Search - PJ Harvey :: Is This Desire

One of Her Very Best

Abbey Graves | Buffalo Grove, Illinois United States | 02/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Some strong entries but overall suprisingly inconsistent

IRate | 08/23/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Is This Desire?

Bjorn Viberg | European Union | 01/17/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Is This Desire? being her 1998 release and her 5th studio album is an album that I like instantly. This is a very experimental album that sounds like a mix between rock, industrial, and experimental music. The lyrics are very strange to say the least but very deep and meaningfull. The booklet is more or less a travesty with a bunch of pictures seemingly thrown together at random. Her vocals are very special and she has a very personal voice. Songs that standout on this release are "A Perfect Day Elise" and "The Wind". 4/5.

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