Divers
by Joanna Newsom

Working my way through the best rated album of each year, I have reached 2015 and swung by this entry to leave my regards and move on to something I'm not familiar with. Then I find myself just putting the album on. Just one more listen. Yet, after all why not? Why shouldn't I listen to it? Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it, its mine, I found it, it came to me!

Anyway. Musically perfect, lyrically perfect.

A very good album but still probably Joanna Newsom's weakest so far. Not as quirky and strong as, milk eyed mender, and not as gloriously ambitious as, ys, and, have one on me, still, a weaker Joanna Newsom record is still pretty fantastic and I'm sure there is a lot more to come from her, but this is my least favourite one of her records to date.

Anecdotes made me listen through the whole album.

From poppmusic 01/21/2016 00:06 | #157199

It's got a lot going for it. The lyrics are a legitimate attempt at a "theory of everything", with some considerable success, and capturing some of the most nuanced and poetic turns-of-phrase since all of those literary masters (Nabokov, Shakespeare, Wolfe, what have you).

The music is now substantially different from "Ys" (admittedly the only other album I have listened to thus far), with much more of a progressive atmosphere here that's especially reminiscent of Jethro Tull (Thick as a Brick, Songs from the Wood), abandoning the "freak folk" soundscapes. It's evocative and wistful, and serves a purpose beyond just being a soundtrack to a story. Her style of storytelling, too, has refined its nuances, resembling a Japanese Noh drama more than a Chinese opera, as on "Ys".

I ultimately only give it an "A-" however. The second half is far less rich musically than the first, and the pure scope of it all can leave a sour taste on the tongue, even as it is extraordinarily impressive at moments. Sometimes the orchestra sounds a bit fake.

From Tamthebam 01/11/2016 19:33 | #156322

This for me is her best album it seems a little more accessible than her previous works. Her voice is a matter of taste but I don't find it as annoying on this album. I can only listen to Ys for about 10 mins before I give up. This effort seems easier on the ear.

From covecove 12/23/2015 04:30 | #154975

Speechless... What a beautiful album...

From The Gollux 11/04/2015 15:30 | #152462

I won't go as far as saying this is a disappointment but I will say it's a step back for me. It somehow lacks the magic of "Ys" and the personal touches of "Have One On Me." Maybe it's the orchestral arrangements that accompany it, while beautifully done, take something away from the songwriting. That being said, this album done by any other contemporary artist would be a masterpiece. I should note that this is after only two listens. "Have One One Me" was a bit of a grower for me and now stands as my favorite.

Some really nice arrangements in these songs

From sethzzzzz 10/31/2015 16:36 | #152332

Like an even more eccentric Kate Bush singing Joni Mitchell. Amazing stuff, she has an incredible voice coupled with beautiful arrangements. Really mellow and easy to listen to, yet when you dig deeper there a lot more going on. Really, really love this record!

From qwert9579 10/29/2015 08:55 | #152209

Gosh darn it, she's done it again