Let England Shake [VINYL]

I've lived with this album for almost a year and only the end of year accolades for it (Uncut and Mojo album of the year added to the Mercury Music Prize) prompted me to write a review simply because, for once I am fully in agreement with those who voted on these awards. Notable for the fact that for the most part the album was a unanimous favourite and for uniting journalists from a variety of musical backgrounds this album is something really special.This is not only PJ Harvey's best album, the best album of 2011 by a country mile but I think it will be seen as one of the finest British rock albums of all time. It's difficult to place a finger on what exactly is so great about this album and perhaps it is a combination of many factors but key to its success is music that perfectly compliments the lyrics yet somehow (miraculously given the harrowing subject matter throughout) allows you to tap your foot and sing along as well as becoming absorbed in the stories told.Harvey says things on this album that have not to my knowledge been said anywhere in any medium before - the assertion that England's land and people are not forged by culture, landscape or art but by war and battle for example, don't only make for an interesting and thoughtful listen but actually ring true.Away from the lyrics and the study of what it is to be English another hugely successful feature of the album is Harvey's inspired use of samples, most notably drum tracks from the Police, a bugle from the Irish Guards and Niney the Observer's fabulous Blood and Fire sampled on Written on the Forehead. Without a single weakness this is a mighty achievement perfect musically, lyrically and in the cultural concepts it introduces. No serious music fan can be without it and listener's credibility as music lovers can reliably be assessed by whether or not they like this album.

This isn't my first PJ Harvey, and have always been a fan, liking her otherworldly voice, honest and poetic lyrics, and edgy rock music. And the fact you're never sure what her next album will be like. This album is a work of pure beauty really, shining brighter than her other releases, and I think is a work of genius. It is a folk album at heart, with its political lyrics echoing the times we live in, a suggestion of loving this country as much as hating it, whilst harking back to past times, times of myth and magic . It lives in the cities, in the grime and the noise, but also in the darkest woods and that sense of damp earth and old spirit. Carrying the lyrics is a mainly acoustic sound with a chilled ambience and also impending aggression, layered with a sharp psychedelic edge and an out of time feel, which has a profound effect of its own.It took 5 or 6 listens to get this album - I knew it was a masterpiece on first listen, but didn't truly realise why until later listens. If you like her early albums, or even just a handful of her songs, buy this album! Same for anyone looking for real, modern folk; poetic and profound lyric writing and exceptional music. Half decent hi-fi or headphones strongly recommended here, there's some complexities on this album!Thank you PJ, I hope you can equal this again!

This is the latest in a long tradition of anti-war albums. Apparently Peej loves England but, as I do myself, dislikes the pusillanimous self-serving politicians who send our soldiers abroad to die.I remember Blair saying "I am prepared to pay the blood price". I don't remember the war costing him anything but a lot of young people died as a result of invading a sovereign country on evidence that would never make it to court. I do know he makes a lot of money on the American lecture circuit as a result of his collusion in an illegal venture.Each song is a flake of ice deep in the heart. This is not easy listening despite the generally light tone of the music. PJ Harvey is a 50 Foot Queenie when it comes to talent and ability and this album is just the most recent in a long line of excellence. Can she top this? Very likely? When? Less certain, but I am sure she will rise to the challenge. I just hope she manages to hit a few politicians where it hurts most.With "Let England Shake" PJ Harvey has brought back the protest song with a vengeance. Thanks Polly.

I had not previously been a fan of PJ Harvey, or so i thought. I listend to a few tasters clips from this album on itunes, and thought this sounded like an album to investigate, so i bought it.On 1st play i was blown away by the production values, the brutally raw lyrics; so much so i would say that this is one fo the strongest collection of tracks i've heard in a long time. The album is consistant in theme and there is not one 'skip' track on the collection.The subject matter is grim, as you would expect from an album based on the attrocities of war, but sometimes the music dos not always match the emotional rawness of the topic matter. Which brought home to me that despite however gross the effects of war are, it seems just to continue to renew itself in spite of all the deaths, grave injuries, bereavements etc.I have bought a few other PJ albums on the strength of this album. If you can handle an album based on subject which holds no real moments of light relief. This is an amazingly crafted piece of work.

Love her or hate her !!! (I love everything she has ever done, whereas the Mrs doesn't get it...her loss I say!!)"Let England Shake" is up their with Polly's very best work & I smell a Mercury award this year.Not many artists in history, can say they have stuck to their principals throughout a whole career like Miss Harvey.From one album to the next, you never know what you are going to get. Someone whom I feel strives for critical acclaim apposed to commercial reward. (long may this continue)Granted some of her works are quite challenging to listen all the way through, but this does not apply here...Let England Shake is pure magic & work of a genius!! Each & everyone of the twelve tracks here are magnificent.Ethereal, brutal...stunning!!