This past week I have been listening to the suggested Joanna Newsom’s album; The Milk-Eyed Mender.  I promised from the get-go to be honest with myself as well as all of you.  So, here it is.  I struggled with the album.  Hugely.  This is not what I would normally listen to on a day to day basis.  But then again, that is what this is all about.  Upon my first listen, I was quite re-palled by her voice.  The high-pitched squeaks and squeals throughout her lines made it an unavoidable nuisance to listen to.  As a friend so elegantly put it, “She sounds like Regina Spektor on crack.”, which I thought to be an accurate observation.   However, in the spirit of MFS and GRTM I decided to fight the urge to stash the CD under my seat and instead to give it another try.  What I came to find out is that not all her songs are exactly alike.  While I had a difficult time hearing a common or noticeable rhythm to most songs, I discovered a few songs (voice and all), such as Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie, wonderfully simple and beautiful.  I found myself cruising past an open farm field with my hand out the window feeling the breeze and being completely relaxed while focusing on the words she was singing to this particular song.  It is for these few songs that the album will hold a small but special place in my mind.  I came to appreciate the struggle I have had, and will continue to have with her music, knowing full well that the journey is probably far from being over.  I look forward to it.  Thanks so much for the suggestion, it has been an experience. …Continue reading this entry