By Jason Hunter
n my last post (Helium) I extolled the underrated guitarist Mary Timony. Well, PJ Harvey never had that problem. In fact, when she stopped playing the guitar live after her third album fans cried fouled. Her guitar chops, fiery voice, frank lyrics of lust, rage, sexuality, and other confrontational topics on her first two albums (Dry, Rid of Me) won my heart. The much missed John Peel once complimented her sound as trying to suck all the oxygen out of the room. I'll take it even further - that transition from muted guitar strumming to sonic squall is like an apollo cabin fire in my skull. After her second LP things got more varied and dark. I always forget how great To Bring You My Love is, but still shun the electronic dirges of Is This Desire?. Then came the lush, reverb-drenched Stories From The City, Stories From the Sea. Filled with references to urban dread and isolation it was the perfect soundtrack for me as I moved into Washington D.C. for grad school. After this LP Harvey made an album of scuzzy garage rock and then piano ballads. It's been a wonderful ride following PJ Harvey over the years. I always look forward to new releases and can't recommend her work enough.
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