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Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
2011
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Not a fan. Never heard of the band, the music was run of the mill, not even sure how it made this list.
Not a fan, sounds confusing for me, I prefer other melodies, couldn't get to the end, had to stop listening it.
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.
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.
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.
Feels much more refined than the debut album by PJ Harvey. Sadder. An eulogy for a kingdom.