Let England Shake

I bought this record not from any love of the music of PJ Harvey but because it won the Mercury. Not that I have anything against PJ Harvey; on the contrary I do not have a single record of hers, couldn't name you an album let alone a song. She's always seemed to me to be an artist in the mould of The Smiths. Someone you should like but just don't. But then I reasoned that these people at The Mercury must have some reason for giving Polly the prize over the mega selling (and very good) "21" by Adele. Probably snobbery (I...erm..reasoned) - couldn't be seen to give the gong to something as popular as "21".

This record is quite simply the greatest record I have bought in years and years. It's an evisceration of the belligerence and hubris of consecutive British governments, of the cost of their scandalous wars both to us and ours and to them and theirs. But it's done so beautifully. I have listened incessantly since buying it. It's deceptively simple - the songs are almost like chants but the album rages with the voice of a nightingale, screams it's outrage through light almost airy melodies which hint at their dire content through a fairly constant bass and churning rhythms. I know I sound like I'm talking shite but I have rarely been so impressed with an album. Buy it, it's epochal.

Let England Shake to the sound of Polly Jean Harvey. Almost twenty years since her debut and she has released probably the best album of the millenium. This is her War Requiem for England. Brilliant tunes and mesmerising imagery abound. I am almost speechless such is the quality of this album. In fact I'm going to go away and listen to it again straight away.
Absolute Masterpiece

A true return to form! Best album of 2011! You need this in your life!

PJ Harvey never fails to deliver her own very special way of making music and look: it stays very original, a highway from commercial stuff and very convincing. even after all these years.
her musical and vocal qualities are beyond doubt, and also live PJ Harvey is a great experience.
worth discovering.

A refreshing phoenix rising from the banal ashes of the British music scene. Originality reminiscent of Kate Bush. Haunting vocals and stirring lyrics. Fantastic!