what's the deal with this cd again? i downloaded a song just because i see the name around a lot, and good god her voice scares the shit out of me. i didn't get very far into it.

it's lovely, and captures the innocence and simplicity that only children know. just takes a while to get into is all

seriously?

I'd say that's part of it. Not all of it.

This album had me even before first listen (having heard a track of hers on The Golden Apples comp). Her voice is endearing, and, to me, the obvious draw of her sound, but the instrumentation is also gorgeous. Her harp is very rich and tasty.

surprisingly, i haven't been won over by this one yet.

Took me at least five listens to stop going "wtf." Now, it may wind up my top of the year. Shocked me, too. It grows and grows on ya. Or on some. She's got pretty interesting and unusual lyrics, too.

sarcasm, sincerity?

I loved it after the first listen.

Cool. It took me paying attention to her lyrics and noticing how inventive a harpist she is. The voice is very 8 year old Daniel Johnston by way of Victoria Williams but I don't think it's an affectation. She just sings really weird. Like Devendra Banhart trying to be Allison Krauss. Or Alfalfa after voice lessons.

Good God this is perfect. Spoon, you're a genius.

dang it, i'm coming around.

yeah, me too; i enjoy the inventiveness and....well there is something endearing that i can't put my finger on....

I like to make up the missing drum parts while I'm listening.

Harp 'n' drum.

YES! btw, congrats on the new "title"

And not only does she sing like an elf, she looks like one too. So cute.

Haq is messing with me. I never thought of myself as a performer. Started posting a couple years back as a means to make myself chuckle and wound up learning a lot about new music. But I long since realized I'm too insular, grumpy and lazy in person to be an actual performer. And I've got that "Andy Partridge don't wanna stand up under the hot lights just to make people like me" kinda deal going on.

The New Weird America

very wholesome lookin

[img][375:500]http://www.billburg.com/artists/alaurence/images/040127034224.gif[/img]

Amaaaaazing.

huh. I think this term used to pertain to the more free-folk stuff (Sunburned Hand, JOMF, NNCK, Six Organs), but I guess I see how J. Newsom and D. Banhart fit.

Cocorosie just sucks though.

And pretty much every time I ever post in one the Milk-Eyed Mender thread, I say that you really need to see J. Newsom live. So good.

i think the devandra comparison is spot-on, as far as weirdness goes. she sounds like lisa simpson but the harp arrangements make it really entrancing.

I wouldn't mind "wholesoming" her. Hyark, Hyark.

best record of the year, easy. thank god someone is doing something new and different with the singer-songwriter formula.

or like bjork belching cyndi lauper.

Only if Lauper did weird-ass Appalachian songs. Lauper's as New York as you can get. Bjork doesn't have a "wee girl voicey," either, but I see what you mean. Bjork has a "tiny girl howl." Newsom is Lisa Simpson. Bjork is Anime, all the way.