P.J. Harvey - Uh Huh Her
Uh Huh Her at first listen, might seem like a complete return to her 1992 debut, "Dry", but after several listens, definite themes and patterns emerge on this self-produced album. First, the tracks are arranged like an LP moving from raw, direct, bare emotion to a more introspective and mature tone, and there is a definite a-side and b-side arrangement.
Production is very spare, with the focus on the vocals. Even with the rawer numbers (such as "Who The Fuck" with its over-amped vocals) which sound the most like the songs on "Dry", the songs are from a "if I knew then what I know now" approach. I really appreciate the concentration on the songs and performance, since for the most part, elaborate production exists to cover up defects.
Uh Huh Her reminds me of Patti Smith's recent album "Trampin'", both artists got it right the first time with their debut albums ("Horses" for Patti Smith, arguably the best debut album in rock). and now using the perspective of time and growth to build on what made their debut great to make even better songs.
Uh Huh Her is a great addition to her previous albums, and also a solid introduction to those who haven't heard P.J. Harvey before.
Song list:
1. Life and Death of Mr Badmouth
2. Shame
3. Who the Fuck?
4. Pocket Knife
5. Letter
6. Slow Drug
7. No Child of Mine
8. Cat on the Wall
9. You Come Through
10. It's You
11. End
12. Desperate Kingdom of Love
13. Darker Days of Me & Him
.jpg?t=20120209092158)
Article comments
1 - ert
i just saw her last night (well, last night by way of my TiVo) on Dave Letterman. she was wearing the funniest outfit - a poofy, lemon-yellow strapless dress... and matching oversized gloves. she is extra-beautiful when she smiles.
the song they played (didn't catch the title) sounded a bit repetitive, musically speaking. it was her voice that saved it. she wails so hard.
2 - Jim Carruthers
The song is called "Letter" (see track listing, above). The dress features a screen print of one of her first publicity photos from her debut with Island, the red shoes are from "50 Foot Queenie" and the gloves were the ones Bill Murray was wearing earlier.
One of the best single word descriptions of Polly Jean's appearance is "handsome", in the 19th century sense.