Joanna Newsom The Milk-Eyed Mender
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Zettel
May 24th 2010


661 Comments


"...voice can be viewed as another instrument. As with any other instrument, an individual can refine his skill at that instrument through practice, though he might run up against natural limitations"

Yes, it a fair criticism. Some people like Billy Corgan, whom you referred to in your review, take away with its mediocre vocal abilities and poor voice, because he could back them very often with great music and give the music a very distinct personality and intention that defined the Pumpkins overall sound. Arguably, the songs could have reached a higher lever of impact and realization, on a pure technical and stylistical aspect, but we would be talking of a complete different band altogether. Some people took it for the better, others thought the opposite. Personally, I think he has ruined a lot of songs, but most of the time he does good enough, specially on some acoustics ones (hard to believe, eh?)

However, sometimes the singer's limitations can get in the way of artistic expression and realization, and then you think " is it not possible for he/she to hand vocal duties to someone who can actually sing and let the song blossom, without sacrificing its soul/message?" It must be hard for a songwriter to realize he may not be best vehicle to express his own vision, and that probably it would be for the best to take a back seat, and simply enjoy creating. The songwriter concept allows for many abuses, and autorizes many people to think, that, whatever bad/mediocre their vocal abilites may be, they still should sing, all for the sake of "genuineness". No doubt, there will be people who prefer it this way.

The criticism is fair, stated clearly and reasonably. Very nice read.

Yotimi
May 24th 2010


7666 Comments


@robertsona - I was just saying a creative work can be objectively analyzed since it utilizes some sort of composition and a thought process to produce. Whereas, vocals are just the sound the vocalists vocal chords produce - hence not a creative piece of the overall work, and the appreciation of them being mostly subjective. (I know this isn't true 100% of the time)

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
May 24th 2010


27412 Comments


vocals can be called objectively bad as much as music can be called objectively bad

Yotimi
May 24th 2010


7666 Comments


Well only pitch, you can't really objectively argue timbre

klap
Emeritus
May 24th 2010


12409 Comments


lol alex what are you babbling about, you're always siding with me on the whole 'music is subjective' debate

SeaAnemone
May 24th 2010


21429 Comments


is that really a debate? I mean, c'mon

Enotron
May 24th 2010


7695 Comments


Am I the only one who finds Joanna Newsom strangely attractive?

porch
May 24th 2010


8459 Comments


No i'm pretty sure you're not the only one

personally i don't, although in the picture that was posted earlier in the thread she does look cute

Enotron
May 24th 2010


7695 Comments


The picture's in the Chan inspiration for reviews Plan are nice.

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
May 25th 2010


27412 Comments


she is really cute/hot

lol alex what are you babbling about, you're always siding with me on the whole 'music is subjective' debate


thats what im saying. ALL of it is subjective. so, the "music" is JUST as subjective (or objective) as her voice.

Enotron
May 25th 2010


7695 Comments


Haha, she's way too in touch with nature to have a phone. She'd probably give you her animal soul call!

widowslaugh123
May 25th 2010


4038 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

You are literally the most narcissistic person of all time

theacademy
Emeritus
May 25th 2010


31865 Comments


who is she and who does she sound like

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
May 26th 2010


27412 Comments


yeah she's pretty tough on the eyes


wtf

also her voice isnt all that bad now :X

porch
May 26th 2010


8459 Comments


On the "annoying voices" thing, I fucking love Dylans voice on his 60's and 70's albums

it's annoying now though

ConsiderPhlebas
May 27th 2010


6157 Comments


Brilliant review, man - very entertaining. Kinda wanna check this out just to see the crapness first hand.

widowslaugh123
May 27th 2010


4038 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I keep keeing Ys and have on on me on vinyl like everyday and i really wanna get it. this is all i have heard from her but its awesome.

AtavanHalen
May 27th 2010


17919 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

keeing

Dryden
May 27th 2010


13585 Comments


peeing

megadeth101
May 27th 2010


865 Comments


krieging?



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