white snails

Joanna Newsom just released her new album Have One on Me and there is a distinct lack of vocabulary that I can employ to describe how amazing and beautiful this work is. It is a 3 disc set and I've only given it one full listen. Took me a few days (mostly driving to work in the mornings, and not a bad way to wake up).

Joanna Newsom is an artist I struggled with early on. Her voice is something you have to grow into, (rather high on the vocal scale) someone you come to love after repeated listens. Unlike my friend Paul (thanks for turning me onto her), I found her first album The Milk-Eyed Mender to be better than her second Ys. That is not to say that Ys is a bad album, not by any stretch. I just found TMEM to be more accessible. Having listened to her new release, I would still recommend that new comers to her work start with TMEM. Ys is similar to viewing and listening to an opera, it requires an extended & repeated listening to enjoy. 

If you know me and are willing or open to trying some new music, ask me for her work and I'd be more than willing to share her discography. Oh and I've recently sought out her work on-line and legally paid for her work. Some artists are worth giving their dues and she is definitely one of them. 

Update on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 9:21AM by G

I've been listening to some great music this week. 

Owen Pallett (formerly of Final Fantasy) is an amazing artist. Think of Andrew Byrd & Bright Eyes blending with TV on the Radio. A virtuoso performer who makes use of violins, piano, and synthesizers. His most recent album Heartland is something you'll find yourself humming days later. 

Owen Pallett - Heartland

Beach House has been given the very appropriate label of "dream pop", ghost like, haunting melodies that wander and meander through your mind. Think of the slow songs on Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest. Their recent album Teen Dream is perfect for an afternoon sitting in your room. Close the blinds, and lay back in the semi-darkness of the eve and just let yourself drift off listening to the slow croons. Will definitely bring a smile to your face. 

Beach House - Teen Dream

What is my guilty pleasure of the day? 

Listening to the New Moon OST a veritable greatest hits and who's who of Indie music: Grizzly Bear, Killers, Bon Iver, St. Vincent,  Thom Yorke.

Hate the franchise, love the music. Cheers.