The opener "The Life & Death Of Mr. Badmouth" I really like this exchange of edgy guitar riffs and the beautiful melody that shines through again and again. Also "Shame" is convincing. "Who the fuck?" is interesting Krach, "Pocket Knife" something even uniformly. "The Letter" is a highlight, "The Slow Drug" spooky. "No Child Of Mine" is a fragment, not a song. "Cat On The Wall" goes off, but remains on the surface. "You Came Through" is again very strong, intense vocals, cool percussion. In "It's You", the distorted bass lines are the most interesting (remember "Electric Light" from "Is This Desire?" - Album). The instrumental "The End" is very short and pretty. "The Desperate Kingdom Of Love" reminds me strangely of U2's "All I Want Is You" (should be no assumption!). And then 1:11 min seagulls - hehe, why not? ;-) When beautiful music Closer "The Darker Days Of Me & Him" it is worthwhile to pay more attention to the text.
Of course it can not reinvent constantly, and it's not all top notch. The quiet songs are for me the most. The loud rumble stuff something similar and therefore in too familiar manner. The album sounds more as if it was published before completion - whether intentionally or not.
Nevertheless, PJ Harvey is still refreshing and immensely important alternative. I look forward to their next album!
