Let England Shake
by PJ Harvey
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Feb 15, 2011
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 215 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 200 out of 215
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 215
  3. Negative: 7 out of 215
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  1. jimmy_mun
    Jul 18, 2023
    10
    It's just a masterpiece - one of the most essential albums of the last 20 years. It's full of haunting images of England's past, but it's the way Harvey positions this past alongside England's troubled present that makes the album hit so hard.
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    A great return to form from the prolific indie rock singer songwriter Polly Jean Harvey . I thought this album had a very cohesive and dark narrative and her vocals were very archaic as if sung by some1 dead looking at humanity with their newfound wisdom .i enjoyed the title track and the "the words that maketh murder "
  3. renataflores28
    Jan 12, 2021
    8
    Definitely a great album.
    The vocals and production show experimentation just like the themes in the songs.
    I must admit, some songs seemed difficult to listen to, but I'm sure it's something that will change as I listen to the album more. My favorites were: Let England Shake, The Last Living Rose, In The Dark Places, Hanging On The Wire
  4. NKOAS
    Nov 17, 2012
    9
    PJ Harvey
  5. ChairmanMeow99
    Mar 20, 2012
    10
    This is easily the best album of 2011, and the best war album in the history of music. There is not a wasted moment on this album and every song is its own individual masterpiece. The album is inspired by WWII and it captures all its emotions. It is simply amazing, and if all you can focus on is her vocals, then maybe music isn't for you. A+
  6. Ricko
    Mar 16, 2012
    8
    One of the records of 2011 according to a lot of the polls as well as the Mercury Music Prize panel. For the most part I have to say I agree with the critics, parts of it do belong to a great record, however . It does take time to get into it but its worth the effort. Polly Jean produces some of the highlights of her career on this record although I think I still prefer Stories from theOne of the records of 2011 according to a lot of the polls as well as the Mercury Music Prize panel. For the most part I have to say I agree with the critics, parts of it do belong to a great record, however . It does take time to get into it but its worth the effort. Polly Jean produces some of the highlights of her career on this record although I think I still prefer Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. The first 4 tracks are hard to fault but the centre of the album "All & Everyone" followed by "On Battleshiphill" and "England" don't quite do it for me. Things really get a bit weird and drift off focus here. "In the Dark Places" brings things back together and the rest of the album doesn't miss a step.… Expand
  7. maxjtotsky
    Jan 20, 2012
    8
    As much of a political statement as it is a pop record, PJ Harvey has produced her most sophisticated and relevant release yet. The narrative tackles subjects such as war and nationalism in a more effective way than most people know how to do through music. Her lyrics have deep meaning and the melodies are some of the stickiest Harvey has ever produced (try and stop chanting 'The WordsAs much of a political statement as it is a pop record, PJ Harvey has produced her most sophisticated and relevant release yet. The narrative tackles subjects such as war and nationalism in a more effective way than most people know how to do through music. Her lyrics have deep meaning and the melodies are some of the stickiest Harvey has ever produced (try and stop chanting 'The Words That Maketh Murder' after you hear it). 'Let England Shake' is not Harvey's most exciting record, but it is her lyrical masterpiece, finally giving her a place up there with the best songwriters of all-time.… Expand
  8. LuizCC
    Jan 12, 2012
    9
    Claimed for most of the critics as the best album of the last year, Polly Jean's "Let England Shake" makes a concept album about war, even though it embraces a mix of themes, and it doesn't fails in the whole message it should pass. If in those years she never made up something as good as "Stories from the city (..)", she came real close this time.
  9. JengoMango
    Jan 12, 2012
    10
    Even when this album came out in early 2011 it was obvious that it would be the album of the year. Best artistic and political statement put in music in 2011. Rave as much as you want about this album and your words will never be a hyperbole. This is that good. Thank you, Ms.Harvey.
  10. ramona
    Dec 12, 2011
    10
    When I started listening to this album I wasnâ
  11. 9zep_peppers
    Dec 7, 2011
    8
    There is hardly any music like this getting this much attention. This is good album. I was surprised at how well I enjoyed it. "The Last Living Rose" and "The World That Maketh Murder" are really great.
  12. hydrawithears
    Nov 1, 2011
    8
    Death was in the ancient fortress / Shelled by a million bullets (â
  13. Einardur
    Oct 15, 2011
    10
    PJ Harvey's "Let England Shake" is one of best albums of 2011, and may just be the best of her entire career. She ignites the punk formula with something genuine and raw, which is something rare concerning that particular genre and mood in the 21st century. Few rock artists can compete with what she's doing here. Terrific.
  14. Belmsher
    Aug 9, 2011
    9
    So far the best PJ album. 'On Battleship Hill' comes up as her finest track and the vocals are absolutely haunting. It's been a while since I really felt like buying an album again.
  15. Dingo
    Jun 30, 2011
    10
    It's rare that one can be so artfully political while avoiding both pretense and immaturity. She pulls it off incredibly well... like when your lover is the one you hate the most.

    There's such range to it. At some points it's like that part of a movie where the sound effects go silent while the score plays illustriously... at others, it's as though she's pissing on the constitution. My    It's rare that one can be so artfully political while avoiding both pretense and immaturity. She pulls it off incredibly well... like when your lover is the one you hate the most.

    There's such range to it. At some points it's like that part of a movie where the sound effects go silent while the score plays illustriously... at others, it's as though she's pissing on the constitution.

    My favourite? When she not only pulls off but SLAM DUNKS the line "What if I take my problem to the United Nations."

    Walking away from a burning building...    … Expand
  16. jjenglishroots
    May 13, 2011
    9
    This is the best album I have heard in 2011, and I don't know that I will hear one to top this the rest of the year. Thematically Harvey does a fantastic job in her lyrics, and the music that supports it is just as haunting. This is an album that improves with each listen. I also like how she brought English folk back in a modern way. A very good record!
  17. MooziikMaster
    May 7, 2011
    10
    In my opinion, this is the best album of 2011 so far. I know it's still early, but this album is really worth talking about. This sad and moving concept album about war really makes you think twice about our world and the soldiers that are fighting overseas. This is one of the best war related albums since Pink Floyd's "The Wall" (1979) and "The Final Cut" (1983). The songs that I wouldIn my opinion, this is the best album of 2011 so far. I know it's still early, but this album is really worth talking about. This sad and moving concept album about war really makes you think twice about our world and the soldiers that are fighting overseas. This is one of the best war related albums since Pink Floyd's "The Wall" (1979) and "The Final Cut" (1983). The songs that I would recommend are "Let England Shake", "The Glorious Land", "The Words That Maketh Murder", "On Battleship Hill", and "England". Worth buying for sure!… Expand
  18. Zeus
    May 4, 2011
    10
    Truly, and absolutely magnificent! I'll be honest...Prior to "Let England Shake," I never listened to PJ Harvey. (thank you NPR for 'first listen') I feel sorta phony and maybe I wouldn't have liked "Let England Shake," as much, if I gave any attention to her previous albums, but this is one of the year's best.
  19. blindhallo
    Apr 4, 2011
    10
    A great Folk album nowadays... it's actually pretty hard to find, but when you look on PJ Harvey, it's just guaranteed. This album's soul and passion simply rocks, musical and lyrical perfection
  20. LeadBox
    Mar 24, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is probably her most experimental work, which it also makes it one of her best. It's so mature the way she unrolls her music and writing progress, and I truly believe it's possibly the top of her career (artistically), where she proves herself to be affective to a wider range of people, from young adults to old ones, since the topic here it's all about war and how it affected, sentimentally speaking, people who went into battleship at those times. Look, she based her work in more softened music, a kind of folk one, so it's practically a departure from her previous efforts, especially when you talk about and focus on albums such as â… Expand
  21. buzzlight
    Mar 21, 2011
    10
    Outside of a couple of catchy songs on the radio, I hadn't given PJ much thought. This album, though, is amazingly successful as a war album with vivid imagery and Smiths-esque hooks. Outside of that, it is very difficult to pigeonhole this music into a specific music genre. At times, she sounds like Bjork or the girl from Portishead, but the music is better. Very creative and melodic,Outside of a couple of catchy songs on the radio, I hadn't given PJ much thought. This album, though, is amazingly successful as a war album with vivid imagery and Smiths-esque hooks. Outside of that, it is very difficult to pigeonhole this music into a specific music genre. At times, she sounds like Bjork or the girl from Portishead, but the music is better. Very creative and melodic, if not hypnotic. Best album I've heard yet in 2011.… Expand
  22. Ladyj333
    Mar 15, 2011
    10
    It's a ten. If you like PJ Harvey it's a ten. The people complaining about it being different or her voice being shrill have not really listened to the whole record enough to hear what she is doing. She uses her voice to convey something other than a catchy melody or a hook and each song sounds exactly as it should. She's not going to keep making Dry over and over again. Get over it!It's a ten. If you like PJ Harvey it's a ten. The people complaining about it being different or her voice being shrill have not really listened to the whole record enough to hear what she is doing. She uses her voice to convey something other than a catchy melody or a hook and each song sounds exactly as it should. She's not going to keep making Dry over and over again. Get over it! By the way, there are plenty of catchy hooks too. She makes it look easy, but this will be a classic, and that's no easy feat. No doubt in my mind at all. Well done PJ, you're awesome.… Expand
  23. Hackskeptic
    Mar 9, 2011
    9
    There's no sense of pride in Harvey's words and music; just a chilling reminder that judgement by spilling blood is never the answer. Her raw honesty for the beloved homeland is passionate beyond bounds and for that reason extremely effective in delivering her greatest recording. http://hackskeptic.com
  24. koalafalafel
    Mar 9, 2011
    8
    The last two records being growers after initial let-downs, I'm hoping this one grows on me a bit more as well. Aside from the title track, which doesn't work as anything other than an introduction, the first side is the strongest. "The Last Living Rose" and "The Words That Maketh Murder" are two of the best songs she's made. After the death-ridden longest track "All and Everyone" and theThe last two records being growers after initial let-downs, I'm hoping this one grows on me a bit more as well. Aside from the title track, which doesn't work as anything other than an introduction, the first side is the strongest. "The Last Living Rose" and "The Words That Maketh Murder" are two of the best songs she's made. After the death-ridden longest track "All and Everyone" and the beautifully rendered "Battleship Hill", in which "cruel nature has won again", one starts to wonder if the album continues on like this. While the occasionally upbeat music tends to perk up the content on the first half, a few more songs in and it's about as bleak as can be: a feeling that trods on and on, despite the mostly short duration of songs. I began to recall, and nearly yearn for, a minute or so of birds singing: as done on 2004's Uh Huh Her. Considering Polly's most recent hair stylings and this album's cover, it wouldn't seem out of place. It might even inject some life into this otherwise death-filled experience of an album.… Expand
  25. themadguitarist
    Mar 8, 2011
    8
    Maybe a bit overrated.. but it originality deserves recognition. Outstanding track in my mind is "The Words That Maketh Murder". Not the most accessible album in the world and a little repetitious in spots. But, the rich sonic pallet makes up for a lot.
  26. MyDogWasLost
    Mar 3, 2011
    9
    A change of pace for Ms. Harvey. Poetic, haunting lyrics as always, but coming less from sexualized angst as her early work did. Here she addresses the trauma suffered by England after WWI, however you get the sense this is larger than just that war. Regardless of the dark vision, these songs are catchy and enjoyable. This work will stand as one of her best. I for one, am thankfulA change of pace for Ms. Harvey. Poetic, haunting lyrics as always, but coming less from sexualized angst as her early work did. Here she addresses the trauma suffered by England after WWI, however you get the sense this is larger than just that war. Regardless of the dark vision, these songs are catchy and enjoyable. This work will stand as one of her best. I for one, am thankful such a great artist continues to make music for us.… Expand
  27. gq52
    Mar 3, 2011
    9
    Maybe not a perfect 10, but so damn close. I was introduced to PJ mainly though her collaborations with Nick Cave. But now that I have all of her albums (except the Parrish ones), this may well be my favorite or nearly so. Probably the most consitent album since Dry.
  28. more
    Mar 2, 2011
    10
    im sorry im a fan of THAT record, not of miss Harvey, which by the way i hated most of her afore creations. So just like i said, i am truly sorry, im a fan of THAT record and have to leave a 10 mark behind me... :)
  29. Lodz
    Mar 1, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A breathtaking beauty both in lyrics and music. Simplicity rules. Pete Doherty and Beck might have wished to clean her shoes. Me too. Even my dog seems to loose his regular interest in fresh veal... Jokes aside, just try it, will not get dissapointed.… Expand
  30. shaneshane
    Mar 1, 2011
    10
    Wow: Just about every song on this album is great...and I didn't think I ever liked PJ before: Now I love her and I'm going to scramble for tickets and grab all of her old albums! Not sure how to better put it than that.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Album of 2011
31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2011
37
#37 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    May 6, 2011
    83
    Creating a suite of well-turned if unnecessarily understated antiwar songs, she's a gifted, strong-willed minor artist bent on shaking England in particular.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Apr 28, 2011
    60
    It feels crudely stitched together. [Mar 2011, p.49]
  3. Mojo
    Apr 6, 2011
    80
    Of all her many guises [...] this may be her most powerful. [Feb. 2011, p. 94]
See all critic reviews »