The Milk-Eyed Mender (studio album) by Joanna Newsom

A beautifully crafted debut album by Joanna Newsom that demonstrates so much potential and promise which makes me extremely excited to explore future releases. The harp is at the centre of this album with it softly guiding us from song to song with immense delicacy and beauty. The way she plays it is absolutely stunning and it elevates every track to the next level. This also makes it such a unique listen and quite a personal album which allows us to connect to her so easily and feel involved with the music. Lyrically, it is great as well with there being a lot to explore for us as she goes into the themes of love and heartbreak with the use of intelligent wordplay. The vocal might not be for everyone but to me it sounds beautiful and it adds an extra edge and punch to the delivery of her words. Overall, this is such an emotional and powerful record that is packed full of quality and musical brilliance which makes me extremely excited to revisit this album and discover more of her discography.

From TheDude85 07/15/2021 17:58

An unusual debut for the Nevada born harpist/multi-instrumentalist. Not often does one hear "pop harp." This is a groundbreaking exploration of music and Newsom gives her audience plenty to appreciate through her music and lyrics.

Lately I've been making some baby steps towards Ys. Sadly, no luck with this one yet.

Yes, the vocals are slightly more grating in comparison to her subsequent work, but what remains is a magical journey through different cycles of love and loss, expertly and profoundly written by Newsom herself. A great debut.

First album I listened to from her and I'm instantly hooked. This is fantastic. Never has an album had such an emotional impact on me first time listening, the music is beautiful, her voice the same. Wonderful.

Joanna Newsom's debut album. The milk eyed mender, is a fascinating and quirky acoustic record, with some stunning songs. Newsom is obviously a huge talent, a Joni Mitchell for the millennium, and like Mitchell, Newsom is totally unique, she's both knowing and playful and innocent sounding all at the same time. Bridges and balloons, gets things of to a great start and the record switches from one superb moment to another. This side of the blue, sprout and the bean, and, the book of right on, are all excellent, but best track is closing cut, clam,crab,cockle,cowrie, it's absolutely beautiful. A brilliant album. I'm in love.

From exileonthehell 01/01/2016 18:00

My favourite album from her .. maybe her most accesible, but this one pleased me more than Ys and Have One On Me.

I'm completely blown away! Where has Joanna Newsom been hiding all my life!

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From MCOTho 07/10/2013 03:00

Joanna Newsom is the best thing to happen to me since Bob Dylan.