If I have to make a complaint. (And I do.)
The songs are too short!

I'm a newbie on the forum and fan since White Chalk, and wanted to say this album is a breathe of fresh air! especially coming off that album. I remember thinking how intense this woman was and then I got into Rid of Me and understood everything.

I already really was into TLLR, TWTMM and WOTF and now the new tracks are breathtaking! All and Everything is It's You but more demented, I love both the vocals and piano Battleship, the bridge in Dark Places and The Colour of the Earth is amazing. I really love the sounds and the use of saxophone just adds something the record needed, that old 40's vibe. I wish she could have worked the sample into the title track but the xylophone works.

"in the dark places" is stunning! that first verse...takes my breath away every time, talk about a haunting image!

but yes, i have to make the same complaint, the songs are too short! haha

full album preview...

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html

The Colour of the Earth is so sad it almost made me cry.

I suppose someone posted them with direct links from npr but... in case...

Links to the streaming site are okay, but please do not post direct links to the mp3s. - DrDark

See here:
viewtopic.php?p=144#p144

No, really, it is Mick Harvey! I swear! Though I think there are 2 other men's voices in there too, so maybe they are all singing.
He's Australian after all, so it's appropriate (the ANZAC trench - Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)

You're right !

The Colour Of The Earth :

Louis was my dearest friend
fighting in the Anzac trench.
Louis ran forward from the line,
and I never saw him again.

Later in the dark
I heard Louis' voice
calling for his Mother, then me,
but I couldn't get to him.

He's still up on that hill.
20 years on that hill.
Nothing more than a pile of bones,
but I think of him still.

If I was asked I'd tell
the colour of the earth that day ;
it was dull, and browny-red,
"the colour of blood" I'd say.

credits :
PJ Harvey - Vocals, Auto Harp, Guitar
John Parish - Drums, Guitar, Mellotron, Vocals
Mick Harvey - Vocals
Jean-Marc Butty - Vocals
Additionnal Vocals - Sammy Hurden, Greta Berlin, Lucy Roberts (Arranged by Sammy Hurden)

having listened to the whole album now (for the first time)
I can only say that I am overwhelmed, like never before.
it seems to me that the remaining songs (those withheld until now) are the best ones
and filling in this gap (the whole middle range of the tracklist) has appeared like a revelation of excellence heretofore unheard.
this sequence of songs: "On Battleship Hill", "England", and "In The Dark Places", it just carries me away into a new pasture on some previously undiscovered hilltop of musical appreciation.
I was having hesitant emotions about this album, until now; hearing the whole thing I suddenly become aware of it as a truly outstanding composition, another great Polly-made masterpiece.

_________________
I'd do anything
To see you again
I'd do anything

I've been lurking this forum for a few years and now at last I have to come out of the shadows to share your joy over the album. I was kind of puzzled and surprised by Written on the forehead and The last living rose but everything we've heard since is truly, madly, beautiful. England and The Glorious Land are my favourites so far but it seems like there are so many melodies, so many weird and yet magnificent ideas to uncover in the music. It all sounds great and it sure does feel like she has excelled in "not repeating herself" (lol). by hte way, the addition of Johns and Micks voices is like the best idea ever! Now I'm keeping my hopes high that she plays Way out west in Gothenburg this summer.

Thankyou, Nathan and thischarmingman...why pamper life's complexities when you can post the whole of Polly's new album?! ;-)

_________________
Wiggins is so superbly unassuming, he looks like he's about to say 'Pop the gold medal in the post, I'm nipping out for some biscuits'

Mark Steel

Well,i've listened the whole album and all i can say it's ....WHAT AN INCREDIBLE ALBUM MADE PJ HARVEY FOR US...Incredible as always,she is the best...and here is my favourite songs by order...

1. Hanging in The Wire
2.On Battleship Hill
3.Written on the Forehead
4.Let England Shake
5.The Last Living Rose
6.The Words That Maketh Murder....
7.The Glorious Land
8.Bitter Branches

The rest of the songs,England,All and everyone,In the dark places,and The Colour of the Earth they are good songs but still i have to listen more....in brief,an AMAZING ALBUM and i will buy it of course :-)

now it seems I'm facing the same problem, so please send me Big Guns, as I am craving to hear it.

_________________
I'd do anything
To see you again
I'd do anything

i think besides england and on battleship hill, the colour of the earth is other song that makes my eyes wet é_è

I like the album just fine, but it doesn't seem to have the grit and ire that I really love in Polly's work. Maybe that will change. Having said that, I think LES and White Chalk are her most successful creative ventures since Is This Desire.

Favorites:
All & Everyone
On Battleship Hill
England
The Colour of The Earth
In The Dark Places