Joanna Newsom - Ys
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Free Music Notes for Ys
Free Music Review: Astonishing
Hit: 5 Stars
With her first album, Joanna Newsom revealed herself to be one of the most refreshingly innocent and unique voices in contemporary music. The music was equally innocent in it's simplicity. It was heartbreaking to be presented with something that we have almost entirely lost sight of in the modern world.
The progression from The 'Milk-Eyed Mender' to 'Ys' is remarkable. No longer relying solely on wide-eyed innocence, Ys is an intricately ornamented, flowingly linguistic work which bathes the listener in arcane, long-forgotten beauty. The former innocence is maintained, but it has also matured. Joanna's lone harp is now complemented by luscious yet refined orchestration. Each song is an epic, a poetic masterpiece of purity and humanity.
Not everyone will like Joanna Newsom... but for those with an open mind, Ys provides an immersive and thought-provoking experience which is entirely unique in music today. There is a genuine depth here just waiting to be discovered and experienced. I can't recommend this enough, though her first album or latest EP may be a more accessible place to start.
Free Music Review: Oh so wondrous & wonderful !
Hit: 5 Stars
Pay no attention to Proteusyndrome's review. I'm not sure where his or her head was when listening to this release (if he or she truly did) but, I would guess it took very advanced yoga experience to get it there. The reason for my doubt that the reviewer listened to it was that the description and terms like "Harry Potteresque" seem to be based on the the cover art rather than any of the musical content. Yes I'm sure the cover illustration will bring about Mediaeval Fair & fantasy novel references but the music is so much more interesting than that.The orchestral arrangements by producer Van Dyke Parks are too gorgeous & suit the songs perfectly.This record is very much a departure from her debut and may be even better (although, it might be the fact that it's brand new causing that reaction in me). Both albums are quite special in their own right and I think any one who loved the first record will fall in love with "Ys" as well! Yes, I know the songs are long, "Only Skin" nears the 17 minute mark, but, in this case it's a plus. You get quality & quantity from Joanna with "Ys". Tripe indeed.Free Music Review: Joanna, you've put me off music
Hit: 5 Stars
I've only just now discovered JN -- bought this CD at the recommendation of a friend I trust, without any idea what I was in for. I've only listened to it twice -- just now, back to back. And at the moment, music I used to like is seeming not very impressive by comparison. I'll get over it I'm sure, but just now... stunned. This is a work of towering genius, that disdains a beaten path.
It took me a while to love it, on that first time through. Give it a little time. Read the book of lyrics as you listen, the stories are a bit hard to follow without, and take on deeper meaning with reading along. I noticed that "Monkey and Bear" in particular was achingly beautiful and poetic, where I didn't fully catch that, the first time through without the book. (I guess that's a reason to buy the CD rather than the MP3 album -- though the lyrics are probably available elsewhere, the book included with the CD is nice.)
Just came back to amazon to buy some more JN music, now gotta go listen again!
Free Music Review: Ys
Hit: 5 Stars
Ys was a bold move for Joanna Newsom. How could something that begins with the words "The meadowlark and the chim-choo-ree" not be? Yet Ys is an exemplar of a musical gamble that worked, both a logical progression and a quantum leap into unexpectedly majestic territory. Let's start with the developments: Newsom's voice has improved tremendously, moving from an unlistenable cackle to a much more palatable (and appropriate) purr. So have the production and instrumentation--now worlds richer --as well as the song structures, which clock in at epic times but contain multiple movements as in a fable with scenes of differing action and tone. What hasn't changed is Newsom's affection for all things whimsical and her penchant for storytelling--a good thing, since Newsom is a more adventurous tale-spinner than just about all of her singer-songwriter contemporaries. Those who once balked at The Milk Eyed Mender should definitely think twice about skipping out on Ys's magic carpet ride.Free Music Review: save the album; support artists!
Hit: 5 Stars
It is 2007 and the record album is becoming a dying art form. Kids download a pop song here and a hip hop joint there and call themselves fans. Artists like Joanna Newsom are important because they demonstrate the beauty and power of entire CDs.Imagine only being able to listen to one song off the classic concept album Dark Side of the Moon. Radiohead's Ok Computer is best enjoyed with headphones and an uninterrupted hour of one's time. Newsom's folk/symphony fantasy reminds music fans of a time when music and artists mattered... A time when a fan had every album from their favorite artists... A time when a fan poured over every word on the lyric sheet and enjoyed the cover-art... A time when a first listen of an album made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. If you're the type of person who would rather write or read a poem than do what is popular at the moment then Ys is the album for you. You will enjoy her unique voice and the magical places it takes you...