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Album Review: PJ Harvey ‘White Chalk’

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By: Mozzer | in: Music |

PJ Harvey 'White Chalk'

“White Chalk” veers off the road that has been PJ Harvey’s body of work and delves into the gothic. Polly Jean fearlessly eschews her guitar in exchange for a piano. Her vocals ascend to a higher register than previously thought possible. So severe is her change in sound, you’d think the record is by another artist entirely.

Are these changes a good thing? I’m pleased to answer with a resounding “Yes!”. The listener is challenged and rewarded with a trip into a haunting, otherworldly fantasy. An apt alternate title for this release would be “Chamber Music for the Masses”.

The album’s opener, “The Devil”, is an off-kilter cabaret which gently prepares you for what’s to come. “Dear Darkness”, “To Talk to You”, and “Before Departure” are sparse and minimalist; voice and piano are the primary instruments. “Grow Grow Grow” moves with a sinister, waltz-like majesty. The title track is an ethereal treat; listen as Harvey’s voice becomes a ghostly mist floating through the countryside.

Grow Grow Grow

PJ Harvey 'White Chalk'

Interestingly, the album’s climax is in the last track entitled “The Mountain”–where we find Harvey in a caterwauling cry of despair as we reluctantly come to journey’s end. Running at an all-too-brief 30 minutes, the entire album evokes a mood that is austere, yet darkly romantic.

The Verdict: “White Chalk” is not a reinvention, but a beautiful demonstration of PJ Harvey’s depth as an artist. This is easily one of the best releases of 2007.

White Chalk

Official Site
On MySpace


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Posted on October 2, 2007

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