Album: Dry
Artist: PJ Harvey
Artist: PJ Harvey
Born: Bridport, Dorset
Released: March 1992
Genre: Indie Rock
Whereas many female singer-songwriters in the 90s were looking to the ethereal pop of Kate Bush for inspiration, Polly Jean Harvey was very much a disciple of Patti Smith. What Harvey shared with the likes of Tori Amos and Suzanne Vega though was a direct, confrontational approach. She was also an avowed fan of the Pixies and Dry's powerful, screeching guitar sound was clearly influenced by the band's early records. Lauded by the likes of John Peel on release, Dry also had its profile boosted by Harvey appearing on the front cover of NME bearing a hairy armpit (shock horror!), but it was her superb songwriting that did an even better job of challenging expectations of women. One of the most catchy songs on the record is Sheela-Na-Gig, a reference to the ancient pagan symbol of female fertility (still visible on some British churches) that acts as the counterpart to the Green Man. The lyrics have a strong tone of feminist independence, "gonna wash that man right out of my hair / gonna take my hips to a man who cares", and steely resolve. Harvey has since revealed that much of the passionate drive behind the album's incendiary style and intense vocals was the result of a relationship breakdown, as well as the psychic unrest caused by moving from rural Dorset to London.
Drummer Robert Ellis and bass guitarist Steve Vaughn helped Harvey achieve this heavy, bluesy sound which would have chimed with fans of grunge. Dress was the other single to be released from the album and Harvey's sultry tone belies lyrics that address the issue of sexual dominance in relationships ("Must be a way that I can dress to please him / it's hard to walk in the dress, it's not easy / I'm swinging over like a heavy loaded fruit tree"). Other highlights for me on the record are the title track, which has all the energy and intensity of punk, as well as opener Oh My Lover, Hair and Fountain, all of which combine raw, emotional songwriting with dark humour and stonking guitars. PJ Harvey has it all really, not only is she a brilliant rock singer, but she also has the courage to write about real issues in a mature, complex way. She's one of Britain's true musical icons.
Whereas many female singer-songwriters in the 90s were looking to the ethereal pop of Kate Bush for inspiration, Polly Jean Harvey was very much a disciple of Patti Smith. What Harvey shared with the likes of Tori Amos and Suzanne Vega though was a direct, confrontational approach. She was also an avowed fan of the Pixies and Dry's powerful, screeching guitar sound was clearly influenced by the band's early records. Lauded by the likes of John Peel on release, Dry also had its profile boosted by Harvey appearing on the front cover of NME bearing a hairy armpit (shock horror!), but it was her superb songwriting that did an even better job of challenging expectations of women. One of the most catchy songs on the record is Sheela-Na-Gig, a reference to the ancient pagan symbol of female fertility (still visible on some British churches) that acts as the counterpart to the Green Man. The lyrics have a strong tone of feminist independence, "gonna wash that man right out of my hair / gonna take my hips to a man who cares", and steely resolve. Harvey has since revealed that much of the passionate drive behind the album's incendiary style and intense vocals was the result of a relationship breakdown, as well as the psychic unrest caused by moving from rural Dorset to London.
Drummer Robert Ellis and bass guitarist Steve Vaughn helped Harvey achieve this heavy, bluesy sound which would have chimed with fans of grunge. Dress was the other single to be released from the album and Harvey's sultry tone belies lyrics that address the issue of sexual dominance in relationships ("Must be a way that I can dress to please him / it's hard to walk in the dress, it's not easy / I'm swinging over like a heavy loaded fruit tree"). Other highlights for me on the record are the title track, which has all the energy and intensity of punk, as well as opener Oh My Lover, Hair and Fountain, all of which combine raw, emotional songwriting with dark humour and stonking guitars. PJ Harvey has it all really, not only is she a brilliant rock singer, but she also has the courage to write about real issues in a mature, complex way. She's one of Britain's true musical icons.
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