Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Raw, angry and full of grunge. This is a noisy, aggressive album that screams at you for 47 minutes. The production is extremely down to earth, and not hugely polished, making it feel like you're listening to a live gig in an indie music venue. All this makes for a strong listen and an accomplished record, albeit one that leaves you emotionally drained by the end. 4 out of 5.
Not bad for a girl
I really only know PJ Harvey's more recent stuff which I do enjoy. Loved this more raw sound, I should have listened to this far sooner. 4.5/5
7.5/10
This is the second 1993 Grrrl rock album of the week and i take it back, THIS is the one all the lesbians should have been drooling over
soft/loud, Hole, Albini Rid of me Hook Man size Me Jane
Un rollercoster di emozioni e stile. Bello
I’m pretty sick today so I’m Gonna keep it brief. First song okay, missed is 5/5. I like this whole thing really. I get why they and queens were sold as a combo deal so often. A lot of cool time signature stuff. Tops: missed, rub til it bleeds, man sized sextet,
Heard it before. Oh Polly Jean, how I love you. I adore this album but I've always had one major gripe with it. And it saddens me to say it because I love the guy's music: Steve Albini buried PJ's vocals in the mix so hard that you can barely hear her on some songs 4/5
I like this, I think it would be awesome to see live.
I love interesting, confident women. And I love the punk rock approach - strip it down, say it honestly, and play it with passion. To me this album sets PJ in a regal line - Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, Kim Deal, Karen O, Karla Chubb (apologies to all of the divine misfits I'm momentarily forgetting). And it adds a healthy dose of "I don't give a shit what the suits want this is how I hear it in my head" ala Fiona Apple.
Overall: 8/10 PJ has become one of my favourite artists lately. Her voice is just incredible and I love how she's able to paint a picture of her experiences through her lyrics. I think this album takes a bit of time to get going but the second half is perfect. Fav Song: 50ft Queenie
Gostei ao ponto de ser bom mas não extraordinário que despertasse emoções... me lembra a trilha sonora de um filme de ação, um sentimento de algo virgem mas não inocente, algo agradável mas também barulhento. As canções se mostraram muito fluidas, sem cortes ou maquiadas... isso é impactante e muito legal ao meu ver
This was really close to a 5. Loved the noise. I will def be checking more of her stuff out and coming back to this one. 4.5/5
I liked a lot of the elements from this LP. PJ sounds maniacal and unstable which makes the lyrics an interesting listen. To go with that, the raw, thrashy production (most notably the drums) complements this perfectly and makes for a really good album. 8/10
As always, PJ delivers.
Pretty cool somewhat old-school rock album, I liked it.
Major grunge girl vibes.
Honestly solid album, PJ Harvey is one of the best female rock singers in the 90s.
I don't know why, but I've never really listened to PJ Harvey, but I do enjoy this a fair bit. I might listen to this again.
This one went harder than the other ones. Pretty gud Will I listen to again: 99%
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. PJ Harvey's energy comes through and I particularly liked the first song starting soft and then going hard out of no where. It set the tone for the rest of the album.
Bedre end Dry, ikke lige så god som Let England Shake. Endnu en banger
En af de bedste grungeplader!
Really nice
Wow, this album was bursting at the seams with angst and rage. Her raw vocals paired with the ear-pleasing guitar and drums made for an energetic listen. The production complemented the raw, grungey nature of the album. would listen again in a heartbeat!
You Crawled Between My Legs 1001 Albums Generator 111 (09/04/2025) This album is so cool. PJ Harvey and her trio of musicians who had released one album together previously came together with producer Steve Albini to make Rid Of Me, an aggressive, feminine take on punk and alt rock. The opening track opens with a really quiet build that explodes into a great chorus. Missed is by far my favorite song, with angular, strange guitar and odd time signatures. I saw this song get compared with Slint and I think it's an apt comparison. While the first half of Rid Of Me largely feels like a pot of anger coming to a boil, 50ft Queenie kicks off the more concentrated anger of the second half, and it is fantastic. Seriously, every song from 50ft to the closing Ecstasy is fucking great. Dry is almost poppy, but still has its grit. I will call out Snake as well as a great distillation of anger into a 1.5 minute piece of punk. This album is seriously alomst perfect, with my only qualms being with a couple songs on the first half that don't stand out to me as much. PJ Harvey should certainly be seen as one of the best women in rock music based on the quality on display here. 4.5/5, rounded down to a 4. Favs: Missed 50ft Queenie Snake Least Fav: Man-Size Sextet
3.5/5
Favorites: Rub 'Till It Bleeds, 50ft Queenie, Ecstacy The second PJ Harvey album on this list so far is, in my opinion, better than the first (Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea). I really enjoyed how raw and angsty this album is, makes it feel much more personal to PJ and I felt like I was really engaged with it more. 8.5/10
Конкретно этот альбом мне не супер, по отдельности буквально 1-2 песни зашли, но прикольный тембр и прикольно, что какие-то песни как будто для театра написаны, а какие-то совсем контрастные
An amazing album, honestly at first I thought it's pretty close to In Utero, but by the end I guess not. Nevertheless I loved the sound of it. I find albini's production to be a little inconsistent throughout the album, but it still manages to capture the essence of each song. Did not pay that much attention to the lyrics, but what i heard was pretty damn good. So I think this is either a stroooong 4 or a low 5. I think after first listen I'm gonna give it a 4, but I JUST might change it later
Love it - Quiet, Loud, Quiet. Raw
Lots of screaming and distortion pedals but I don’t hate it. Add this to the pile of stuff I like because it sounds like everything else I liked from my teenage years.
Always so this and thought I would like and I do. Not sure if my fav of hers but in the debate with songs from the city
Similarly to yesterday's Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey is another artist that I've gotten to form my opinion on more and more over the numerous albums she has on the list. She has 4, which is a little high in my opinion. I'd cut it down to like 2 or something. She's good and I think it's important to represent women in regards to the development of 90s indie/alt-rock, but I also feel like 4 albums is a lot for an artist like her. How do I feel about her at large? Well, I've enjoyed everything I've heard of hers, but I can't call any of it a masterpiece. I mean, even Sonic Youth had Daydream Nation. PJ Harvey is just solid and not much more in my eyes. This rings true for my last album of hers, Rid of Me. This is her most acclaimed album in many ways. Really? I don't know, I feel like she's made better. I'm not as big on this one as I thought I'd be. Rid of Me is good, quite good actually. The songwriting is certainly emotive. The instrumentation has some cool moments. There's some good songs. However, I'm not huge on everything here. For one, this album shows off Steve Albini's production at its absolute Albiniest. It's honestly a little hard to listen to at times. Even within his production discography, the production of Rid of Me makes In Utero seem clean by comparison. I can see someone really vibing with the production, but I wouldn't say that that person is me. I said some songs were good, with the title track, "Missed," and "50ft Queenie" being highlights, but others aren't for me. I really didn't care for "Man-Size Sextet." Maybe this was her best album at release. It might be better than Dry, but I haven't heard that album in a while so I can't really confirm. I think she's done better since this though. I definitely preferred Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea and even Let England Shake. Do I just prefer her later work? I don't know. All I know is that I like but don't love PJ Harvey in general. This album's good, but I think it's a little overrated. It's kind of in that Yankee Hotel Foxtrot territory for me where I get the appeal and enjoy the album, but I strongly prefer other albums over it. I think at this point I prefer YHF, but Rid of Me is still a good album. Light 4/5.
Not sure what I expected, but this is decidedly rougher in tone than what I had in mind. Doesn't help that the album artwork for some reason had me thinking this was going to be some warehouse electronica from the UK... Love the roughness of the cut throughout and found this to be a generally satisfying record to listen to. Lots of deep toned-down bass, sludgy tempo play, and satisfyingly minor guitar. Stuff like this is comfort food to me. Only song that jumps out as notably out of character with the rest of the album is "Man-Size Sextet" with its horror-film evoking strings. Otherwise, I loved the rough edges on Missed and Rub it Til' it Bleeds is great. Add to that, the instrumentals on Dry remind me of a Better than Ezra song I can't place. Overall makes for a solid record to close the week on. High 4 edging on 5.
Great album slightly let down by the usual Albini production issues.
At her grungiest. Raw and unpolished but it all works
Cool, weird, love it
It has some good tracks and sounds great. Don't think I would need a copy of it.
POLLY JEAN 4EVER i love the raw edge on this whole album. it’s urgent and scary and manic but also powerful and deliberate. fav tracks: rub ‘till it bleeds; man-size; rid of me; highway 61 revisited; legs; yuri-g; dry; 50ft queenie
This one has always been a hit or miss for me depending on my mood. Today it was a hit! Although I can't say any of the songs that weren't already my faves stood out to me, because I think the harder sound earlier on just doesn't resonate with me as much as her mid/later stuff that has some really gut-punching melodies balancing out that edge. By nature this style is less melodic, but I think it's in service of the overall emotional tone she's trying to convey here so it definitely works even if it's not my personal preference; it especially works for me on "Rub 'Till It Bleeds" and I imagine that how I feel when listening to that song is how others feel about this whole album. Fav tracks: Rub 'Till It Bleeds, 50ft Queenie, Ecstasy
pj harvey te amo
Qué gran disco
Love PJ Harvey - this isn't my favorite album though. Her range and raw sound is so fascinating.
Raw, punky. Pretty darn good. Probably not for everyone.
Cover 7 Rid of Me but not 4-Track Demos (Harvey's reinterpretation without interference from the producer, supposedly)? I'd call this Suicide Punk. There's languid darkness, agony, anger,, angst. I really like this album but sometimes it's too intentionally muddy and dumbed down (the drums are are just bashing) as if mimicking 70s 80s self-recordes underground punk, which were cheaply done with crap equipment and not necessarily a lot of talent (musicianship-wise). i get it. It's an aesthetic, one I like actually but not always and only for so long. .
Visceral
Day556 - i had to switch back to my 90’s teen angst mode and then this album clicked
A good rock album. It had some strong guitar and vocals and never got boring. It’s like British grunge but more feminist and also not quite grunge.
This was the kind of dynamic sound CD's promised but rarely delivered. A super cool album!
Good to hear this again. First 3 songs are amazing, then it loses it's way for me. To Bring Me My Love is much more consistent
Rocks. Uncompromising, gritty, and raw: those kinds of adjectives. Picked up as it went on to the point of steamrolling over me.
Its so raw and hard in a way that music just isn't now? It's really interesting just how music is recorded and how mistakes have emotional intent. I think that is what is missing in music. It's not the guitar and it's not the rock n roll per se, rather it is the human intent and concept that is missing in music. I'm not really into this type of music, but man it hits very different in 2025 than I think it did when I listened to it for the first time in the late 90's. It's like an extinct animal.
Another high quality release from PJ Harvey with her usual vocals of raw emotion, songs full of passion and fury, intense lyrics, blitzkrieg guitars all wrapped up un-neatly in a grunge style Steve Albini production.
Good stuff
Niceness from harveyness
PJ Harvey just gets better and better the more I listen
I really like PJ Harvey, and this album in particular as I think it was the first "proper" gig I went to in the Bristol Anson Rooms. But do we need 4 PJ Harvey Albums in the 1,001 !? I love the raw, dirty dinging and guitar; the sensuality and ferociousness of it.
Loved the dynamics and the tension on here. Very raw, very punky, and it reminded me a bit of the Pixies at times.
I think I mentioned something similar before when we had her “Dry” debut album, but goddamn PJ Harvey has such a strong connection between her heart and her singing voice. She is once again masterfully expressive on this album, it’s so hard to believe this was performed in front of a recording microphone - it feels much more ‘real’ than that! “Man-Size Sextet” is for sure my standout pick for this album. The arrangement is so haunting and on-edge. I felt forced to be just as tense as the song was! “50ft Queenie” was fantastic, much more of a traditional, chaotic, clangy rocker. The many ways she uses her voice in different registers and intensities on this song alone astounds me. Outside of Björk, I’ve never heard anyone do all that in the span of a few minutes and still put it into a song that jams. The end of “Me-Jane” was very catchy with the way she sang “dont LOOOAD it on me”. It’s just crazy to me that this can all exist in a persons head and heart, and even crazier that she vocally can perform it in such an emotive, yet intricate manner. Just an awesome listen, STRONG 4/5, could absolutely be a 5/5 if it’s your jam
It was my first time listening to this record. In contrast to Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea; Rid of Me follows a more visceral style: less sophisticated, more in your face. I liked it a lot, another highlight in PJ's discography.
soaring vocals, distorted guitars - chef's kiss!
Maybe this would require a few more listens, but I'm leaning more towards that I respect this rather than loving it. There are definitely good songs here, Dry in particular, so I'm gonna give this a 4.
Loud, at times abrasive, but consistently good (post-)punk with obvious Steve Albini influences.
Great
Grunge-inspired, but not so much to date it terribly. Vocals are very powerful and filled with raw emotion, suiting the instruments that are typically more associated with a somber male vocalist. Man-Sized Sextet has an almost horror movie dissonance and buildup.
Diva
Aggressive, spiky and raw. Produced by Steve Albini, this brilliant album still sounds fresh and urgent today.
I was informed boys aren't allowed to listen to this but I still liked it a lot
Pretty great alt-rock. One of the best, actually.
Raw, hard hitting, great songwriting that feels very personal. Would share with most
I have never listened to PJ Harvey before, I enjoyed this album
I love PJ Harvey, and I really like this project, but some songs here don't wow me that much. Maybe all thata will change with this listen, we shall see, we shall see! Before I even start the album, one thing I always associate with it (and the artist herself) is vulnerability. The vulnerability to be angry in detail. A lot of times anger is shown in song it is shown in a way that hides the speaker, protects them. PJ Harvey says fuck that and tells it as it is. Let's listen. Rid Of Me is the kind of song that I always love: a slow burner. I love the contrast between the quiet verses and the explosion of the chorus. And the build-up with "Lick my legs, I'm on fire, lick my legs, of desire" (still not sure if she says "legs" or "lips" in the second sentence but oh well) just adds to it. And this is what I mean with vulnerability. At the end of the day, she is singing about unrequieted love, begging this person to stay with her. The anger of the chorus is just an answer to that, to the fact that the person got her to that point. Great stuff. Missed is still a bit of a mistery to me. You could tell me it was about love, about Mary Queen of Scots (as Genius seems to think), or about the Mother of Christ, and I'd believe you. I am more leaning to the last interpretation, but still. An absolute banger. Legs is a wild declaration of love and devotion, the kind that is toxic to both. She kills him, she loves him. The bridge in this is amazing. Love the way she seems to be tauting him, even after, well, cutting his legs off. Love her. A lot of PJ Harvey songs sound like they're about sex. Maybe the lines themselves, or the way she sings (sometimes moans) them. But this one... yeah there's no mistaking it here. But still, even when speaking about sex, that dark, disgusting layer is still present. Damn that album cover is perfect for this. Still, I think there's something to the dynamic of the relationship I may be missing. Why is she calling him weak? A fucked-up power dynamic at play? Could definitely see it. Again, Hook is a bit of a mistery to me. Sure, part of it is clear (a man making promises and taking advantage of a woman). But there seems to be more that I'm not fully getting. Man-Size Sextet, besides sounding very creepy because of the violins (which I love), could be interpreted as Harvey imagining herself as a man? Creating her "man version"? The imagery of a "babe looking good" and the final verse, talking about taking a girl out of her head and setting her on fire, setting her free as well. Yeah I like this version. The Dylan cover is actually... pretty good. Not much to add, she manages to make it very distinct from the original, in a way that it seems like a completely different song. Fifty-foot Queenie is a demonstration of the assertion of power and aggressiveness usually reserved for men but in a woman. Great Sure, a song about being in love with the moon, why not? But also, I like seeing the adoration and submission being used for a female being (is the moon a being? whatever). A different take on a song from the same album. This one is more of a rock version, so I guess it feits more with the album? I so like the change in mood that the other version brings. Hey, I guess it's a good thing we have both. Dry is definitely one of my favourites here. Again, another song that can be seen on a sexual level (the sentence "you leave me dry speaks for itself"), but I think we can go further. "You've come all this way, no hair out of place" shows a "perfect" presentation, and yet... he leaves her dry. Even sucking on the well (desperation, trying to have hope and grab on to the last possible resort) still leaves her dry. It seems that this person, despite possibly being pretty and all that, just does nothing for her. No interest is piqued. She's dry. I also like that this belongs to a very niche list of songs that share a title with an album in an artist's discography despite not being on that album. Don't know, I'm a nerd, I just like those fun facts. I was not expecting to find out this song was about Tarzan?? Why did I not know that before. Sure Polly do what you want, I'll listen. Snake is possibly the most aggressive song on this whole album, and it has no build-up, it just starts with a guitar riff, some loud drums and louder vocals, and it stays that way for most of the track. It reminds me of "Long Snake Moan" from "To Bring You My Love", not jusr because of the title but also because that track is also "all-noise-no-build-up". Like both. The lyrics here though... I love when heavier records use religious imagery, and here we hear what Eve's reaction might have been after eating the forbidden fruit. Yey. Ecstasy is the perfect send-off for this thing. Not the heaviest track, it still has the sound that runs through all the songs in this album. The same kind of guitar riff and percussion. Lyrically, it's pretty simple. She's in ecstasy. The delivery is so fucking good though. Love it. Overall, I'd say that this listening experience actually made me appreciate this album much more! Before, I thought the songs just melted into each other and couldn't really tell them apart. Now I've grown to like them all. I firmly believe this is a no skip-album. However, the idea that I had that the tracks sound similar still stands. While I did enjoy every song here, the instrumentals are very similar thoughout. And some songs are more forgettable than others. Still, this is PJ Harvey at her angriest, and I love it for that. And that album cover is so iconic it needs to add points to the whole thing. I am kind of unsure on how to rate this. Maybe if it was a bit shorter I'd give it 5, but as it is I might settle on 4. But it's a very good 4, I promise. Loved this. Bye.
Oh yeah, love me some Polly Jean. Stripped down straightforward. Honest open. Spare. Black and white, like the cover. Play it till it bleeds. I'm hooked. And dry.
I discovered PJ Harvey with the release of To Bring You My Love, and had to backtrack to this and Dry to discover her earlier work, and truth be told, I didn't like this very much upon my first couple of listens. I wasn't aware of the Steve Albini production and the apparent controversy — or at least that his production aesthetic wasn't embraced by everyone — but I suppose that was a barrier to my really enjoying this record. At first. But my love for her other work had me return to this until it clicked, and now I get it and appreciate the record on its terms. It's not my favorite in the collection, but it's a fantastic album and worthy of inclusion. She's never more raw and visceral. I may have mentioned this before, but I'm surprised that more of my friends — especially musician friends (more than one of whom are Brits) — aren't more enamored with PJ Harvey. The arc of her (and the band's) catalog of material is such a wild ride; I love all the iterations and creative explorations. All that said, I'm not quite at a 5 with this record, probably more like 4.5, but I'm sticking to the 4 because of all the work this record made me do to get to where I am. We've sadly run the course of PJ with this album, but I encourage you to explore every album in her collection. You'll be sure to find a few that really speak to you.
I think this is my favorite of the three PJ Harvey albums on this list. Albini did a good job with the production and its a good listen.
Good, maybe a little too hard for me. Did not like the Dylan cover.
I’d give it four and a half if I could
Holy shit is this raw. PJ is rad as hell and delivers a really emotional performance on this album. She's definitely the highlight of the album, and the instruments play a really great supporting role, especially through their dynamics work. I don't think this is something special, though. I want to push it up to a 5/5, but it just falls a little short of that. It's definitely a great album, but I think it could have benefited from more of the noise/rock experimentalism that it toys with in the middle of the album. I think that would have been enough to get it that last star. Favorite Song(s): Rid of Me, Rub 'Til It Bleeds
elemental, primal, fierce
Rid of Me 50ft Queenie
Intense. Slightly repetitive quiet/ load / quiet formula and perhaps a bit long. Not so great to work to. But i do like PJ Harvey. Fav song was Rid of Me.
PJ has a capacious mouth and knows how to use it. Her vocal is direct and in your face, taking from the best traditions of The Stones and punk rock. Whilst a germination of what was to follow, this is a cracking album within it's own right. There is less in the way of light and shade than that offered by its progeny, 'Stories from the City'. It signposts greatness down the road, but remains a raw and exciting debut. It was only after many, many listens that this all started to fall in to place. Despite the end of album drag, I think it just tips to a four.
Raw rock album with some nice melodies.
I really enjoyed the raw vibe and high energy of this one. I also liked some of the experimental and "artsy" bits of this album even though I occasionally got a little lost. I think the main thing I don't like about this album is the mixing/production. It's a bit dated to the 90s which has some of my least favorite production out of the decades.
This was cool! I liked the post punk / grunge take with this one. A lot of darkness with this one. I did get a bit fatigued. Could have been 3 songs shorter. Highway 61 Revisited cover was fantastic.
I still love quiet loud quiet after all these years.
Good vinyl
Decent album. Not my usual go to but good. A lot rockier than Storied from the city. Lots of good tracks. Missed and 50ft queenie stand out.
decent dark grunge kind of thing
7/10 Angry, frantic, but also tuneful. Aged very well compared to other music from the early 90s.
PJ Harvey’s “Rid Of Me” charges in like a bull with a pitchfork made of raw emotion and razor-sharp wit. The album’s energy is so fierce that even the most stoic listener might find themselves questioning whether they accidentally enrolled in a master class on fierce independence and untamed creativity. PJ Harvey playfully finger-wags at society’s norms while inviting you to join her in a no-holds-barred dance of defiance and exuberance. “Rid Of Me” is an album that sticks to your ribs, proves that biting sarcasm can be a superpower, and leaves you wondering if you should be taking notes on how to rebel stylishly.
Great, gritty, grungy album. The combination of Polly Jean and Steve Albini really works
There’s so much more to say about this one than I have time to write out. But what stood out most was the production. Many many albums so far have been ruined by poor/abrasive vocals, but I loved that the production turned her down a bit at times to exist within the context of the band as whole, like just another instrument and it made her vocals so much more enjoyable and enhanced the effect of the album as a whole. With that said, it is best enjoyed turned up loud and enveloped in the atmosphere of it all. Also drummer understood the assignment.
A lot of straightforward rock, which I appreciate, and some experimental noise rock (which was hit or miss). Overall, a great album with some solid songs, but nothing that specifically stuck out.
Raw as heck and often makes you question if something is wrong with your audio setup.
Very fresh and exhilarating. Great find from 1001 list. Favorite track: rub till it bleeds other picks: rid of me, man size sextet, 50ft queenie,
Har tidigare inte lyssnat på PJ. Men detta träffar rätt. Det är ett sound jag gillar. Det är vissa låtar som känns så där (man sizemen överlag är låtarna riktigt grymma. Bra rock. Hon sjunger grymt! Kommer nog lyssna mer på vissa. Typ rub til it bleeds
I love the production Steve Albani brought to this album (and every one he touches). It captures her raw energy. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Nice example of angsty 90s
4 - I liked it, like I have liked previous pj harvey, but maybe I'm listening to too much too quickly, or I was just not quite in the mood
Not my favourite of hers, but still good.
I've only ever come across PJ Harvey through her collaborations with other artists like Homme and Lanegan. This album as a whole feels pretty classic 90s grunge with some added cleverness like the string section in Man-Size. Her vocals stand out as versatile and sensual and I particularly love her growls/screams/vocal fry, and when it sounds like she's singing through gritted teeth. Rub til it Bleeds is another stand out fave. To all the reviewers saying the production is shit, y'all, this is art that is intentionally raw. If this was produced like a pop album it would sound sterile.
What an artist!! This project is turning me into such an admirer of her work. But this was my first listen of Rid Of Me. I put on my headphones and pressed play, realized the volume was way too low, cranked it all the way up, and peed myself about 3 minutes in. What a great use of dynamics to make the point - You're not rid of me. I'm going to make sure you hear me say it. I'm going to be so loud in your head it'll be pounding with thoughts of wishing you'd never met me, but you're still not rid of me. I need more time with this to unpack it more, could turn into a 5, but 4 stars for now.
I don’t usually listen to an album twice, but today I did. First time through it was just a little too raw, quiet and dark. I missed some of the lyrics which caused me to focus too much on the raw sounds and not connect them to the emotions and lyrics. The lyrics I did catch were often repeated over and over, causing a little more annoyance than enjoyment. It was also first thing Monday morning and I was trying to start off in a really positive state of mind so this was a bit jarring overall. Second time through I listened along with reading the lyrics. Then I was able to connect the rawness and lyrics together, to have a much deeper experience into the album. There were still songs I really didn’t enjoy (Legs, Man-Size Sextet) and I noticed even more how much she repeats lyrics over and over (especially at the end of the songs). But I could hear the anger, sadness, rage, anxiety and the little bit of ‘crazy’ female we have in us especially after dealing with less than outstanding members of the opposite sex. I added a few songs to my favs and will deep into PJ Harvey more. It will be interesting to see if she is always this raw.
3.5
I never gave PJ Harvey her dues. I regret that.
Solid 90’s.
Nice. I listened to this album a fair amount back in the day. It still sounds pretty good.
Love PJ Harvey, and this is up there with her best. Nice loud cathartic rock!
PJ is a 4 artist for me I like her music. This album is very good. Is she over represented on this list? Maybe, but this album isn’t one I’d cut.
Grower not a shower. The lyricism and musicality is uniquely her. Makes me miss the coziness of 90’s angst. She inspired a Nick Cave album ffs. She’s on the Mount Rushmore of cool.
This album totally matched my mood on the day I listened to it: aggressive and taking no shit. PJ Harvey rocks.
I loved the dynamic contrast that you rarely see in mixes these days, to the point that I thought something was wrong with my speaker at first. Good shit here. I liked this better than Dry.
I sincerely appreciate the gravity of this album, it absolutely delves into the emotion and raw nature of grunge, the production is fantastic, the recording is ideal, and PJs vocal talent is on broad display. I feel as though this album is so dense that it would take time to digest, so while not every song landed with me and some did, I give this album the recognition is deserves and bookmark it for a revisit.
I vaguely remember PJ Harvey and I guess I never listened to this album, but I really liked it. It has a nice thick grungy vibe, a few songs felt kinda like Sonic Youth to me, and a good bit of it felt like shows if go to in small rooms around 30 years ago. I enjoyed the range, the subject matter, the attitude. Great album.
I loved the dynamism and variety. It was varied without feeling like it was all over the place.
Good writing. Great energy. Interesting musically. I’m only 30+ years late in discovering her, but I’m happy I did.
An album with a really cool ambience. It is filled to the brim with rage, and yet so engaging. Post-punk, noise rock, grunge and shoegaze is blended into this cool output of anger. 4 stars
I'm normally not one to talk about production making or breaking an album, but in this case, the production absolutely makes this album. I'm not a PJ Harvey superfan, but I just love the way this album sounds. Steve Albini famously downplayed his role as a producer (to the point where he didn't even refer to himself as a producer), but the man was a true genius. In a world where everything is hyper-compressed, the dynamics of this album are incredible and make it sound like a million bucks. The title track, "Man-Size" and "Yuri-G" are probably my favorites here, but there's a lot of solid tunes here. The Dylan cover is also a cool re-invention. 4 stars.
I did not like her album Dry but this one fucking rocked.
4 This being now our third PJ Harvey album to show up on this list, I thought I knew what we were in for by this point, but man, my expectations could not have been more wrong. Where the hell has this angst been?? This is like an even more pissed off Jagged Little Pill, something that I didn’t even realize was humanly possible. Much of that is owed to Steve Albini’s production, who also happens to be responsible for some of my all-time favorite albums, including In Utero by Nirvana, Surfer Rosa by Pixies, and 24 Hour Revenge Therapy by Jawbreaker, and someone whom my respect for seems to go up with every subsequent release of his I hear - it really feels like everything the guy touched is gold. He just has a way of capturing the raw spirit of an artist in his production so perfectly with no extra bullshit tacked on, and yet somehow without it sounding like a complete mess as well. In many ways it’s like listening to the artist live, but in a way that makes me feel like I’m genuinely up there in the front row instead of just hearing it secondhand. I don’t know how he does it, but I’ve gotta say, as someone who had no particular inclination toward PJ Harvey’s music before, this made me want to go out and see her live in concert. Now, I have to give the most credit here to Harvey herself, because without her songwriting, this album obviously wouldn’t exist in any capacity, and one of my favorite things she does with said songwriting is the buildup within each song. For the most part, nothing really comes out of the gates swinging; instead, it draws you in with subtle, gritty riffs that are plenty catchy by their own merits but also hint at an explosion of fury to come - and when that explosion does finally come, it’s a rush. This album pulls that kind of thing multiple times, and I never once got tired of it or found it any less satisfying. That energy, paired with pointed lyrics at exes, chronicles of mental fragility, and feminist statements about sexuality and dominance, really results in a solid album through and through. That all to say, for as much as I liked the songwriting and production, admittedly, a lot of the stuff here generally sounds pretty similar. Aside for Man-Size Sextet, the album is just a touch one-note, but fortunately, it does that one note pretty damn well. Rid of Me, Missed, and Rub ‘Til It Bleeds were favorites, though, while I wouldn’t say there were any misses here, the Bob Dylan cover felt just a touch confusing and out of place to me. Also, I thought it was interesting this album has a song called Dry, and her previous album, titled Dry, did not - a bit of a Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy situation, I guess. Definitely the best work of PJ’s I’ve heard by far, though I respect that she didn’t try to stick to this one sound on her subsequent releases, nor do I think that would have worked out for her long-term. Still, massive respect for pulling in Steve Albini to work with her for at least this one outing - I would not have guessed homegirl had that in common with some of my favorites.
Pretty intense
This is the second PJ Harvey album off this list for me, and the second time I've enjoyed it.
It was good! I liked the one-man sextet and euphoria.
I really like the spacious production, it makes the album feel big and sort of raw. I've never listened to that much stuff produced by Steve Albini (maybe The Jesus Lizard) but this makes me want to go and look at what else he's done, which hasn't happened with any other producer on this list PJ Harvey's vocals can be very rough and harrowing, in a good way, like on Legs. Other times, they're very smooth and catchy like on 50 Foot Queenie. I could've sworn I'd heard a cover or interpolation of the latter by the way, but I can't find anything like that anywhere Enjoyed this quite a bit Highlights: Hook, Rub 'Til It Bleeds, 50 Foot Queenie
Not my style, but really fun listen nonetheless.
Punk, passion, great find, want to explore more
shes so cool
Surprisingly, I liked it. Some songs missed but overall it's good.
4.2/5
One to listen to with headphones if you want to hear it at all, but worth the effort
I completely understand why one would love this album even though I feel like it’s just fine. It’s 4 stars I have nothing else to say
I get the feeling she is influenced some by Patti Smith
After a lot of snoozes and outright bad albums, I can say that this is neither. Although I’m not really a fan of this type of music, and I wouldn’t really listen to it again, it’s definitely captivating. Man-Size Sextet is one of the most bizarre horror movie like songs ive heard, which is then followed up by a killer Bob Dylan cover. This album in terms of enjoyability is around a 6-7, but I’m going higher for how unique it is (to me; maybe this is common for this genre, but not for me)
la voz de esta mujer es IMPRESIONANTEEE
I actually liked this!
Angry femme-positive rock from the '90's you say? Yes please!
This is a really interesting album. I like the odd time signatures. It's not pretty music, but it's really thought provoking. I don't think I'll really get Rid Of Me until I listen to it again. Liked Songs Added: Man-Size Dry
This album isn’t just a highlight for PJ Harvey, it’s a great example of Steve Albini’s knack for capturing raw energy. PJ Harvey has always been consistent, and Rid of Me continues that streak. Albini’s production gives it a live, unfiltered feel, where every instrument gets its own space to shine. The feedback and distortion are present but purposeful, adding texture and grit without over polishing.
General impression: now this is what I’m talking about Detailed review: I never want to be the guy who’s like “oh I like their raw early stuff but I’m less interested in their adventurous, conceptual, artsy later material.” But this is easily the most I’ve liked PJ Harvey so far. “Missed,” holy shit, is an EASY 5-star song. “Man-Sized Sextet” is CRAZY. The second half is losing a little steam. I’m thinking probably another 4. Deeper thoughts (context): favorite PJ so far Score: 4.3 Number of albums left to review: 945 Number of albums from the list I’d consider “must-listens”: 33 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 23
Intense. Rocking. Sounded lo-fi but was powerful and polished. Real good. She must put on a great show.
Holy shit, PJ Harvey, this album is amazing! I knew of her before, but didn't realize she had been making amazing music for so long 👏👏👏
2nd PJ Harvey album for me and maybe not as good as the first. However I scored that one low and warmed to it on a few re listens so knocking this one up by a percentage point to compensate
As one half of iconic duo Houmous & Chutney, I know a thing or two about making seriously intense, raw, powerful and unique records that are also ahead of their times. And that’s why I can really appreciate what Patti-Janine has done here. 4.3
I like it but this list needs only one PJ Harvey.
Cool! Very nice sound, sort of like Sonic Youth but without m*les (ew) (🤮) Big fan of loud. My old ears can not hear very well, here I could hear the music like half of the time
I can't deny this is a masterpiece. I wish I just liked it a *little* bit more.
Great album. Standout songs: Rub til it bleeds 50 ft Queenie Man-size
Her best one off this list, probably. Packed with grungy goodies.
She's a unique voice in a time when grunge was king. Spirited and sexy she's a tough nut. Apparently "Into My Arms" by Nick Cave was written about her. Still a bit out of my wheelhouse, but I can appreciate her strength and talent.
I've listened to PJ Harvey's music before, both the song "Good Fortune" and her recent album I Inside the Old Year Dying. She is a singer-songwriter who genuinely tries to make each album unique in its musical style. For example, Rid of Me takes a more aggressive approach to songwriting compared to the preceding Dry, complemented by Steve Albini on production. From the onset of the title track, PJ plays around with the intensity of the sound, teetering between the quiet storm of the verses into the loud and abrasive chorus. This experimental attitude carries throughout the rest of the album, effectively using distorted guitars, banging percussion, odd time signatures, varying dynamics, and PJ's artistic lyrics in her off-kilter delivery that blends well into the constructed madness. Even the cover of Bob Dylan's "Highway '61 Revisited" is manic in its presentation. I get that Rid of Me's abrasive nature might not be a sell for everyone, as the overall experience can come off as esoteric. Given PJ's tendency to change styles with each album and her rejection of the notion that the lyrics have much to do with her personal experiences, the mileage one can get can vary from album to album. That said, I can walk away having enjoyed this album, value its inclusion on the list, and find myself revisiting the songs here, even if I can't extrapolate meaning from every song's lyrics and structure within a day of receiving it from the generator. I'm sure this album will grow on me, but for the time being it is still getting a solid recommendation for those adventurous.
Jagged and raw alternative rock from a female rock legend. Standout tracks: Yuri G, Rid Of Me and Legs.
A raw & abrasive almost-masterpiece of the OG PJ Harvey trio. Steve Albini is truly fantastic here and elevates the music and lyrics fantastically. Favorite songs: Rid of Me, Man-Size Sextet, 50ft Queenie, Snake 4⭐️
If a record could have teeth. Maybe not the best mixed album, but the songs hit hard and PJ's vocals are great!
I do like how ragged and rough this is feels more like a real genuine gut punch than other grunge from that time.
Nobody rocks harder than this tiny little white lady. She’s fearless. And yet her music is complex, different and compelling. And never a note out of place. 4/5
1001 albums PJ harvey Very different from the other one we had which had more of a modern psychedelic vibe if I remember correctly. I like the raw grungeyness of this one. I dug it but I wished I liked her voice more. She’s got some cool instrumental parts. The mix didn’t bother me but maybe a bigger bass sound. Rub it till it bleeds was awesome. Strings on Man secxtet was cool. The Bob Dylan cover was great too. Album probably could’ve been a bit shorter I would’ve cut snake and Me Jane. 3.5
I really dug this. Loved the raw energy and some of the heavier moments. Not quite a 5 but id definitely listen to at least the first half again
I really liked this. She’s weird AF. Wish the or was leveled better.
Un gros classique des 90s. 8/10
It's loud, raw, primitive and just awesome. My favorite album of hers. Steve Albini's production style is in full force on this one. The only problem is not all the songs work with this production style and that get's a bit fatiguing. 4.5 for me.
This was the PJ Harvey I knew. Good loud guitar music.
When I think of PJ Harvey, this is what I think of. A few things keep it from being a perfect album, but the production is great, and I like it a lot.
Albumi #59, 25.09.2024 PJ Harveyn toinen studioalbumi vuodelta 1993. Albumilla taiteillaan poikkeuksellisten tahtilajien kanssa ja siinä piileekin iso osa levyn kappaleiden kiinnostaavuutta.
Angry and I like it.
Man, this album is louder and tougher than most of heavy metal! Also, 100% where The Kills found their sound.
mooi plaatje.. beetje vrouwelijke tegenhanger van Nick Cave (mss daarom dat ze niet samen konden blijven?)
grungy, punky, indie. "Dry" a standout track
The songs are dark and moody, and the sound is raw. This is someone that you don't want to get into an argument with. But I liked it.
I've never heard this record before. Damn what a find!! this hits hard!! and yeah! those dynamics!!
Listening to this album gave me chills.
Okay, so I've always liked but not loved PJ Harvey. But this, rawer album might just be my way in here. Loved it, so much more (dark) fun.
Another classic album captured by Steve Albini. As per his style it’s raw and the drums are punchy and roomy. Pj Harvey is so bold in her vocal and lyrical expression, it’s easy to see why she is such an inspiration to so many artists. The bands dynamic approach sounds great on this album too. I didn’t appreciate this album as much when I was younger but I’ve grown to love it and some of her other albums over time.
Punk in approach, dangerous, and unpredictable, PJ Harvey's Rid Of Me is raw catharsis. Her howls and screams are not the delicate sounds of her peers at the time, such as Tori Amos or Mazzy Star. She is vocally more of the Patti Smith lineage that eventually spawned Karen O, and lyrically equally bloody and gritty. The band is musically abrasive but accessible in that Pixies loud-soft-loud approach; and they don't shy from interesting time signatures, throwing the listener off-beat on a whim but in a style that is more loose than technical. Rid Of Me is a work of art more than conventional songwriting, and like all art, its appreciation is based on the tastes and allowances of the individual who experiences it.
I like her when shes not prasing england for 13 songs straight. strong 7/10.
Starting off good…but definitely of its era. Early 90s alternative, like a more commercial Sonic Youth, or a more punk Pixies. Definitely some Tori Amos style vocals on some of these songs, very much of its time. There are long lead ups to the lyrics in several of these songs. There’s a rawness to the music and the singing that gives the album soul. Her voice is perfect for this album. Man-Size Sextet would be perfect for a feminist horror movie. Bold choice to cover Bob Dylan and I don’t love it. 50ft Queenie rocks. Me-Jane is good too. Her voice is definitely accompanying the music, the music drowns her out sometimes. Snake is the most punk song on the album. Steve Albini produced this, Surfer Rosa and In Utero…like I said, of a very specific time. Ecstasy has a blues throwback feel, you can hear echoes of Nirvana, and it is the best song on the album.
simple and great
The first song jumpscared me lol. I love how unhinged and raw this album sounds. I appreciate how direct the lyrics are as well. I don't think I've ever been horny enough to give this a 5 though. 4/5
A great, original and enduring album! Harvey writes songs that are deeply rooted in rock history whilst still sounding utterly new. Also great performances all around, each member of the trio lifting and supporting the others. Also, another Steve Albini produced classic: R.I.P.
Raw, aggressive and fiercely feminist and at times gentle, feminine and orchestral. The Steve Albini sound gives it a particular hue but it’s Polly Jean hints at what’s to come further down the line.
I didn’t like it as much as her first album but it was good. Lots of distorted guitars. I wish her vocals were more clear. They get lost in the mix. Makes it hard to hear the lyrics. But the aggression is there, enjoyable
Unique experience for sure. She does love her edgy strumming... I guess this is as 'raw and aggressive' as a singer songwriter is going to get, and it was a very interesting listen. Listened either side of a beach day, maybe more tired than is ideal to take in all of the lyrics haha. But the sextet especially surprised me. Still has a fresh and forward-thinking sound in 2024 so not too shabby. Plus I got to learn about this intriguing artist
Rid Of Me is wild and raw. The drums particularly have a unique sound and give the finally that you watching live in the room. Wild and raw extends to everything on this album, Harvey’s vocals, the guitar. It’s grunge the way it was meant to be played. 8.3/10
That was good...
-this album is so very good -PJ Harvey is such a great songwriter -it has raw moments, noisy moments -I like the cover for Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" -PJ is so punk rock on this album -so many good songs -favorite songs: Missed, Legs, Rub 'Til It Bleeds, 50ft Queenie (<3), Yuri-G (<3), Me-Jane, Snake (<3) -least favorite song: Man-Size Sextet
Harvey sounds even more confident on this album than she did on her debut. The first 5 songs rock and sway like a ship on an angry sea. Man-Size Sextet followed by the Dylan “cover” creates an interesting midpoint. There’s a beautiful 90s-ness to this album, gritty and cool, the cover photo says it all “douse hair with gasoline, set it light, and set it free”. Second half highlights: Yuri-G and Dry.
I typically don't like PJ Harvey, not a strong dislike, I just find most of her stuff to be meh, but this album is the exception
Another first, another win
I'm glad she was able to get this out of her system.
Transmite verdad.
Rid of Me navigates the wide spectrum of what is classified as 90s 'Alt' and 'Grunge' and really nails it. This is the sound that Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and Mudhoney perfected with the help of Steve Albini, PJ Harvey delivers a solid 90s album. 4/5
Really dislike this one. Much more raw and engaging compared to the other PJ Harvey album.
Good! She rocks
It has a vitriolic bite that isn’t unpleasant to listen to. An improvement over her debut.
Amazing album. Enjoyed it way more on my second listen (I had previously listened to it for the first time separately from this website. Soulful and raw.
PJ rocks 🤟
I think this wraps up all the PJ Harvey on the list. I'd probably benefit from doing a marathon chronological listen of her stuff at this point--there's a shortlist of artists with a bunch of albums on the list, and for me she's at the David Bowie level of "ok I actually did kind of need to listen to so many of these to get the hang of this artist"
Raw and aggressive, but in a good way. Could’ve done without the Dylan cover, though.
Solid album. Love Steve Albini's production here. Raw, emotional, brave and vulnerable. PJ Harvey goes through all of it. Mostly dark, she comes out of it in the end as a survivor and we're rewarded. Heard two albums so far and liked them both. Good stuff.
More proof that there will never be another Steve Albini, because how do you make an album sound like a moldy dorm shower. One of the rawest albums of all time. The white girl IS quirked up, and she WILL kill you. I agree with the person who said that the instrumentation should have been more industrial. Some songs rely a bit too much on the quiet-loud 90s style.
Another album already in my collection and a fan favorite. I sort of saw her when visiting my brother out in SF almost 30 years ago. We got there but missed way too much of the set. It was still a great show and great night. I love her quiet than screaming sound. She makes you work for it, but the effort is rewarded with catharsis and joy.
Raw, but with such passion behind it.
Scrub all you like, there's not enough elbow grease in the world to do away with the dingy, indelible imprint this record leaves.
Enjoyed quite a lot
This is raw and I appreciate the Steve Albinj (rip) production. Not sure it’s one I want to listen to repeatedly though
Maybe because he passed last week and he's front of mind right now, but you can totallyhear the Steve Albini thumbprint on this album. And that's a good thing. I love the intensity and honesty and humor and emotion on this album. If I were choosingone PJ Harvey album to put on this list I dontvknow which I'd pick. Maybe it would be this one. Maybe not. But while I was listening to it, I thought it would be. I'm gonna listen to her next release now and I'm sure I'll feel it should be that one too
Didn't appreciate this as much then as I do now, a very good album
Just to get it out of the way, I do feel Dry is better. It has a dirtier quality that's somewhat lacking in this sophomore effort. I can't fault the cleaner production though because it still sounds great. The rawness is still there, and PJ Harvey's voice (and anger) is oh so present. How you view her albums is more of a matter of preference, but she can do no wrong it seems. Standouts are Legs, Rub 'Til It Bleeds, Highway '61 Revisited, Me-Jane and Ecstasy.
I didn’t know that was there an incredible artist hidden like this girl. The sound of this album, the saturation of the guitars and the experimentation that this girl made in this album, my head exploded. Without words, I’ll start to hear more this girl.
Супэр альбом супэр исполнительницы. Сейчас первая половина мне нравится больше. Лучшая песня - Rid Of Me.
Lick my legs, I'm on fire
Loved this. Beyond the vocal performance, I really enjoyed the guitar parts, thought they cohered really well as a *band* despite the act being named for the lead singer. Sure glad I got over my dislike of female vocals at some point in my late 20s (*glances suspiciously at the uniformly male rock singers I was raised on*)
A nearly perfect album. One of the first tapes I bought for myself, a formative “choosing my own music” moment. 50 ft queen is a banger
oh, *yeah*. a total unknown for me and i'm unsure why i wasn't expecting this to go this hard. 3.5
This is an album that I appreciate a lot, but that I don't necessarily enjoy. Overall I don't pick up a lot of PJ Harvey but I do, I guess, conceptually really like her. Putting this on while trying to work at work was not my smartest choice and it went over a little better while at the gym. Yet another time I wish I could uhhh understand lyrics and process audio.
Think I used to have a copy of this. It’s more of a difficult listen than I remembered, but after a second pass I was really enjoying it again. Really raw guitars, production and vocals with some great tunes. Validated the fact I’m terrified of her.
Cool 90s alt rock vibe
I think I really like PJ Harvey :) None of the songs really stood out to me but I had a fun time listening all the same
What happened to you sheep woman to make you feel this way
As much a product of its Producer as the Artist, this can be a tough listen. Steve Albini's fingerprints are all over this album. PJ Harvey certainly did more accessible work, but this album was the angsty, seething record that made her a Gen-X superstar.
A good album, hadn't listened to it before, but a favourite of my daughters. Ecstasy is a great song
Good rock album, a bit shouty and gets a bit samey but good enough to listen to
Not catchy and not formulaic. Raw straight 90s vibes, you can tell Albini was involved. Very good.
Pretty good, though I probably wouldn't listen to the whole album at one time. I wasn't very familiar with PJ Harvey except by name, but I can see how this album earned a place on the list.
I had no expectations for this album, and I had never heard of the artist before. Got blown out of the water, parts of the album are right up my alley. Not quite sure of the genre, it’s grimey, folky, and high-strung. Very, very strong start with a great ending. The middle gets a bit same-y. She has good lyricism, and isn’t afraid to do unorthodox and initially offputting music. Works out for the better. Like in Legs where the guitars sound like wailing cries of agony or in Rub ‘Til It Bleeds where the drum hits give imagery of bludgeoning something. Definitely an album I’ll return to. Standouts: Rid of Me, Missed, Legs, Rub ‘Til It Bleeds, Ecstacy.
A good album from a truly great artist who I adore. This record has a raw, uncompromising punk energy that feels intense and immediate. The production is stripped back and abrasive, which only adds to the power of the songs. It sounds urgent, confrontational and completely authentic. PJ Harvey commands every moment. “50ft Queenie” is explosive and full of attitude, while “Rid of Me” is tense and gripping, building and releasing with incredible control. The whole album feels fearless and unapologetic. Favourite songs: 50ft Queenie and Rid of Me Least favourite song: Yuri G Album artwork: A great cover that perfectly matches the stark, uncompromising feel of the music
nice, very gritty
"Rid of Me" by PJ Harvey is like a coffee shop that only serves espresso shots – intense, not for everyone, but absolutely brilliant for those who can handle the kick. Harvey tears through the album with the finesse of a chainsaw artist, crafting something beautiful out of sheer force. It’s an experience akin to riding a roller coaster designed by a mad poet: thrilling, a bit unsettling, but you’ll line up to ride it again. Giving it 4 stars because, let’s be honest, everyone needs a little chaos in their playlist, even if it's just to scare your neighbors.
I really liked this. Raw, frenetic, never boring. Might even bump it up to a 5 on a second listen. Best tracks: Rid of Me, Snake
PJ Harvey's 1993 sophomore album, Rid of Me, is a landmark of alternative rock. It's a visceral experience, a blistering eruption of raw emotion channeled through distorted guitars, pounding drums, and Harvey's ferocious vocals. This review delves into the album's core elements, exploring its strengths and weaknesses. Lyrics: A Descent into Desire and Disintegration Harvey's lyrics on Rid of Me are unflinchingly personal. They delve into themes of female rage, lust, alienation, and self-destruction. Songs like "50 Foot Queen" explore dominance and power struggles, while "Man Size" confronts the objectification of women. "Rub Till It Bleeds" is a darkly sensual exploration of desire, and "Rid of Me" itself is a desperate plea to be free from a consuming relationship. The lyrics are not always literal narratives, but rather fragmented emotions and imagery. This ambiguity allows listeners to project their own interpretations, adding to the album's enduring power. However, the lack of clear narrative can also make some songs feel opaque on initial listens. Music: A Riot of Distortion and Dynamics Musically, Rid of Me is a powerhouse. Steve Albini's production is raw and abrasive, pushing guitars to their limits and highlighting the power of Harvey's drumming. The album is dynamic, switching between pummeling assaults ("Blow That Fuse") and moments of haunting beauty ("Man-Size Sextet"). The rhythm section, featuring bassist John Parish and drummer Rob Ackroyd, is a driving force. Their tight interplay creates a sense of urgency and claustrophobia. The guitar work, often dominated by atonal riffs and distorted textures, reflects the album's emotional turmoil. However, the relentless intensity can be fatiguing. Some listeners might crave more variation in tempo or dynamics. Production: Capturing the Raw Energy Albini's production is a double-edged sword. His stripped-down approach perfectly captures the band's raw energy, but it can also sound thin at times. The focus is on capturing the emotional immediacy of the performance rather than sonic polish. The lack of studio trickery allows the music's unbridled energy to shine through, but it can also lack the sonic depth found on more layered recordings. Themes: A Cathartic Exploration of Darkness Rid of Me explores a potent mix of themes. At its core lies the struggle for female empowerment and identity. Harvey confronts societal expectations of women while exploring the complexities of desire and rage. There's also a sense of self-destruction and alienation running through the album, a raw vulnerability laid bare for the listener. While the darkness can be overwhelming, the album ultimately feels cathartic. Through confronting these difficult emotions, Harvey creates a powerful and unflinching portrait of the human experience. Influence: A Legacy of Uncompromising Artistry Rid of Me's influence on alternative rock is undeniable. It paved the way for a wave of female artists who weren't afraid to express their anger and vulnerability. Artists like Courtney Love, Liz Phair, and Alanis Morissette all owe a debt to Harvey's unflinching honesty. The album's raw energy and emotional intensity continue to resonate with listeners today. It's a challenging listen, but one that rewards repeated exploration. In Conclusion: A Powerful and Raw Masterpiece Rid of Me is not an easy album. It's a sonic assault that confronts the listener with raw emotions and uncompromising intensity. However, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The powerful lyrics, driving music, and unfiltered production combine to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience. While the relentless intensity might not be for everyone, for those who connect with its emotional core, Rid of Me remains a landmark achievement in alternative rock.
Very interesting, I had not listened to her much before.
Lekker rauw, ruig, en rockend.
Punk-rock. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
Super raw with live feeling dynamics make it a gut punch of an album. Always great to add more female vocal grunge to my rotation
Artsy pop-rock. She has a really beautiful voice that reminds me a bit of Portishead. Varies between slow/soft and more rocket with screaming witthin the same songs. I prefer the slow parts by a lot! Don’t know if it is used as an effect or if the mastering is poor, but there is a huge difference in volume within tracks - not a fan of that!
The second half of this record is absolutely loaded, but the opening title track is just otherworldly good. The dynamics are incredible, it’s so subtly melodic amidst the tension and primal nature of it, and those background vocals are perfectly gnarly. I also do think “Missed” makes for an interesting second track, with its odd time signature goodness and solid guitar work. The experimentalism of “Man-Sized Sextet” is just effortlessly cool, as is the cover of “Highway 61 Revisited”, one of my favorite Dylan covers out there. PJ shines on guitar throughout the whole record, especially on the punky blast of “50ft Queenie” and the slide guitar textures of “Dry”. “Snake” is a sub-2 minute burst of intensity that perfectly sets up the ruthless closer “Ecstasy”. Although these most recent re-listens of Dry helped raise it in my estimations, I do still slightly prefer this killer sophomore effort. Riding along at a very strong 4 stars. 4/5
Wow, this was rough and impressive! Songs, PJ Harvey's singing and the production of good old Steve Albini! One of best discoveries in this list so far.
One of the most iconic album covers ever. A staple in any 90's 'alternative' scene.
I once again regret not having listened to more PJ Harvey. Just the right amount of abrasive intensity in both vocals and guitars. Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth just put out a song called “I’m a Man,” and I thought of it while listening to “Man Size.” It reminded me of how much influence Sonic Youth likely had on PJ Harvey, and how much influence Harvey likely had on those who followed in the large footsteps of this “50ft Queenie.” One more PJ Harvey album to go, and I’ll be eagerly anticipating it.
It is the moments of quiet that explode and the rawness of her voice that keeps me hooked. It is jarring at first but sucks me in and I can't stop listening.
This has some grit, fuzz and blood. It’s impossible to get too deep into Rid of Me without taking note of how cool she really is, her honest approach to songwriting is admirable. The quiet to loud builds in the title track are great, Rub til it Bleeds is gross and simply a top notch grunge song with a remarkable build to it. This was excellent, I’ll come back to it for sure l. 4 stars
Oh damn. Another from the old collection. Been a long ass time. Nobody rocks harder than this tiny little white lady. She’s fearless. And yet her music is complex, different and compelling. And never a note out of place. In a genre overwhelmingly dominated by men, she came howling out of nowhere to show them all how to do it properly. She absolutely handed their asses to them in Dry. “You’ve come all this way, No hair out of place, You put it all on the stage, You put right in my face, You leave me dry, You leave me dry.” Yes, ma’am. All hail the baddest bitch in town. It’s not my favorite PJ Harvey album, but it was such a revolutionary sound. Right at the edge of the RiotGirl movement. It deserves a place at the top.
Blues meets grunge in a back alley. This captures a raw energy and sound that kicks you in the teeth. Can't say that I know what the songs are about but really the sense is more in the tone and delivery than the words themselves. Sexuality, anger, pain, aggression all rolled together. Not dropping out of the world--kicking back. There is something very alive about this--a capture of an actual performance--happening now.
Reminds me of early Imogen Heap
this is way more punk rock than I thought it was going to be. I guess I really didn't know PJ Harvey. Surprised I didn't listen to her in high school.
A powerful album by this great artist who has the balls to be aggressive, bizarre or sad. While I still prefer PJ Harvey's later works, I do enjoy this raw energy.
For the title track alone this is a solid album. I heard a cover from Nilufer Yanana (don't know how to spell her full name). This feels like a grittier album which makes sense since Steve Albini is the one who produced it. There is a lot of raw power/emotion to the singing/guitar playing. Lots of good wailing. Lots of good distortion.
Powerful and fun. One more good find
PJ Harvey-arvostaminen on kyl tämän listan ehkä parhaita tuloksia -- en ollu aiemmin kuunnellu niin paljoa. 4/5 voimakas platta!
Feelings
"Rid of Me" is the perfection follow-up for "Dry", being more arranged and crafted overall. This album is the perfect balance between being raw, angry and noisy, but also very well made, catchy and brilliantly interpreted.
This would be a great Dead Weather album
My esteem of PJ grows with each entry of hers on this list. Another very 90s sounding fem rock album
I liked this less than I thought. I don't super like PJ's voice, but the background stuff was always good. 3.75/5
Polly Jean forever. B+
- the title track sounds like Tired of You by the Foo - really enjoy this style of garage punk
J’adore sa musique qui a du front, son franc-parler, son désintérêt pour ce qui est joli et traditionnellement associé au féminin. Fort, honnête et enragé
This is an excellent album. I have always heard it's excellent but never really dove in to it. This is the third PJ Harvey album I have gotten on this list and I think it's my favorite so far. Raw and rumbly, the soft/loud dynamics fully realized with Steve Albini doing the recording. Great record.
Крепенько, сыро, тяжеленько. Кайф есть
I think these are great songs, but I think the mix is off. Harvey's vocals are quiet to the point of almost missing them.
That was unique and powerful and angsty and I wish I’d listened to her from the start (kept hearing about her in music mags but never sought her out). Great album!
it's PJ Harvey doing a PJ Harvey rock album. its decent, probably gets better with more listens.
SHACK in Malta
Weird radical feminist lyrics aside, the sound was absolutely awesome. Made me think of a cross between Disintegration by The Cure and Florence and the Machine (I guess my music knowledge is still pretty shallow). So so cool. Shame about the lyrics, although at least they’re a little hard to make out at time. Favourite songs Rid of Me and Legs.
4.25
This went a lot harder than I expected it to. Not surprised to learn that Steve Albini was involved, as it immediately reminded me of Nirvana. Not only in its sound, though...also in its raw honesty. It's a powerful record, if a little noisy.
I really enjoyed this! I think more so than other PJ Harvey albums. I liked the heavier ones. Will need to listen again to appreciate fully
I remember my Dad giving me this album to listen to when I was about 15/16. I remember enjoying some tracks but generally finding it quite hard to enjoy. I still feel that way. I do really like it though. Kind of sounds like you're listening to something made for aliens, like you get what's going on but it's so jarring and strange. The levels of the vocals are weird, sometimes quite and distorted and the guitar just cuts through, but it's clever, it's like listening to music from a different angle or viewing it through a prism where it's all there but just built differently. Occasionally you go 'oh I understand that bit' and then it's wild again.
It's the album that made PJ the cult legend before she started waffling on about horses
When I saw P.J.Harvey at the Hordern in 2004, I was amazed that she could play 20 songs but leave out 50Ft Queenie. I regard it as one of the great songs of the 90’s. I mean, would it have killed her to slip it in - it’s only 2:23 on the album. (She also omitted Sheela-Na-Gig off her debut album - also hard to fathom). But, hey, she was still awesome. The only track she did play off this album was the great Me-Jane. I love it that she could pen such a great song & bring it in at 2:43. Of the 14 tracks on this album, there is one under 2 minutes, 4 more under 3 minutes & 5 more under 4 minutes. Mind you, the longest song on the album at 5:03, Rub ‘til It Bleeds, is just as good a listen. Albini’s production is perfect for Polly. (For chrissake, the man worked on Surfer Rosa. He had his shit together). The cover of Highway ‘61 Revisited is very cute. Great listen.
I’m quite happy to have a PJ Harvey album generated today. I hadn’t heard of her only a year ago, but have listened to Let England Shake in that time which I enjoyed quite a lot. I haven’t listened to anything else by her since then so I’m quite happy to be listening to more today. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Rid Of Me, Rub It ‘Till It Bleeds This was really quite different to Let England Shake! Whereas that was more folky and maybe poppy, this is straight rock/grunge with plenty of heavily distorted guitars and head banging riffs. This album reminded me quite a lot of Hole who I love (I know that’s a controversial opinion!). I love that I’ve now listened to two album that were released 18 years apart, and I love that I’ve had a glimpse of her evolution in music. Definitely give this a listen if you haven’t heard it before.
Pyjama Harvey sounds like they should be on Cartoon Network.
Onmiskenbare 90s alto-rock slash grunge. De soms psychedelische zang en gitaar samen met het geluid alsof je midden in de studio staat, geven het een vrij rauw karakter. Songstructuur is ook onmiskenbaar 90s, met vaak rustige coupletten om vervolgens de distortion vol open te draaien in de refreinen, zoals we dat kennen van oa Nirvana en de Pixies. Maar dan wel iets origineler, maar soms ook vager. Ik heb hier wel weer van kunnen genieten
I really like that each PJ Harvey album I listen to has a distinct style and theme. This finds Polly Jean at her heaviest and most frenetic. It has a frantic and furious energy to it, which is thunderously full on and a little frightening. I'd have to listen again to find out what she is so enraged about, but whatever it is, she's turned her anger into a captivating record. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Rid Of Me Date listened: 07/08/23
Epico
Overall i enjoyed this one. There are a few tracks that aren't really that great, but not many. A great listen.
Æðisleg plata! Svo mikil og kröftug orka. Luv it.
A real breakout album for PJ. Not my favourite, but it has some great songs and some brutal guitar and bass moments.
very fun track 1 was great. will probably listen again.
angsty grunge Sonic Youth beats with mournful wails
First punk album that I enjoyed on this list!
Much better than let England Shake. Energetic and grungy. A generous 4/5 Stand out tracks - Rid of me - 50ft Queenie
Drums are incredible, and definitely getting feelings of inspiration from the likes of Fiona Apple, Hole, Nirvana, and a whole grunge scene. Some interesting pieces in here too, like the random strings section. Also giving me some Beach Boys vibes at times? Really a rollercoaster. Galloping guitars and drums are def a standout. The palm mutes! This was the first artist I was completely unfamiliar with, and it was better than I expected. Slow start, but I really started to see some of the early grunge influence here. And from a technical standpoint, very impressive.
I was a little worried about this album at first. I'd enjoyed her first album, "Dry," quit a bit, and high hopes for this one, but "Rid of Me" starts off a bit uneven. The first half is just okay, but thankfully it really revs up after "Man-Size Sextet" (my least favorite track). I don't think I enjoyed this quite as much as "Dry," but it's still a solid album.
3.5 stars
This is my favorite Pj album.
A good loud, grungy, rocky and noisy album that gives PJ the cred she deserves. It's an "in your face" rock record that I prefer over some of her later projects. I guess her early work could be deemed essential or at least worth the listen.
Her rawest and angriest album, PJ Harvey also employs the help of producer Steve Albini, and you can hear that with the Pixies-esque loud-and-quiet transitions many of the songs. PJ Harvey herself adds eery vocals and dissonant strings that match the grimy, chaotic, and angry lyrics. The bassist and percussionist do really well keeping up with the disorder and raw energy. For the songs themselves, we're fed with 14 tracks, many standing out for a unique purpose. The opener "Rid of Me" is one of her most popular songs and explodes with power and energy to pull in audiences and define the rest of the album. It's catchy and melodic and catches the audience by surprise. You can really tell Albini worked on this. "Missed" have a Slint-like post-rock sound with the distortion to the max, fitting well with her grungy contemporaries. "Legs" has an incredible and emotional build up, and it hides the strings in the background behind all the other instruments, creating a clever effect I haven't heard elsewhere. And is that the bass making that vibrating noise? "Rub Til It Bleeds" has the best example of the quiet-loud Pixies technique, with a really long dissonant opener before giving us a sneak preview of the loudness, but goes back to the quiet except more chaotic until we reach that constant loudness. "Hook" is a personal favorite of mine, and I love the bluesy confused guitar. "Man-Size Quartet" sounds like a sequel to "Plants and Rags" from Dry except a lot simpler and rawer. Feels like a black-and-white horror movie scene. "Highway 61 Revisited" is an incredible cover. Has the same impact and bluesy style as the original style, but yet fits perfectly well with the rest of her album with the distortion and screaming vocals. "50ft Queenie" is another highlight: fast, energetic, bluesy, and punky with repeating guitar licks and vocals. "Man Size" is the most accessible song and provides a nice break between these chaotic pieces. The next song "Dry" sounds like a Hole song, and I love that bluesy guitar solo. "Me Jane" is the bluesiest song on the album and has some of my favorite ghastly vocals. "Snake" is pure hardcore with its loud raw energy and short length. "Ecstasy" is a satisfying conclusion being tied for the 2nd longest and closing with high distortion.
I really enjoyed this! Took me back to the gritty sound of a lot of 90s bands.
So punk wow
First time listening to this one. Sounds VERY ‘93. I like it a lot.
I like listening to this album. I'm 100% sure I heard it a couple of times before. I listened to her entire discography a couple of times. However, I didn't remember any of the songs. They sound good, but they don't stick. It's like a bluesy version of Nirvana and the Pixies. Right up my alley. The drums sound like Nirvana's Nevermind. Favorite song: Rub 'til it bleeds.
Really liked this one. Been a fan of PJ for some time. Love that wide, lo-fi stereo sound. Damn raw and original, too!
Not familiar with this PJ Harvey album in particular, but I did enjoy it. The production / volume changes didn't bother me, and I find the album cathartic and almost demanding of your attention. 4/5.
me encanto, mas que stories from the city. mas rabioso y distorsionado, probablemente porque no tiene a thom yorke. me convencio de escucharla mas!
Surprisingly raw, hard and angry. She does a good job varying the pacing and energy to have greater impact. About midway through i was concerned that it began to be too samesy, but the last few tracks keep it interesting overall. Its definitely stronger than a 3, but i'm rounding up a bit in hitting the 4.
Powerful and exciting.
Not an every day listen, but solid and aggressive and moody music.