PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her

Small but still special

3 1/2

Effective but slightly under-performing concept disc from one of alternative rock's bolder female voices, Harvey nevertheless continues her quality streak with a diverse set of tiny songs touching on the many styles throughout her career. She possesses that rare quality to elevate just about any mediocre composition into emotionally engaging territory. August 18, 2008

A rough spot in an otherwise spotless career

With the joyful, relevatory "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea", Polly Jean Harvey did something that many people thought impossible: she made an album that actually trumped everything that came before it and made it practically impossible to create a follow-up that could match its power. That's unfortunetly the case with "Uh Huh Her", the muddled, lo-fi successor to "Stories". The thing is, as greatly praised and appreciated as "Stories" was, many hardcore fans of Harvey complained that the album was too slick and produced. So Harvey probably thought that the best thing to do would be to make her next album as murky as possible. The result is an album that, instead of conjuring up images of the glistening skyscrapers and crowded streets of Manhattan as "Stories" did, conjures up images of mud puddles and cruddy guitar amps. Despite all these drawbacks, the album is redeemed by some pretty good songs, like the yearning, marimba-led "You Come Through", the Eastern-styled "The Pocket Knife", and the creepy, spacey "The Slow Drug". If you're looking for a good place to start for getting into PJ Harvey, look for some of her other material, but don't start here. January 20, 2008

Good album.

I can have this album playing all the time,it's just a moody album,i love that in it,the tone is moody,the lyrics are so expressive,this album is human,i am not going to describe each song,each one has a different flow. I almost felt she didn't put alot of effort in this album,like it came naturally;it just comes so easy,like a first reaction or impression,she has a deeply beautiful voice,her music generally is great,she is an artist in every way,i know she made better albums,but this could have been easily commericialized,the song titles,the lyrics,the music is just so smooth.I just feel this album and it feels me,give it a try.You don't waste your money buying a PJ Harvey album. February 11, 2007

A Typical Offering Which Does Not Disappoint

The opening riffs of 'The Life and Death of Mr. Badmouth' demonstrate PJ's prowess as a songwriter and performer. Wave upon wave on sound build to a cresendo leading to a wall of silence at the end. 'Shame' is one of my favorite tracks. I will not review this album track by track. Suffice it to say that this is a fantastic CD.

Longtime fans will not be disappointed. If you are new to PJ's work, this would be a good second purchase. Start with 'To Bring You My Love' or 'Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea.' Either of these is a good place to begin.

Buy this CD. December 16, 2006

POLLY IS AN EAR-TEASE!

Okay, usually the sound of PJ's intense, obsessive moaning sets me to drooling. I need to confess that much to you. This, however, is the most frustrating addition to her canon. It promises so much and delivers so very little.
From the pouty frown on the cover to the opening salvo of "Mr. Badmouth", I thought this was going to be another stunner like STORIES FROM THE CITY. Not even close. There are a handful of moments here that smolder like the best of her work but never spark and catch fire. This sounds like it was written & recorded in one day. Not her best day. Everything sounds unfinished. I don't mean raw like DRY or abrasive like RID OF ME. I mean a distinct lack of power. There are a lot of song fragments. "No Child Of Mine" could have been one of the finest PJ HARVEY songs, but at the precise moment where she seems ready to veer it into greatness she chokes it. Stops it dead. It may be an attempt at a middle-finger taunt, but it's not dramatic. Just irritating. The most fleshed out number is "Pocketknife". It's as good as anything she's ever done...and sounds completely out of place here. "The Desperate Kingdom of Love" plays like an out-take from IS THIS DESIRE? It's got a delicate beauty but is recorded at levels that over-emphasize QUIET! I don't need to be beat over the head with silence. I get it. It's not an original idea. F@$# post-modernism. She's fully capable of working "The Darker Days Of Me & Him" into a frothy intoxicating brew. She just didn't do it. Aside from that there are songs on here that are utterly unlistenable.

With UH HUH HER she's giving you scraps. Sure her scraps would be seen as brilliance in lesser artists but she's NOT a lesser artist.

Of course you must own this if you're a fan. You wouldn't want to be without "Pocketknife", "Mr. Badmouth" or even the 68 seconds of "No Child of Mine", but if you are just now coming around to Polly's gifts? You can skip this one. November 13, 2006

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