PJ Harvey returns for a second time on 1001 Albums… with her second studio album Rid of Me. The album is listed on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. I was not a huge fan of her first album, but I liked it enough to not dread seeing this one on the list. Steve Albini was hired by Nirvana to produce In Utero, after hearing this album.
Rid of Me feels more raw and hostile than its predecessor. Harvey seems to have acquired more anger, a broken relationship, constant touring and probably other things led to her mental breakdown which is when she wrote this album.
I think I prefer the second half of the album, which begins with a cover of Bob Dylan‘s “Highway 61 Revisited“, over the first half. I definitely prefer this album over her first one. I like the rawness in her voice and the music. It gives off more authentic emotions from Harvey, which hits me differently. I am able to relate more. 8/10.
an ocean roars 