Joanna Newsom

The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004)

Ys (2006) A–

1. Emily
2. Sawdust & Diamonds

Newsom's knack for lyrics has little to do with meaning; rather, it has something to do with mood and more with sound. Her use of similar-sounding words, and words that can me made to sound similar, is as clever as the best rappers can claim. So I forgive her “thee”s in “Emily”; don't know about her “hydrocephalitic”. Less remarked upon is the way she makes her jagged rhythm seem natural. On “Sawdust & Diamonds”, the lines may be a couple of feet or a clutch of anapests. Almost every one rises and falls in one breath, beginning in front of the beat and ending behind it.