"Shame" is a splendid song, but you know that already. If you're interested in PJ Harvey enough to click on this single, then you assuredly own the album. That's because Polly Jean Harvey is not just a musician but an artist, and therefore one of her songs requires the full body of work to be aptly appreciated. And "Shame," like all of the stunning UH HUH HER, is a wonderful tune: a sparse, blues-y number that's passionately composed and impeccably performed. The reason you're here is the b-side.
"97" is pretty good, a fuzz-rock track that benefits from some surprisingly simple drumming and PJ's bewitching falsetto. That said, it's not mandatory and I can see why it was left off the album -- not because it's bad, but because it sounds very, very similar to "Cat On A Wall" from UH HUH HER (especially the chord progressions and the chorus). If you told me "97" was a demo of that song I'd believe you.
Pick up the UH HUH HER singles if you can get them cheap, but the new b-sides just aren't revelatory the same way the b-sides from TO BRING YOU MY LOVE and IS THIS DESIRE? are.
