Album Review: PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

On this, a poignant date on the calendar (I starting keying this review yesterday), particularly in New York from where I type, it's somewhat fitting that I review an album which drew upon the horrors of 9/11/01 as a catalyst for its recording. This albums theme goes deep under the scab of war and represents the much larger picture. The subject matter ranges from the lack of leadership and ulterior motives of war to the non existence of accountability. ‘Let England Shake’ is an album that delves deep in to the murkiness of war as well as its continual appearance throughout England’s past, present and future. 

When, Polly Jean Harvey burst on to the scene and very much in to public consciousness in the early 1990s, her distinct, gritty voice mixed with disturbing lyrics provided the alternative rock world with something a little different . Harvey’s early work is still among the most raw guitar music from that era, but, as she frequently promises, she won't repeat herself and has delivered on that promise on ‘Let England Shake’.

Title track, ‘Let England Shake’ has xylophone as an introduction before the haunting vocals set the scene - “The West’s asleep, let England shake”, Harvey sings in an unnerving tone similar to that of a horror movie presenter. The very first line of this album paves the way for the singer to spend the remainder of the recording shaming, horrifying and rousing it into action. The blend of keys, drums, soft guitar and the impressive vocals show promise for the remainder. ‘The Last Living Rose’ has a  more subtle tone and feel beginning with a tribal kind of drum beat and bluesy guitar riff. The music sounds somewhat tranquil, foggy and ambiguous, which perhaps represent the English singers outlook of her homeland - "Damp grey filthiness of ages, fog rolling down behind the mountains and on the graveyards and dead sea captains" she sings on this radio rock sound that is, ‘The Last Living Rose’.

‘The Glorious Land’ opens and continues with an incessant military like trumpet sound deliberately and purposely out of time and tune with the rest of the song. Is it a call for the cavalry? - "How is a glorious country bestowed?" This track has a liveliness, hosts a great jingle and again, the lyrics are immense. 'The Words That Maketh Murder' is embedded in distorted electric piano and a folky drum beat and sound. Harvey details, 'The Words That Maketh Murder's' battlefield with bold honesty - "I've seen soldier fall like lumps of meat...arms and legs were in the trees" and begs the question - "What if I take my problem to the United Nations?" (from 'Summertime Blues') perhaps jabbing fun at an often futile organisation.

'All And Everyone' settles things down a little and for me, this is the first time in the album I am thinking of Scandinavian singer, Bjork. It's a well placed song in terms of drawing back from the aggression and dark subject matter that we've heard to date. 'On Battleship Hill' establishes a familair sound that's rich and extremely varied. This, to a large part, due to long time collaborators John Parish, Mick Harvey and producer, Flood. This track meanders along, before breaking into ear-piercing, harmonising falsetto. The percussion on this one worthy of special mention as it accompanies Harvey's - "Cruel nature has won again".

'England' is a wonderful acoustic effort that again has me harking back to, Bjork from the very beginning of the track. The song itself continues with a dark, dank and depressed view of the world in general and more so, the despair that her homeland has followed suit. It unearths a sad evolution of what the country she loves so dear has become. 'In The Dark Places' has a sound to it that sounds oh so familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it. The riff reminds me of some indie track on my play list. This has a softer tone, but a harsh and serious sentiment resonates as she describes our young going to war.

'Bitter Branches' changes the mood again with a faster, more rousing folk-rock sound and hollering vocals from, Harvey as she speaks of soldiers at war in foreign lands. Crashing drums and fast paced guitars describe the confusion and chaos of the situation. From here, we fall upon the most delicate sound and song on the album, 'Hanging In The Wire'. Not my favourite on the album, but again the keys and vocals combine to good effect.

'Written On The Forehead' is probably the most interesting song on, 'Let England Shake' as Harvey introduces the sample of reggae singer, 'Niney The Observer’s' ‘Blood And Fire’. The concept is not in tandem with the rest of the album, but when the sample is used, it rings out to great effect. The mood this juxtaposition creates is odd, but the beautiful melody well placed lyics describing people trying to escape rioting city. 'The Colour of The Earth' ends the album with a sultry sound talking of a mystical figure, Louis. The jingle of tambourine and soft lyrics combine to describe blood drenched battlefields.

The fact that PJ Harvey once more reigned at the recent annual Mercury Music Prize where a panel of music aficionados judged, ‘Let England Shake’ album of the year is no surprise. PJ Harvey’s fantastic, highly esteemed wartime concept album deservedly took the plaudits. In doing so, Harvey is the first to win the Mercury Prize twice. Her first win came on 11 September 2001, when instead of collecting her award she "watched the Pentagon burn" from her hotel room in Washington DC. This time around, she got to enjoy the occasion where she acknowledged that the events and impact of 9/11 had informed this album.

It’s an album which provides a dozen tracks of scornful criticism, heartbreaking loss and bleak resignation. It’s tragic and yet it’s beautiful. Almost two decades after Harvey’s stubborn debut, ‘Dry’ where she introduced her dissatisfied howls, ‘Let England Shake’ is potentially her best album yet. Over the past twenty years, Harvey has certainly been one of Britain’s most consistently talented songwriters with her work plentiful in terms of darkness and violence. She recently remarked, "My biggest fear would be to replicate something I've done before." Not the case here. ‘Let England Shake’ channels the best of PJ Harvey and results in a bone chillingly haunting, phenomenal album that exudes a songwriter/vocalist at the peak of her powers. Rating 8.5/10