Circus Magazine
Review of Dance Hall At
Louse Point
It is a thin line that PJ Harvey crosses. And it is indeed a cross
to bear as well. While many simply lump her in with the Liz Phairs
of this world, Polly Jean expands and re-designs herself far from her '95
debut, To Bring You My Love, with guitarist/percussionist/producer
John Parish on Dance Hall At Louse Point.
Harvey, who
wrote the lyrics, sings plaintively on the dozen tracks which are burdened
with cram and sometimes obscurity on this latest effort. This piece
of work is far from mainstream, or rather challenging for it. Art
for art's sake, the duo's cover of Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is?",
has a sullen aroma, like aged wine.
From the laggard,
fragmented guitar details with which Parish unguards "Girl," this is not
easy listening, even for experimentalists. PJ Harvey and Parish have
mixed musical thoughts into a Smartini of a drink - shaken and stirred.
(note: since when was TBYML the
debut album???)