joanna newsom – good intentions paving company
California native Joanna Newsom may quite possibly be the most polarizing musician in the world of indie rock. People either want to bear her children or they think she’s the worst thing since non-sliced bread. I have to admit that I have typically fallen into the latter of those two groups. I hadn’t really heard a ton of her stuff, but I just couldn’t get into the couple of songs I heard from her Ys album a few years ago. Her new TRIPLE(!!) LP (yes, triple!) “Have One on Me” was released to the masses yesterday, and if the other songs are anything like this one, I may have to reevaluate my opinions.
I think the first Newsom track I ever heard was “Monkey and Bear”, and I just couldn’t get into what I thought sounded like a children’s book in music form. I do not deny her talent as a musician, but she’s just not my cup of tea. But today’s song “Good Intentions Paving Company” was like a breath of fresh air when compared to my past memories of Newsom. This song sounds so much more mature, and more importantly, a lot more soulful. Even Newsom’s unique voice, which the haters hate on, just seems to work spot on this time. I’m not ready to say that I’m a Joanna Newsom fluffer, but if she’s got other stuff out there like this that I don’t know about, I’m more than willing to give her another shot.
Joanna Newsom – Good Intentions Paving Company
buy it on 
or amazon
Posted: February 24th, 2010
at 8:45am by chris
Tagged with joanna newsom
Categories: Uncategorized
Comments: 3 comments
3 Responses to 'joanna newsom – good intentions paving company'
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Monkey & Bear is an amazing song. The lyrics of her songs are so well thought out and always have a deeper meaning than what is on the surface, and that’s what makes her great. It does take (quite) a few listens to realize the genius though.
The new album is definitely much more approachable though. Good stuff.
Matt
24 Feb 10 at 10:41 am
I was just like you. At first I didnt really like her but now I love listening to her songs. I would suggest listening to the songs “Emily” and “Sawdust & Diamonds”
Both of them really changed my mind. Emily is about her sister Emily. I love the song because to me its like listening to a story with highs and lows that are expressed by Joanna’s voice.
I hope this helps introduce you to her!
b
26 Feb 10 at 8:31 pm
i hated her at first but now she’s one of my favorites. (i couldn’t stand her voice, but it grew on me… it’s also developed enormously, i really can’t believe how much her voice has changed as heard on the new album.) i think she is a genius. ys is one of my favorite albums of all times, and i’ve been listening to the new album non-stop. favorite song so far is “baby birch”.
nadia
12 Mar 10 at 3:53 am