PJ Harvey: White Chalk

pjh white chalkPolly Jane Harvey's 8th studio release is not difficult to get into. It's a sad and melodic, sparse measure punctuated with percussive piano and high, even childish vocal register.The record's bare simplicity leaves time and space for the development of individual and personal desire of the listener. White Chalk stands as a gentle and sometimes cruel lullaby, and something quite different compared to previous albums. White Chalk outlines a haunting and volatile web even for Harvey. Despite its melody and gentleness, parts of White Chalk come off feeling coerced. Some songs seem to be pushed rather than flow naturally. "The Piano" has a shrewing lilt that drags its heels. Other parts skirt familiar territory, but not of Harvey's own descent. This is easily absorbed by the warmth of tracks like "Deparcher", "Dear Darkness" or "Broken Harp" which easily bring you back under the spell of simple, bewitching instrumentation :: PJ Harvey/White Chalk - (Island/Universal).