I don't know what it is about Polly Jean Harvey that gets me so wound up. I swear there hasn't been a sexier voice in rock since Chrissie Hynde strutted & pouted her way through "Brass In Pocket." Seriously. This woman just oozes lust. Wanton lust. Unrequeited lust. Dirty lust. Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea is my favorite PJ Harvey album, & the album cover's stylish, subtly sexy image suggests what its songs confirm: PJ Harvey has grown up. Direct, vulnerable lyrics replace the allegories and metaphors of her previous work, and the album's production polishes the songs instead of obscuring them in noise or studio tricks. Aiding Miss Harvey on several songs is Radiohead's Thom Yorke, who in addition to playing keys, provides his ethereal voice to several tracks; spotlighted on the album's duet "This Mess We're In." So sit back, turn the lights down low, & pour yourself a glass of scotch. For your listening (dis)pleasure, 3 tracks from a stunner of an album:

PJ Harvey: This Mess We're In (feat. Thom Yorke)

PJ Harvey: You Said Something

PJ Harvey: We Float