PJ Harvey - Dry

YOURZ

My second-favourite rock chick (after Adalita from Magic Dirt), although I will admit Polly Jean is probably far more well known around the world.  She is another musical pixie - the word petite doesn't really cover it - but with a booming voice and the gumption of a fully-formed rock star, her territory is songs that demolish the facade of beauty and uncover the true heart lying beneath.  But don't call her a feminist.

As a debut, Dry ticked all the right boxes when it was released, way back in 1992.  At the time, Grunge was big around the world and PJ's stripped back blues rock and angst-ridden vocals often garnered comparisons to Patti Smith, Godmother of Grunge, although Polly hardly agrees, instead calling it, simply, lazy journalism.

From the opener, Oh, My Lover, with its plea of "don't you know it's alright, you can love her", Polly plays out her passions straight from her heart and guitar.  And her attack is relentless throughout the album, where, black widow-like, she lures the listener into her web with soft-sung vocals and delicate arrangements before pouncing.  The only exceptions to this winning formula are the Breeders-like Plant And Rags and Water.

Yes, the production is rough and the mastering limited, but nonetheless, this is a stunning debut from a talent who has since proven herself to be a major musical force.  Personally, I still think Dress is one of the best songs she's ever written.  For this reason (amongst many), I'm calling this another Forgotten Gem.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE:

Oh, Polly Jean... my favourite rock chick.  Not my favourite album, but the one I bought because Sheela-Na-Gig was such a revelation when it came out.  I remember having an intense conversation in a dance club with a very stoned girl about the song, what it meant, and how PJ's voice just drew something out of us, while her boyfriend watched us and occasionally tried to interject, but eventually gave up in disgust.  Which is kind of appropriate, given it's about carvings some say represent a female fertility goddess.

Listening to Dry now, I can hear faults with its composition and its mix (it's a first album, give her a break!).  And I wonder why I can love Polly's way of not-singing but hate Nick Cave's.  I remember seeing her perform at a Big Day Out, looking dwarfed by her guitar and teetering across the stage in huge red sparkly heels that made her look a little like Minnie Mouse. 

Such a powerful voice from such a small and frail-looking woman, but whose hard-rocking performance puts her up there with any of the other rock chicks I've seen.  She's made better albums than this.  I believe we own them.  But for its faults, there's still that voice, bring that growl, breathy whine and moan that make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

VERDICT:TURN IT UP

For more information: http://pjharvey.lucidwebs.co.uk/

In our collection we also have Stories Of The City, Stories Of The Sea and Uh Huh Her

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Best Of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

MINE

Oh, this album is so full of beautiful songs - It's such a pity they're mostly being sung by yer another man who can't.  Sing, that is.  In fact Mr Cave has a lot in common with my other non-favourite - Bob Dylan.  Both are very unattractive, write beautiful songs and then stuff them up by singing them.

At least Nick has a nice voice, not that nasal drawl Dylan spouts.  It's the sort of voice an actor dreams of - deep, rounded, mellifluous - but it isn't musical.  I find it offers a nice counterpoint when he duets with women - as he does here with PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue.  But otherwise I'd probably prefer hearing these songs sung by somebody who can.  Because Into My Arms, Do You Love Me?, The Weeping Song and  The Ship Song deserve to have versions that make their brilliance truly shine.

I'm all for a Cave Covers Album - and I'm putting my vote in for songs by Katie Noonan and Megan Washington.  Anybody?

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN

YOURZ

I was wondering how Mine would react to having to review The Best Of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, seeing as how a mere mention of his name sees her mumbling something about 'the chin-less wonder' and generally making faces like she's swallowed a really bad-tasting fly.  Thankfully she can see past her aversion to his voice and understand he truly does write very good songs.

I love Nick and don't have the slightest problem with his voice.  And he has also provided some truly spectacular live musical memories, from the first time I saw him at the Enmore Theatre many years ago (never seen so much black in one place at one time) to the numerous times I've seen him since (most memorably in a month of musical heaven where I saw him, The Violent Femmes and Nirvana - all three acts were unbelievable). 

But this isn't just about Nick Cave, it's also about the Bad Seeds who are, without a doubt, one of the finest group of musicians in the world.  Never stagnant, the Seeds membership has updated itself over the years to the betterment of the collective as a whole.  The Best Of..., however, features what most would probably call their 'classic' lineup, one which includes Mick Harvey, Blixa Bargeld, Conway Savage and Thomas Wylder.  Their influence is what makes tracks such as Red Right Hand, Henry Lee, Mercy Seat, Do You Love Me? and Deanna the vital pieces they are.  Why I haven't got around to updating my Nick vinyl to CD, I'll don't know.  Yes, Mine, there's some more to add to that list...

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.nickcaveandthebadseeds.com/

In our collection we also have Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus and Dig, Lazarus, Dig

Come - Near Life Experience

MINE

Boring.

Oh, you want more?  Very boring.

I can see why this band's in YourZ collection - 1996, signed to Sub Pop, etc.  But really, it hasn't travelled well.  I guess the best thing I could say about Near Life Experience is it's mercifully short.

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT


YOURZ

I wish I could remember why I have this band in my collection, I really do.  The time of its release might have something to do with at as I was pretty much into anything noisy, guitar-orientated and alternative.  That this also included the wonderfullly ragged vocals of Thalia Zedek, who sounded like a more-in-control version of Courtney Love, probably only added to its appeal (in fact, I think Thalia was probably everything Ms Love was never capable of being: a great singer, songwriter and musician - sorry, Courtney - no, please, put down the axe...)

The other thing about this particular album, and probably another contributing factor in my purchase of it, was its similarites in sound to PJ Harvey, another big favourite (although Polly Jean has remained so to this day).  What is quite disconcerting is that there are three Come albums in our collection and I don't think I've listened to any of them for many years.

Listening to Near Life Experience, I have to say, was a treat, kind of like seeing an old friend you don't talk to anymore because you've both taken different paths in life.  But this is the great thing about music - it takes the listener on a journey, be it to the future, to the past or to some distant fantasy land.  It reminds me of a time when I lived in an inner-city terrace with a bunch of friends and drop-ins and spent many nights dissecting the world while listening to angst-laden music like this.  Ah, those were the days, my friend but I'm really pleased I'm not there anymore.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP (but not too loud, please) okay, okay, that's enough - THROW IT OUT

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/comeband

In our collection, we also have 11:11 and Don't Ask, Don't Tell