STACK NZ Dec #80

MUSIC REVIEWS

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PJ Harvey

The Rolling Stones Blue & Lonesome You hear it from the opening notes: they’re doing this for real. Sure, it’s a little slicker than what we would have liked… but it’s sincere and from the blackest heart of their collective experiences – with love. When a group has been ‘The Coolest Band On Our Planet™' for the past 50 years, one can forgive the ultra-perfect production values and instead dive into the reason for the release; this is exactly how they started, people! The tracks presented are amazing, dangerous and alluring songs dealing with all manner of what you need within the genre; loss, sex, revenge, anger and regret (sorry: the blues are, indeed, ‘blue’). Handled with effortless panache and a driving vocal seriousness thanks to Jagger’s God-given gift, this is the Stones’ best album since Tattoo You . Magic Sam’s All Of Your Love is no better example of how these cats don’t steal, but rather guide you, gently, into waters uncharted. What you do from there is up to you. A covers album that tips its hat to Howlin Wolf (a regular go-to with The Glimmer Twins), Little Walker and Memphis Slim can’t really let you down, right? Buy this; listen to it ear-bleedingly loud. You’ll smile and want their entire back catalogue. If this is an epilogue, it makes complete sense. Chris Murray

Rid Of Me (1993) Darker and more difficult than her demanding debut Dry of the previous year, this collection catalogues some of the deeper recesses of a troubled mind (a relationship had ended) and is full of vengeance, rage, punk anger and dense blues. Twisting melodies and Steve Albini's production only add to the allure. To Bring You My Love (1995) This belated follow-up to Rid Of Me was even more complex lyrically, owed debts to Captain Beefheart and Patti Smith, and again turned the microscope on her emotions after another relationship came apart. But in its weave of dense poetry, compelling music and producer Flood's atmospheric settings, it was picked as the year's By this time she was “Polly”, parading a confident sexuality, and from the chiming guitar jangle of the openers Big Exit and Good Fortune there was a more mainstream pop-rock ethic in play, and – although she still explored some nooks and crannies – you sensed she was emerging as a new person, more comfortable in her own skin. It won her the Mercury Prize after two previous nominations. Let England Shake (2001) Another Mercury Prize-winner and an album inspired by her readings about the folly of historic and current wars. But again, she wrapped her narratives and thoughts in engrossing music. She subsequently released a series of short films for the songs using images by war photographer Seamus Murphy. best by many writers and magazines. Essential in any collection. Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (2000) And also... Check out this year's The Hope Six Demolition Project , the result of her trip to Afghanistan, Kosovo and a beleaguered suburb of Washington DC with photographer Murphy. Also the risky, sometimes uncomfortable but ultimately engaging AWoman A Man Walked By (2009), her second collaboration with producer/multi-instrumentalist John Parish. When she first emerged under her own name in the early '90s with the album Dry we called her “PJ Harvey”, because “Polly” seemed rather too familiar for someone so tightly wound and sharply poetic. She changed over time, but even in 2001 when I interviewed her before a Big Day Out it was with some trepidation. But she was funny, personable, quite charming and amused by the image she had. In advance of her upcoming tour dates, here's our buyers' guide to PJ.

MUSIC

Bruno Mars 24K Magic Can I preach? Can I preach? Bruno Mars is back and bringing the Uptown Funk on his latest, 24K Magic (yeah, it’s pronounced "24 karat"). Those hooligans who have been hanging for some classic Bruno since his last release back in 2012 ( Unorthodox Jukebox ) won’t be disappointed, as his latest disc is sending shivers down our spines the same way When I Was Your Man did. Too Good To Say Goodbye has some Locked Out Of Heaven vibes reverberating off the chorus, and title track 24K Magic is a classic Bruno single, from the ‘pop pop’ balladry to the private jet in the film clip. You’ll wind up a hopeless romantic even if you didn’t think you had it in you. #blessed Alesha Kolbe

Gillian Welch Boots No.1: The Official Revival Bootleg Back in 1996 Gillian Welch released her debut album, Revival . To celebrate its 20 year anniversary, Welch and music-making partner Dave Rawlings have curated an official bootleg, featuring songs they recorded from the making of the album. This is a meaty double CD offering eight previously unreleased songs, 21 outtakes, alternative versions and demos. If you’ve missed the magic of these outstandingly talented folks, start here, and you’ll soon want to catch the whole journey of music that has been a major influence on alt- country, old time and Americana music since. Songs that have stood the test of time and will continue to be timeless. Denise Hylands

For more interviews, reviews and overviews from Graham Reid visit www.elsewhere.co.nz .

DECEMBER 2016

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