Canajun
Canajun
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What Am I Missing???

Posted over 4 years ago
All,For many years now, I have read reviews - many positive - for PJ Harvey's work. Each time, I try her stuff again thinking I'm missing something because most everything I've heard could have been written and recorded by my cat!! What am I missing??? Can someone give me a track - just one - that proves she's talented in any way?My tastes in music are quite varied and include some hard-core indie materials but I can't get enough drugs into my system to make this tolerable.Help!
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Comments (17)

  1. Canajun
    Canajun says Thanks... I thought so! I'll go back to my silly rural New Jersey life again.... without PJ Harvey. I did okay before... I'll do okay again! I just thought that I was missing something! ( I am, I guess! ). But I can open my eyes in the morning, take the dog for a walk and listen to my "PJ Harvey- Free" iPod and thank the stars for everything! Chris
    Permalink posted 11/28/2007
  2. dachmo
    dachmo says Well, how can you feel like you're missing out on something if you tried it and concluded that you don't like it? It's music, you don't have to make anybody happy but yourself. So listen to what you like, where you like. Nobody's expecting you to do anything else. I was joking about that Bad Person thing, just so you know! --David
    Permalink posted 11/28/2007
  3. kristiana
    kristiana says As Dachmo said, different strokes for different folks. Nonetheless, have a taste of these...
    Permalink posted 11/28/2007
  4. kristiana
    kristiana says
    Permalink posted 11/28/2007
  5. Canajun
    Canajun says To Kristiana, Okay... better than a cat howling in a tree! Actually, quite good in comparison to stuff I've listened to before. Thanks. But she still doesn't get any room on my space-challenged 20-G iPod! Oh well.... I'm just not a fan, I guess! Chris
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  6. Cody B
    Cody B says Is it possible for these things to change over time..possibly. I think the context where you hear records has a lot to do with how you feel about them...For me it is especially hard to like records that I've never heard but have read glowing reviews about or seen on "greatest lists". Same holds true for movies. I was flipped on the Beach Boys- Pet Sounds,though...I had never really liked it, but one night, at a party, at 4 am someone threw on a mint mono copy (without me knowing), I heard it from the next room and was drawn into Mr.Wilson's world of sound and I got it. With early 60's Motown, I always thought is was pop junk, but after hearing enough favorites, album cuts, and getting to know the musicians and producers, I began to appreciate the craft and innovation that went into the records. My ears got subverted by my opinions about Berry Gordy (not good) as compared to my love for the Stax sound, and I forgot to listen. In the end, you can read all you want, but you gotta trust your ears..don't dismiss artists you don't like, but there's no need to dwell on it. There's plenty out there.
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  7. Canajun
    Canajun says Cody B, Okay... that's the attitude I've always had about music.... take what works,,, leave what doesn't.... I will live my life and be happy without worrying about it! I just don't get the reviews about PJ..... Is she bl%wing somebody to get where she is?
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  8. kristiana
    kristiana says Not to be a smartass, Canajun, but...shredding a rock goddess like PJ when upon a cursory glance one can find in your collection anything from Bette Midler to Avril Lavigne to Alanis Morrissette....your wife's stuff, right? Hehehe. Oh, I would say PJ has blown plenty. But not because she had to.
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  9. Cody B
    Cody B says Here's a review I picked off AMG for her debut,Dry: _Polly Jean Harvey arrives fully formed as a songwriter on PJ Harvey's debut album, Dry. Borrowing its primitive attack from post-punk guitar rock and its form from the blues, Dry is a forceful collection of brutally emotional songs, highlighted by Harvey's deft lyricism and startling voice, as well as her trio's muscular sound. Her voice makes each song sound like it was an exposed nerve, but her lyrics aren't quite that simple. Shaded with metaphors and the occasional biblical allusion, Dry is essentially an assault on feminine conventions and expectations, and while there are layers of dark humor, they aren't particularly evident, since Harvey's singing is shockingly raw. _ They are saying she writes complex songs and has a startling voice..Professional record reviewers listen to a lot of records, 10,15,20 new one's a week. At any rate, I believe folks who sound startling or a little different, while still operating within "established" areas (post punk guitar rock/blues) are ripe for critical acclaim, because they stand out from all the records that the reviewers are currently working with. The question for me is whether her debut would be just as shocking today as it was when it came out over 15 years ago..probably. She is a unique (relatively) voice so she stands out..when she makes a softer record with no guitars as she just did, maybe some folks go with her and some refer to the jolt they got from her 15 years ago and are dissappointed. I think it is impossible to like everything, but even things I don't like I can respect or at least recognize what might be appealing to other folks. I don't get tons of records and I like to ask other folks why just as you did..Sometimes this changes my mind, sometimes it doesn't. I guess with PJ, if you think the songs aren't good and you don't like her voice, then move on. The fact that you have such a visceral response though, leads me to believe you want to like her. Uh Huh Her was her self described bid for the mainstream..Dry was the explosive debut...Stories is described as more grown up and more direct lyrically...Chalk is acoustic and even more emotionally direct. One thing is for sure, there's many different styles to choose from. If you can be specific about what you do like perhaps one of her big fans could swoop in and be your saviour? Oh yeah, I don't think she blew anybody..while I don't count myself as a fan, her career seems totally self directed. Maybe that is what appeals to some..she does whatever she wants.
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  10. Canajun
    Canajun says An extreme thanks for this.... you took a lot of time to explain it... and I appreciate it! IBut I still think she has an "In" with somebody! I feel somewhat the same with Iggy Pop..... not a lot of good stuff there either. But the fans love it! Chris
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  11. Cody B
    Cody B says I dunno the details of her signing, but who cares about that anyway if the music is good..As for Iggy,critical acclaim doesn't translate to a lot of fans..they may be loud, but their aren't that many. Why do you care what other people think..If you are looking to expand your horizons and run into some road blocks, there are other roads. I guess what I'm saying is that it is easier to start with what you like and expand out. Why start with with other folks are digging.. Who do you like? Are there specific characteristics you are looking for in music? What are the critics saying about things you are into?
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  12. Cody B
    Cody B says I think another thing that happens with some critics is the make up factor..I think many dismissed The Stooges on arrival (It's always amazing to me how different Fun House sounds when compared to the Doors LA Woman-both were released around the same time on the same label!) and then after it became apparent that they were very influential, Iggy's cred was boosted on his later records. Same thing with Parliamnet/Funkadelic..
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  13. Sturgell
    Sturgell says PJ Harvey and Nick Cave... not too sure if I'd consider this her finest work. Canajun Chris said she must have slept with someone to get to where she is... maybe it was ol' dirt dog Cave? I like the song, but am not too into the video.
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  14. kristiana
    kristiana says Um. I'm into it.
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  15. kristiana
    kristiana says And no, I don't think he ever did find a girl who could compare to Polly Jean. Nuff said.
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  16. Lizziegreeneyes
    Lizziegreeneyes says Here's a favorite of mine... off Stories from the City... I love the entire album with chills like crazy. The song is a duet with Thom Yorke (so I may be handing you a double whammy) +This Mess We're In+
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007
  17. Canajun
    Canajun says Lizzie, Very nice.... but definitely a Thom Yorke tune. Thanks for this but it doesn't let PJ off the hook. Chris
    Permalink posted 11/29/2007

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