Aural Fixation: PJ Harvey at Knitting Factory
By Robert J. Ricci
Band in tow, diminutive dynamo Polly Jean Harvey recently whirled into New York’s Knitting Factory to test drive new material before tackling the US and European circuits. Donning a yellow over-sized PJ tee belted to serve as a mini-dress and pink hooker-heels, she flailed and wailed, rousing the sold-out crowd with every spin. Those lucky enough to score entry were treated to a full set that peppered five tracks from her latest outing (Uh Huh Her, released June 8 on Island Records) amidst a batch of older nuggets. Converting screams of adoration to bashful smiles and whispered thank you’s, she led her unit through hot-off-the-press gems like "The Letter", "Shame" and "Who the Fuck" as well as familiar bits like "Big Exit", "Plants and Rags" and "Down By the Water." Whipping the audience to near-frenzy, she was clearly in her element. Following twenty-one tunes, "To Bring You My Love" marked the close of her second encore… then, as quickly as she touched ground, she was gone.
