User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 373 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 309 out of 373
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Mixed: 16 out of 373
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Negative: 48 out of 373
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- Most helpful
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MinMinNov 16, 2006Poor. Over-hyped and unlistenable by virtue of her voice.
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madslDec 4, 2006this is a serious contender for Album of the Year! Newsom reveals herself as a singular talent on this marvellous recording. A minor quibble is the fact that occasionally Van Dyke Parks´ arrangements seem removed from the vision of Joanna!
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jamesmDec 6, 2006I like it both musically and lyrically. But what I like best is the way it polarises your reviewers. It just show that our opinions are only useful to us....don' t listen to me, listen to you!
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JamesSMar 10, 2010Simply the most astonishing record. Having recently picked up
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JacobB.Mar 10, 2010I'm speechless. Just terrible. I heard someone compare her to Dylan and laughed in their face.
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KurtCobainNov 14, 2006b0ing!
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JustinMNov 16, 2006Fantastic album, start to finish.
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RickRNov 17, 2006Pretty good music making, if not for the dreadful vocals. Like someone said, it'll be on every Critics "MUST HAVE" lists but it probably will be ignored by the public. I mean, it's alright really, that voice is quite ridiculous.
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gNov 17, 2006album of the year... if Darwin is to be believed, newsom's record will survive as a classic for hundreds of years. seriously its THAT good
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exodus.Nov 18, 2006After Claire T: "Simply beautiful."
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JoeGDec 1, 2006Hmmm, I'll be joining the ranks of pretentious I guess. Or maybe it just that I love listening to it? A worthy successor to Astral Weeks.
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DwightGoodenDec 12, 2006It's just...not...THAT...good. I've listened to plenty of albums that are more pretentious but also more engaging and listenable than this. I liked "Cosmia" and was pretty bored with everything else. Oh yeah, and her voice sounds like E.T.'s sister.
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KamilDec 3, 2006First, hard to listen, but then it gets better and better. Imagination and ambition of joanna is impressive. Definitive album from freak-folk scene.
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SeanDec 4, 2006
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KelseaLDec 6, 2006
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samfDec 6, 2006stunning
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HGDec 7, 2006If Joanna Newsom went mute tomorrow the world would be a better place. Her voice is painful to listen to: it is better suited for singing in the shower. I like folk music. I like harps. Joanna Newsom's voice distracts me past any point of reason and deters me from even trying to listen to any talent she has for playing the harp or writing lyrics.
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AamieDec 8, 2006Like others have said, her voice is like nails on a chalkboard... How can anyone listen to this? Seriously? Do any of you rating it 10 really like it or do you just want to appear to be 'arty' or something?
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DanitaMJan 14, 2007
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DannyCJan 18, 2007
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ThomasG.Oct 26, 2007It's absolutely beautiful. Her lyrics are spot on, and the music is wonderful. Just because it's different doesn't make it pretentious. She's got her own unique style that shows alot of passion.
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BrandonHJan 20, 2007This is, by far, the best album of 2006.
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KennyMJan 8, 2007beautiful.
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BryanE.Jan 8, 2007
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PaulLFeb 10, 2007If you're expecting the catchiness and charm of the Milk-Eyed Mender, you'll be disappointed. Where her last album was a nice combination of hooks and quirks, this one's all quirks. It's certainly not annoying, but it isn't a joy to listen to.
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StephFeb 7, 2007Heaven..this music is so beautiful, it conjures up the fantastical and archaic. Newsom's music transcends the ordinary.
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johndMar 9, 2007If you don't like this album, you don't like music: it's that simple. There have been many albums released in the last deacade but none of them leave you as stunned as this. Perfect!
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JAMay 22, 2007Definitely one you have to be in the mood for. But wow, when the time is right, this album is pure magic. Phenomenally gorgeous and totally original.
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ColbyS.Jul 2, 2007High aspirations here? Yes. Musical talent? To some degree. But for the love of God, listening to this woman ramble on like a Vietnamese child tripping out on LSD is too grating to listen to for an average song length of four minutes, let alone twenty-five. The reviewers just liked this because it was different and may have made them sound cultured for a few days. That's my only guess.
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jaJul 3, 2007Gorgeous. Her occasionally screechy vocals will deter many potential listeners, but if you can get around those sparodic moments in the songs, you'll find an absolutely brilliant album filled with stirring music and beautiful imagery. It is fantastical, yet her humanity still comes across clearly.
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DelP.Aug 16, 2007
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cmiiiiicmiSep 9, 2007It makes me smile.
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BrandonV.Oct 30, 2008Tim Kasher and I once had a conversation about Joanna Newsom. we concluded that she is an olive artist. you either love her or hate her. We love her. "If Joanna Newsom is doing well, music is doing well." YS, this is an amazing album. a sound that actually is new. her songwriting and lyrics are genius. but again, thats just my opinion. i really like olives.
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JaaaaamedJun 18, 2008
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EusebioP.Sep 7, 2009
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PerspicaciousCriticNov 13, 2006Y[e]s!
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ericfNov 13, 2006I don't fault her for being ambitious, I just honestly don't think it's that effective. I think her looks, and "schtick" is what sells it to people, down to the album art. I'm just amazed so many people fall for it. To my ears, this album is bloated and overwrought with prentention, yet it appears this is what the critics want these days.
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KurtDNov 13, 2006Perfect.
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RyanLNov 14, 2006It took 11 months but we finally have a genuine album of the year.
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JPubliusNov 14, 2006The harp's nice. Newsom's voice sounds like the midget from Poltergeist Lyrics make as much sense as a Yes album. This will be on every critics top 10 list, and nobody will listen to it for more than five minutes.
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MikeMNov 15, 2006Gorgeous, inspiring.
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MagillaGorillaNov 15, 2006Like Bjork's little sister weened on broken American dreams and visions of Angels. Thoughtful, mysterious, and curious. Most enjoyable in every way. What is up with Rolling Stone? 2 stars/"hard to stomach" typical Boomer mentality. hey, d'ja hear the new Bob Seger?
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GeraMNov 15, 2006"Hard to swallow." Wow RS, I think you should just go sit down and listen to Fergie's album cos ur out of ur leage. Just in! RS has lost all credibility! Oh no, wait that was about 15 years ago..
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GmanNov 16, 2006
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BillYNov 17, 2006An album like this only comes along once in a pink moon. It will take a little while to appreciate, which only adds to its longevity. Masterful.
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paulsNov 19, 2006NOW and Rolling Stone are dead on: "She plucks and sings in her little-girl-lost warble never seems entirely integrated with the hovering orchestral parts ... Hard to stomach"
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JamiePNov 21, 2006
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ToddWNov 20, 2006
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PhillipLNov 23, 2006An entrancing album, it's taken hold of me and won't let go. I can understand that some might not like it, but to me it is one of the best things I've ever heard.
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RosieRNov 25, 2006Original in the best sense of the term. Newsom is one of the finest lyricists around, and this is an album I will be playing for a long time to come.
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JonoSNov 27, 2006Sometimes she just sings without really singing a melody. Other times, she has a melody but it's a totally unremarkable one. The arrangements would be nice if it weren't for the fact that the vocals are supposed to integrate into them. Not only do the arrangements lack coherence, but so do the different moments of the songs.
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sturnbNov 28, 2006I don't get this. First Sulfjan Stevens, The Decembrists now this...Maybe there is some intellectual payoff at the end of this pretentious self fellating journey but who cares? What happened to having pop songs? This ain't Tolstoy so why pretend it is?
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JManNov 28, 2006'Y's' is without a doubt the album of the year. It may not be for everybody, but there is not one other artist who has made this strong and original sounding record this year.
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JaredB.Nov 29, 2006i've never seen so many people angry because someone *likes* something before. this record isn't for everyone, but a surprising number of people find a lot to love about this difficult, but ultimately rewarding album. even if you never warm to it, please try not to be as closed-minded as the poster below me. sheesh.
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ChrisCNov 29, 2006Great album. One of the best of the year. The only people who don't like it seem to be the ones who hate anything the critics like because they like calling people they disagree with 'pretentious'.
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NeilSNov 30, 2006
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BOBLNov 30, 2006I think it's gorgeous. It's even better performed live.
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LizTDec 11, 2006It takes some acclimatising to, but I tend to find that the best albums do... fab, involving and I have a feeling there's more to come the more I listen to it...
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TeresaKDec 21, 2006This album is extremely addicting. Normally I would not be able to sit through a 17 minute song, but the way the instruments build and the lyrics tell a tale is just amazing. Yes, she has an unconventional singing voice, but I think it makes the album more interesting and gives it personality. Give this album a chance, and you will fall in love with it.
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othosDec 2, 2006Not my cup of tea, but kudos to Ms. Newsom for trying something different. She sounds like the love child of Scott Walker and Kate Bush. While I would not purchase this CD, I can't summarily dismiss it, a la Ken H, Sturn B and especially Brian D, about whom the phrase "Rolling Stone is a good publication and I trust...their critics" tells you all you need to know about his taste.
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GImpDec 2, 2006If you want pop songs go and buy a Britney Spears record. This is a masterpiece. Claiming that this is pretentious is, frankly, ridiculous. Oh, and Tolstoy sucks.
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icicleDec 20, 2006Either you love her or you don't, though I think those who don't are utterly missing the point and refusing to open their minds. This album is nothing short of total genius. Joanna Newsom is one of the most talented people living.
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SDDec 26, 2006We have seen the birth of a modern-day classic. It was a weak year for us music lovers, but Ys redeems it with much beauty and grace.
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ChrisLDec 3, 2006
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RJDec 4, 2006
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UnjadedDec 5, 2006
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MihaiVDec 6, 2006I don't get people that insult others just becouse they have different tastes. It's all subjective anyway. What's wrong with beeing different? What's wrong wanting something more then pop? I like this album a lot. I also like Radiohead. Must be a real pretencios snob.
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IvyBDec 6, 2006
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PmDDec 7, 2006This album isn't for everyone. It's not pop- it's not easy to classify at all! It's the best music I've heard in years- the composition, lyricism, passion, and texture leave me in a state of wonder. I wish I could be more articulate about what makes this so awe-inspiring. Wow, wow, wow.
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JoshDec 7, 2006
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ChristinaTDec 9, 2006
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MicheleF.Nov 12, 2007Incredibly original, wonderful poetry in song.
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ChrisJan 12, 2007Remember the creepy kid from The Grudge? Yeah, she sounds like him.
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HannahGJan 15, 2007
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SteveJan 15, 2007This is 50 minutes of noise without a single memorable melody, with the added bonus of a voice I
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SteveBJan 16, 2007Absolutely stunning accomplishment. Living in an age where we have paired music down from the brilliant to just the simple moronic, this is gold. If a two-step rhythm is your standard, you will hate this. Otherwise, it is timeless. (Ys = wise) = Essential
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AndrewHJan 19, 2007
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doesitmatterJan 19, 2007Annoying.
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BillGJan 22, 2007
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MisaelMJan 22, 2007
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ninaJan 23, 2007absolutely amazing. the stories are hidden in the lyrics and sure it takes to find them, but oh my lord.. i'm lost & i think i don't want to be found
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andrewcJan 24, 2007it was a great album, beautifully built i thought. Bit too fanicical for me to take it seriously though
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GraceCJan 5, 2007
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davegFeb 1, 2007
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JoeMFeb 6, 2007
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JamsieJMar 28, 2007I listened to this cd in the shop. I tried to like it but the vocals reminded me of a feline squirming after someone had stood on its tail by accident. Would have been nice if the songs weren't so drawn-out and the vocals weren't so preposterous/off-putting.
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tpMar 8, 2007i am disappointed i had to give a rating of at least 0, i would have given it -1. her voice irritates me to NO END. i wonder why she is even allowed to record an album??!!??!!?????
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brittacApr 15, 2007
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DarneeQAug 24, 2007
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pix1011Aug 31, 2007I just can't get through this album... I've managed to listen to half of each of the tracks, but just don't get it! It's rough stuff!!! Maybe I should start listening to the Top 40 charts or something 'cos I just don't get some of the stuff getting all this hype these days!?
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IanMar 22, 2009Joanna Newsom, as well as other artists from the recent 'New Weird America' movement, are not so unique as they are a reemergence of pretentious white person 70's folk. Boo.
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SteveP.Mar 24, 2009Even now, 2½ years on from its release, this album stands head and shoulders above anything else of the last 40 years: it has such complexity and is so finely crafted, but it is presented in an accessible, alluring manner. No other album offers so many different nuances that no matter how many times I hear it, there's always a new facet to enjoy.
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AnalogueSoundJul 1, 2009An absolute masterpiece in the history of Music. Obviously, if people find it difficult to understand, it's not a blame of these works.
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kishaandraApr 13, 2010
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ElliottMNov 12, 2006Best album of 2006, hands down.
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leirisNov 13, 2006A truly wonderful and unique album. Van Dyke Parks influence is apparent and works extremely well with Newsom
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johnwNov 13, 2006And once again this collection of reviews shows us what total retards the people at Rolling Stone magazine are. They have lost their connection with challenging music a long time ago. As for joanna newsom : record of the year.
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MattNov 13, 2006
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MichaelENov 13, 2006This is one of the albums that will be good company for a lifetime! I wouldn´t call it a voice I ´m falling in love with too easily, but her singing and storytelling is simply fantastic!
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AndrewCNov 13, 2006It's absolutely astonishing. Even after forty plays, it knocks me out every time.
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Awards & Rankings
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It’s to her great credit that Newsom (literally) plucks artistic triumph from the jaws of cloying whimsy.
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It may well be the most off-putting album released this year. After playing it, there seems every chance it is the also the most astonishing.
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Newsom has managed to lessen the twee factor of her last record... in the process crafting an album as bewitching as it is odd.