Post by lostatlimbo on Jan 18, 2012 16:36:58 GMT -8
That sh!t cray. HOOM is next level songwriting. The lyrics are vast.
In my mind, it will inspire a wave of amazing albums to follow (first of which: Feist's Metals)
I like using sportscenter cliches to describe music. And I might add that Joanna Newsom has great intangibles and she's just a winner.
Haha. I was more channeling Epic Meal Time, but I guess that works too.
If you prefer the TL;DR version, here's what I wrote back in 2010:
I'm not going to cheapen this by trying to describe it with dictionary words, hyperbolic adjectives or misplaced sentiments. Its simply the best thing I've heard in years. Its an instant classic. I've always had lukewarm feelings about Joanna. I found her interesting, but her songs wandered aimlessly and her voice became grating.
All that has changed. Every one of the 18 tracks on her ridiculous 3-disc album are cohesive both individually and as a part of the greater whole. Joanna has developed into an absolutely incredible writer. Months later and I am still in complete awe of this. An 11-minute song about the obscure mistress of a Bavarian king seems far too short and deeply personal despite being veiled as a biography. Deeply personal is great way to describe the album in a succinct way. Break-ups, abortion, forgiveness, newness, and lawless love are just the tip of iceberg.
Joanna moved beyond the harp gig (without leaving it behind). Her voice has a range and empathy that I never thought possible from her. Her lyrics demand your full attention. I'm floored by her songwriting, listen after listen after listen. The closest comparison I can make is to Joni Mitchell, but Joanna takes Joni's level of talent to a higher level of intensity and passion and vulnerability.
Its not the sort of album that will have widespread appeal. Its not accessible, much less definable or even easily digestible (its 2 full hours of music & lyrics). But mark my words. 5 years from now, Have One On Me will be viewed as a game-changer. 10 years from now, burgeoning talents will cite it as their inspiration for becoming a musician. It will be on every respectable Best of the Decade list in 2020. Albums of this magnitude just don't come along very often. No matter what else Joanna does in her career and life, this will define her. Its that fucking good.