White Chalk

Last updated

White Chalk
WC cover.jpg
Studio album by
PJ Harvey
Released24 September 2007 (2007-09-24)
RecordedNovember 2006 – March 2007
Genre Chamber folk
Length33:57
Label Island
Producer
PJ Harvey chronology
The Peel Sessions 1991–2004
(2006)		White Chalk
(2007)		 A Woman a Man Walked By
(2009)
Singles from White Chalk
  1. "When Under Ether"
    Released: 17 September 2007
  2. "The Piano"
    Released: 3 December 2007
  3. "The Devil"
    Released: 18 March 2008

White Chalk is the seventh studio album by English singer-songwriter and musician PJ Harvey, released on 24 September 2007 on Island Records. [1]

Contents

Work on the album started in 2006, with producer Flood and John Parish, who also worked on her To Bring You My Love and Is This Desire? albums. Other collaborators on White Chalk are Eric Drew Feldman and Jim White from Dirty Three. [2]

The first single released from White Chalk was "When Under Ether" on 17 September 2007 on digital download and 7" vinyl. A second single, "The Piano," was released on 26 November 2007. A third, "The Devil," was released on 7", download, and CD formats in March 2008.

Style

The previous album, Uh Huh Her , had a raw sound [3] but for this record White Chalk, Rolling Stone's magazine noted that Harvey "delved further into a Goth-like vibe in the much quieter, haunting, piano-based music". [3] For this album she gave up the traditional three-piece sound guitar/bass/drums and recorded a set of songs for piano, despite her lack of expertise on the instrument. In an interview in The Wire she explained, "the great thing about learning a new instrument from scratch is that it [...] liberates your imagination." [4]

Vocally, she sang in a much higher register than usual, at a pitch outside her normal range, and "howled about being possessed by demon lovers and ghosts". [5] Lyrically, Harvey continued with the dark, moody themes typical of much of her music. [4]

Harvey elaborated the meaning behind the album's title: "I just like the sound of the words white chalk. It can be millions of years old but erased in a second, and somehow has a timeless quality... The timelessness became more the source of inspiration". [6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 80/100 [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The A.V. Club A− [9]
Entertainment Weekly C [10]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
NME 7/10 [13]
Pitchfork 6.8/10 [14]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Spin Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [16]

White Chalk received critical acclaim and has a score of 80 out of 100 on Metacritic. [7] Uncut hailed the album in glowing terms, calling it "an album of lonely beauty and piercing sorrow" before concluding, "White Chalk is P.J. Harvey back at the peak of her considerable powers." [17] The Observer gave the album 5 stars out of 5, [18] while Robert Christgau picked out one song from the album, "When Under Ether", as a "choice cut" ( Scissors icon black.svg ). [19]

In December 2007, American webzine Somewhere Cold voted White Chalk CD of the Year on their 2007 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame. [20]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeYearRankRef.
NME 2007 Albums of the Year200713 [21]
Stylus Magazine Top 50 Albums of 2007200750 [22]
PopMatters The Best Albums of 2007200747 [23]
The Wire 50 Records of the Year200745 [24]

Formats

The US release is available on CD and 33⅓ rpm LP. The UK release is available on CD and 45 rpm vinyl record. White Chalk is also available on iTunes complete with a bonus track, "Wait".

Track listing

All tracks are written by PJ Harvey

No.TitleLength
1."The Devil"2:55
2."Dear Darkness"3:09
3."Grow Grow Grow"3:21
4."When Under Ether"2:22
5."White Chalk"3:06
6."Broken Harp"1:57
7."Silence"3:05
8."To Talk to You"4:00
9."The Piano"2:36
10."Before Departure"3:45
11."The Mountain"3:10
Total length:33:57
iTunes [25] bonus track
No.TitleLength
12."Wait"2:17
Total length:36:14

Personnel

All personnel credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [26]

Musicians

Additional musicians

Technical

Design

Chart positions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PJ Harvey</span> English musician (born 1969)

Polly Jean Harvey is an English singer-songwriter. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments.

<i>Steal This Album!</i> 2002 studio album by System of a Down

Steal This Album! is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on November 26, 2002, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, it peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200.

<i>Dry</i> (album) 1992 studio album by PJ Harvey

Dry is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, released on 30 March 1992 by Too Pure. The album was recorded at The Icehouse, a local studio in Yeovil, England, and the tracks were performed by Harvey's eponymous trio. The first 5000 LPs and first 1000 CDs included demo versions of the album's tracks and Dry was subsequently released in the United States on Indigo Records. Both versions were released in 1992. Dry was reissued on vinyl and CD in July 2020: an 11-track companion album collecting all of the demos titled Dry – Demos was also released on vinyl as a stand-alone record.

<i>Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea</i> 2000 studio album by PJ Harvey

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea is the fifth studio album by the English singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, released on 23 October 2000 by Island Records. Recorded during March to April 2000, it contains themes of love that are tied into Harvey's affection for New York City.

<i>Two Against Nature</i> 2000 studio album by Steely Dan

Two Against Nature is the eighth studio album by American rock band Steely Dan. Their first studio album in 20 years, it was recorded from 1997 to 1999 and released on February 29, 2000, by Giant Records.

<i>Murder Ballads</i> 1996 studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Murder Ballads is the ninth studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released in 1996 on Mute Records. As its title suggests, the album consists of new and traditional murder ballads, a genre of songs that relays the details of crimes of passion.

<i>To Bring You My Love</i> 1995 studio album by PJ Harvey

To Bring You My Love is the third studio album by the English alternative rock musician PJ Harvey, released on 27 February 1995 by Island Records. Recorded after the break-up of the PJ Harvey trio, it stands as her first proper solo album. The songs on the album are heavily influenced by American blues music.

<i>Uh Huh Her</i> (album) 2004 studio album by PJ Harvey

Uh Huh Her is the sixth studio album by English alternative rock musician PJ Harvey. The album was written, recorded and produced over a two-year period by the singer-songwriter herself. She also played every instrument on the album with the exception of the final drum tracks, added by long-time collaborator Rob Ellis. It was released on 31 May 2004 in the United Kingdom, and 8 June 2004 in the United States.

<i>Let Love In</i> (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album) 1994 studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Let Love In is the eighth studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released on 18 April 1994 on Mute Records.

<i>Get Behind Me Satan</i> 2005 studio album by The White Stripes

Get Behind Me Satan is the fifth studio album by the American rock duo the White Stripes, released on June 7, 2005, on V2 Records. Though still basic in production style, the album marked a distinct change from its guitar-heavy 2003 predecessor, Elephant. With its reliance on piano-driven melodies and experimentation with marimba on "The Nurse" and "Forever For Her ", Get Behind Me Satan plays down the punk, garage rock and blues influences that dominated earlier White Stripes albums. Frontman Jack White plays with different technique than in the past, replacing electric guitar with piano, mandolin, and acoustic guitar on all but a handful of tracks, as his usual riff-conscious lead guitar style is overtaken by a predominantly rhythmic approach.

<i>The Peel Sessions 1991–2004</i> 2006 compilation album by PJ Harvey

The Peel Sessions 1991–2004 is a compilation album by English alternative rock musician PJ Harvey, released on 23 October 2006 on Island Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PJ Harvey discography</span>

The discography of PJ Harvey, an English alternative rock musician, consists of ten studio albums, two collaboration albums with John Parish, twenty-two singles, one extended play, three compilation albums and a number of collaborations with other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Under Ether</span> 2007 single by PJ Harvey

"When Under Ether" is a song written by PJ Harvey for her album White Chalk (2007). It was released as the album's first single in September 2007. This song was #32 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007 and reached number 101 in the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Jukebox</i> (Cat Power album) 2008 studio album by Cat Power

Jukebox is the eighth album by Cat Power, released on January 22, 2008 on Matador Records. The album is composed almost entirely of cover songs, save for "Song to Bobby" and "Metal Heart". It is Marshall's second record of cover songs, after the titular The Covers Record.

<i>Let England Shake</i> 2011 studio album by PJ Harvey

Let England Shake is the eighth studio album by English singer-songwriter and musician PJ Harvey, released on 14 February 2011 by Island Records. Production began around the time of White Chalk's release in 2007, though it is a departure from the piano-driven introspection of that album. Let England Shake was written over a 2+1⁄2-year period, and recorded in five weeks at a church in Dorset during April and May 2010.

<i>The Fall</i> (Gorillaz album) 2010 studio album by Gorillaz

The Fall is the fourth studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz. It was announced on 20 December 2010 and released as a download for members of the Gorillaz fan club on 25 December 2010. This was followed by a wider physical release of the album on 19 April 2011.

<i>50 Words for Snow</i> 2011 studio album by Kate Bush

50 Words for Snow is the tenth studio album by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush, released on 21 November 2011. It was the second album released on her own label, Fish People, and Bush's first all-new material since Aerial (2005). The album includes the single "Wild Man".

<i>Underclass Hero</i> 2007 studio album by Sum 41

Underclass Hero is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Sum 41. It is the first of two albums by the band recorded without guitarist Dave Baksh since he left a year earlier to focus on Brown Brigade. It was first released on July 18, 2007, in Japan by Island Records and distributed worldwide by Aquarius Records, the band's final album on the label. In comparison to the heavy metal-inspired punk style of Chuck, Underclass Hero marked a return to the band’s pop-punk sound.

<i>The Hope Six Demolition Project</i> 2016 studio album by PJ Harvey

The Hope Six Demolition Project is the ninth studio album by English singer-songwriter and musician PJ Harvey, released on 15 April 2016 on Island Records. It followed her acclaimed Mercury Prize-winning album Let England Shake, released in 2011.

References

  1. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (2 July 2007). "PJ Harvey Goes into The 'White' On New Album". Billboard magazine. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  2. ↑ PJ Harvey to return with new album NME.com 7 February 2007, Retrieved on 07-07-07
  3. 1 2 Kem, Marc. "PJ Harvey Rolling Stone'Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 1 August 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2012. Harvey returned to a rawer, darker sound on Uh Huh Her (Number 29, 2004) and delved further into a Goth-like vibe in the much quieter, haunting, piano-based music of 2007's White Chalk.
  4. 1 2 Stubbs, D. (September 2007). "Return of the Native". The Wire. 283: 34.
  5. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (20 September 2007). "White Chalk". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  6. ↑ "PJ Harvey explains the story behind 'White Chalk'". NME. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Reviews for White Chalk by PJ Harvey". Metacritic . Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  8. ↑ Phares, Heather. "White Chalk – PJ Harvey". AllMusic . Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Phipps, Keith (2 October 2007). "P.J. Harvey: White Chalk". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  10. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (5 October 2007). "White Chalk". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  11. ↑ Macpherson, Alex (21 September 2007). "PJ Harvey, White Chalk". The Guardian . Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "PJ Harvey: White Chalk". Mojo (167): 91. October 2007.
  13. ↑ "PJ Harvey: 'White Chalk'". NME . 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 19 December 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  14. ↑ Klein, Joshua (24 September 2007). "PJ Harvey: White Chalk". Pitchfork . Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "PJ Harvey: White Chalk". Q (255): 98. October 2007.
  16. ↑ Hermes, Will (October 2007). "Love Lies Bleeding". Spin . 23 (10): 95. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  17. ↑ Hoskyns, Barney (October 2007). "White Chalk - review". Uncut . Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  18. ↑ Mardles, Paul (15 September 2007). "PJ Harvey, White Chalk". The Observer . Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  19. ↑ Christgau, Robert (November 2007). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music . Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  20. ↑ Lamoreaux, Jason T. (30 December 2007). "2007 Somewhere Cold Awards". Somewhere Cold . Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  21. ↑ "NME's best albums and tracks of 2007". NME . 10 October 2016.
  22. ↑ "Pop Playground - Top 50 Albums of 2007". Stylus. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "PopMatters Picks: The Best Music of 2007". PopMatters . 21 December 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  24. ↑ "2007 Rewind: 50 Records of the Year" . The Wire. No. 287. London. January 2008. p. 35 – via Exact Editions.(subscription required)
  25. ↑ "iTunes – Music – White Chalk (Exclusive Edition) by PJ Harvey". iTunes . Apple . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  26. ↑ White Chalk (LP). PJ Harvey. Island Records. 2007. LC 00407.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ "australian-charts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  28. ↑ "PJ Harvey – White Chalk – austriancharts.at". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  29. 1 2 "ultratop.be – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". Ultratop . Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  30. ↑ "danishcharts.dk – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". danishcharts.dk. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  31. ↑ "dutchcharts.nl – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  32. ↑ "finnishcharts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  33. ↑ "lescharts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  34. ↑ "charts.de". Media Control Charts . Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  35. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track". chart-track.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  36. ↑ "FIMI – Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana – Classifiche". Federation of the Italian Music Industry (in Italian). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2012. N.B. User must select the weekly chart from the drop-down lists. For White Chalk, select 2007 > Ottobre > (Settimana 41).
  37. ↑ "charts.nz – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  38. ↑ "norwegiancharts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  39. ↑ "portuguesecharts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". portuguesecharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  40. ↑ "spanishcharts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". spanishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  41. ↑ "swedishcharts.com – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  42. ↑ "PJ Harvey – White Chalk – hitparade.ch". Hitparade . Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  43. ↑ "PJ HARVEY | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart . Official Charts Company . Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  44. 1 2 3 "White Chalk – PJ Harvey | Billboard.com". Billboard . Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  45. ↑ "Chart Log UK: H & Claire–Hysterix". zobbel.de. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  46. ↑ "British album certifications – PJ Harvey – White Chalk". British Phonographic Industry.
  47. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (26 March 2011). "License Check". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.