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Album Review: Joanna Newsom, "Ys" (Drag City)
Joanna Newsom 's divisive brand of 21st-century folk music arrived seemingly fully formed on her debut, 2004's critically acclaimed "The Milk-Eyed Mender." A classically trained harpist, Newsom's cross to bear, in terms of audience acceptance, is that of her singing voice.
And how to describe that voice to the uninitiated? A blend of stammering, childlike whimsy, coupled with Victoria Williams, perhaps? Without a doubt, it is the definition of "an acquired taste." Get past that, though, and there are many goods to be had.
"Ys" has a strong pedigree, with Steve Albini manning the boards, famed Brian Wilson collaborator Van Dyke Parks behind the arrangements and the brilliant Jim O'Rourke handling mixing. Admittedly, none of the above matters unless the source material stands up, which it does.
A five-song concept album, "Ys" is leaps and bounds from its predecessor in terms of both taking chances and genuine artistic growth. In terms of immediate likeability, the two are not mutually exclusive, so one can expect "Ys" to be a creeper of an album. Don't expect to grasp its eclectic nuances in one sitting--or five sittings, for that matter. But, as any music lover will tell you, that is usually the litmus test for a great album.
