P.J. Harvey
White Chalk

Polly, however, I didn't want such a sad record. I already came back from vacation with a heavy heart. Do you think that after just ten days in Sicily, one can easily face autumn? I was so happy when I found out that your new work was about to be released. It's true, I have neglected and forgotten you a bit in recent months, and I wasn't even thinking about it. But when I read the first review, I was all happy. And when I saw you on that Norwegian television site, at the piano, while singing "The Mountain", I immediately got chills. Polly, after all, you know how much I still love you.

Polly, I know we are getting older. I know that in a couple of years, you'll be forty too. But you don't have to remind me. I needed you to warm my heart for a while, it didn't have to last until winter. The important thing was that the cold couldn't enter my bones right away. Polly, with these songs, you're not helping me. I know your loves always end badly, but it's the same for us. And then what is this spiritual vein, you don't want to become a Saint like Patti, do you? Why did you start playing the piano, aren't Fiona, Aimee, and Tori enough?

Polly, if you reach me soon, maybe we can still have a sunny weekend at the beach. I'll take you to eat fish. We'll get drunk on white wine and then go see James Holden wherever he's playing. At least promise me that when you tour, you won't do it alone. Why don't you ask Blixa to play the guitar? Couldn't you make peace with Albini and ask him to produce your next record? Maybe you'll record it in a hurry and release it already this winter. Don't force me to come up to Dorset to smash your piano with a hammer. I know that with your stubborn head, it wouldn't do any good.

Some technical details. There are eleven songs. They all last around three minutes. Polly Jean, as you might have guessed, wrote and played the record on the piano. There's no sound of the electric guitar in the whole work, just a little acoustic here and there. Similarly, only in some tracks is there a bit of drums. Polly Jean sings in a higher register than usual and sometimes her voice is filtered. Both Flood and John Parish are there. Plus Eric Drew Feldman, already a historical keyboardist for Captain Beefheart, one of Harvey's great passions, but also with Residents and Pere Ubu, and Jim White from Dirty Three.

Polly, anyway I won't give you a grade. There are some very beautiful songs, others unnecessary. But giving a three to things you love makes no sense. I just ask you to pick up the electric guitar and tell the world to go to hell one more time. This is just a parenthesis. Damn, you haven't even turned forty yet! And I still always need you.