1. dpmartin7

   10

   While Hadestown was a masterfully executed epic folk-opera, with Young Man in America, Anais Mitchell returns to a simpler, yet beautiful form of story telling. Because it is not so concept oriented, each song is more accessible in its own right, while still cohering beautifully into an album worthy of listening to from start to finish. I think this is the perfect album to win over first-time listeners. Recommended Tracks: "Wilderland," "Young Man in America," "Venus," "Tailor"… Expand

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     1 of 1 users said yes
2. DrHellno

   8

   It's expansive Americana/folk. It sounds great, with deep and spacious arrangements. The melodies are accessible and some are quite catchy, but off-center enough not to be boringly predictable. As far as the lyrics... well, you probably won't feel deeply challenged by them, but if you're anything like me they'll manage to lodge themselves in your heart pretty quickly. Mitchell has a way of unfurling the story of a song in perfect synchrony with her song structures; 'Dyin' Day' is reminiscent of "The Wall" from her Hadestown album, in that it slowly builds a powerful lyrical idea using repetitive but evolving call-and response verses. That song is a highlight. Others include the title track, whose restless, hungry hero evokes immediate sympathy, and "Coming Down", a quiet and wistfully sad little tune. I will say that beyond those songs, none of the others have really grabbed me in the two days I've had to listen to it, but that might be because I have tracks 2-4 more or less on repeat. In the end I suppose I have to recommend Hadestown over this. But the three songs I mentioned above are really great, and absolutely worth the sticker price.… Expand

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     2 of 2 users said yes
3. Teaspoon

   5

   If perhaps one thing, it is well disguised -- a voice that will challenge your patience, and some overtly simplistic lyrics (and piano playing that I can only think of as ‘clumsy’, see “Coming Downâ€�) -- are produced masterfully to sound like rich, atmospheric chunks of sound; and maybe to the proficient music critic who was apparently so astounded as to only write 'marvellous' with the nerve to call it a review, it's atmosphere is substantial enough -- but frankly, the opening tracks fail to entice, and the lack of melodies and pace throughout will struggle to offer anything to the conventional listener. Recommended: "Dyin' Day", "He Did"… Expand

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     0 of 5 users said yes

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