Album Review: Joanna Newsom: "Have One On Me"

I like Joanna Newsom.  She does things her own way and really doesn't seem to care what you or me or anyone else thinks about it.  Take for example her 2006 release Ys.  While technically only containing five tracks the album still managed to clock in at about 55 minutes in length.  That's something you're not going to find on the next Weezer album.   

And how does Joanna Newsom follow up her critically acclaimed, five track album?  She releases a triple album of course.  A two-hour plus album that ranges from tracks only two minutes in length to sprawling songs that go for close to twelve minutes in length.  By her last albums standards these tracks could be considered short.

It's easy to see why this unusual approach to making music can be intimidating and even polarizing to some.  Pitchfork lost their shit over the album giving it a 9.2.  Phoenix New Times music reviewer Jay Bennet, however, wasn't as big a fan.  

If there is one piece advice I can give you before listening to this album it's this:  Have patience.  Listening to this album and finding enjoyment requires patience and the attention span of someone over the age of three.  But if you have a good pair of headphones, a little time and a decent amount of patience the album will pay off for you in a big way.

Rating:  8 mustaches out of 10

Joanna Newsom's Have One One Me is available now on Drag City.  

February's 5 Best Albums

In all honesty this list could have been way longer but we narrowed it down to 5 this month. I have listened to Odd Blood and Have One On Me about a millions times. Well I have listened to Have One On Me like 3 times but that about equates to a million times of any other album. Any other choices you think we left off? Leave some freaking comments!!! Argghh See the list after the break...

New Music Tuesday: Joanna Newsom, Xiu Xiu, Shearwater, Phantogram & Past Lives

Damn fine day to be a person that enjoys new music. Corncopia of albums I doubt you even have enough money to buy they all. I am not saying you are poor, just frugal. If you were only able to buy like 3 or 4 (because of alleged money problems) I would recommend Joanna Newsom's TRIPLE album Have One On Me, Xiu Xiu's Dear God, I Hate Myself, Shearwater's The Golden Archipelago, and Phantogram's Eyelid Movies.Now you are obviously an adult or at least a savvy enough child to be reading such a high class music blog so by all means click on some of the other albums below (after break) and check their sounds out on Amazons thoughtfully provided 30 second clips, and make some decisions for yourself for once in your life. (Run on sentence and insults provided courtesy of our sponsor Amazon.com)

mp3: Joanna Newsom - "Kingfisher"

Drag City is giving away a free mp3 of Joanna Newsom's song "Kingfisher."  The track comes off of Newsom's forthcoming album Have One on Me.  We mentioned the ambitious new album a few weeks back.  I call it ambitious due to the fact that it is slated to be a triple album.  That is no joke.  Have One on Me will be out February 23rd on Drag City. 


Joanna Newsom - "Kingfisher"