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.
The upcoming Week #4. Throw it out there. I would love to know what is playing in your car stereos on your iPods RIGHT NOW and have that be your suggestion for this week. Otherwise, your classic favorite albums will do as well. I would also like to encourage those of you who have not yet heard the suggested album for a certain week to download and listen along with me and post comments. We would love to know your thoughts!
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Jay Jenison is Jay Jenison
I also gave this album a try this week. I think your review is spot on. Its definitely an album that grows over a long time. At first I didn’t know if I could get used to the voice, but I LOVED the harp and that is what kept me coming back.
After about four spins through the entire record I think I have come fully around to loving this one. I’ve gotten used to the voice (even come to enjoy it) and the songwriting is so beautiful. I absolutely love “Sprout and the Bean” and “En Gallop”.
Speaking of her voice, I was reading her Wikipedia entry and it classified her voice as having shadings of folk and Appalachian shaped-note timbres, and she is often disappointed when it is described as “child-like”. I have a Smithsonian Folkways album of classic Appalachian mountain music and her voice is not far off.
By the way, that is an awesome logo/banner!
Nate,
Sounds like we had a similar experience. I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. Ya, I was reluctant to state that her voice sounded “child-like”. While the thought did cross my mind, it wasn’t a very constant attribute in all her songs so I felt it unnecessary to comment on it.
The banner was just a quick thought I had to help add a recognizable aspect to the post as well as generally inform newcomers as to what it is all about. Hopefully the “You suggest. We listen. Each week.” line will make so people aren’t wondering what to do. Feel free to have me make up some simple banners for whoever wants them for their regular posts.
This album has passed under my radar as of late, but I’m gonna need to check it out – I have an affinity for singers with voices that are sometimes hard to get past. I appreciate putting that extra effort in.
Since I’ve been on vacation, I haven’t been able to comment on your past posts, which have been great. Let me throw out a few of my personal favorite albums I’d suggest you listen to, if they’re new to you.
1. Sleater Kinney, “Dig Me Out”. The now-broken up signature “riot grrl” band, they were so much more than that title implied. They’re also famous for having two guitarists and drums, with no bass. Like Ms. Newsom, I’ve known some people to be completely put off by the vocals, but I find them amazing – they’re women who simply rock out without any attempt to “masculinize” their voice.
2. The National, “Boxer”. I know people are loving their new one, but this is my favorite of theirs. It was released the same year as Arcade Fire’s “Neon Bible” and sort of got lost in the shuffle, and while it’s just as dark and haunting as it’s more popular counterpart, I find it to be more subtle in its brooding.
3. The Hold Steady, “Boys and Girls in America.” Simply my favorite album by what may be the best bar band playing right now.
I suggest all of these not because they’re new, (“Dig Me Out” is more than ten years old, and the newest is still from a few years back), but because they all took me a little time to get into and required repeat listens, but were well worth the effort. I think the best albums are always like that.
Great series, Jay! I look forward to reading it.
Side note: Being the only Jew posting on here (I think), I feel I would be remiss if I did not point out that schmuck, in Yiddish, literally means penis. Modern American usage has it geared more towards “idiot” or “nincompoop”, it in fact was originally a bit harsher than that, more like “jerk” or “a-hole”.
The more you know…*star*
Evan,
Hope you had fun on vacation!
This was an amazing (and informative comment posting). I may just have to change the series title to Music for Dicks. Not sure. It does have a certain ring to it. I’ll have to think about it.
Great album suggestions. I have not heard any of these so any one of these would do just fine. The National is a band I keep hearing about from time to time and have been wanting to check out. Also, for The Hold Steady I am always down for a good bar band!
Does anyone else have a vote for these (or any other) albums for this week?
I’m excited that people are listening to Joanna Newsom. What eventually sold me on her voice was the emotion she manages to consistently pack into it. It kills me now.
Sleater-Kinney is interesting. Their aggressive feminism on what I heard put me way the hell out initially (except for the title track from “One Beat”, that song kicks ass). That could totally be a dumb assessment, I’m willing to give them another try along with you.
But as far as what’s spinning right now, definitely the National’s High Violet. It’s incredible. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of their albums. I’m listening to Alligator as I’m typing this, and it’s definitely a lot more raw than Boxer or High Violet. Still awesome.
I want to second the love for that banner, it’s great.
So it is looking like The National is the band for this week! Now… we just need to pick an album. So far we have “Boxer” and “High Violet” thrown out there. Anyone else have any input on which one to go with?
This weeks album choice will close tonight so get in your votes now!
I have to tell you boys, this album is a close-held favorite of mine and has been for a while. I know her voice can be grating at times, but I think it’s really gorgeous. In fact, her latest album finds her singing with much more of a croon to her voice, which I found mildly disappointing, and I still think that this album is her greatest work (or at least my most favorite). While I wouldn’t describe her voice as “child-like” I usually give the a album to people telling them to be fully aware that she sounds like “A deranged Shirley Temple fighting a demon-cat on crack”. At first, anyway. Then she sounds like an angel borrowed from a faraway realm.
Anyway, Jay, I really admire this project of yours and am in FULL support of your listening to The National as they are one of my top five favorite bands. However, I recommend that you start with their earlier album “Alligator” as I really think that it’s the best intro to their later works. It’s also still my favorite after being a fan of their for at least six years now. My two cents, anyway.
Colin, interesting that you mention Newsom’s voice on her latest album. That same Wikipedia entry mentions that she developed vocal chord nodules that sadly changed her voice. So looks like the change might not have been completely voluntary.
I will gladly throw in a vote for The National. However, picking an album is a hard choice.
I got started with Boxer and it is great.
I enjoy High Violet just as much if not a little more because I think it flows a little better.
Haven’t listened to Alligator but have been meaning to for a long time now.
Given the facts, I would put my vote in for Boxer, but with the condition that if you enjoy it you don’t stop there.
Wow. Three albums from The National are getting suggested frequently here! If I am hearing everyone correctly, I will most likely enjoy any of their albums however, so far the voting is holding “Boxer” as the number one pick for this week.
If this remains the top place til tonight, I promise (and will most likely desire) to listen to the other albums as well. Great suggestions guys!
Instead of going along with the theme of singers with slightly unusual voices, I think you should continue the theme of awesome female artists! (Although I also had a very hard time getting into Joanna Newsom because of her voice, but I do think she’s incredibly talented.)
I will put in Ida Maria’s “Fortress ‘Round My Heart” She has a very sensual voice that definitely lures you in and she’s got some really honest lyrics-some apparently about Bright Eye’s singer Conor Oberst. I usually have a hard time getting into female artists because quite frankly I can find them to be a bit boring, but Ida Maria is a badass! I think I just talked myself into listening to her right now haha.
Am I too late to weigh in? Obviously The National is a great band.
Like Stephen, I’m really glad you listened to Joanna Newsom and really gave her a chance. Milk-Eyed Mender remains one of my favorite albums and struck me from the first. People I know often write her off without giving her a chance and that bugs the hell out of me. I have special respect for people who like her, I guess.
Lilly, I don’t know you, but damn straight on the Ida Maria. I haven’t found anyone I know who was taken with her as wholly as I was. She’s a total badass, but as far as voices go, she’s about the exact opposite of Joanna Newsom, throaty and deep. But for a hot summer drive with the windows down, I can’t help but crank up “Oh My God” and pound on the steering wheel.
Yay! Glad you agree on Ida Maria! But it looks like The National is going to win this round.
Okay, let me just say, I’m looking forward to Week 4.