The Words That Maketh Murder
PJ Harvey · 2011
6 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting exploration of violence and humanity, merging stark instrumentation with PJ Harvey's piercing vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Words That Maketh Murder — This title track encapsulates the album's exploration of violence through vivid imagery and a haunting melody, serving as a stark commentary on the human cost of war.
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The Guns Called Me Back Again — In this track, the sparse arrangement complements Harvey's evocative lyrics about longing and loss, illustrating her ability to intertwine personal and political narratives.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single showcases strong writing and production but is limited in its overall impact due to its brief length.
What we noticed
- The title track features a sparse arrangement, primarily driven by a steady drumbeat and minimalist guitar lines, allowing the vocals to dominate.
- The second track employs a more layered sound with additional instrumentation that builds tension, contrasting with the first track's starkness.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid single that reflects a political phase, but not a primary entry point for new listeners.
- Career context
- Released in 2011, The Words That Maketh Murder came at a time when PJ Harvey was transitioning into a more politically charged phase of her career. Following the acclaimed Let England Shake, this album continued her engagement with themes of conflict and human experience, solidifying her position as a critical voice in contemporary music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anna Calvi· Bat for Lashes· St. Vincent
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Words That Maketh Murder 3:46
- 2 The Guns Called Me Back Again 2:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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