405 - PJ Harvey - Rid of Me

I really love this album. I have since it came out. If you like the quietLOUDquiet dynamic of the Pixies, this album will help feed that craving. In fact, with Steve Albini producing, you've never heard the quiet part so ear-strainingly quiet before the guitars and drums CRASH AND SLASH LOUDLY.

This album also is an interesting counterpoint to Sinead O'Connor's I do not want what I haven't got. Both women have powerful voices and can go from a purr to a roar in a matter of notes, but the feel of the songs these two albums contain (released just 2-3 years apart) is a huge chasm. It makes me wish that I could find or Sinead would perform some PJ covers so I can hear Sinead's take of "Rub 'Til It Bleeds" next to PJ's.

Let's look at the lyrics of the album, too. Rid of Me is rife with sexual tension and sexual politics. Don't think of Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" at all. PJ discusses sexuality, but there is nothing sensual about what you hear. Even her slithering delivery on "Hook" is rendered awkward by the stomping drums and fuzz from her guitar. That same dynamic is twisted a little bit with "Man-Sized Sextet" that takes "Man Size" and has her singing an alternate version of the song with a sextet of strings.

And, yet again, I come across a Bob Dylan song that I enjoy when PJ launches into "Highway '61 Revisited" (the bass sounds as if the strings are being slammed for each note).

Songs I knew I liked: I own the album, so I know the album well. While I wouldn't say that there are any songs that I didn't like. I didn't immediately recall how I felt about "Me-Jane" and "Snake" when I started the album.

Songs I didn't know but now like: Just reinforced my love for "50 Ft Queenie" and "Man Size"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None I want to skip.