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Rating: THE REVIEW
It almost seems like a game.
Embracing the guitar as a remedy for boredom and letting oneself be carried away by feelings, by instinct.
Rid of Me is the child of those just-ended eighties, a manifesto of the new decade, thanks also to an extremely evocative cover image. A cold black and white, sparse like Polly Jean's face, loaded with passion like her lips; and so is Steve Albini's production, dry and elaborate at the same time. The sonic harshness becomes more challenging precisely when the singer-songwriter takes charge of the production, in that "Man-Size Sextet" enriched with strings, yet more chaotic and disjointed compared to the rest of the album.
It's like hearing Patti Smith filtered through the distortions of the Jesus and Mary Chain ("Dry" above all). A twisted blues, soaked in punk, as in "Me-Jane," an ironic exposition of the relationship between Tarzan and his mate.
Twelve years ago, but everything is still so current, and in retrospect, nothing has changed, today's trends are the same.
PJ is still there, in the dusty desert, kissed by the red sun. Far from home, but close to the heart.
"I'd burst in
full to the brim"
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Summary by Bot
Pj Harvey's 'Rid of Me' stands as a powerful blend of raw passion and sonic harshness. Produced by Steve Albini, the album merges punk energy with twisted blues and emotive vocals, reflecting a timeless quality. The evocative black-and-white cover mirrors the sparse yet intense music. It's a definitive work that remains relevant years after its release.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
PJ Harvey
Polly Jean "PJ" Harvey (born 1969) is an English singer-songwriter and musician who emerged in the early 1990s. She is known for a wide-ranging body of work that spans raw guitar albums, piano-led records and politically engaged projects.28 Reviews
Other reviews
By markocc
The album begins with the title track, where a continuous and delicate guitar pluck introduces PJ’s sensual and confident (almost raunchy at times) voice.
Truly astonishing album, perhaps a bit harsh on first listen but should be listened to attentively and understood, it’s really worth it.
