One of the most unlikely stars of this “avant-folk” or “anti-folk” or whatever-you-wanna-call-it movement (Devendra, Panda, Sufjan, et al) is beautiful Bay Area gnome Joanna Newsom. Joanna (not really a gnome) has played keys with The Pleased; now she’s steadily winning over indie rockers with wintry ballads informed by Appalachian folk music. She performs them solo on what is traditionally a schmaltzy instrument: the Celtic harp. Joanna’s untrained voice and strangled delivery, however, make Mlik-Eyed Mender one of the more polarizing buzz albums of the year. I put Mlik-Eyed on at Thanksgiving dinner and my sister was NOT feeling it. Maybe it’s a headphones album. The music is so beautiful, though, and the lyrics are clever. Please give it a chance. Here’s what Modest Mouse says of her in the new Filter…
ISAAC BROCK: That Joanna Newsom album is amazing. There’s something about [her] music — it’s honest without trying to be folk, but it is. And somehow it’s more contemporary because it’s not trying to be modern. I don’t know if heartstrings are real, but if they are, they’re damn good at jerking on them.
ERIC JUDY: I like the Joanna Newsom album so much it feels like it should be the only one I talk about. I just got it a week ago and I listen to it all the time. Her voice is definitely out there — I think a lot of people might find it kinda harsh or not like it, but I do. It’s just really, really pretty.
You may also remember Dave Eggers devoting his Spin column to her a while back. He fantasized about her being a homely nut — “she’s painfully thin, and wears cracked glasses; she can?t get them fixed, and why? Because she spends all day singing like a crazy person, that’s why!” — because he was sick of quirkiness being accepted in female singers only if they’re beautiful (“wouldn?t it be nice if a woman could become popular with a face that could melt cheese?”). Sorry Dave.
I originally bought this album on vinyl, which meant I never listened to it and ultimately GAVE IT to the managing editor at work. It wasn’t until I finally got it on the iPod few months ago that it became an almost daily listen (and now I want my vinyl back, Jim). Here’s a bit from an interview Joanna did with Free Williamsburg last year:
FREE WILLIAMSBURG: Do you download music a lot?
JOANNA: I would if I knew how. At this point, I don’t mind if people download my music because that means that there’s a person who wants to listen. I give away CDs at shows if someone wants a CD but doesn’t have any money. I wouldn’t want to do that forever. I would happy for someone to download my music.
(non-album track)
Purchase Mlik-Eyed Mender here. Without a doubt this will be on Stereogum’s Top 10 Albums of 2004.
Official Site: Walnutwhales.com
Video: The Sprout And The Bean (Quicktime)
Joanna has only got two US shows lined up until February. Get your tix to this Drag City XMas Spectacular!
Also, keep an eye out for the new Venus zine with Joanna on the cover. Inside Miss Modernage interviews her Norwegian crush Sondre Lerche.
UPDATE: Brooklyn Vegan directs us to some sweet Newsom covers…
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Joanna Newsom?!?
for christ sake…the worst artist out there. PERIOD!
…next to Arcade Fire
yuck nasal rumblings of a toddler
She’s probably related to the SF mayor Gavin Newscum…I mean Gavin Newsome, especially if she’s in SF. That’s an old very very wealthy of SF, private schooling all the way, hanging out with the Gettys.
She sounds horrible.
Am I the only one who thinks she sounds like Geddy Lee?
Anyway, to me it seems like she’s very new to the recording process. That overdubbed chorus of her own voice is amateur night. I think in the future she might be a little better, but I’m not bowling over just yet.
thanks for posting though.
Man, I couldn’t disagree more wholeheartedly with andalusia and nasdaq jones. I really really love Joanna Newsom (that’s the correct spelling, stereogum, for shame). She’s doing something that no one else is really doing. Granted, I really seem to like a bunch of the neo-folk stuff that’s going on right now… but newsom stands apart from sufjan, et al. I like her the most because yeah, her songwriting can seem a bit naive at times, but more than anything she’s doing what she wants to do. She’s channeling some really early american folk music in her work, and I like that she’s not over-processing her voice (ahem, Britney). Perhaps you guys would like to listen to more masterpieces by Ms. Spears and company? I say hooray for a girl who’s trying something new… I hope that people will stop being turned off immediately by her voice and start to give her the credit she deserves. Music needs some more experimentation.
she is related to gavin newsome, but i don’t see how you can hold that against her. plus he’s not been nearly as terrible as i was expecting him to be. that said, i’m not crazy about her music – it’s ok on record, but when i saw her live the harp playing was rad but her voice was like acid poured in the ears.
My friend did a side by side playing a Joanna Newsom song about fruit vs. the “We are Siamese” track from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp. Try it for yourself and see what I’m talking about.
definately at the top of my list so far this year. she’s incred. thanks for the write-up!
Joanna Newsom is so fantastic, she’s like a mystical gypsy queen. I want her to throw daggers at me and rob me while singing.
I’m digging it. Thanks for posting this.
I tried, really, I did. Can’t get into it. The voice is too grating for me.
You should put up a more normal track up for someone’s first exposure to her. I’d reccomend “clam,crab,cockle,cowrie”. That one is absolutely beautiful, and she sings a litte more normally in it.
i’m with Jason, i tried as well a while ago, but her voice makes me nauseous.
she sounds like lisa simpson to me but i love the album. way better than the arcade fire.
Joanna Newsom is like AIDS for your ears.
Worst evs.
she’s amazing. by far the best thing to come out of the bay area in forever and totally the real fucking deal, on stage and off.
I’m not being funny — does she have a speech impediment?
she’s even worse than that dipshit band CocoRosie…
2004 – dumbing down the standards in music
i love (smog).
That Lisa Simpson comment is incredible. Spot on and so now I picture the woman who plays Lisa Simpson singing and it is fucking hilarious. The music isn’t that bad- I’ll play it before I take a nap so she’ll get played daily.
Jarring. She sounds like Milla gnawing off her own leg. The fuck?
If you like Joanna… I bet you will love Hank & Lily. http://www.hankandlily.com/
He’s my norwegian crush too! hes fantastic. superb. wowzeriffic.
i don’t have anything especially helpful or interesting to say, but i wanted to comment just to add myself to the list of people who actually enjoy these songs. the first time i heard her singing i thought, “nah, i don’t think this is for me,” but after a few listens it really grew on me. she does sound like a cartoon character at times, though, and i can’t really imagine her voice coming out of her face (having only seen pictures and heard recordings).
anyway, she may not be for everybody but she hardly represents a trend toward musical crappiness. boring indie rock is way worse for all of us than arcade fire-esque idiosyncracies.
Ahhhh, you’re giving me ear Cancer!
Whoa… I checked out Hank and Lily and they terrify me…
Quite possibly the worst stuff I’ve ever heard and I adore all forms of wimp pop, be it C-86 or folk, whatever. But this is the vocal equivalent of being ass-raped by dolphins. All those in favor of this album please report to your local record & tape exchange for musical re-education.
She has pushed me down with the palm of her eye. Like Daniel Johnston or any number of diamond in the rough type things -she is beautiful. It is like listening to the most popular girl from the 1800′s mining camp just stepped off a time machine with a lil coal smudged on her face…sing us a song Joanna
i love joanna newsom, and have for a long while now…i remember hearing ‘book of right on’ and being all into it. the voice is weird, yes, but it’s definitely a good quirk, and i definitely dig. ‘the milk-eyed mender’ is a lovely album.
the neo-folk movement has really worked its way into me (especially sufjan, even moreso than joanna, almost)… and i think it’s a cool thing they’ve got going.
Tommy, pull your pants up.
milk-eyed mender is definitely on my top 10 list this year, most likely right up in the top 3.
even the decemberists like her; they did a cover of “bridges and balloons” at a recent show. thanks to brooklynvegan, you, too, can go download this loveliness.
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2004/08/decemberists_co.html
just sharing the love.
Thanks for the reality check goozer…I think she is really awesome, but my writing was a just waking up and baking up reaction.
Hmm, still holding out a judgement on this one. However, during Peach, Plum, Pear, I could help but envision Alfalfa from Our Gang singing with Spanky playing the harp…
Joanna Newsom doesn’t have a speech impediment. She is like 22 years old, but seems like about 15 when I first met her. I suggest that people see her live. I can’t imagine really listening to her record off the cuff and thinking “This is cool.” Or “Boy I am in the mood for this.”
Joanna Newsom is the shit. Hooray for the tiniest little witch!
Alexander, this was the first time I’d heard her and I can’t get enough. I don’t actually understand why other people wouldn’t like it – it’s too catchy.
Dude, people. I can get it if you just don’t like her style or sound, but this is the second board I’ve seen where people seriously seem to get ANGRY about how bad she is, then start making ridiculous comments about her rich girl lifestyle– you don’t know a thing about her. Guys… she’s not even from SF — she was just going to school there, so give it up.
Anyway, yeah, I’d suggest anyone who hasn’t heard her record yet, to try to see her live first. It will help put her in context. And people who think they may like her music, but can’t get past her voice… put the record down for a bit then come back to it in a month or so… once the music sets into your head,the voice will come next.
Oh… again about the privedged rich kid connections that are so far off:
Her connection have been purely through musicians who have found her by other musicians and taken her under their wing so-to-speak. These connections started with high school/local friends, who started out just as Nobody as she did, and has nothing to do with status or mayors or Gettys or any such nonesense. She got where she was purely by her music being recognized by better know musicians in her already-musical circle.
Sorry. It just peeves me. Too much, I know. I’ll shut up now.
“The Book of Right On” is growing on me. The fuck!
Dude, thanks for the downloads. Worked like a charm–downloaded them on Wednesday and bought the album on Friday.
Seriously heartbreaking–in a good way. Thanks again!
-jeff
Ending a perfect day by being introduced to Johanna by my fine friend Russ…and I am so in love. Not surprising when you realize how much I also love Rose Murhpy and Laurie Anderson. Utterly delicous and adorable.
i agree, folks: disliking her is no cause for outrage. there’s so much worse crap in the music world. and here is a woman who is passionate, sincere, and incredibly talented. her voice is just not your standard saccharine cream-puff, so it takes some ears wide open. i was turned off originally, but somehow intrigued enough to keep listening. and now she’s my f*cking number one. and has been all year. so get listening.
ain’t nuthin else that i have been able to listen to almost daily for nearly a year.
Hey,
The best thing I can recommend for people who don’t like Joanna is to go see her live, I first heard of her when my brother played her CD. I thought she sounded awful, I couldn’t understand why he liked her so much. He then invited me to a gig she was playing, so I went in the spirit of being open-minded. It was truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen, she sounds so much better live and it really is awesome how she co-ordinates herself so well, playing the harp and singing brilliantly. I think she’s great, and can’t wait to get her album. She’s wonderfully original and new, I love her music and want to share the love!!!
She will be, uh… like, uh, the britney spears for know-nothing indie hipster wanna-be’s. And she will marry the charlie sheen of pop, mark mcgrath.
she’s fantastic, granted she has the voice of a ten yr old boy having his nuts stamped on by a rugby player, but she’s actually pretty damn good, her songwriting abilities are amazing, and her skill on the harp is unquestionable, ‘book of right on’ is sensational when she DECIDES to change her voice she’ll be bigger than bjork
to the clueless, get over the fact that her voice is different, newsom is a incredible songwriter and musician. it is the same shit i hear from people about Dylan’s voice or Hendrix’s voice, it isn’t about perfect tones and five octave ranges, if you want that go listen to mariah carey or some other turd.
My daughter of 5 weeks old, sleeps to hear Joanna Newsom.
The environment in house is magical, seems one fábula.
I love the songs, relax and it’s easy to enter in an imaginary world.
Thank you very much…
With love from Europe – PORTUGAL
meow meow now.
I decided she was for me right away, instinctivly. her voice is so small, but her songs come marching out with an american magic at her command. I can be little baby claire just woke from a nap for mommas teatime again to this music, and I thought that time was gone for good. *sheds a tear* When I heard that Will oldham and Chan Marshall and Smog picked up on her right quickly that was so intuitivly obvious to me they would. Those is my peoples. Say what you want. Recently I see her picture and realized I’d met her in college. Brilliant.
my fish is floating sleepfully to her song
thanks for the link to the decemberists cover!
i’ve recently put up a joanna newsom page & have dutifully sent people to this entry for the mp3s that all good googlers demand.
How can you people be so cruel?
Ear cancer, AIDS for the ears?
For some, she is heaven. For the others, perhaps you can learn to describe music without comparing it to disease.
Joanna, if your reading this, i want to marry you. x
i agree with Joi, you people bringing words such as cancer and AIDS in to the conversation evidently haven’t known anyone with, or experienced these illnesses; otherwise you wouln’t view it as a joke. It would be so much easier to discuss music without people having to be crass and downright disgusting in order to look fucking cool. I mean lets face it, anyone who resorts to comments like that aren’t doing it for themselves are they? try reading some european literature and then you might understand the sheer verbal alchemy that are Joanna newsom’s lyrics, or the deep mournful landscapes of her music. Her harp -playing is rythmic and free from stereotype; idiomatic features of the harp such as arppegios and harmonics are used thoughtfully and sparingly. so thats my two cents, so those who feel the need to get personal, who think they know it all, just because someone wants to put something creative and new out there should just go and get a life.
she’s brilliant. lovely voice.
Just caught Joanna on Later with Jools Holland (a british late night music programe) she played ‘book of right on’, luckily I was recording it and i’ve listened to it 5 or 6 times since.Fucking Great.
“Sheer verbal alchemy”?? BWAHAHA!
“I chew my lips, and I scratch my nose/feels so good to be a rose.”
C’mon: that shit is funny. And by funny, I mean “fucking awful”.
Hey, what’s with all of the immature bashing? Are you guys really that bored? Or are you just that ignorant? I love Joanna Newsom and reading some of these comments astounded me at people’s cruelty. With that said, I just wanted to post something positive about Joanna because I absolutly adore her. Sure, her voice may take getting use to and I will admit, I had to listen to her album at least five or six times before I could get past her very distinct, childlike voice before I realized that without that voice, she wouldn’t be Joanna Newsom so I don’t think any alterations to her voice need be met. She sings with heart and simplicity and is trying something completely out of the “normal” musical realm. So, even if you don’t like her or just can’t like her, at least give her credit for putting herself out there and doing something she loves and that is write music and sing it with everything she has. That’s more then I can say for most people. And if you simply cannot bear her voice, at least give reading the lyrics a try.
pepare to be haunted by the magical whisper of Joanna Newsom, simple music on the outset then you listen closer and are blown away by simple deep story telling lyrics which let your imagination run wild.
Absolutly fantstic stuff, and here voice is the dogs nads (the best) too!!
(write off at your peril)
i think what some of you people are saying is disgusting.
she’s a little different? so what? Bjork is. Doesn’t stop her being a role model for thousands of people. like me. And joanna is so AMAZING. musically and lyrically….her voice really is that eccentric icing on the cake. shes beautiful and amazing. i saw her on jools holland and had to stop and go “what . the . fuck. amazing” and i bought her album.
BEAUTIFUL. IT HURTs taht some of my friends laughed at her
i was excited to hear more of her music after i heard peace, plum, pear. i listend to the whole c.d. and it was wonderful. her words and her voice/harp is great for story telling and is splended to hear after hearing lots and lots of watered down fancy pop. i know that everyone thinks differently about newsom’s music. however i do love it, i just found out about another artist by the name of regina spektor, she is wonderful aswell.
i was excited to hear more of her music after i heard peach, plum, pear. i listend to the whole c.d. and it was wonderful. her words and her voice/harp is great for story telling and is splended to hear after hearing lots and lots of watered down fancy pop. i know that everyone thinks differently about newsom’s music. however i do love it, i just found out about another artist by the name of regina spektor, she is wonderful aswell.
i was excited to hear more of her music after i heard peach, plum, pear. i listend to the whole c.d. and it was wonderful. her words and her voice/harp is great for story telling and is splended to hear after hearing lots and lots of watered down fancy pop. i know that everyone thinks differently about newsom’s music. however i do love it, i just found out about another artist by the name of regina spektor, she is wonderful aswell.
sorry for the three posts the p.c. has fucked up. and i am sorry for my spelling- peach plum pear.
Regarding Joanna Newsom and all of the comments that she’s provoked I agree with nearly every one of them good and bad. The fact to my ears is that she’s totally unique – a bit like Kate Bush when shre first started – that shock of the new.
The harp is beautiful and there’s a strange’ child-like quality to her voice. I’ve only really heard the, ‘Sprout and the Bean’ track so I’ve no idea what a whole album would sound like. All I know is that the song really stood out for me on the otherwise dreary N. M. E. ‘The Cool List’ album. I instantly had to find out who she was and now I know a little more and am intruiged.
U2 would have us believe that they are the greatest rock band in the world and can control the atom. Well I think that there’s more power in Joanna’s harp than that lot can muster!
Hi you lot,
after a little trawl on google I came across your forum – I wont revisit it but I would appreciate your comments – dan@djh-graphics.com – just thought you would really enjoy the mini website I made for her. It was a purely personal project but I figure it might make a good showcase for future commercial work, it was a learning experience to create these videos using Flash but I hope the end result has paid off!
http://www.djh-graphics.com/newsom/flash.html
it was a wonderful concert with a capacity of barely more than a hundred. This club – its actually a comedy club – is a gem, Martha Wainwright, Laura Veirs and Emiliana Torrini are all playing there soon.
Anyway, greetings from Oxford, UK!
Daniel Hart
http://www.djh-graphics.com
just heard joanna on radio 1 in England, first time i’ve heard her, had to rush home and download some tracks to hear more, sounded really good, hope this other stuff is as good.
Paul
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/pchapm506/myhomepage/family.html
to see who i am
paul
I think Joanna is wonderful.
Her songs are beautiful.
And she is beautiful.
The Milk-eyed mender is great (better than Regina Spektor by far).
She is amazing. Her lyrics are so random and when you combine that with her voice and the harp-it is unbelievable. I can not stop listen to it.
i love joanna, she’s not like anyone else because of her voice. and the lyrics of her songs are great. i’ve listened to peach plum pear over and over again for the last 5 days. and i’m serious.. i can never get sick of her.
wonderful.
have not fallen so in love with an album or artist since jeff buckley’s grace
Everyone talks crap about whats different. So keep talking is you cant still stand the constant trite, Pop-punk crap. Or better yet the crying emo whining…im all about Joanna…but who am i right?…well….im awsome…but you see what im tryin to say here…
Falzy
http://www.myspace.com/grandtheftmotto
Hilariously batty! Great stuff! An for those people who have to be offensive every time they find something they dont like I suggest they toddle off an download some bite me spears nonsense somewhere else!
First of all…why is there all this crap loaded on Arcade Fire!? It’s like it’s the bands fault for being commercially recognized even though they’er not even signed with a commercial label!! They’re still pretty good. Just because they’re no longer a secret doesn’t mean that they suddenly suck. Get off of your weak and pathetic elitist perch. As far as Joanna Newsom goes…I am listening to her right now as I type this…the first time I heard her I thought ok…that voice is kind of harsh. But there is something so unmistakingly honest about her voice and about her music that if you are a true lover of music…not just a lover of synthetically produced sounds…you can’t help but get hooked on her gift. I listen to it all the time now. I’m hooked. I just find it beautiful. It’s simplicity…It’s honesty…And it is a gift. A uniquely honest sound amongst the abundance of mediocrity
fucking awesome
joanna newsom is amazing
great voice, awesome harp
Hey,
I’m in Australia, and first caught Newsom doing “Bridges and Balloons” on late night radio. I then saw the vid for “Sprout and the Bean” and was hooked- went straight out and bought the album. It’s sweet, magical and different. Her voice is unusual, but in a *good* way. Surely that’s to be encouraged in the face of ever-increasing manufactured bubblepop and Avril Lavigne’s version of “Punk”…
Hey,
I’m in Australia, and first caught Newsom doing “Bridges and Balloons” on late night radio. I then saw the vid for “Sprout and the Bean” and was hooked- went straight out and bought the album. It’s sweet, magical and different. Her voice is unusual, but in a *good* way. Surely that’s to be encouraged in the face of ever-increasing manufactured bubblepop and Avril Lavigne’s version of “Punk”…
Joanna has burst through, and found the true sound of folk music this generation has ever seen. She is not only talented, but has a one of a kind voice that we will be following for years to come, as of Bob, Janice, and Joan. Sorry she couldn’t be on the Grammy’s:) Maybe for those who have a negative oppinion about creative musicians should stick to mtv.
It’s like Marmite, you love it or you hate it… I love marmite, and I love Joanna Newsome’s music. x
Her music is hypnotic, deep, it gives you a feeling of comfort, sweetness, and sadness. I listen to her when I want to just kind of invert into myself and be alone and think. If someone doesnt like it, then fine, I’m sure I won’t like everything that you listen to , but I won’t bring up pestulence and death while talking about your musical choices’ clarity or talent. I think her music is something that goes beyond just being something that she feels or being a part of her. It’s feels like waves of her innermost self, some primal, some sweet, woven into every tangle of words, every strained vocal chord, and they pick out meanings in the people that listen to it. Each different, but all very internal, beautiful things.
I saw Joanna Newsom perform on Jimmy Kimmel show. At first I thought it was a comedy bit, but when the painful singing didn’t stop I knew that somewhere in Hollywood there is a very nervous TV producer who will be looking for work tomorrow.
Why, when there are so many talented vocalists in the world, did THIS person decide to sing. Isn’t there anyone with enough guts to say “Stick to playing the harp and keep your pie-hole shut!” Was there anyone with ears working on the day this record was made?
Naked Iraqi men in a pyramid is only humiliation, but if the army plays this record over the Abu Ghraib prison loudspeakers – it would be torture!
My wife and I saw Joanna last night perform at the Troubador and definitely saw history in the making. We can’t stop listening to her album. To all the haters, especially the one above, don’t listen. Keep doin’ whatcha doin’ Joanna!
joanna newsom has the most powerful combination of harp and voice, and i cannot wait to see her in the UK in the near future. glad to see all the support for her!
Dudes, this album rocks and i feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t get it. i have had this album for almost a year now and every time i hear it i find something new. i love this music not because it was recommended to me, nor did i read great reviews about it – i stumbled accross it by accident(heard it in an indepentant shop whilst buying a jacket) and it excited me. Joanna’s music is for people who want to hear it. it’s not about being cool, or following a trend – its personal, and if you don’t get that feeling from her then she’s not for you!
There are so many positive things to say about Joanna’s music I hardly no where to start. As soon as I heard The Milk Eyed Mender I became an instant fan, and I really know nothing much about American folk. It’s all about her voice being so amazingly original and genuine its able to speak to my emotions in a way few artists can. Thanks Joanna, I hope you keep recording for years to come.
In this “IN-YOUR-FACE” commercialized, bottm-line inspired corporate goal, progress oriented world, filled with desires to evolve and spend faster than lightening (which seems overpowering to the weak minded), it’s simply refreshing to be reminded where we all came from, putting us back in touch with our childhood in such a way that emerses us in immagination long ago forgotten. I love Joanna for doing what no-one else has yet been able to accomplish. I doesn’t make sense to pick appart the details of a performing artist (choice of instrument, lyrics, voice) when all of it is meant to be combined into a unique experience, in which evidently some don’t care or have the capacity to indulge. I understand and respect Joanna’s efforts and am greatful to her for sharing the complexities of them with us in such an effortless and beutiful way. By the way, I would love a copy of both “Walnut Whales” and “Yarn and Glue.” If anyone is reading this that could hook me up, please contact me.
I love Joanna Newsom! Her music is at first shrill. Then quickly it becomes cute and endearing. Then as you listen more to the words you begin to respect her as a really talented songwritter! But really her voice is adorable. Why does everyone always wanna hear the same thing???
Hi guys.
I just randomly found this post and all these comments.
Some news for the Joanna haters:
I know Joanna Newsom. She’s from my hometown Nevada City, CA. My sister used y.to have chemistry class with her. Before she went on tour I’d see her all the time. She’s the sweetest, gentlest person you’ll ever meet. And yes, she’s related to the mayor of SF. That’s her uncle. But no, that had nothing to do with her connections. Her voice really is that tiny, it’s just how it is. I think she works with it rather brilliantly.
If you have any enormous problems with her, uh, don’t listen? I know, it’s a striking concept. Rather revolutionary. But have faith in me when I say that it works, and you’ll never be irritated again! And if you like her, then continue to enjoy her, because she is worth enjoying.
I don’t understand why people berrate music they dont like. i mean i could understand it if it was offensive (and dont try and be funny and say her voice is offensive to you cause thats just sophomoric) but there is nothing that could be offensive to anybody in her lyrics. so haveing said all that I hate joanna newsome………sorry I jus kidding. I really like her especially since i saw her picture and saw how much she looks like an elf further perpetuating my fantasy that Middle Earth really exists. and her music is so different from most stuff out there (granted i dont listen to much folk music). and some of her sonegs, when you listen to them just make you feel…….inspired……i dont know what word to use but if you feel like i do you know what im talking about. theyre just epic. and she can rhyme like crazy, like oburst crazy. thats all………and screw you whoever said The Arcade Fire sucks.
I am also an old friend of joanna, and I will unhesitatingly testify to her good character- she is one of the most sensitive, kind, caring, conscientious and brilliant people I have ever known and I want to offer a few points to those of you who might still read this:
1- she is not from SF, she is from Nevada City, a small town up north towards tahoe.
2- she did not go to school in SF, but rather, Mills, in Oakland.
3- Gavin Newsom is NOT her uncle, nor is he even closely related. They do not spend time together, nor are they in any kind of cahoots because of some strange concept that all the Newsom haters out there have conjuered up for no apparent reason other than to undermine the praise which Joanna deserves due to her own accord.
3- She writes and composes all of her own songs, is an extrordinarily gifted writer, and is not trying to make waves by putting this crazy affect to her voice- that is simply the way she sings, having had no training or prior experience. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to listen.
4- If you actually pay attention to the lyrics and spend some time thinking about them or read any of her interviews where she discusses the inspiration and purpose behind them you will understand that they are not simply about fantasy fiction or the charm of fairies and make-believe. The majority of her songs have much more meaning than you’ll find on the surface (think Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, etc.) as with any child’s narrative to which they are so often compared, and to make a specific example, the song
“What we have known” is actually a very astute and somewhat depressing commentary on Cultural Amnesia- something particularly of concern these days with the war in Iraq and other social and cultural battles being fought in the courts and on the streets which wreak of things endlessly repeated in our society.
In ending my tirade, I just want to agree with the sensible folks who’ve posted before me noting that if you don’t like her- don’t listen and go find something you do like and save yourself the irritation if it bothers you so much. it’s so simple. there is no reason to bitch and moan if you don’t have anything substantial or substantiated to say to back it up.
Otherwise, if you’re still open minded, I also suggest seeing her live as it really is an incredible experience.
-Another kid from Nevada City
hi, im also from australia and haven’t had a chance to become entangled in this wierd ‘joanna is a spoilt rich kid’ backlash….and can i say, who cares? im dirt poor like lots of people, and it doesn’t magically endow me with some heartbreakingly deep, artistic talent, over ‘spoilt little rich kids’.
sensitivity, talent, guts…you’ve got them or you don’t. so, how about people who think she sounds like lisa simpson, or a muppet, or like a spoilt kid who got given chances that you and i haven’t been given, fuck off and find your own forum for expression. because maybe you’re not listening, but lots of people recoginise that joanna newsome has found hers and you either like it or you don’t.
Bravo Joanna! Bravo! You are a true original. Please don’t take voice lessons. What if they teach you to sound like everyone else? Yuck.
this album is without doubt the best i’ve heard in a very long. those who take time to listen to the lyrics will be hard pressed to disagree that the lady is a real poet of some substance. this line from “en gallop” really struck me:
“never get so attatched to a poem
you forget truth that lacks lyricism”
i’ve heard a lot of people say she sounds like a child or is just another lady with a quirky voice, but i honestly find the quality of her voice totally endearing, while the music itself is sheer genius – ranging from the poignant to awe inspiring.
my only complaint is song 11 on the album, “three little babes”, which could, if played often enough, cause severe damage to the ears.
all in all, a wonderful talent that deserves to be given your full attention for a few hearings of the album before deciding.
Lovely.
The world has gone insane. I have decided its not J Newsom who I dislike, its her fans. Ok I cannot stand her music to me its an insult to traditional music but its really the hippy trust fund types who listen to her music that get me.
ITS ALL HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it’s pathetic how people take time out to comment negatively. Joanna Newsom doesn’t care anyhow… how could she? She’s making a living at 22 making strange and beautiful music!
Even if you cannot appreciate her voice, her harp arrangements are incredibly difficult and inspired. We should all aspire to have such large imaginations and musical minds.
“A thimble’s worth of Milky moon can touch hearts larger than a thimble” Poignant, touching and playful.
I was having a night of longing and slight tears my “belly ached with many bumblebees (and they stung so terribly)” for the one who’s “skin is something that I stir into my tea”. I walked in the rain to the ocean and sang my aching heart out to it, “waltzing with the open sea” and FELT it move with me, “clam, crab, cockle, cowrie”. I could see myself from the rest of the world’s eyes and thought “will you just look at me” falling apart with yearning for her. This song is amazing. Joanna Newsom – the Queen of perfect imagery.
its simple,her album ‘mlk eye mender’is ace!track 7 is gorgeous,she is gorgeous and i’m ashamed i have’nt heard her other two LP’s!i’m in love
JN is amazing. Initially I heard her live on TV and was scared.
But then I got “the Book Of Right On” in my head and went for the album. It is one of the most beautiful album’s I’ve ever heard.
That and Smog’s “A River Ain’t Too Much To Love” are both exquisitely soul-soothing.
Milk-Eyed Mender is like a portal to another world.
She sounds like a female tyke twin to Perry Ferrel who fired the band for being too loud and went on a diet of mint tea and goat cheese. Which I think is a good thing. To hell with the big beat, this girl stings like a lady-bug. Would you naysayers prefer the sound poured on by the barrel? Go deaf in your own world.