Shine
by Joni Mitchell
  • Record Label: Hear
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2007
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25

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  1. ChuckM.
    Oct 30, 2007
    7
    Even as an admitted die-hard Jonni fan, my first listens to the new album took me back to trying so hard to like "Taming the Tiger" (I haven't listened to that one in years). And while I will always love Joni, no, I do not look forward to more crankiness. However, after several weeks "Shine" is still in my frequently played CD stack and its mysteries continue to emerge with each Even as an admitted die-hard Jonni fan, my first listens to the new album took me back to trying so hard to like "Taming the Tiger" (I haven't listened to that one in years). And while I will always love Joni, no, I do not look forward to more crankiness. However, after several weeks "Shine" is still in my frequently played CD stack and its mysteries continue to emerge with each listen. Yes, the synth instruments are cheesy, but her arrangements are at times as complex and beautiful as those on "For the Roses" and "Court and Spark". Both "Hana" and "Night of the Iguana" offer some of the most unforced, buoyant pop she has ever created. And that voice - seemingly trapped for years by age and nicotine, is truly relaxing into it a new landscape. There is a verse in "This Place" when she sings "I feel like Geronimo, I used to be as trusting as Cochise, but the white eyes lie..." where her voice drops slides into the bluesy, jazzy growl of a woman who sings from her true age with abandon, now the wise crone no longer needing to pretend that she'll never be the singer she once was and having a blast in the here and now of the song. The album closes with the title song and "If", both bitter and ironic - but keep listening - and you start to here the most authentic expression of compassion that we've heard yet from our Joni.… Expand
  2. AllisonFernley
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    Ever-evolving, Joni never disappoints. Zydeco Big Yellow Taxi. Shades of Paprika Plains to start, a rethining of Kipling to end. Wherever she wants to go, I'm there with her.
  3. JustinF.
    Oct 5, 2007
    8
    Solid
  4. jeffb.
    Oct 8, 2007
    9
    Joni Mitchell has made herself a gem of a collection which will surprise many but this timely masterpiece is spot on, our culture needs to hear this message, we're blasted by messages from a current culture that is so out of wack with the reality of this world yet there is a light refusing to be put out and the likes of Joni Mitchell continue to lead us with this beauty and insight. Joni Mitchell has made herself a gem of a collection which will surprise many but this timely masterpiece is spot on, our culture needs to hear this message, we're blasted by messages from a current culture that is so out of wack with the reality of this world yet there is a light refusing to be put out and the likes of Joni Mitchell continue to lead us with this beauty and insight. sure many would love to put her and everything about global warming and such out to pasture, its time we take control of the shallowness in this culture and take back before its to late. Very impressed with this collection of new mitchell tunes.… Expand
  5. DavidF.
    Oct 8, 2007
    8
    A most welcome return, and her best album in 25 years.
  6. roccoc
    Nov 7, 2007
    9
    Amazing...and n° 9 is one of her most beautiful songs. I love you Joni!
  7. DarrelL.
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    A stunning album! Some of her most engaging tracks in years. The newest addition to the Joni Mitchell stew of excellence is social commentary, and it is most welcome!
  8. JoeH.
    Oct 6, 2007
    10
    This album is brilliant. Joni is amazing.
  9. JasonM.
    Oct 9, 2007
    9
    This album is actually a good place to start if you're curious about Joni Mitchell. It's got piano arrangements like in "One Week Last Summer" that have her stamp all over it, it has social criticism in "Bad Dreams" and "Shine", and it has her playfulness too like in "Hana" or "Night of the Iguana". Those two songs are the fast ones, and I love how she creates a playground of This album is actually a good place to start if you're curious about Joni Mitchell. It's got piano arrangements like in "One Week Last Summer" that have her stamp all over it, it has social criticism in "Bad Dreams" and "Shine", and it has her playfulness too like in "Hana" or "Night of the Iguana". Those two songs are the fast ones, and I love how she creates a playground of images and sounds in your head. It's got some pretty heavy lyrics throughout, very direct and political, yet by the end it's sobering and you feel glad. Really lovely album.… Expand
  10. DaveL
    Dec 23, 2007
    10
    Absolutely fantastic.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Musically it's imaginative, fresh, full of a more studied elegance and a leaner kind of pomp that we heard during her Geffen years.
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  2. Amazon.com
    80
    Mitchell's songwriting shines brightest at such singularly poignant moments where specificity of images meets the vagaries of the instrumental arrangements, and, in the end, these and other highlights ('Bad Dreams,' 'Night of the Iguana') definitively carry the torch.
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  3. Billboard
    80
    Joni Mitchell's first album of new material in nearly 10 years is a return to the form that made her a star.
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