Let England Shake is something totally different for PJ Harvey. It is an Experimental, Ambient album with a strong concept. It explores England's position and political involvement in the wars of the world. It has all the makings of a modern protest album.Concept aside, the music is beautiful and is nothing that you would expect. It feels greatly influenced by European ambient music and is heavy with emotion. But ambient war poetry is not all the album has going for it. The single from the record The Words that Maketh Murder starts with a simple rock riff and beat and continues in a pleasant harmonic way. The album is full of little gems like this and it keeps moving. It is a record with meaning and definite replay value.
I am impressed by the direction PJ Harvey has moved into. Her last two albums both disappointed me. It felt that she could not live up to Is This Desire? (1998) and Stories From the City, Stories Form the Sea (2000) but Let England Shake was totally unexpected. It is extremely creative and completely reinvents PJ Harvey.
Stereo 8 Recommends: Yes
