With her new album, Let England Shake, PJ Harvey has delved into some unforeseen territory. Always a sucker for change, Harvey has altered the state of her vocals, added some instrumentation like the auto-harp (especially when one considers her last album, White Chalk, was a string of piano ballads), and she also took her inspiration not merely from circumstance but from worldly events.
Harvey studied war for the past three years, while writing poetry pieces and song lyrics about how human beings deal with war, showing that she is not just a singer that matches wits with basic personified emotions, but rather a explorer that delves into the psychology and methodology of why these situations occur.
When listening to the album, the change is welcomed. For instance, “The Last Living Rose,” shows Harvey in an angry/sympathetic/remorseful/contemplative state. The song starts off “Goddamn Europeans!” However, by the end of the track, she is admiring her natural surroundings, contemplating the longevity of everything around her. “The sky move, the ocean shimmer. The hedge shake, the last living rose quivers.”
A few other key tracks on the album include “Written On The Forehead,” (though her voice sounds something akin to Bjork, with the insanity and spatial quality to match) “Hanging On The Wire,” “Let England Shake,” and “The Words That Maketh Murder.” While Harvey’s new album may not reach the highest peaks of the music mainstream, it is a music masterwork that will most likely expand to future generations.
