PJ HARVEY, `Is This Desire?’

English singer-songwriter Polly Jean Harvey doesn’t offer any sonic surprises on her fifth "official" disc, "Is This Desire?" (Island). The turn, toward stark, modern blues on 1995’s "To Bring You My Love" has been tempered with a bit more of a gothic/European cabaret feel, a la her 1996 collaboration with guitarist John Parish.

"Dance Hall at Louse Point," and the recent efforts by her buddy Nick Cave.

Even though this is familiar turf for her, Harvey remains one of the most original and captivating voices in modern rock. Many of these songs poetry female characters who are drawn with the skilful eye of a novelist.

"My first name’s Angelene/Prettiest mess you’ve ever seen," she sings on the opening track. "Any man calls, I’ll let him in."

Later on the rollicking single "A Perfect Day Elise," Harvey portrays a girl in the midst of an encounter that is both sensual and frightening. "God is the sweat running down his back," she sings.

It’s a poetic line, the sort that Harvey turns out several times per song. But she’s not simply an English major’s delight. Backed by frequent sidemen Parish, Joe Gore and Eric Feldman, she rocks with an intensity that can’t be faked.

Rating: * * * 1/2

Jim DeRogatis