Joanna Newsom - Sadie

The first time I heard Joanna Newsom, I couldn’t stand her. Singers with overly quirky voices often drive me totally batty, to the point of not being able to enjoy the rest of their music at all. Exhibit A are The Decemberists (yes, let the hate mail begin).

After the first time I tried listening, I let her albums ripen on my computer for a couple of years. Then I saw her open for Björk. It was one of those shows where you have low or no expectations and end up really getting into it. Finally, last week I gave The Milk-Eyed Mender another listen, and I was hooked.

Her warbly voice and the whole harp thing can still be a bit too precious sometimes. But her songs are spare and fierce and totally rock in an unexpected way.