Comment by William Morris — March 21, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Oh, William, I was searching for that who cares option. Or the option “love to hate.” So, I had to flip a coin and go with “hate”. Most of my friends are all ga-ga for her, so I hope I don’t offend everyone’s genteel sensibilities with that vote.
Comment by Supergenius — March 21, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
I’ll admit, my exposure to her has been minimal. But it hasn’t made me want to try again. (Although frankly, the only harp (other than a blues harmonica) I’ve heard that really does something for me was played by Alice Coltrane.)
That’s got to be the most annoying singing voice I’ve ever heard in my life.
Comment by Eric Russell — March 21, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
This is in Iris DeMent territory.
Comment by Last Lemming — March 21, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
I like her a song at a time. Can’t do a whole album though.
Is it true she has a speech impediment, or is that just a rumor?
I played a song for both my husband and my son, at different times, and told them it was only one instrument being played. Neither managed to figure out it was a harp.
I’d like to catch her live sometime, but not enough to actually buy a ticket and go.
Who cares means that I’ve read enough Joanna Newsom hate and love that I’ve moved beyond the point where another instance of it can arouse much emotion in me and get me to actually listen to her work.
I’ll listen to her when I’ve forgotten about her and then decide.
Comment by William Morris — March 21, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Hey, you got Carol Channing in my Sinead O’Conner!
Hey, you got Sinead O’Conner in my Carol Channing!
Actually, I love her voice, and would like her almost as much if she didn’t play harp. All you haters just gotta open up and embrace the old lady/little girl weirdness of her voice.
I love her despite her voice. I think a lot of people would love her if she just had a different voice. she has great melodies and great lyrics. if you can just sort of get past her voice, she’s really very very likable.
Comment by different Jeremy — March 21, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Yeah, but “getting past her voice” is a problem when I want to actually “listen” to some music!
I’ve loved Joanna’s music since I first saw her ‘Sprout and the Bean’ video almost three years ago. I’m happy when I hear of others who feel the same, but I’m not bothered by those who don’t. It’s understandable that there will always be people who don’t appreciate Joanna, just as there are singers and musicians who will never appeal to me. So, to actively seek converts, one way or the other, makes little sense to me. However, for anyone who would like to know more about her, you would be better served to check out the milkymoon fan site, rather than going only to the official site at Drag City.
To be honest, I couldn’t stand her for a long time. But I became a convert — I read her lyrics and allowed myself to get a little more immersed in her sound. She’s an incredibly rewarding artist to those with some patience.
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For the uninformed.
Comment by Supergenius — March 21, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
You don’t like Joanna sumpin’ wrong wichyou.
Here’s a great remix that serves as an effective gateway drug to JN:
http://disconada.imeem.com/music/0hNRtQOT/joanna_newsom_bridges_balloons_pocket_mix/
Comment by Jeremy — March 21, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Where’s the “who cares?” option?
Comment by William Morris — March 21, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Oh, William, I was searching for that who cares option. Or the option “love to hate.” So, I had to flip a coin and go with “hate”. Most of my friends are all ga-ga for her, so I hope I don’t offend everyone’s genteel sensibilities with that vote.
Comment by meems — March 21, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
“who cares” = hate.
Comment by Supergenius — March 21, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
I’ll admit, my exposure to her has been minimal. But it hasn’t made me want to try again. (Although frankly, the only harp (other than a blues harmonica) I’ve heard that really does something for me was played by Alice Coltrane.)
Comment by Sam B. — March 21, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
That’s got to be the most annoying singing voice I’ve ever heard in my life.
Comment by Eric Russell — March 21, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
This is in Iris DeMent territory.
Comment by Last Lemming — March 21, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
I like her a song at a time. Can’t do a whole album though.
Is it true she has a speech impediment, or is that just a rumor?
I played a song for both my husband and my son, at different times, and told them it was only one instrument being played. Neither managed to figure out it was a harp.
I’d like to catch her live sometime, but not enough to actually buy a ticket and go.
Comment by Susan M — March 21, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
Ditto on the “who cares.”
Comment by Clark — March 21, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
who cares /= hate
Who cares means that I’ve read enough Joanna Newsom hate and love that I’ve moved beyond the point where another instance of it can arouse much emotion in me and get me to actually listen to her work.
I’ll listen to her when I’ve forgotten about her and then decide.
Comment by William Morris — March 21, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Where’s the “Never heard of” button?
Comment by kuri — March 21, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
The exciting thing about this artist is that she’s taking the harp places it’s never gone before.
The drawback is her singing voice.
Comment by MCQ — March 21, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Yeah, the harp I can get behind, the voice, however? Holy cats, it makes me want to hurt someone! Badly.
Comment by tracy m — March 21, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
Hey, you got Carol Channing in my Sinead O’Conner!
Hey, you got Sinead O’Conner in my Carol Channing!
Actually, I love her voice, and would like her almost as much if she didn’t play harp. All you haters just gotta open up and embrace the old lady/little girl weirdness of her voice.
Comment by Jeremy — March 21, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Everything was fine until she opened her mouth and started singing.
Comment by danithew — March 21, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
That’s just weird, Jeremy, but there’s no accounting for taste, I guess. How do you feel about fingernails on a chalkboard?
Comment by MCQ — March 21, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
I love her despite her voice. I think a lot of people would love her if she just had a different voice. she has great melodies and great lyrics. if you can just sort of get past her voice, she’s really very very likable.
Comment by different Jeremy — March 21, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Yeah, but “getting past her voice” is a problem when I want to actually “listen” to some music!
Comment by tracy m — March 21, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
I’ve loved Joanna’s music since I first saw her ‘Sprout and the Bean’ video almost three years ago. I’m happy when I hear of others who feel the same, but I’m not bothered by those who don’t. It’s understandable that there will always be people who don’t appreciate Joanna, just as there are singers and musicians who will never appeal to me. So, to actively seek converts, one way or the other, makes little sense to me. However, for anyone who would like to know more about her, you would be better served to check out the milkymoon fan site, rather than going only to the official site at Drag City.
Comment by will davis — March 22, 2008 @ 2:12 am
I love her voice. It’s unconventional, but has loads of texture and emotes in an unexpected way.
Comment by Norbert — March 22, 2008 @ 11:27 am
To be honest, I couldn’t stand her for a long time. But I became a convert — I read her lyrics and allowed myself to get a little more immersed in her sound. She’s an incredibly rewarding artist to those with some patience.
Comment by Supergenius — March 22, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
This is my exposure to her. I kinda liked the song in the video. Weird in cool way.
Comment by Geoff J — March 23, 2008 @ 6:30 pm