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Keep on WalkingThe ninth track here is called “Passionless, Pointless,” and there’s a strong temptation to apply this title to the entire album, but that wouldn’t be fair—the record is slathered with passion, and the point seems to be an exercise in creative freedom, a chance for these collaborators to do whatever they want knowing that Harvey's pedigree will insulate them from commercial concern. Lucky them. Who else of this stature could (or would want to) fill an album with clangs, grunts and wails? On “16. 15. 14,” Harvey pronounces “Daniel” as “Donny-ell,” an unpleasant affectation. On “The Chair,” she sounds like she’s falling down a well. On A Woman as a whole, she sounds as though she’s far less inspired than she was on her previous disc, White Chalk, a work of bone-chilling intimacy. This new one is both harder to love and harder to fathom.
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It's absurd how dismissive you are of this amazing, challenging, bloodletting CD. I mean, you spend 10% of an already pint-sized review complaining about how she sings the name "Daniel." Really? You call this thoughtful music criticism?
The author's contempt for experimental music has no place in a legitimate music publication. I thought I could count on PASTE for better than this. You supposedly look for "signs of life in music and culture," and there are few more inspiring signs than the restless, passionate, feverish intensity PJ Harvey has brought to the music world for nearly 20 years now, consistently and without compromise.
I know that reviewing music can be a thankless and tedious exercise, but that doesn't excuse the thoughtless "criticism" in this review.
Nick, This isn't a review. As a music critic myself who reviews music weekly for a high profile site, I would be loathe to publish something this ruefully thoughtless with my name attached. Even more upsetting is your blatant lack of research, and the arrogance with which you display it. "These collaborators?" There are two names attached to this project that can be read at the top of the disc, one of which is John Parish's. Your cool dismissal of his work on this record is truly shameful. How did this review get past Paste's Editor in Chief?
I give this review a zero rating. Absolutely unprofessional.
This review is an epic fail.
What planet are you from? The reason she says "Donny-ell" is because she has a British accent you clown! How can you call yourself a "reviewer" with a comment like that. Of course the CD is challenging but your review is so far from being objective, it could only come from the planet of america.
What planet are you from? The reason she says "Donny-ell" is because she has a British accent you clown! How can you call yourself a "reviewer" with a comment like that. Of course the CD is challenging but your review is so far from being objective, it could only come from the planet of america.
Also, she's not saying "Daniel" it's "Danielle" (der)
If you want to hear how she pronounces Daniel you'll need to listen to The Chair.