Released 10/02/2007
[Guest Review - Appraiser]
PJ finally proclaims “I am woman, hear me sing.”
After spending almost 15 years of proving she can be as raunchy as the boys, PJ Harvey shows us her softer side.
White Chalk is an honest, stripped down, yet well-produced, collection of acoustic soul-searching ballads that is a true departure from her earlier work. The ready to blare electric guitar has been put aside as PJ puts her recent piano lessons to use. While there isn’t much orchestration in her playing, less is clearly more on this eleven song effort. Harvey has changed directions lyrically as well. These songs are about loneliness, unrequited love, even self-weakness and frailty. These emotions are usually un-needed or at least un-used in most of her previous projects. Although she has put forth a slower song here and there mixed in amongst the guitar-heavy rockers in the past, White Chalk proves Harvey is capable of producing a consolidated effort of beautiful intensity. PJ’s newly found softer, mesmerizing and at times reverbed voice soars through the CD, providing a gentle yet powerful presence to the collection. This is without the question the “prettiest” work PJ Harvey has done...It might also be her strongest.
White Chalk is highly recommended. Songs to Download: Spend the $11 and get them all.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
PJ Harvey - White Chalk - A-
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1 comment:
I agree. this is a great departure. at times (especially on her later work) she seemed to be just out there for shock value. that really gets old post-30 (which she's been for awhile). I've always rooted for PJ. this album gives me hope that she'll be around for awhile.
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