PJ Harvey - The Hope Six Demolition Project Album Review
In years gone by, simpler more uncomplicated times maybe, you could look forward to an album release as just that, a new album by a band or artist that you liked/loved/adored/respected etc. Over time the lyrics may have undergone closer attention or even been subjected to some scrutiny, the artist may have later told you the inspiration, where it was written, who or what it was about. There was however often some mystery left in your own discovery of whatever album you'd happened upon or whatever song had grabbed you. There was less of a pre-amble and little chance of an essay by a PR company appraising you on the cultural significance of said material.
People are all different, thankfully, and some may love the detail new releases are afforded, some may want to know the ins and outs of every line before they've heard a note and for some the back story may make sense out of the content and thus make the album more understandable and ultimately embraced.
The new album from PJ Harvey, her 9th solo album, and first since her 2011 Mercury Prize winning 'Let England Shake', is most definitely an album that could either be confused by its paraphernalia or complimented by it; it's a question of balance and very subjective. For me, whilst not forgetting, or dismissing, how the album was arrived at, I'd prefer just to concentrate solely on whether the album's any good or not. (The book, documentary, photography, poetry, somewhat contrived recording etc, whilst in no way insignificant, shouldn't really detract from how good or bad the album is, they're just points of interest for consideration) Let the music speak for itself.
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