Joan As Police Woman – To Survive

• 24th Jun 2008

PJ Harvey, come on in and meet Aimee Mann, she’s waiting with Erin McKeown and Beverly Craven (remember her?) for a spiritual foursome in the body of Joan as Police Woman (JAPW). And no, you, yes you, shouldn’t miss this LP ‘To Survive’, the follow up to the kickass debut ‘Real Life’.

Packed with intricately composed musicianship and syrupy vocals, this emotive LP upholds a self contradictory, easy going vibe that distracts from the true subtle complexity enthused throughout. Pleasingly offering up fleeting glances of life affirmation and befuddlement in equal measure, this sentiment driven string and piano laden LP shines with quality from one track to the next.

Sounds like you like it Ant, any downfalls? Well, I’m glad to answer that, albeit with a heavy heart. The thing that spoils this LP for me is the sleek, polished sound that only comes with (admittedly well executed) over production. It’s just enough to bring a schmaltzy sense of cheese that smacks of anything Vonda Shepherd has recorded to within an inch of its almost sublime life.

All in all, well worth checking out, it’s just lacking in the stakes of charm or character, choosing instead to focus on a lifeless lounge act professionalism that smothers and suppresses the energy and electricity of JAPWs last (and in my mind better) album. Nevertheless, hurrah!