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Let England Shake by PJ Harvey

Let England Shake

PJ Harvey

2011
3.15
Rating
23169
Votes
1
6%
2
20%
3
37%
4
27%
5
10%
Distribution
Genres: Rock Styles: Alternative Rock, Art Rock, Indie Rock, Pop Rock, Singer Songwriter, Folk Rock

Reviews (page 7 of 8)

Pretentious innit

I’m not British enough to like this album

This feels like it should be my kind of music based on the time period when it was produced, but good golly it's dreadful. I was hanging on until the terrible bugle call sample that was neither in time nor added anything meaningful to the song. It sounded like a juvenile attempt at putting a song together in GarageBand. None of the songs feel impactful or interesting and Harvey's voice is often screechy or squealing in the songs. It feels like she wants so badly to be Delores O'Riordan, but doesn't have any of her vocal qualities. I don't understand why there are multiple PJ Harvey albums on this list, but I have yet to see anything about them that makes them worth listening to, let alone worth recommending to another person.

Not to my taste.

I'm struggling to find anything to say, its just pretty nothingy even compared to the other PJ Harvey album on this list, why do we need more?

Interesting concept, very ephemeral.

not my fav pj harvey. it is not gritty enough for me

I'd heard the name and thought PJ Harvery was a Black man so this was surprising. The music did not resonate with me... the subject matter felt incredibly heavy, and the music was not particularly pleasing to me so it was not an enjoyable listen.

Boring and unforgettable.

Not my fave artist

Modest Mouse vibes with manic pixie nonsense and discordant warbling added for extra effect. Not for me thanks.

The 1001 Project seems a bit too Anglocentric in its featuring of artists hailing from the UK or else UK-adjacent (read: results of British colonialism). This album as a concept of the history of England viewed through the frame of armed conflict over the years really drills down on that unfortunate bias. It's really a shame because there is a whole world of music this book seems to be missing out on while it puts the spotlight on a lot of stuff that seems comparatively less deserving. I'm pleased to have heard this record, yes, but perhaps not at the expense of say, "Selda" by Selda Bağcan. Jeez, guys. Anyhow, "Sheela-Na-Gig" was my introduction to PJ Harvey in high school, and although it wasn't totally my thing at the time, I enjoyed the sort of ferocity she exhibited in that track. Later, stuff like "Rid of Me" took that ferocity and loaded it into a gun pointed right at the listener's ear. A girlfriend in the early 00s put "One Time Too Many" on a mixtape for me. Independently, I've kept up with some of her work via collaborations and singles over the years, and it's always been quite compelling. I can't say I've ever listened to one of her records front to back until today though. This album starts off pretty jaunty and upbeat for such dark, violent source material, and pretty much stays that way throughout, strangely. Polly Jean has always had this ache in her voice that I really like. However on this record she's inhabiting a constricted falsetto that I haven't heard her perform in any previous work, and I cannot say I'm a fan of it. There's some great musicality and harmonies going on throughout, but for some reason overall most of the songs feel unfinished, more like ideas/sketches than fully realized, finished pieces. There are some highlights though. "All & Everyone" is a strong track in all its theatrical texture and mournful cadences. "On Battleship Hill" is a haunting piece with a driving rhythm and elegiac vocal melodies. "Written on the Forehead" is interesting in its use of Niney's 1971 ska classic "Blood and Fire" as a repeated sample motif (but here we are again with the colonialism thing). Other than these, the rest of it all seems parenthetical and uninspiring. It's all listenable, but for a concept record, it lacks cohesion. I always respect when an artist moves off the beaten path, but here it doesn't really work for me. The album art design is simple and cool. It certainly catches the eye and has a lot of movement, even if it promises something that the music itself doesn't exactly deliver. Anyway, I'm gonna go listen to Selda now.

Not modern PJ Harvey. Oh man. She has some great rock credentials from the 90s, but that miserable effort from 2000 does not fill me with hope here. Please don’t just be another 12 songs about New York. Nor London. I can’t handle more random city worship. We get it. You LOVE paying a lot of money for stuff and listening to desperate people yell on the street. I love starting into the reflection of our capitalist society’s worst tendencies for the price of getting robbed occasionally. Will I seem stupid for predicting this? Trick question. I will seem stupid, but probably not for whatever this first paragraph purports itself to be. Spin the block Peej. Let England Shake - No. I will not. This is an interesting, jangly little song. Not a bad start, despite playing god with the earth’s tectonic plates. I didn’t know you had that kind of power, and now I better tread carefully, lest hurricanes ravage inland Canada. The Last Living Rose - Brexit banger ™️. Yeah this is actually a really pretty song with a sarcasm I quite enjoy. Looking at England through a realistic lens while also acknowledging the role it plays in your life. Interesting and, dare I say it? Fun. The Glorious Land - This really is going to be England criticisms. I wonder if she will mention New York? Anti-War sentiments and parallels drawn between the two nations most responsible for the negatives in the world today. The Words that Maketh Murder - Well, they can’t all be hits. All And Everyone - We continue with sleepy nonsense. Not loving this departure from what made this album so captivating to begin with. There’s still time. On Battleship Hill - Whoa. There’s a battleship on a hill? Are we talking about some sort of harbour hopper situation? We’re so back. Haunting modern take on a psychedelic chamber pop song. I think. I don’t know anything about genres. That’s what it sounds like to me??? England - Man, another England song. Very cool track. A lot of this is extremely off the wall and I’m liking the general atmosphere. Interesting to see how disparate here albums are. In 20 years; the change in sound is staggering. In the Dark Places - Oh man, we’re starting to drag. Not in a cool way either. Bitter Branches - For the last time, do NOT eat the branches. PJ, I take you and this backup singer to the public gardens and you just keep eating trees. Worse yet, you write an extremely grating song about it. Hanging in the Wire - I have tried to listen to this song twice and I still can’t remember one thing about it. I’m sorry, I have failed my loyal readership. And my royal leadership. Written on the Forehead - This is an interesting one. I like the sample, and the general oddity of everything fits nicely. The Colour of the Earth - What a dull closer. Ugh. An inconsistent album that really started to take forever. It seems that when she ran out of ideas, she just started to repeat herself ad nauseam. There were some fascinating ideas here, and there was a bunch of dead air I was forced to sit through. Welcome to 2011. Well actually most albums from 2011 are utter dreck, so this was a standout I suppose. The best of a bad bunch so far. Anyway. Happy this is behind me. Bring on the angsty 90s PJ Harvey, and let England do what it will. Just do it away from me, please. 2-2.5 HIGHLIGHTS: The Last Living Rose, On Battleship Hill

Second album proposé après 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea' que j'avais plutôt apprécié (noté 3/5). Quelle déception ! Ce nouvel album a perdu presque tout ce qui m'avais plu dans le précédent : les morceaux dynamiques / rock saturés, les harmonies originales ... Le résultat n'est pas désagréable (+1), mais est plutôt ennuyeux (il m'a paru interminable) et ne présente plus d'intérêt pour moi. Je ne l'écouterais pas une seconde fois. =>2/5

Sitter ikke igjen med noe, men hun er kul da. Men mer trøkk takk.

Kind of a boring release to me, dissappointing after enjoying her first 2 albums. Bitter Branches was fun but outside of that I struggle to really enjoy or even remember the other tracks here. It's probably well written but I don't really tend to focus on the lyrics too much. The songs were all this kind of meh indie pop to me, a far call for her rougher and rawer earlier work.

Much less interesting than the previous album that I got from her. the music is good quality wise. It just doesnt vibe with me

This was.. not good. I really like early 90s PJ so this was so disappointing.

Stop making me listen to PJ fucking Harvey. Concept album, countries history (and let’s be real, futures) are blood shed. Supposedly haunting poetry, maybe if you like romantic myth cycles?? Historical naivety - maybe if you don’t contextualise ? And that’s before the pseudo old British folk stylings and whining. 2 Stars

I honestly don’t know if I hate this album or if I like it. There’s not a song that stands out and I dislike listening to it, but it’s not bad? I might revisit this in the future

I wasn't a big fan of this one. I felt like the vocals from PJ Harvey were a bit whiny and didn't like them much. The actual music I felt was a little boring and there wasn't much to shout about or any standout track I could pick out. There's the odd catchy vocal ('The Glorious Land') or piece of music (the title track) sprinkled here and there but there's not much meat on the bones of this album. It all sounds a little bit dreary. I wasn't gripped by anything melodically, despite it being pleasant enough. Nothing made my ears bleed, but it's not something I would come back to any time soon. It's a very slow and moody album without ever venturing into beautiful territory. Critics loved this apparently, but I must be missing something because this wasn't for me.

vaya mierda

absolute snoozer

Fully thought ‘Let England Shake’ and ‘PJ Harvey’ were a recipe for an absolutely mid electronic/dance album. Instead, it’s an absolutely mid acoustic alternative slog with often obnoxious vocal delivery. Let England Shake (5/10) The Last Living Rose (5/10) The Glorious Land (4/10) The Words That Maketh Murder (6/10) All and Everyone (6/10) On Battleship Hill (5/10) England (6/10) In the Dark Places (6/10) Bitter Branches (6/10) Hanging in the Wire (7/10) Written on the Forehead (6/10) The Colour of the Earth (6/10) 5.7/10

A bit of folk pop, tried to come off as earnest and deep but just hits me as whiny more than anything. Not a fan particularly, some good teams that'll probably get stuck in my head but generally misses the mark for me.

Ok, but not particularly catchy or memorable.

I got two albums of hers in a row. Random right? This one is def not as good as the other (Stories From The City). Some tracks seems a little Feist-like.

Mellow and kinda weird? I dunno I mostly just tuned it out while working

Bordering on musical narrative this is complex, dark & deep but oh so pretentious

I like PJ Harvey a lot but I found myself listening to other albums if hers. This one didn’t do a lot for me.

Nothing on it that interest me, I like PJ Harvey though!

Not my pitch of voice, interesting lyrics

I don’t like the vocal style and the music and lyrics are not interesting

Please use your singing voice next time. :)

The opening track made me think of the tune from the "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" song

A lot better than Rid of Me that sounded like an incoherent mess. Her more mature take on this makes it sounds better, however it felt bland in some parts but had some good moments. I don’t think I’m big into this kind of music.

Daar is PJ weer. Het derde album dat we voor onze kiezen krijgen; nu al op voorhand veel te veel van het matige. Het is wel een andere klank dan de andere twee albums, met vooral een hoge stem als troef. En ten opzichte van de verwachting schiet ze minder, zogenaamd artistiek, uit de bocht (al ga ik door de grond bij de verdraaiende stem in bijvoorbeeld England). Wat hetzelfde blijft; ook dit is weer een gemaakt geheel. Gericht op de mensen die de kunst in muziek waarderen. Stap dan uit dit boek en maak een 1001 'kunstzinnige uitspattingen'...

Not a fan of PJ Harvey. None of her albums have been enjoyable for me so far. Just wispy and pretentious. I can’t connect with it.

Sounded dated, old and whiney. Seems like a facsimile of Florence and Bjork.

It’s fine. Nothing special.

nix für mich

Bit too much for me

Generally inoffensive, but that one song with the random bugle interspersed for no reason brings it down to a two

Let England Shake by PJ Harvey is not an album that I particularly enjoyed. I didn’t really like the song arrangements, material, lyrics or vocals very much. I skipped through the back half of the album pretty quickly. There were a couple of songs that might bring me back at some point to give this album another try but for now this is a 2 rating for me. 2/5

Voice just didn’t do anything for me

atonal and pretentious. music as "art" versus as music for the joy of music.

Probably didn’t give this enough time. But nothing grabbed me. At all. A lot of it seemed very similar. 2.75

I'm going to take all of my problems to the United Nations.

2 not for me

Let Non English Bands On The List (2.5/5)

Album #200! Woo! Too bad it’s not a better one. Musically, I feel like this albums falls into a lot of 2011 indie music clichés and it really dates itself with them. Lyrically it’s a ridiculous paean to mother England. The other album we reviewed by PJ Harvey was a lot more interesting to me. Pass.

Not for me. Kind of eerie?

Something was really in the air in early 2010s England . This and olympics was serious high of patriotism. Cant quite get behind it. This kind of sounds like something a more right- leaning zoella would listen to. Specific rating - 2.1 Fav song - the last living rose Least fav- written on the forehead

Yeah this ain't much, fever ray-lite at times. Songs don't really go anywhere. Lotta 2's lately

Only having been familiar with Harvey's earlier work, this album feels like a bit of a departure (or evolution if you want to look at it that way). This seems to fit into the indie rock mold from this early 2010's era, being more delicately crafted and narrative-based (focusing on England and their affairs in war in this album's case). I'm conflicted though, as this doesn't feel like the PJ Harvey that this list introduced me to. There are hints here and there, but the energy is largely missing. Thus, I have a hard time ranking this the same as the other two albums of hers that I've listened to so far. I can see how this would strike a chord with others, though.

I guess it’s not that bad. 2.5

Liked the arrangements and good beats

wanted to like this more, but it felt very 2010s indie to me. not really my vibe

So a lot of time I say the singer doesn't have enough emotion but I think PJ Harvey has the opposite. Sometimes her voice is so emotional that it makes me think, its not that serious.... Her voice is also not my favorite, its not great, but not in a Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell bad good way. It is better than the last album by her, the music is at least palatable, but just not complete for me.

I enjoyed Dry by her more - really was not a fan of the combination of singing voice with the music. Always felt off kilter and off-key, not terribly interested in finding out how purposefully so.

I mean it was fine but didn't really connect with it

There's 3 more PJ Harvey albums on the list. For me this is the last one and my least favorite one. If it was good enough, it would have been different enough to be on the list. But it's not. It sounds like she, as a grunge artist, is struggling to stay relevant in the changing musical climate, specifically the rise of indie folk around that time. I don't like the genre very much and this album doesn't seem to be one of the highlights to me.

Kind of dissonant pop rock

This is really interesting, but I don't think I would say that it's good. She's very talented vocally! I think that's really the only nice thing I have to say about the album though. I also don't really have anything particularly negative to say though, either? Like it's not good, but there's nothing specifically bad about it. It's just unremarkable, to the point where I don't have a favorite song from this album. If you're obsessively into British female pop vocalists, this album might crack your top 1001, but for a general audience this is probably a skip. Favorite Song(s): -

2 star, interesting idea, mediocre execution, doesn't stand on its own legs. Heart was in the right place

I really didn’t care for this.

Not something I’d actually listen to.

Another example of the schism of music fandom. If you're interested in lyrics maybe there's something here for you. The music is pleasant but BORing; two adjectives that I never associated with P.J. Harvey before listening to this. Boring music annoys me. I can read lyrics on a page. I don't need them to be delivered in sonic mediocrity.

Did I want a Fiona apple-y album about England? Not really. Kinda warbly and not my cup of tea.

Ik så meget mig hørte ikke det hele igennem

Um yeah, never gonna listen to this dirty English propaganda again. Not a fan of her vocal style. Better than Neil young tho.

An acquired taste. Interesting voice but it reminded me of Kate Bush without sounding anything like Kate Bush, and I don’t much care for Bush. Maybe the lyrics are good but I can’t get past Harvey’s voice.

# 412 : I don't love it, I don't hate it. I thought it was very ordinary and Quiet forgettable. This was another album where I didn't feel like it warranted the "must hear before you die" label.

Sounds like a mashup of a bunch of bands I don't like.

One of those albums that is just too … cerebral for me. Too much to think about to enjoy. I’m a basic bitch.

Now we're talking! Honestly I never followed up with PJ Harvey after the 90s album To Bring You My Love. Hopefully it's good! I wasn't impressed 2 stars.

Sounds like hippie anti war music but way too on the nose and the lyrics suck

Well that’s wildly different from her last couple albums I heard. Far inferior to Stories from the Sea, but not bad, really—just kind of boring? This one really fails to grab me in sound or vibe. Best song: Bitter Branches

Get why it’s on this list but this album felt pretty pretentious - sort've like something ‘ Kamilah’ from the Good Place would’ve released. Not something I’d go back to. I’m sure people that enjoy this kind of music would really enjoy this album though.

Well, this started out as a pleasant surprise. I liked it ... up until about the 7th song, then it fell apart for me. Her voice, something, just didn't work any more, and it never got better.

Like st Vincent but boring?

I mean it’s alright…

Hat mich gar nicht abgeholt, aber 1 Stern ist reserviert für schlimmeres

Had to muscle through this one. I just don’t get it.

So screechy

PJ tries Bjork but it doesn’t grab me

Eh. Just had a hard time with this

Weird like Bjork

2.5 In one ear and out the other. I understand putting PJ Harvey on this list, but this feels like a random one to include.

Well this was an odd one. With the opening track I thought this just wasn't an album for me. But then there was something I liked. The whole album kept swinging wildly between enjoyable and terrible, often multiple times within one track. I really don't know what to make of it.

She can’t sing. Or at least she’s not showing it on this album. Sounds like off key yodeling to me. Skipped the England track halfway through because I just couldn’t take it anymore.

Not really worth a listen

Not really my cup of tea, a little too angsty.

Totally get why people would like this but I didn’t care for it.

People are high that rate this a 5. I used to get high, now I sit in a cubicle and push buttons. This did not brighten my day in any way, shape, or form. Awful sounding and couldn't wait for it to be done, so I stopped at song#5. If I had went on it would be a one star. Probably is a one star, but giving it a two because I was able to stop early and not waste any more of my time. Have a nice day!😜🤘🏻🤷🏻‍♂️🌝🌞🎃💩👻

Not necessarily bad, just not for me.

One of the most wishy-washy albums I've heard so far. I'm sure there is plenty to like about this album but I really couldn't gauge what PJ was going for on this album. The poetry/lyricism felt tacky and mediocre for a majority of the album. The vocals also seemed substandard. Idk man listen to the first 15-30 secs of England and you tell me if that slaps. The production was at least very solid but besides that it was all mid. Top 3 Fav: no favorites 1.75-2.25/5 Top 3 Worst: England (solos), Bitter Branches, and Written On The Forehead

This album doesn't stand out to me. Nothing done here feels special or influential to any specific genre. It's well crafted, but not great by any means.

Nope. Sorry. If they played this at the pub, I'd finish my drink and leave.

Not bad I just don't really like this type of music and if I did want to listen to it I think there are better artists. I've heard this before and still feel about the same, I am not sorry that I listened to it but don't need to hear it again.

Ugh, I kinda hated this

The beginning of England sounds like a goat dying. There were times early on that I thought this was better than Rid Of Me, and then it slowly got worse as it went on. I can respect the musicianship of PJ Harvey but her music is not something I enjoy.

Still not a PJ Harvey fan.

i had a buncha friends in the 90s who looooooved ms polly jean, but i just never cared for her. i'm glad this album was on the list, because it's allowed me to confirm that i still just don't care for her. musically, i mean - i'm sure she's a very nice person.

It was interesting I guess?

2 músicas ok e o restante ta pra pra preencher o album

Look, I know PJ Harvey is highly regarded and I admit she has done some good songs, but seriously, what the fuck is this shit?

STANDOUTS: n/a OVERALL: 1.5/5; I enjoyed the first PJ Harvey album this gave me. THIS ALBUM?? No. Possibly too experimental?

Super mid and super weird 3/10

no thom yorke and wouldnt come back to it

I don't get it.

Too warbly

What did I just listen to? I think I am missing some key information here. Clearly PJ Harvey can sing because some songs their voice is beautiful, and then others it sounds like she is intentionally trying to sound off key and screechy. Not my jam.

Only thing on Spotify was the demos. Idc or k if that’s what the real album sounds like. Boring.

Not my thing

Perhaps I wasn’t in the headspace for this, and normally I can appreciate the more eccentric ballads, but I just didn’t feel anything for this. It was too ambitious and too vanilla. Perhaps, one day, someone will be able to explain this to me in depth. I’m happy to listen and reevaluate should that day come, but I can’t get there alone.

I don’t get it. Nothing is bad? But there are some baffling decisions that are just bad. The song This Glorious Land has this really dissonant bugle call that just doesn’t fit musically and is honestly hilariously distracting. I think a lot of the music is…critical of England? I can’t tell if it’s critical or weirdly positive, like is it ironic? The trouble is I can’t tell. Is this a WWI album? It doesn’t really feel like it. It’s too pretty, needs more grime and grit I love the part where they sing BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD LET IT BURN. But it sounds like it could be a song circle and has no energy or heart or fear. This is one of those albums that I totally get why people love, but my god is it not for me

production is good but its just not my thing

Weinerlicher Folk Rock.

Only a couple of the songs were really good

I tried to like this one, but it just didn't connect. Even gave it a second play. It's decent, not annoying or anything, but nothing stood out or impressed me enough to remember.

On Battleship Hill sounded vaguely like Riptide by Vance Joy, no?

I didn’t enjoy anything about this

I got so excited that it was a woman singer and then i was immediately disappointed. Why does she care so much about England. She says England more than RHCP say California

I was hoping I'd like this more than I did. It is mostly solid, and every now and then i would find moments I enjoyed but it didn't quite come together in a way that I enjoyed overall. 2.25 stars.

PJ Harvey is a talented artist with lots of good music, this album was very mid and I'm not sure why it made the list of 1001 albums over others from her that are better.

Absolutely borinnggggg

Sounds like a low budget album made by no talent writer with an electric keyboard. I keep getting this kind of crap and wonder why it’s important to hear these before I die. Maybe so I can appreciate better music?

There's better PJ Harvey albums. I hope they're on this list. I suspect this one was included because it's about England

2.5/5. Not something I really enjoyed, but better than some other stuff I've heard from this artist.

I had never heard of PJH until the YouTube algorithm served me up a live version of “Dress” which is now in my normal video rotation. “Rid of me” is also another good one from her earlier work. This album was pretty much a struggle to get through. 1.5/5 rounding up

Bailed halfway through. Not the best by PJ Harvey imo

There are some parts which are okay musically, but her voice is just terrible. I could barely understand the lyrics, which according to the other reviews are quite good? Oh well. I struggle to see how this made this list.

I was not familiar with the artist or album before listening. I did not particularly enjoy this. The instrumentation is fine, but I don't particularly enjoy her voice. Some songs are better than others, but overall not interested to hear again.

Too much PJ Harvey

Ok, but not for me 2/5

Why is this on this list?

She should have stayed in the 90s

If I’m being honest, this was far too alt and artsy for me. It wasn’t completely unlistenable, but I didn’t enjoy it.

yay Great Britain is sooooooo cool

Too screechy for me.

honestly, I’m kind of sick of PJ Harvey however, this album I had a little bit of a change of heart because I’m pretty sure I usually only give ones. I did like the sound of some of the background music but I really just can’t get behind the voice it sounds like they couldn’t find anyone better. I know that’s harsh but it’s just not good voice to me however, I did like some of the music.

I wasn't a fan of this. I do like her other music.

Eeeh. Was not for me.

I appreciate the vibe, I like plenty of artists that are similar but PJH just isn’t it for me.

it's ok

It feels like I'm not the target demo for this album. A lot of her vocalization gets on my nerves a bit, and I don't know enough about the history of England for this to resonate with me emotionally. Musically it doesn't really stand out to me.

This is twice in 4 days now, grow up

Second of PJ Harvey's in four days which is too much for my taste.

The best thing this album has going for it is that it sounds different from all the other (many other) PJ Harvey albums on this list, which I hate more.

1. let england zhake - 1 2. the lazt living roze - 1.5 3. gloriouz land - 1 4. uuordz that maketh murder - 0 5. all and everyone - 1.5 6. on battlezhip hill - 1.5 7. england - 2 8. in the dark placez - 1.5 9. bitter branchez - 1 10. hanging in the uuire - 1 11. uuritten on the forehead - 1 12 the colour of the earth - 0

This is fine I guess, but I don’t really vibe with it. Feels kind of generic, and it definitely has some obnoxious points. I hate the bugle ass shit on The Glorious Land. They didn’t even try to sync up the tempo there. It’s like some boomer’s ringtone is going off in the background. The Words That Maketh Murder was above average. I like In the Dark Places, and her singing is engaging on England.

Pretty average sounding album, didnt stand out to my interests.

Really quirky dark indie vibes. Male vocals and weird inserts (battle call trumpet, why?) ruined most of the songs for me. Finally an album with songs that didn't just repeat themselves, so that was nice. Fav tracks: Let England Shake, On Battleship Hill

I didn't think it was bad by any means, I just don't enjoy this type of music

It was ok. Nothing amazing. Won’t be downloading the back catalog or anything.

Interesting, but not good. For an album about war, the singing is fairly bloodless. PJ Harvey can do bold, and so the title and title track felt like she was taking the piss. The Bjork comparisons aren't out of place either - the vocals on 'England' sound like Harvey is trying on both Bjork's writing and phasing. Also, out of tune, endlessly repeated samples will never fail to get on my nerves.

I got the sneaky feeling that saying I love England 65 times on an album will get you on this list. The album seems like a love song or elegy to jolly olde England. Certainly listenable and at rare moments the vocals break through the surface to become nearly radiant. Nice to hear the combination of male and female voices singing together.

Pretty…pretty…pretty…not good. What the hell is the English horn call on that one track? Delete the avant garde crap and you might have a low end 3.

Few nice moments

maybe i'm missing something but this album is... how do I put this... not good? at its best, it's just boring indie folk with bjork-esque vocals on top. other tracks like the glorious land seem to go out of their way to be annoying with the weird-ass pikmin c-stick trumpet noises that don't fit with the key of the song at all. the ending of all and everyone showcases someone trying their best to blow a horn mournfully. the last track was my favorite because bjork let someone else take a turn singing and then it was over. if England is shaking from this album, it's shivering with fear that another one like this is in the works. favorites: written on the forehead? i guess...?

Alright bit one note

I am not familiar with PJ's work and after listening to the album I am thinking it may take a few more listens to really appreciate it.

Not really my thing. Barely got through a full listen.

depressing album for me, PJ Harvey not the most uplifting of artists but this album seems her in an ever darker mood. I prefer her earlier Sheila Na gig punk stuff, while thus is nicely produced, and lyrically smart just found it hard work, and cant see my myself ever listening to it again

Tråkigt tbh

ei ei ei herrat ei voi antaa ykköstä.. Soundi matchaa sanoja... koherentti.. Sanoitus kuulemma uskomatonta..

Not at all for me.

Eh. This is our third from PJ Harvey. The first two were decent, and this one I'd put slightly below that. It's weird in ways that I don't think always work. It sounds like she's trying to be the British Bjork, and I'm not much of a Bjork fan, so it figures I wouldn't appreciate an imitation. Take, for example, "The Glorious Land." It's a pretty generic alt-rock type of song, and then there's a bugle march just right on top of the track. Obviously there's meaning to it, it's obviously a war protest song (the album is a "war album," which just typing out makes me yawn). But musically, it's just uninteresting and feels lazy. Like something a college kid would do and be like "yo, but it's so deep, it's like the war is marching on in the background of whatever we're doing and stuff." With any album I've never heard before, my first impression is and always will be music before lyrics. This one might be great lyrically, but musically I find it too bland to even return to and get into the lyrics. A couple songs I enjoyed, but yeah, this is a dud for me. I understand the inclusion since it's "important," but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Favorite tracks: The Last Living Rose, On Battleship Hill. Album art: Not much to say. It's the title over, what, a cloud of black birds? I don't know, man. I've checked out. 2.5/5

Couple of listenable tracks on here but most of it wouldn't be for me.

Skilled musician and singer. But not for me.

This PJ Harvey record screams "Look at me! I'm still a relevant alt-rock icon!" Except she isn't and this is just pretentious. 1.5/5

Some interesting stuff here but not enough to keep me coming back. Enjoyed the first listen more than the second and third. Interesting & unique can’t be assumed to have a continuing allure. On Battleship Hill and In The Dark Places are songs I’d like to hear again, but would be okay without the rest. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding

Not quite sure what I expected, but I certainly hoped for better. As a Scot, an album of songs about England is not top of my wishlist - even if it's not complimentary! Singing is great, but words and music less so. Maybe I'd like it more after a few more times through, but there's no time for that - on to the next!

The music is fine, but I don't like her voice. The whole thing kind of sounds like typical indie music that's trying to be weird and spooky for no reason at all

2/5. Idk, wish this was better than it was. Sure some interesting pop sounds and innovative songwriting, but not enjoyable. Just fine.

A few interesting songs but overall not that exciting. Patty did not like it. 2 stars

Weird composition choices. Lyrics belong on r/Im14andthisisdeep

Music and voice isn’t bad, can’t connect lyrically with her

I liked the other PJ Harvey album but really didn't care for this one. I feel like this list is too short to have multiple albums from this artist...

If PJ Harvey grabbed a guitar at a house party I would definitely leave.

Why are there so many P.J. Harvey albums on this list? One would have been enough. Two, tops. Instead, we've got four albums of mediocre, warbling, badly-produced nonsense. If I was being fair, I'd give this 3 stars. But I'm annoyed that I have to listen to yet another P.J. album so it's getting docked an extra star.

I really thought I was going to like this one, as I knew PJ Harvey had collaborated with Nic Cave (who keeps coming up in these). I honestly found it kind of boring? I listened through to it twice to give it a fair shake. The very first song starts off with what sounds to me like xylophone, so I was hoping I was in for a weird ride. But nothing really grabbed me. I was surprised to read in the album description on the 1001 Albums site that it was Album of the Year for 16 publications. Maybe 2011 was just too different of a time. Idk. Won't listen again. Probably wouldn't notice if I heard something from this at the grocery store.

Блядь я реально ненавижу пи джей харви с первой ноты еще 13 лет назад

I had a pretty visceral negative reaction to this album. Maybe this is someone’s jam, but it is definitely not mine.

Bit too winey at times, but good music - just not an entire album

The first song is pretty good

A lot sounded the same

Really? Two albums by PJ Harvey already? Ok, this one is odd, kind of a cross between Bjork and Sinead O’Connor. Listenable but not very interesting. Maybe there’s more in the lyrics that I wasn’t hearing.

Not my cup of tea ;)

I did enjoy the song Written on the Forehead, but otherwise it was hard to get through

Meh. Slightly upbeat but I don't get why it's special.

2.5 I think it sounds great. Really dont know it well enough to go higher right now.

Ugh. It is folk musjlic/indie music. I did not care for it. Thankfully it was only about 40 minutes. It is just meh. No reason to revisit. It is not really a 2 but better than 1.

I feel like this album is so mediocre to the point that it's a bit bad. 2 stars.

Sometimes she sounds like Peej of old, sometimes like Kate Bush and other times like a gentle folk singer. Lyrically I’m sure it’s clever and poetic, but musically I found nothing arresting.

clearly creative, and some of it was very catchy, but not for me.

Better than previous PJ, but still not my cup of tea. 2.5/5

LMAO From the title I thought it was a dance album. Boy was I wrong. I will give it some points for being an interesting listen, but I generally don’t listen to music to hear about how awful past wars were, even if I very much agree with the sentiment. 4/10

I've tried to like PJ Harvey, I get why others like PJ Harvey. I do not like PJ Harvey.

Hated it.

Sort of unbearably pretentious if that makes any sense? Can definitely see that it would have an audience, but that audience is not me. 2/5

Quite frankly, a bit whiney and boring. Nothing wrong with it as background music but it just drones on with nothing to catch my attention.

Pretty interesting songs. Could maybe get into it, but I did not like the voice much. Primarily songs about war

Oh good another PJ Harvey album, just what I needed. Oh and good it's more artsy Gen X garbage. No doubt this shit was a big hit among drugged up retards trying to become social media famous at Glastonbury. I'm glad this project is going to track Harvey's whole career for me, because how would I find out about so much utter shit otherwise? 2/5.

First album I've got from the 21st century! And a bit of a letdown. This one did not click with me.. I'm always intrigued by PJ Harvey but her aggressive, inaccessible writing style is just hard to parse sometimes. I'd need several more listens to "get" this one, and right now there aren't any songs that stick out and make me want to hear this again...

I immediately feel in love with the music of PJ Harvey when she first appeared, and her first three albums were all played repeatedly and religiously at my house. I found her powerful, emotional, honest and with the ability to rock. I really liked the raw production of her first two records (Steve Albini seemed a really good pick for her), and the change to 'To Bring You My Love' was welcome. The brooding, seething restraint of 'To Bring You My Love' is a masterpiece that I am, frankly, surprised to see is not on this list. But, as I listened to less new music in the late 90s and early 2000s, I lost track of her new release. I certainly continued to read about PJ Harvey, and saw her live at the Enmore Theatre in the 2000s. Which brings me to this album, that I do not care for. Maybe it's because I don't care about England and its travails. It seems overly cerebral and emotionally distant (compared to her earlier work). I understand she changed her vocal style to make the songs work, but I don't like it. Her power and immediacy seem diminished to me. The arrangements don't hang together for me. It doesn't move me. Again, I suspect, because I don't really care about the thematic material. I am disappointed, because I really was hoping that this would be a really great album that I just hadn't heard yet.

This is one of those albums that I feel like if I actually listened to the lyrics and concept I would be more impressed. Unfortunately the Bjork-like singing was distracting and made discerning the lyrics for a casual listen near impossible.

I didn't enjoy this. Songs sounded too similar and I didn't like the vocals.

Whiney

NOT FOR ME!

Some sorta interesting bits here and there, but altogether, not for me. A little experimenty and drawn out.

Meh the song with the weird car horn in the background was particularly annoying

Powerful antiwar lyrics with a focus on the personal experiences of soldiers, mostly in the First World War. The compositions are interesting too. I can’t say I particularly enjoyed this album though. I recognize the high level of artistry but didn’t emotionally connect to the music. “Written on the Forehead” stood out because of that reggae vocal sample. That was a cool surprise.

It's an OK album, it didn't really blow me away and I didn't really find anything that I didn't like on it. For me it's a 2.5/3 but rounding down to a 2 because it just didn't really grab me.

Lyrically a love letter and celebration of England so not a whole lot to identify with if you're not British. The songs are all pretty one note pop-indie songs that don't experiment or try to do anything out of the box. An easy listen but not a particuliarly enjoyable one.

2 God I really didn't like the opening track. It's one of the most jarring starts to an album I've heard, and musically/vocally I found it grating... though not nearly as bad as the song England. The rest of the album is pretty "meh". I feel like a lot of the songs I kind of liked had an aspect to them that tainted it a bit for me. For example, I thought The Glorious Land was a good song apart from the annoying bicycle horn-like noise that kept repeating, and I was really enjoying The Words That Maketh Murder up until the backup singers started cheesily repeating the title of the song. Not the worst album I've heard, but not impressed either. This is the first PJ Harvey album I've ever listened to, so while not a good first impression, I believe she has another album or two that are pretty coveted, and I look forward to listening to them. Favorite songs: The Glorious Land, The Words That Maketh Murder, Bitter Branches

Not PJ Harveys best, would have had Rid of Me or Stories from the City on here instead

This is the second album I've gotten of PJ Harvey's and I was not impressed with the first one. Hopefully this one is better. Meh I don't like this album or band at all.. I don't like the singer's voice and the music is slow and boring.

Can’t say I’m really a fan of this album at all. The instrumentals are really nice but I can’t get behind her voice, and some lyrics are odd and questionable. Bitter branches being the only track I could listen to and slightly enjoy.

No bueno

Olipahan taas tylsä ja jossain määrin myös ärsyttävä levy.

Jotenki sekavaa. Ei oikeen saanu kiinni, mut ei kuitenkaan mitään shaittia

PJ Harvey has never been for me and Let England Shake doesn't change that. A bit too dreamy and pretentious. 2/5.

Meh to be honest. Bored me

I just don't get it. This is her second album I've come across on the 1001 list and I'm only about 40 albums deep. Just don't see the appeal. Not terrible but I certainly wouldn't label them as "must listens"

I only know the hit by PJ Harvey and always liked it...and there were elements throughout that kind of grabbed me but for the most part it became background music... I don't think I am the audience for this one.

kind of a haunting atmosphere. I don't really like it though. the vocals are kind of grating, and it feels like the album is trying to be weird for the sake of being weird. the glorious land would be good if it weren't for the jarring bugle sample. It seems like she really cares a lot about England and I just can't relate

Yeesh this was a rough one to get through. 4/10

English Folk Rock is always a strange experience. I am the biggest fan of American Folk Rock that I know and I just can't get into the genre. This album sounds like if Björk was a folk artist. The can horn version of reveille playing in the background of "The Glorious Land" was a strange thing to hear I actually looked outside during the first one to see if somebody was being annoying in my parking lot. There are parts that I really love and musically and vocally. But there are also times where the vocals much like Björk just are too shrieky and strange for me to enjoy. Overall I didn't dislike it, but I just didn't like it and I have a hard time believing there is 3 more PJ Harvey albums if they are all like this.

I enjoyed this but it wasn’t huge for me.

8th April 2022 Listened while waiting at LAX for the fam to arrive for holiday in LA! Liked the beginning and the folky, weird representation of historic England. 2.5 if I could.

Not a fan. Hard to get through. Nothing against her, just not big on female vocals.

Couldn't get into this one

This is another artist that I feel I should like but I just don't. Her voice annoys me.

Kwee nie, het ging een beetje aan me voorbij.

Ik hou enorm van het oudere werk van PJ. De eerste 4 a 5 albums zijn geweldig. Maar bij dit album was ik destijds afgehaakt en ik snap nu ook weer waarom. Ik hoor alleen maar schriel gepiep en kabbelende nummers. Misschien best goed, maar ik hoor van PJ liever wat pittigere dingen.

Ordinaire

Al baš mi ne paše ta PJ.

Not a fan of the vocals; sufficiently harrowing; interesting concept

I don't care a bit for her, and I'll never understand her appeal. The perfect example of the kind of music that just passes me by. I'm sure it's very good for the right kind of listener.

Track 01 - 2.5/5 Track 02 - 2.25/5 Track 03 - 2.25/5 Track 04 - 2/5 Track 05 - 2/5 Track 06 - 1.75/5 Track 07 - 2.5/5 Track 08 - 2/5 Track 09 - 2.25/5 Track 10 - 2.25/5 Track 11 - 2.5/5 Track 12 - 2/5 Overall: 2.25/5 Album Art: 3.5/5

Bit much/not enough

Too art school and just not very good!!!!!!

I didn't really dig it

Folksy, Lumineers vibes. Not really my thing

one of the oddest inclusions for this list new enough where it isn't very influential not very good not even particularly popular

The other pj Harvey album was better. Kind of boring overall

First Listen. Interesting. Different than her other albums - in a good way. I like it. Can't wait to hear more of it. 2/5 for now.

No es un mal álbum, tiene muy buenas canciones; pero como ha pasado con álbumes que anteriormente he escuchado, no es mi estilo; pero eso no significa que sea malo.

Not too bad. Not one of her best in my opinion

Not my jam.

Annoying at best!

meh.... too slow for me

-"The Words That Maketh Murder" is kind of good -idk pretty boring

Not this b*tch again! Don’t get the hype. Never did. Significant improvement from the other album I listened to but just enough to get an extra star. 2.

Not my flavour. Bit kooky

I get it. I understand it. I just don't like it. I don't see why it got so much praise heaped on it when it was initially released.

Wasn't my cup of tea

It is an eclectic album, not really my style.

yawnfest

Never could get into her.

Can appreciate some of the writing but I couldn’t get into the album.

Fine, but nothing really to say.

Not my cup of tea

no thanks :(

It's ok but I'm not loving it?

Interesting I guess, sort of meh for me. None of that '90s edginess.

Not her best

It's so crazy to me that this is a critically acclaimed album and made the list. Overall it's not terrible, it sounds okay and the songwriting has some strong moments, but it's not very compelling (i just don't care that much about England ig), somehow its melodramatic and boring at the same time, and the vocals are pretty whiny. i also don't really like the production, it sounds, idk fuzzy in a way? Anyways, I'm trying not to be to be too influenced by being annoyed that this took a spot from something else on the list, but it's really just not great. 4/10.

I powrot do brytyjskiego zawodzenia, tym razem indi pop lub indyjski rock w zaleznosci od kawalka, ambitna muzyka dla uniwersalnego sluchacza, wokale baby z jakims gosciem przewijajacym sie jako wokal backapujacy oraz dodatkowymi chorkami, sporo takze overdubowanych fragemntow, instrumentalnie jest duza roznorodnosc, od klasycznych drumow, basior, klawiszy, puzonow sa tez bardziej egzotyczne dodatki jak harmonijkowe wstawki, organy, bo material nagrywany podobno w koscielnych warunkach, z szarpanych instrumentow nie tylko gitarki, ale tez skrzypce, cytry, wiolonczele, ale nie czuc zadnego natkolu, bo kawalki zawieraja zazwyczaj dwa maksymalnie trzy instrumenty, wiec sa dosc proste, sklad 4 osob a tyle instrumentali bioracych udzial w nagraniach, ale to wokal i liryka stanowia o tym czy taki album sie spodoba czy nie, a tutaj lirycznie nie potrafie sie z nim w jakikolwiek sposob polaczyc, jak sam tytul wskazuje bedzie po anglinsku po brytyjsku, wiec nic ciekawego dla goja z juropy, wiec ciezka to byla sesja chociaz tylko 40 minut w wersji spotifaja

PJ Harvey. Hm. Hat mir schon besser gefallen als auf diesem Album, das son bisschen träumerisch über leicht dystopisch bis diet-cokig durch die Lande wandelt. 2,4 dafür.

I have some other PJ Harvey tracks that I like better. Whilst I am not generally offended by her rather witchy, folky style, this got a bit to waily sometimes.

Just never been able to get into pj harvey

Ni fu ni fa. Se escucha y ya. Supongo que la lista se hizo en el año de publicación más o menos y se vio afectado por la novedad. PJ Harvey tiene discos mejores.

Honestly, I really don't think this was a good choice for me. It seemed to alternate between overly patriotic and nationalistic which felt awkward and while technically the music was well made, it was just not enjoyable because of the themes.

No me está enganchando. Lo siento. 2.00

Ok album. Very much 2010 hipster based. Interesting use of instruments. Little boring for my taste.

Not for me. Just a bit boring I found.

It was alright but not really my kind of jam.

I wanted to like it but didn't

Second album I get by PJ, same as the other one - I don't think it is anything special

Squealing. Annoying