Joanna Newsom[+/-e?]

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One of the associates - not I or I would be sure of the spelling - has been much into JN's work. Was shocked on receiving her latest colldection. Feels there is very much a new departure which is found to be disturbing perturbing.

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what? Lol, I don't know what you mean.

It's Newsom WITHOUT the silent e. I own one of her albums so I know this

Thanks on settling the e question. I hate to distort somebody's name.

As for what exactly I mean, I can't tell you.

All I can say is that:

one of the members of my tight group has been getting quite a lot out of Joanna Newsom's music / lyrics - helps a lot dealing with the business of surviving in the allegedly real world. I know how that goes, though I do not know exactly how it feels in her case.

AND she reports that the latest CD from JN was different - words, music, voice, I do not know the details - different enough that she simply cannot listen because instead of making better it makes worse. I do NOT have access to the critical differences.

So, assuming THIS time I am talking so anybody can understand, has anyone else had a similar reaction?

I liked Newsom's first album "The Milk Eyed Mender" but had little use for her second, "Ys" Her third "Have One On Me" sounds more like "Ys" but I like it a little better.

What I like so much about the first album is the rawer quality. "Ys" came across as over produced. All the rough edges seemed worn away and it didn't feel as honest. This is purely a subjective response, but I feel her voice and the imagery in her lyrics lends itself better to a simpler style. "Ys" had a lush quality that seemed very much at odds with the images.

Lars

I agree with that. ^

I liked Ys, but it was all a bit long and meandering. Coulda made a tight EP or so. I'm actually interested in hearing her new album which is more than I can say for any other artists work over the last couple of years.

I'd rather to listen to nails on a chalk board.

But her nails on chalkboard voice is all part of her charm!

Actually I would compare her voice more to the sound of rubbing an inflated balloon.