PJ Harvey is one of the most celebrated rock heroines of the 90's. While she has had a very consistent and diverse musical resume, it was the early years with her three piece band that made her an influential figure. "Dry" was her debut cd, released on an indie label called Too Pure. The cd is raw, earnest, playful yet angstly.
1. Oh My Lover
Not a really quality song by itself, but it's a great opener. PJ sounds as if she's disturbingly obsesssed with the "Lover" she's singing about. The vocals are a standout.
2. O Stella
This is a very cool catchy cong. I love the tom-based drumming and Polly's funky rythm playing. Once again great vocals.
3. Dress
This is one of the catchiest songs ever. It has an cool driving riff and intense cool drums. The drums become straight up in the chorus but never disrupt the songs great flow doing so. The violin is used very geniously as well. Lovin' this song. It's perfect.
4. Victory
Bass intro with very nice percussive drumming. It's got very catchy bluesy guitar riffs, It's a very straight of rock 'n roll song.
5 Happy And Bleeding
A cool dirty song here. Starts with lo-fi percussion, and nifty guitar work. She sings: "cover my body, dress it fine" after confessing she was naked. The song has a a bit of a folky feel at times especially the vocal melodies. The sexiest folk song on this album at least.
6. Sheela-Na-Gig
Check the sexy vocals in the intro. The chorus is chorus is as catchy as blues influxed punk can get. "Gonna take my hips to a man who cares". Good singalong stuff.
7. Hair
Very cool how the song transitions into a cool percussive part, to a slick and manic waltz. The chorus is nothing special though. PJ 's vocals sometimes sound as if she acts innocent like a kitten, only to lash right back out in the chorus.
8. Joe
Very intense song with a huge bassline. It is probably one of the heavier PJ songs out there. There's a nasal Dylan-esque male voice in the chorus, I think it's the drummer. it rocks pretty hard, but the make voice is pretty annoying.
9. Plants And Rags
This acoustic song is amazing, but very depressing, bleak and dark. Polly sings very monotomous, with none of her usual vigor whatsoever. When she plays the violins, the song feels filthy and decayed. It's a messy disturbing song. You either love it or hate it. I think it's great.
10. Fountain
Aother more straight up accessible song, with fragile guitar work in the verses, and excellent delivery in the chorusses. It's a good song, not original, but very well done.
11. Water
Water is one of PJ Harveys many lyrical obsessions. This song is similair to Victory in some parts. This song doesn't do much for me. I do love it when she sings: wa...wa...wa...wa...Water!!!
Probably PJ's most direct, and accessible album. Some songs are musically not really interesting, but PJ's lyrical and vocal delivery gives this album, like most of her other work, it's magic. 4/5
