PJ Harvey - Is This Desire?

Each of Harvey's previous albums has been a distinct affair as she took steps forward in not only forging her sound but also exploring the wealthy veins of rock & roll. So on first listen, Is This Desire? almost disappoints; it's very close to the same dark, woozy, and bluesy musical territory she staked out on To Bring You My Love. But it's been said that though good stories can be read once, great stories must be read twice, and, like great literature, this album deserves repeated listenings to appreciate its beautiful complexities and subtle shadings. A recommendation: Spend a few nonstop hours with Is This Desire? It will change you. --Tod Nelson Amazon.com essential recording

Some strong entries but overall suprisingly inconsistent

I can't say this is one my favorite PJ discs, but seriously, can she do poor work? Something with the overused beats and hints of melodic struggling make half of ITD sound a little desperate to be edgy. Of course, in the end, this reliable artist pulls through with her vocal intuitions. August 23, 2008

One of Her Very Best

Although her biggest commercial breakthrough is still 1995's dramatic "To Bring You My Love", and her magnum opus is still 2000's lush, reveltory "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea", the somber, electronics heavy "Is This Desire?" marks a major high point for Polly Jean Harvey. With a couple songs excluded, this is probably her quietest album, with heavy usage of atmospheric synths and muted, whispered vocals from Harvey. The journey begins with "Angelene", the albums's first and perhaps finest track. It's a despondant, folky song, with Harvey cooing downbeat lyrics like "Dear God, life ain't kind/people gettin' born and dying" while a gently strummed guitar and organ ring behind her. "The Sky Lit Up" comes next, a rousing, 2-minute burst of feedback and and swelling synths. The album's biggest achievement as far as production goes comes in the form of "The Wind". It's a monstrously creepy song, with a bluesy guitar riff, numerous ghostly wails and shrieks, and Harvey simultaniously whispering and singing the lyrics. "My Beautiful Leah" is another one of the shorter songs, with a slow, death-march like programmed beat and fuzzy, foghorn-like synths. The obsessive, almost Middle Eastern-sounding tale of lost love "A Perfect Day Elise" and the gloomy, bass-heavy "Catherine" come next, followed by the minimal, lo-fi "Electric Light". "The Garden" is one of the album's more accessible moments, with a pretty piano line and an almost funky backbeat. Ironically, it's followed by the least accessible song on the album, the racous, industrial-tinged "Joy". "The River" follows, a langorous, piano-heavy ballad featuring a feedback-drenched guitar and an eerie, New Orleans-style trumpet. The manic "No Girl So Sweet" follows, with Harvey's vocals at their most raw and an almost club-like feel. The album finishes on a dark, yet hopeful note with "Is This Desire?", which tells the strange tale of two inseperable lovers over a ringing guitar line, eerie lo-fi synths, and a heavy snare drum beat. Although newcomers should start with "To Bring You My Love" or "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea", "Is This Desire?" is essential for any dedicated Polly fan. An added bonus, it's her personal favorite out of any of her own albums! February 3, 2008

Good album - one of the big 3.

In a recent interview, Polly Jean Harvey said that there were 3 albums she'd done that she was truly satisfied with at the time she'd made them. This one, White Chalk and To Bring You My Love. If that doesn't mean anything to you, you probably wouldn't like it as much, but there is a lot of experimentation here and it's not for everyone, but if you like PJ Harvey, you'll like this one. January 27, 2008

even at this late date

it seems silly so many years later to review a CD,but i find a moment in life happening where this one is stuck in the player.what can you say about something when you know it passes the simple,yet greatest test,the test of time?in the same idea as Nico's "Marble Index",where it is not just about timelessness,but of almost a lack of time existing,this work stands on it's own ground... January 10, 2008

All time favorite CD

Ok, just to quickly add, this is my all time favorite CD. From the day it came out back in 98, and almost 10 years later, I still listen to the CD and get blown away the same way I did back then. Without a doubt, this is my favorite and probably will always be my favorite PJ Harvey album. She created something that to me is totally flawless. I have all her albums from the first, Dry to her newest, White Chalk, and this one is the one I always go back to, and I do love her other CD's, but this one is tops for me. I won't go into detail about the songs individually, but I love them all. I love the textures of this CD, I love the electronic, the organic, the lyrics, her voice. I can't say enough about this album. Lastly, if you love this album, you need to check out the B-Sides. The B-Sides that came about from this session are absolutely amazing as well. Sweeter Than Anything is one of the BSides from A Perfect Day Elise CD single. If you are a fan of this album you need to check out that song. AMAZING. October 7, 2007

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