least that's what I got from my gleening), but the rest of the music doesn't really do much for me. Favorite tracks: "Bitter Branches", "The Glorious Land"
Second album I get by PJ, same as the other one - I don't think it is anything special
Ok album. Very much 2010 hipster based. Interesting use of instruments. Little boring for my taste.
Honestly, I really don't think this was a good choice for me. It seemed to alternate between overly patriotic and nationalistic which felt awkward and while technically the music was well made, it was just not enjoyable because of the themes.
Ni fu ni fa. Se escucha y ya. Supongo que la lista se hizo en el año de publicación más o menos y se vio afectado por la novedad. PJ Harvey tiene discos mejores.
I have some other PJ Harvey tracks that I like better. Whilst I am not generally offended by her rather witchy, folky style, this got a bit to waily sometimes.
PJ Harvey. Hm. Hat mir schon besser gefallen als auf diesem Album, das son bisschen träumerisch über leicht dystopisch bis diet-cokig durch die Lande wandelt. 2,4 dafür.
I powrot do brytyjskiego zawodzenia, tym razem indi pop lub indyjski rock w zaleznosci od kawalka, ambitna muzyka dla uniwersalnego sluchacza, wokale baby z jakims gosciem przewijajacym sie jako wokal backapujacy oraz dodatkowymi chorkami, sporo takze overdubowanych fragemntow, instrumentalnie jest duza roznorodnosc, od klasycznych drumow, basior, klawiszy, puzonow sa tez bardziej egzotyczne dodatki jak harmonijkowe wstawki, organy, bo material nagrywany podobno w koscielnych warunkach, z szarpanych instrumentow nie tylko gitarki, ale tez skrzypce, cytry, wiolonczele, ale nie czuc zadnego natkolu, bo kawalki zawieraja zazwyczaj dwa maksymalnie trzy instrumenty, wiec sa dosc proste, sklad 4 osob a tyle instrumentali bioracych udzial w nagraniach, ale to wokal i liryka stanowia o tym czy taki album sie spodoba czy nie, a tutaj lirycznie nie potrafie sie z nim w jakikolwiek sposob polaczyc, jak sam tytul wskazuje bedzie po anglinsku po brytyjsku, wiec nic ciekawego dla goja z juropy, wiec ciezka to byla sesja chociaz tylko 40 minut w wersji spotifaja
It's so crazy to me that this is a critically acclaimed album and made the list. Overall it's not terrible, it sounds okay and the songwriting has some strong moments, but it's not very compelling (i just don't care that much about England ig), somehow its melodramatic and boring at the same time, and the vocals are pretty whiny. i also don't really like the production, it sounds, idk fuzzy in a way? Anyways, I'm trying not to be to be too influenced by being annoyed that this took a spot from something else on the list, but it's really just not great. 4/10.
I get it. I understand it. I just don't like it. I don't see why it got so much praise heaped on it when it was initially released.
Not this b*tch again! Don’t get the hype. Never did. Significant improvement from the other album I listened to but just enough to get an extra star. 2.
No es un mal álbum, tiene muy buenas canciones; pero como ha pasado con álbumes que anteriormente he escuchado, no es mi estilo; pero eso no significa que sea malo.
First Listen. Interesting. Different than her other albums - in a good way. I like it. Can't wait to hear more of it. 2/5 for now.
one of the oddest inclusions for this list new enough where it isn't very influential not very good not even particularly popular
Track 01 - 2.5/5 Track 02 - 2.25/5 Track 03 - 2.25/5 Track 04 - 2/5 Track 05 - 2/5 Track 06 - 1.75/5 Track 07 - 2.5/5 Track 08 - 2/5 Track 09 - 2.25/5 Track 10 - 2.25/5 Track 11 - 2.5/5 Track 12 - 2/5 Overall: 2.25/5 Album Art: 3.5/5
I don't care a bit for her, and I'll never understand her appeal. The perfect example of the kind of music that just passes me by. I'm sure it's very good for the right kind of listener.
Ik hou enorm van het oudere werk van PJ. De eerste 4 a 5 albums zijn geweldig. Maar bij dit album was ik destijds afgehaakt en ik snap nu ook weer waarom. Ik hoor alleen maar schriel gepiep en kabbelende nummers. Misschien best goed, maar ik hoor van PJ liever wat pittigere dingen.
This is another artist that I feel I should like but I just don't. Her voice annoys me.
8th April 2022 Listened while waiting at LAX for the fam to arrive for holiday in LA! Liked the beginning and the folky, weird representation of historic England. 2.5 if I could.
English Folk Rock is always a strange experience. I am the biggest fan of American Folk Rock that I know and I just can't get into the genre. This album sounds like if Björk was a folk artist. The can horn version of reveille playing in the background of "The Glorious Land" was a strange thing to hear I actually looked outside during the first one to see if somebody was being annoying in my parking lot. There are parts that I really love and musically and vocally. But there are also times where the vocals much like Björk just are too shrieky and strange for me to enjoy. Overall I didn't dislike it, but I just didn't like it and I have a hard time believing there is 3 more PJ Harvey albums if they are all like this.
kind of a haunting atmosphere. I don't really like it though. the vocals are kind of grating, and it feels like the album is trying to be weird for the sake of being weird. the glorious land would be good if it weren't for the jarring bugle sample. It seems like she really cares a lot about England and I just can't relate
I only know the hit by PJ Harvey and always liked it...and there were elements throughout that kind of grabbed me but for the most part it became background music... I don't think I am the audience for this one.
I just don't get it. This is her second album I've come across on the 1001 list and I'm only about 40 albums deep. Just don't see the appeal. Not terrible but I certainly wouldn't label them as "must listens"
Not a fan. Never heard of the band, the music was run of the mill, not even sure how it made this list.
Too slow. Not interesting. Music to commit suicide by! Some of the later songs aren't as bad, but still not my cup of tea.
Girl... what is this? The Glorious Land might just be one of the worst songs I've ever heard. On the plus side, I've never heard so many positive things said about England. And the last half of The Words That Maketh Murder wasn't all that bad. Maybe it's just not for me because I did not enjoy this album.
Thank god that's over. That was a slog to get through, apparently this person is insanely popular? Never heard of her and I hope I never have to hear another song. Grating vocals, weird screechy instruments and noises. Intros that just go on forever. That was a bummer to have to experience.
Honestly awful. I get the protest song vibes but the vocalist was not good and the music was generic. Couldn't finish the album.
This is the third album from PJ Harvey dir me in this project. I read about PJ Harvey getting nominated for this award2and winning that award and selling oh so many records... I still don't get it. While i could get used to the music at a good day, in can't geht used to her voice. You know the feeling that you get, when you get to the dentist and hear the humming in the other room and all you can think of is how you want to be another place far away? Thats' how i feel about the voice of PJ Harvey. She starts singing and it's like a needle piercing right into my ears... You get it...
Had to go back to check that the woman who made something as powerful and visceral as ‘Dry’ is the same woman who recorded this pile of crap. Very firmly in the ‘did not like’ camp. Lyrically, I found the treatment of the theme of war handled simplistically and inauthentically. Melodically things weren’t much better.
This folk rock album is English singer-songwriter PJ Harvey's eighth album. It is loosely an anti-war album about the hardships Harvey's home country has gone through. The music is ethereal, timeless, and soothing. However, it's not my taste. The album seems to be highly credited, but to be honest I'm not sure why. The songs had no attention grabbing hooks or lyrics, and it reminded me of something I would put on to go to sleep. Some listeners out there may love this, but not me.
Feels much more refined than the debut album by PJ Harvey. Sadder. An eulogy for a kingdom.