It’s been a highly entertaining indie-rock parlor game these past few years, wondering how harpist/lyricist Joanna Newsom would follow up 2006′s Ys – arguably one of the most rewarding releases of the decade just concluded, and certainly one of its most unusual. How could she top that strange masterpiece? Now we have our answer: with a triple album. On Feb. 23, her label Drag City will release Newsom’s Have One on Me as a three-CD package, as well as a three-LP vinyl set, if that’s your thing.
This announcement confirms rumors that have been circulating since Drag City posted a mysterious cartoon hinting at the album’s imminent arrival earlier this month, though the triple-album part comes as a surprise. If you can get Drag City’s site to load — it seems to be down at the moment, perhaps due to a deluge of frenzied Joanna Newsom fans — you’ll be able to stream Have One on Me‘s spare, contemplative “’81.” (Opening lyric: “I found a little plot of land in the Garden of Eden/It was dirt, and dirt is all the same.”) (UPDATE: Drag City has removed the stream of “’81″ due to technical issues; it should be back soon.) All further details, including the rest of Have One on Me‘s track list, remain under wraps.
Triple albums can be divisive, and this one will surely be no exception. Speaking as someone who loves Ys, though, I’d say that album proved that Newsom does exceedingly well with creative gambles. If there’s any artist from whom I’d like to hear three full discs of new material at once, it’s her.
How about you? Anyone else excited by this news? What do you hope the rest of Have One on Me will sound like?
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Photo credit: Annabel Mehran
She ROCKS & she’s HOT. I heard the track at Drag City website and it’s great, it will totally grow on me. This album is going to be great, even if its a triple record! Joanna delivers, and she is truly great, this one will sound diverse, like a cross between Ys and the milk-eyed mender. It might not be Ys, but it will be a hell of a record and one of 2010′s best. She was the best female singer/songwriter to come out last decade. She sure will be the best this one too, she is magical and Pure Gold. Even if the competition is getting tougher each year.
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This woman’s artistry has changed my life in so many ways…the way I paint, the way I think…the way my emotions surprise me every time I hear her play or sing. She is absolutely astonishing.
I’m very excited to hear what she comes up with. The one thing I wish is that she would introduce more instrumental music into her style. “Coleen” on her last EP indicates some hope in this direction.