PJ Harvey ‘Rid of Me’ Album Retrospective
PJ Harvey, ‘Rid of Me’ (1993), Island Records/Canva
On the one year anniversary of her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Dry’, PJ Harvey released her sophomore album, ‘Rid of Me’ in 1993. It would be the last album that she and her bandmates who were also a part of the PJ Harvey Trio, would record together.
The unhinged psychotic anger and vitriol of the title track should make it as popular a break up track as ‘You Oughta Know’ but it might just be too frightening for the general public.
“Tie yourself to me, no one else, no, you’re not rid of me, lick my legs, I’m on fire, lick my legs of desire, I’ll tie your legs, keep you against my chest, I’ll make you lick my injuries, I’m going to twist your head off, see.”
The track begins with a guitar strum and Harvey’s voice a whisper until it gives way to thunderous drums and Harvey’s voice becoming a gruff shout on the words “Till you say don’t you wish never, never met her.”
The deranged sounding title track gives way to the second track, ‘Missed’, a somber recount of the yearning for a lover.
“He should not be hid, he’s just too big, in a cloud please come down, I’d put stars at your feet, put Mars in your head, show yourself to me and I’d believe, I’d moan and I’d weep, fall silent at your speak, I’d burst in full to the brim.”
With tinkling cymbals and a wavy, deep guitar riff, Harvey’s voice is steady and soft on the chorus, “and I’ve missed him.”
This album demonstrates the quiet loud quiet verses and choruses that made up the grunge genre. ‘Rub Til it Bleeds’, begins with a dark deep guitar riff and Harvey’s signature wails, elongating significant words and syllables. Until once again, the drums kick in and it’s riotous. Harvey is pleasing her partner as a plea for forgiveness.
“And you’ll believe me, caught out again, I’m calling you weak, getting even, and I was joking, sweet babe let me stroke it.”
The track ‘Man Sized Sextet’ is a striking left turn for the album up until this point.
Harvey sings as though through gritted teeth and from the point of the view of a man alongside violin and cello played by Harvey.
“I’m coming up man-sized, skinned alive, I want to fit, got my girl and she’s a wow, I cast my iron knickers down, I’m man-size, no need to shout.”
The screeching of the violin and cello intermingling with Harvey’s vocals unsettle the listener making the words even more striking. Harvey also includes a standard rock version of ‘Man Size’ where her voice is low like a whisper. The drums and guitar, even Harvey’s voice are not fettered by her gritted teeth and give the song a welcome second life.
‘50 Ft Queenie’ takes up where the album left off from left turns, ‘Man Sized Sextet’ and Harvey’s cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Highway ’61 Revisited’.
‘Ecstasy’ the last track on the album starts with a western sounding guitar riff and basic drum beat. Harvey’s voice moans over the guitar as though she is a lost space cowboy.
“Flying, I’m flying, hitting heavens high, I’m head on brake to low, floating, I’m floating, hanging below the sea.”
PJ Harvey’s second album, ‘Rid of Me’ expanded on the daring compositions and lyrical ideas that she implemented on ‘Dry’. With songs like ‘Snake’ which has Harvey screaming insults, it shows that this album was a release of sorts for the musician. Her discography would continue to toe the line between genres and experimentations.
by Tessa Byrns (Staff Music Writer)
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