Rid Of Me
by PJ Harvey

"You leave me dry" this may be the quintessential brutally frank album. Compared to her debut album, I find Harvey's vocals here a lot more assured and daring, she really goes for broke here, and develops her own voice (even if she still sounds a bit like Patti Smith on the final track) and it's one of the great vocal performances I've heard. I also like her punk and blues based trio, though their sound isn't as muscular as on the first album, and at times it gets a bit stale. Also at times I wished I was hearing a more engaging underlying melody. Still a very good album overall. For me the best is when they play great music: "Legs", "Yuri-G", "Man-size". But I can also appreciate some of the bluesy and experimental parts on the rest of the album.

Quite good alternative rock debut, but too hit or miss for higher score

Maybe it's just me but I felt there was something lacking in the mix and production of this. The back half definitely the better. Not her best, but not her worst.

This record really highlights all of PJ Harvey's strengths perfectly and that creates a fantastic alternative rock album. Her voice sounds so raw and passionate and this release is possibly the best vocal performance she has given. It is so diverse as well and matches the music brilliantly. The production really helps this by also matching to her voice and to the themes of the lyrics to make a cohesive album that flows really well right from the start. The lyrics are amazing as well and provide another edge to the record which is best shown on Rub 'Til It Bleeds which is the standout track from this album. There are a few songs which are a little weaker than the rest and there is an argument they could be cut. Overall, an album that demonstrates just how good PJ Harvey was right from the start and it might be a little under rated in the grand scheme of her discography.

From ImmortalAl 03/14/2019 21:29 | #233542

This album is a hidden gem that not many people know about. I have owned this album 18 years and one of the few in my collection I always look forward to listening to without fear of playing it out.

I get the feeling she is influenced some by Patti Smith, who has best ever albums herself, classics. I also hear a little Danzig in her voice. I only realized after listening after first hearing Danzig's voice. So I didn't catch that before.

I get the same vibe of Patti Smith from PJ Harvey. Either way, I'm just always astounded at this original work. Underrated, but it doesn't matter. It exists and is there for people to listen to if they want to.

From VictorVale 01/04/2019 12:17 | #228822

Força feminina!

From Goliath 11/29/2018 09:52 | #225842

Similar to planetneutral, I can appreciate the originality and raw production but I doubt I will ever put this CD on again. Best track, Rub Till it Bleeds.

From planetneutral 01/29/2018 17:53 | #206773

I can appreciate this without actually wanting to listen to it again.

P.J Harvey's second album is just as raw and uncompromising as her first. Rid of me, is an angry, sexy, and powerful record and Harvey is on top form throughout. Great songs from the pen of PJ and even a cover of Bob Dylan's, highway 61 revisited. Strong stuff.

From babyBlueSedan 04/20/2016 19:37 | #164186

I have a love-hate relationship with Steve Albini. I love some of the albums he produced - In Utero, Attack On Memory, Magnolia Electric Co - and cannot stand others. This is one of the latter. Other people call it raw but I call it one-dimensional and compressed. Plus I've never loved Harvey's voice and that combined with the tinny production makes this unenjoyable.

Lyrical themes are great and would contribute to a great album if the production was better. Though the Bob Dylan cover feels ridiculously out of place.