Is This Desire?

By Doug Levy Catalyst

Send comments to: catalyst@wildcat.arizona.edu

PJ Harvey Is This Desire? (Island)

PJ Harvey is one of those rare performers who defy categorization.

Harvey's blend of raw blues, throaty wails and thick, threatening undercurrents reached its peak on 1995's To Bring You My Love. For a time, she almost single-handedly redefined femininity within a new, dark boundary.

Now, after taking some time off for a few collaborations, like working with Tricky on "Broken Homes," and a bit of acting (Harvey plays Mary Magdalene in the upcoming Hal Hartley film "Book of Life"), she's back in business for herself.

On her highly anticipated new release, Is This Desire? Polly Jean explores some new musical ground, slipping into the occasional piano ballad, or more familiar rock territory, for an album that is more consistently diverse than anything she's previously released, while remaining equally entrancing, and, of course, still steeped in deep, dark blues.

PJ has always presented the perfect contrast between light and dark, sweet and sour - it's just a little more pronounced this time around.