Before the Poison is an album that concerns itself with both sides of love, friendship, and redemption, not desolation or desperation.
That said, there is plenty of human shadow in these ten songs. PJ Harvey wrote three songs here, co-wrote a pair with Faithfull, and is present on all of them. Nick Cave co-wrote three with the singer and his Bad Seeds back her on these tracks. She also co-wrote one a piece with Blur's Damon Albarn and composer Jon Brion. Along with Harvey and Cave, Rob Ellis and Hal Willner aided in production. Therefore, Before the Poison, like its predecessor, Kissin' Time, is an album of collaborations. But unlike that offering, this one is seamless; its songs are sequenced impeccably and all feel of a piece linked by emotional thematics.
The Mystery Of Love
My Friends Have
Crazy Love
Last Song
No Child Of Mine
Before The Poison
There Is A Ghost
In The Factory
Desperanto
City Of Quartz
