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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RJDec 4, 2006
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SeanDec 4, 2006
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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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jaybDec 3, 2006Snooze fest. Too much hype on nothing. You can guarantee it'll get four to five stars from most meatheads...
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ChrisLDec 3, 2006
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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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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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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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JyotirmayaDDec 2, 2006
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JacksonGDec 2, 2006
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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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JennaJamesonDec 1, 2006
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ECantonNov 30, 2006Brilliant, Beautiful, one of the best of 2006
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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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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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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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BrianDNov 29, 2006You pretentious people like to think you're cool because you know of things that others don't. In reality your taste sucks and so does this album. Rolling Stone is a good publication and I trust for the most part their critics and right they are that this album is hard to stomach. Things are not beautiful because they're ugly, or different sounding. Get over yourselves.
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annaNov 29, 2006there is something completely inspiring about this album, from the lyrics to the classical musical arrangements newsom proves she is a novel force to be reckoned with in the music world. if you are a fan of music you have a moral obligation to listen to this entire album.
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jasonbNov 28, 2006best album of the year... no contest
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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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DavidNNov 28, 2006deeply musical, lyrically astonishing, and profoundly moving.
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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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happysadNov 28, 2006Another neo-folk (or whatever you call it) record pretty much completely devoided of any soul or passion...or memorable tunes for that matter, having a gimmicky voice is just not enough I'm afraid. String arrangements are nice though...
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WesleyWillisNov 27, 2006I like the way she rock! I like the way she roll! Jovanna Newston is my honey-lover to the Max!
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timeNov 27, 2006What the hell is this crap? Is KFed still performing? That's how bad this album was.
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TedB.Nov 27, 2006Newsom should have stuck to voice work in commercials and cartoons rather than thinking she could sing.
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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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ReidANov 26, 2006Beautiful...i cannot stop listening to it.
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markpNov 26, 2006Astonishinly beautiful, albeit a tad bjorkish and kate bushish, but once you over that, lyrics in hand, it is a bold, fresh, gigantic musical piece. Well done to that young californian girl!!
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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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JohnDNov 24, 2006I can understand that this album is very good, and that Newsom is a terrific lyricist. My problem is that I just can't get into it.
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KenHNov 24, 2006This is by far the most overrated album of the year. Just awful
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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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KacyKNov 23, 2006I previewed this on iTunes and didn't like it. In particular, Joanna's vocals. A couple of days later, I purchased it and after 2 or 3 listens, I'm fairly smitten with it. I now find her vocals charming and sincere. Beautiful harp and arrangements. Wonderfully escapist.
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GuyHNov 23, 2006Anyone commenting on this album should have the patience to listen from start to finish at least 10 or so times... Well it isn't conventional pop song writing, it is hard to get a hold of at first but your patience will be rewarded. Ys is stunning - Only Skin and Sawdust together make up the most compelling 30 minutes of music released this year. Yes, this album is that good.
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TristramCNov 22, 2006
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TaylorFNov 22, 2006Stunningly beautiful with lyrics that will play with your head. So close to perfect it's scary. Screw you, rolling stone.
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LeoFNov 22, 2006very boring.... next, please!
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BiffLNov 21, 2006Like fingernails on a chalkboard. Maybe there's a nice melody in there somewhere. Maybe if Squeaky paused her rambling lyrics for a second or two we could hear it. Pretentious crap.
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johncNov 21, 2006This is not my normal indulgence, but a couple of these songs are perfect. Give the girl a chance. Does it get a tad pretentious, sure. But ambition is important and she has a singular approach that can only humble you.
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JamiePNov 21, 2006
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skyweaponskyNov 21, 2006This is a real dream
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DanielWNov 21, 2006One of the finest albums ever written. Opening track "Emily" is one of the best songs ever written. One must be generous and open-minded when approaching Y's, but the rewards are excellent. At times, her lyrics can even be life-changing. Definitely pick this one up.
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samfNov 21, 2006stunning
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ToddWNov 20, 2006
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AlDNov 19, 2006An extremely ambitious album that actually achieves its ambitions. Incredibly rich, complex and subtle, it needs to be heard many times to be fully absorbed, but for me, repeated listens are easy. This is about as good as music can be.
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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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TomPNov 18, 2006
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LonelyGurlNov 18, 2006Magically Fantastically Romantically Amazingly Gorgeous
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DanielONov 18, 2006J Publius said: "This will be on every critics top 10 list, and nobody will listen to it for more than five minutes." Actually I haven't been able to put it down for over a week. Grows with every listen. It's the same for most people I've talked to who liked it.
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exodus.Nov 18, 2006After Claire T: "Simply beautiful."
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PlatePlateNov 17, 2006On the verge of replacing In The Aeroplane Over The Sea for me, album of the year, Joanna Newsom is a demigod, wow, i have listened to this album more in the last few weeks than any album this year in total
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EvanSNov 17, 2006Rolling Stone can kiss my puckered pool hole for all I care. I don't want nuts...oh, wait. Um, this is the album of the year.
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SanNNov 17, 2006On first listen, I'm thinking it might be the best of the year. That spot is currently held by TV On The Radio for me, but it's close.
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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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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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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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ZachJNov 17, 2006One of the more groundbreaking albums to be released this year, I think. Takes a while to settle in (possibly moreso than usual; I say this because most times people follow such a comment with, "Just like any great album.") Once it clicks though...incredible.
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VicsONov 16, 2006album of the year, period.
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MinMinNov 16, 2006Poor. Over-hyped and unlistenable by virtue of her voice.
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GmanNov 16, 2006
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JustinMNov 16, 2006Fantastic album, start to finish.
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AudreyNov 15, 2006This is an amazing piece of art, something that I have come to enjoy more with every listen.
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BrendtRNov 15, 2006Album of the year. Hands down.
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RickHNov 15, 2006Though only five songs, they will continue to reveal themselves to me for years. Every pass over this album has been so different.
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JustinBNov 15, 2006rarely does any artist ever reach such high levels of accomplishment with any piece of music. "Ys" is really too good to explain, only listening will do it justice.
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LianNNov 15, 2006Just perfect. That's all.
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JonLNov 15, 2006
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JohnMNov 15, 2006WOW.
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MikeMNov 15, 2006Gorgeous, inspiring.
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JeffRNov 15, 2006Like Bjork doing 10 minute "epic" Yoko Ono covers with a harp. Overly ambitious and frankly, kind of annoying. Clearly lots of people love it, but I just don't get it.
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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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nightchapelkNov 15, 2006awful. 50+ minutes long and she is singing for 48 of those minutes. I would love to hear the version sans vocals.
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HelenNov 15, 2006We have seen the birth of a true modern day masterpiece.
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AntonioBNov 15, 2006Rolling stone dropped the ball. Solid arrangements as the songs meander with a purpose and let her voice shine.
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GrutNov 15, 2006Her first album was amazing, this one is just crap. Must be the influence of her new buddy Devendra Banhart. Can someone tell this guy not to talk to other artists ?
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AaronSNov 15, 2006I don't know whay everyone else is hearing, but this is the single worst release in 2006. Newsom's vocals are beyond bad and the album itself is very overproduced. Awful.
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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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billNov 14, 2006Astounding! Between Joanna and Van Dyke, this si nothing short of a masterpiece! The more you play it, thyee more it grows on you. Congrats Joanna!!
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KevinCNov 14, 2006This album is without question the best thing I've heard in at least a few years. It's mind-blowingly ambitious and ornately beautiful. I wouldn't expect anything less from Joanna Newsom, this is a perfect album and a stunning masterpiece.
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RyanLNov 14, 2006It took 11 months but we finally have a genuine album of the year.
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ClaireTNov 14, 2006Simply beautiful :).
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aldoaNov 14, 2006rolling stone is the dumbest publication on earth.
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JeremyPNov 14, 2006Personally, my favourite album ever. I'm so happy I heard it months before it was released so that I was free of any influence
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KurtCobainNov 14, 2006b0ing!
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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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PaulFNov 14, 2006Spell binding! Album of the year.
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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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TomBNov 13, 2006It's like the best thing that I'll only ever listen to once.
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PerspicaciousCriticNov 13, 2006Y[e]s!
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umbertopNov 13, 2006beautiful but not so beautiful
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KurtDNov 13, 2006Perfect.
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MattD.Nov 13, 2006Less grating than The Milk-Eyed Mender, but it's without personality. Sounds like a bad soundtrack to a fantasy movie. If you want something different, try Nellie McKay or Loreena McKennitt.
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JoshSNov 13, 2006Incredible, best album of 2006.
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AndrewCNov 13, 2006It's absolutely astonishing. Even after forty plays, it knocks me out every time.
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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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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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MattNov 13, 2006
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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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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.