THE GREATEST ROCK BAND IN THE WORLD (III)
The answer to the question I posed earlier is: Polly Jean Harvey.
There is nothing like her in the world.
She is like John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Kurt Cobain rolled into one. The only thing missing is Bootsy Collins. And who knows, she may get there.
She is currently opening for U2 to support her stunning and beautiful recent album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. At a recent concert in New Jersey, Bill Clinton and UN Secretary General Koffi Annan were in town to see U2. They came backstage and met PJ although as I understand it, both had only the dimmest of ideas who she really was (for which I hold no grudge, for they have more important things like world peace to deal with). Laika's guitarist, Maraget Fiedler was on also on hand, playing guitar for PJ's tour.
Second PJ Harvey story. Recently, the awesomely brilliant band Sparklehorse were playing two shows in New York City. (Personal aside: I was in Philly on both nights, and almost took a train up to see them, but decided against it at the last moment.). PJ Harvey came up on stage and played with Sparklehorse. She said later "They are my favorite band." Now, if I was the the guy from Sparklehorse, and PJ Harvey said something like that about my band, I would just sell all my equipment, disconnect my phone, and move to Costa Rica. My life's mission would have been declared accomplished. I would grow corn in a village after that. I don't think I could handle anything else.
I was going to explan why PJ Harvey (a single person) is the greatest rock band on the planet Earth at this point, but I decided against it. I've written too much already. I will say more about her in the next issue of Fred. But in the meantime, if you don't already own anything by PJ Harvey, go out and buy Dry (punkish rock), Rid of Me (punkish rock), 4-track Demos (stripped down punkish rock), To Bring You My Love (swampy blues), Is This Desire? (soft moody electronica), and Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (basic genius rock). All of them are great in their own way.
Her most recent album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea was (on July 25, 2001) nominated for the Mercury Music Prize award (along with Radiohead, Basement Jaxx, Gold Frapp, Supper Furry Animals and other cool people). Check it out. Her official website here has lots of cool stuff including her new video.