The Milk-Eyed Mender

1	Bridges and Balloons 3:42
2	Sprout and the Bean 4:32
3	The Book of Right-On 4:29
4	Sadie 6:02
5	Inflammatory Writ 2:50
6	This Side of the Blue 5:21
7	"En Gallop" 5:07
8	Cassiopeia 3:20
9	Peach, Plum, Pear 3:33
10	Swansea 5:05
11	Three Little Babes 3:42
12	Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie 4:21

Barnes & Noble

One of 2004's more unusual -- and surprisingly endearing -- releases has to be the debut by Joanna Newsom, a classically trained harpist who counts such alt-folkies as Will Oldham, Smog, and Devendra Banhart as fans. Her sparsely arranged original tunes crackle with vibrant poetry, illuminated by her girlish voice, which suggests idiosyncratic singers like Lisa Germano, Kristin Hersh, or Cat Power but remains utterly distinctive. She accompanies herself largely on the harp, weaving colorful backdrops that call to mind the nimble-fingered guitar pickings of Nick Drake or Bert Jansch. Her playing on songs such as "Bridges and Balloons," "Sadie," and "En Gallop" is as sweet and seductive as her lyrics. "We sailed away on a winter's day / With fate as malleable as clay," she intones on the album-opening "Bridges and Balloons," while on the meditation "En Gallop," she warns, "Never get so attached to a poem / You forget truth that lacks lyricism; / Never draw so close to the heat / That you forget that you must eat." Elsewhere, she hits a slightly more harsh tone on the plunking piano piece "Inflammatory Writ" and delves into a contemporary baroque-folk fusion on "Peach, Plum, Pear," where she accompanies herself on harpsichord. Newsom's high-pitched voice may take a little getting used to -- anyone remember the first time they heard Billie Holiday? -- but her spirited and enveloping music is as charming as it is original. Lydia Vanderloo

All Music Guide

Classically trained harpist Joanna Newsom uses her appreciation of Appalachian folk and bluegrass for an oddly alluring set of indie rock melodies. Milk-Eyed Mender, which follows her homemade EP releases Walnut Whales and Yarn and Glue, is rich in harvest colors. Newsom's childlike voice brings an unstudied grace to an innocent setting of songs, and such quirkiness is hard to find among most guitar-driven indie acts. From the more whimsical moments of "Peach, Plum, Pear" and "Inflammatory Writ" to the dovelike ballad "This Side of the Blue," Newsom welcomes the listener to sink into its imagination. Delicate harp arrangements are nicely sprinkled among specks of pianos, organs, and a harpsichord, only adding to the fascination that is Milk-Eyed Mender. Some may find the album to be overly sweet in spots due to Newsom's girlish voice; however, the fairytale-like appeal of Milk-Eyed Mender is far too intriguing to dismiss. Newsom exists in several musical spheres, one being a member of the Pleased, while not forgetting how wonderful it is to live in a warm place that leaves you bright-eyed and hopeful for only what is good in life. MacKenzie Wilson