HARVEY, PJ

Slicker in production and tighter as a band, RID OF ME finds PJ Harvey's dynamic blend of siren sing-song and leering guitar groomed and ready for show. As a band, their evolution into an empathetic unit rather than mere accompaniment is obvious in their tight yet subtle arrangements. Recorded by Steve Albini, this forceful sophomore effort veers from hoarsely quiet to ferociously looming in one beat. Drummer Robert Ellis and bassist Robert Vaughn's precise rhythm pocket and Ellis' background vocals spill over with a confidence that was lacking on DRY, and the band's grasp of the material is envious. RID OF ME'S songs further examine Harvey's love for farce (in particular, "Me-Jane" and "50 Ft. Queenie"), and rework the accusatory mysticism of DRY ("Snake" and "Man-Size Sextet"). "Man-Size" offers the lyrical stab, "I'll calculate my birth right," while "Me-Jane" hurls insults at an unresponsive Tarzan. With a quick nod to Bob Dylan on "Highway 61 Revisited," Harvey sheds a glimpse on her lyrical influences and strong taste for innuendo. RID OF ME proves PJ Harvey and her band to be a consistent and driving force in the face of 1990s rock.

Estimated despatch 5-10 days after ordering.