What's Joanna Newsom like?

She's associated with the new drifty dreamy hippy psych folk thang that's been happening out here in SF, along with Devandra Banhart and Vetiver. Jon B. is also a fan. She's got a very distinctive, rather girlish voice, which I think might be an acquired taste.

The songs are excellent though. Here's the Village Voice Review:

The Incredible String Band's cryptic whimsy and Vashti Bunyan's beautiful balladry have quietly resurfaced in a bushel of great new bands, and especially so, it seems, in the songs of such fairly uncategorizable young female Californians as Gwendolyn, Faun Fables' Dawn McCarthy, and Joanna Newsom. The latter in particular has latched onto that old-world religion. Her main ax, a Lyon & Healy semi-grand harp, accompanies a high, lonesome voice halfway between indie quirk-pop and Appalachian mountain music.

Old-timey embroidery surrounds the fetching lass's photo on the cover of The Milk-Eyed Mender, an image as lyrically labored as songs such as "Clam, Crab Cockle, Cowrie" and "Peach, Plum, Pear." Lines like "Do you want to sit at my table/My fighting fame is fabled/And fortune finds me fit and able" seem to lie somewhere between Bob Dylan and the "light verse" of Jeanne Steig's Alpha Beta Chowder.

Like the equally bedazzling Nellie McKay, Newsom—who also plays in San Francisco's the Pleased and contributed outside harp to Deerhoof/Hella side project Nervous Cop—has a mind like a whip and sometimes uses her deft "inflammatory writ" as a distancing maneuver. But don't go away. She's really just a brainy nature girl at heart.

Mmm, intriguing, although "hippy psych folk" is not so much my thing lately. My main musical discoveries of 2004 were Rufus Wainwright and the Magnetic Fields. Not sure what to name that category: "effete gay pop", perhaps?

Of the top 100, I currently own 12, have downloaded tracks from seven, bought and re-sold two, and have never even heard of 18.

Also -- Whatever it's worth, I can't stand Joanna Newsom's voice. I wish I could get past it, but I can't

Curious - Christgau had Courtney Love's record at #9 on his ballot.

You want curious check out Greil Marcus's list. And Kim Cooper & Phil Freeman submitted lists, too. Not that they're curious, just thought you might be curious, David. (Lotta possible permutations of that sentence given the various definitions of curious. Try it. Hours seconds of fun!)

Christgau is an ass.

Although I like Joanna Newsom, I cannot get into Devandra Banhart. I get a real emperor-has-no-clothes vibe from his work. I cannot see the appeal. Meandering pretentious songs all.

Jen, they've got Nick Cave at #25. Mojo also rated it an instant classic. What did you hate about it?

Oh, let's see... The insipid lyrics, the ill-placed gospel-lite choir that sound as if it were composed of rejects from the Hair soundtrack, the wanking guitar that sounds like Lee Ritenour took Blixa Bargeld's place in the Bad Seeds... I could probably go on, but then I might start to cry.

I never really appreciated how much Blixa added to the Bad Seeds until this album came out.

I never really appreciated how much Blixa added to the Bad Seeds until this album came out.

So many musicians benefit from having a foil. I always liked the Tom Waits/Marc Ribot combo. But Tom's good with a variety of collaborators.

Also -- Whatever it's worth, I can't stand Joanna Newsom's voice. I wish I could get past it, but I can't

Same here. She was ALL the rage w/the staff of my cd shop in Lawrence after she played there. They were very nearly jumping up and down and squealing about her. But I just can't get into her voice.

I cannot get into Devandra Banhart. I get a real emperor-has-no-clothes vibe from his work. I cannot see the appeal.

His album I liked enough to buy after one listen but it didn't draw me back for many more and is sitting in my sell-back pile as I type.

I feel like I have not bought any music this year but out of the top 100 I own over 20. Huh. Recent faves are the new Neko Case and the new Bobby Bare Jr.

The Decemberists are playing here with...somebody good opening -oh yeah, Okkervil River - in April which gives me plenty of time to convert my I-haven't-listened-to-a-new-artist-in-five-years roommate.

I am eager to hear what anyone who has heard either of the new Bright Eyes albums thinks. Anybody? Bueller?

ION, looking for a job, as usual, blows.

Christgau is an ass.

Why? I could consult NY Press' FAQ, but I'd rather hear you back up your opinion.

I cannot get into Devandra Banhart. I get a real emperor-has-no-clothes vibe from his work.

I heard him once & can't remember at all what he sounds like, but this struck me as very funny because every other picture I see of the guy he's walking around without a shirt.