Let me begin by saying that JOANNA NEWSOM’S 2003 debut CD, Milk-eyed Mender,
was probably one of the best CDs of that year, so the expectations for her second release,
were very high. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this CD for a year and a half.
In fact, 2 years ago, I heard an early bottlegged version of “Cosima” - what became,
in a more refined version, the 5th and last song on her new CD, titled Ys.

And just like the GRIZZLY BEAR CD, YELLOW HOUSE , this is a serious
musical document that reveals its gems, only through serious listening. The songs
run long, averaging between 10 and 15 minutes each, therefore I would recommend
that the listener play one song at a time, and really get a feel for it, before moving
forward.

The involvement of Van Dyke Parks, Steve Albini, and Jim O’Rourke, makes
for a state-of-the-art Indie production.

This is a great CD, even though, or maybe because, it makes demands on the listener.

Painting by: Benjamin A. Vierling
Design by: Richard Good

JOANNA NEWSOM, Ys, 2006 Drag City, Chicago