My Favorite Records of 2004 - #8 - Joanna Newsom The Milk-Eyed Mender (Drag City)

In April or so, I went to go see (smog) at the Mermaid Lounge. The bill had this girl whom I'd never heard of opening for him, and when I arrived at the venue there was a harp sitting on stage. She came out and sang some traditional-sounding song acapella. The crowd clapped along, but there was more than a little skepticism in the air. She sat down at her harp, and began playing what I later learned was the opening track from her album, "Bridges and Balloons". That show still ranks among the best I've been to, not because of the music alone, but because of the transformation in the crowd. Everyone was still through the set - what began as a lukewarm welcome became a 5 minute ovation at the end of her set. I left before (smog) even came on stage, and so did many others.

I later convinced my friends in Phoenix to go see her with me over the summer, but it wasn't quite the same without that surprise transformation. I still loved the songs, but the live experience was such a personal, one-time thing; at least I think it was. The record from which the songs were culled, on the other hand, is timeless and fantastic.

Most of this record is just harp, or piano, and Newsom's inimitable voice. It's the only voice of its kind in music - sounding something (to me) like a combination of Bjork, Alanis Morrisette, Colin Melloy, and an 8-year-old girl. Good though. It's good.

And the songs? They're understated, timeless melodies. There's little else to say, other than that you'll probably love or hate her music. But as far as I'm concerned, she's the most valuable thing going on in this freak-folk scene right now. With grace and poise, The Milk-Eyed Mender charms at #8.