The Hissing Of Summer Lawns

The Joni Mitchell hate on this website is embarrassing.

This is an incredibly expansive album. Joni Mitchell employs various genres, instruments, and rhythms to create a kaleidoscope of sounds that remains coherent. She was beginning to explore sounds outside folk, and incorporated a fair amount of jazz into what would turn out to be an avant garde masterpiece. The back half of the album in particular resonated with me. I am fairly new to Joni Mitchell but I am already firmly convinced of her genius.

Joni Mitchell doing her usual blend of folk rock and jazz. Her lyrics will always be standouts as she has a canny ability to create songs that often feel like you're listening to a painting. It's wonderfully detailed, fascinating stuff.

God this is boring

😴 zzz zzz....

Not my cup of tea. Too slow and jazzy, maybe it's that I don't understand the context of the time the album was written. Almost fell asleep listening to it. Best: idek Worst: The whole album??

So I have realized that I hate Joni Mitchell

Nice production value. The Jungle Line is cool and not the sound i associated with Joni Mitchell. I’m a fan!

The jungle line rubs me the wrong way, and with it being song #2, put me in a bad mood. She's a heck of a songwriter, and most of the music is beautiful. But overall, something that I'd most likely not put into the rotation.

This was like a time piece for someone who loathed the late 60s/early 70s.

I love the sort of free-flowing inventiveness of the song structure and the arrangements here, but none of it ever sinks in for me.

Pretty remarkable, even if Joni Mitchell has a voice that I seriously cannot get along with. The craft and talent are apparent but, man, that voice...

Probably her best album from my favorite version of Joni. No shade to Blue, which is also perfect, but this is a whole other level of genius. Every song is so structurally astounding without losing any of the personal vulnerability of her earlier folk songs. I never made the connection between jazz Joni era and 70s Steely Dan but it’s literally the same time period with many of the same session musicians.

There are several Joni Mitchell albums I would prefer over this one, but The Hissing of Summer Lawns is still very, very good. The overall atmosphere is just very pleasant, and I like the jazziness that will be further developed on Hejira and Don Juan, probably my favourite albums from her.

These mid-70’s Joni Mitchell records are something else: Densely layered, intricate songs with flourishes of jazz and psychedelia. She takes risks and experiments. They’re really beautiful and unique records and it boggles my mind that this record, Court and Spark and (maybe to a lesser extent) Hejira don’t get talked about that much - There’s just too much heat going on for these records to be overlooked in the way that it seems they are. I think I liked Court and Spark a bit better than this one, but make no mistake, this is another excellent record from Joni Mitchell.

Growing up in Canada during the 70's, artists such as Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell have been so ingrained in our culture, I sometimes overlook the talent this country has produced. I can't call myself a Joni Mitchell fan. I appreciate her "hits" and sometimes you don't realize how much music she recorded and how many concerts she must have performed since the late 60's. I own only one Mitchell album (ok, it was part of a collection I received), Blue which is a classic, perhaps her best album, but I still wasn't blown away by her artistry. Similarly, to Young and Lightfoot, she produced a lot of "essential" records, but also a ton of duds and weird stuff. The Hissing of The Summer Lawns has some weird songs on it (The Jungle Line) and though you have to give her credit for exploring different sounds, I'm not a huge fan of synths and sampling, which she was experimenting with on this record. Most of the album has more of a jazz-pop styling and though it was pleasing to listen to, I didn't love it. For most of the Mitchell albums I've heard, there is always some bit and pieces and good tracks to appreciate her talent and I would say the same with The Hissing.

Not a Joni fan at all...still

i can't

Always 5 stars. Anything she presents is beautiful and thought-provoking. From her heart. Thank you Joni Mitchell.

I know I've been a bit critical of "acclaimed album but singer/songwriter with guitar" items on this 1001 listing, but what's not to like about this album? It's a five star classic. It still sounds fresh, vibrant and inspiring after ... good lord ... 49 years. Tip Top stuff.

This totally warrants a relisten, but I already know it’s a 5. The Dylanesque lyrics embedded in the jazz/folk/rock texture is a treat. Also that straight-ahead blues number in “Harry’s House / Centerpiece” is outstanding.

Its a bit controversial but I'm gonna say this is one of the best albums of that decade. The production value alone is amazing. It spans genres and emotions. Joni Mitchell was on 🔥

Fuck she's good hey. Harry's House/Centrepiece is an incredible song. Fond memories of her voice accompanying me and Alexander on a drive through the Blue Mountains while visiting Charlotte. Double J were doing a deep dive on Blue.

5.0 + Props to Prince for promoting this stunning gem of a record. Mitchell sounds so coolly in command singing jazzy turns of phrase. Instrumentally, the album is packed with nuggets. The interplay of distorted drums and growly bass on “The Jungle Line”, along with Mitchell’s lines of coffeehouse poetry, are a true highlight on a record filled with stunning moments.

Notes - Joni mitchell’s 7th album - Jazz-rock folk album - Ive never really listened to Joni mitchell other than her big hits - Definitely someone that I’ve missed in my musical education - Her lyrics and singing just feel effortless - Totally relaxed and natural, like she’s telling you a story and just so happens to be singing really incredibly at the same time - This album sounds and feels like nostalgia for a time I wasn’t alive in - Its “jazz” but only enough to add an extra dimension to the instrumentals Fav - Edith and the kingpin - Love the story of this song Least fav - Sweet bird - Good song, goes on a bit long 5/5 - I NEED to listen to more joni mitchell

Incredible. the unique vocal style of Joni mixes with meladolic instrumentation to create an otherworldly tone, when more bass-ey instruments on "The Jungle Line" are used it really succeeds in disrupting this and making you feel an uneasyness underneath. Similar sounding country for the most part to some of crosby stills and nash which makes the use of jazz piano stand out being an older musical style adds to the theme of nostalgic longing in the song that features it. Fav song: Harry's House/Centerpiece Least fav song: The whole album flows so well i cannot pick one

Haven’t heard anything like it.

Mitchell is a master and this is a masterpiece

Estoy convencido de que Joni Mitchell es poeta, jaja. Ya había dicho creo que su voz me resulta agradable, relajante y aquí pasa lo mismo, si bien a diferencia del Court and Spark, acá hay más relajo respecto a las letras y sobre todo las melodías. Se nota, pues, como este intento de jazz fusionado con lo pop, lo folk y el resultado me gusta. De repente parece poesía musicalizada, pero que no todo lo sea es lo que me convence. Mis canciones favoritas fueron "The Jungle Line" y "Harry's House / Centerpiece", la primera por esos tamborcitos y todo el tono (que me enteré de que son un sample y es el primer sample reconocido en música "comercial") y la segunda por su composición y además la manera en que inserta "Centerpiece". En sí, todas me gustaron, es un bonito recorrido y a "The Boho Dance" también le tengo cariño porque Björk la covereó. Btw, "The Jungle Line" suena de repente a "Earth Intruders" en sus principios y también entiendo cada vez más que a Lana del Rey le guste Joni. 9/10

Joni Mitchell has made more than a couple of perfect albums in her career, this is one of them. So good

"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" by Joni Mitchell is a mesmerizing and introspective album that delves deep into themes of suburban life, societal expectations, and personal freedom. Released in 1975, the album marked a departure from Mitchell's earlier folk sound, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and world music. One of the highlights of the album is the haunting title track, which features lush arrangements and Mitchell's evocative lyrics. The album also includes the standout track "The Boho Dance," a poignant reflection on the allure and emptiness of bohemian life. While "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" received mixed reviews upon its release, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of Mitchell's discography, showcasing her unique songwriting and musical talents.

Fascinating! This Joni Mitchell could have been a boring coffeehouse singer-songwriter, but this is avant-garde coffeehouse. I love the jungle line! It reminds me of Ween. Way ahead of its time and stretching the power of the moog. Sweet bird, shadows and light, and the opening track "France" are also great. I give it 8/10 - a great album and I'm glad I listened.

Big ol vibe

I get the appeal of Joni Mitchell. She has a great voice and a distinct sound. I just don't like it.

Not my favorite Joni. Appreciate her exploration on this album, but the lyrics felt more disjointed than other albums. Did not enjoy the moog synth on Jungle line.

I'll still give it a 3 for the lyricism but I don't like this album. Don't like the weird jazz, which I don't think meshes with her style. It detracts from it. I'll stick with her pre-1975 albums.

So far, im not seeing why Joni is so reveered. ⭐⭐⭐

If you are not paying too much attention to the lyrics (as I tend to do) this was enjoyable listening. If you’re trying to hear and understand all the lyrics, then this album would be lots of effort (for me anyway). Classic Joni Mitchell stuff.

Joni Mitchell pissed on my face when I tried to comfort her during a break up. Due to this, I have to score this record as 5 stars.

Loved the start but hated the end!

Production value was better. Still don't care for the music. Joni Mitchell does not speak to me.

Strangely, I've never heard of Joni Mitchell. Maybe I live under a rock. This album just sounds like a shit female remake of Bob Dylan. Maybe that's just folk in general but this honestly is ass. I couldn't make out any lyrics, it all just sounded like jumbled up word salad of random shit. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow is a great example of the nonsensical bullshit she rambles on about. I still have no fucking clue what that song is about. Even when she did make sense, I genuinely just did not give a fuck about what she has to say. Every song is just a bunch of random haikus of shit she sees. Joni Mitchell writes songs like a kid in grade 9 trying to meet the word count. I do not care that there was a lot of taxis like "schools of fishes" when he was hailing a cab, why not just fucking say "he got a cab"? What's with all the bullshit circumlocutory writing for a boring ass story? Not only was this nonsensical, it was also boring as fuck. I'm just stoked this record was only 43 minutes. How very thoughtful of her, if Joni Mitchell was a British artist she'd make this record AT LEAST 75 minutes. Genuinely glad to know I'll never have to listen to another song from this record ever again. Not a great introduction to Joni Mitchell lmao. Harry's House went alright, but only because there was (for once) a decent backing track so I could just tune out the retarded word salad.

Her voice has always been like nails on a chalkboard to me, I can’t stand the rhythms she chooses, this was almost physically painful for me to get through. Also, as much as I was trying not to listen too closely was she singing about being a slave on several tracks? WTF

1.5 not a fan at all. Nothing felt like a song. There were no parts that grabbed me

Joni Mitchell and Carole King might be the same person. Folk music is way more popular with music critics than with anyone else. This sounds like adult Sesame Street music, I might rather hear the Pinball song counting to 12. She might be the lyrical equivalent of Bob Dylan, but this just doesn't resonate with me the same way. Maybe it's a male/female thing? There's something about her delivery or songwriting that reminds me of Jill Scott, not on every song, but some. This is not good. Maybe I haven't been paying enough attention to the lyrics and am missing the meaning because this is not great music or great singing.

Aneinanderreihung von Tönen, die für mich keine hörenswerten Melodien ergeben. Langweilig!

Tough scene when you're a folk singer-songwriter with stories I don't care at all about and vocals that don't go with any of the instrumentation

I was looking forward to listening to this album. I only know 1 song by Joni Mitchell and I really can't stand it. But I know she's popular so maybe I'm missing something? Nope. And the first song is proof I wasn't gonna get a song that I like. The next 9 beat that point home over and over. Seriously, ZERO FUCKIN' STARS!

This was a struggle to get through, nothing inherently wrong with it just such a snoozefest. If I'm ever struggling to sleep I know what to put on but I definitely could have died having never listened to this.

This would have been better as a double album: one LP for just the music and one for the singing

I just do not like Joni Mitchell.

Not my thing, I did not enjoy this album.

I have to agree with the initial reviews of the album. The lyrics are great, the music is mostly bad to terrible. I liked a few songs - don't interrupt the sorrow, the title track, and shadows and light. A few were literally unlistenable (the Jungle Line).

Magnificent, deep, layered, beautifully crafted, and such magnificent lyrics - "In France, they kiss on Main Street Amour, mama, not cheap display"

By 1975 Joni Mitchell was done being everybody's muse. She had been fitted through so many guises and scenes of other men's makings that they had begun to define perceptions of her. It was time she had her own muse, her own scene; her own guise was beginning to break through. The Hissing of Summer Lawns was the perfect start of that shedding of the skin. Signposts had been placed prior but here is the full on immersion of the experimentation that was sought. Whatever inroads there were when it came to Joni and her music, from this point onward, had to be hard-won and there was little to no easy path to take. Yet The Hissing of Summer Lawns remains a rewarding listen when one sits down and really dives into it and its renewed reputation over the years proves its worth.

For many years this has been my favourite JM album. Many people go for Blue, Court&Spark , Hejira (and others for all I know.) But this one has the perfect blend of beautifully crafted songs and bang-on performance with bits of jazz leaking in everywhere. I love it.

Joni > Dylan iykyk lol but seriously there are few artists who can come close to prime Joni Mitchell. Peak musicianship and incredible story-telling. Her voice is always so captivating. So many genres and so many special moments always bring me back to this one.

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS (also the first album in almost thirty recs by a woman artist......)

Wowee preach it to me Joni! Preach sister!

I love Joni. This is when she starts getting far out jazzy but I’m here for it. Edith and the Kingpin goes so smooth

Joni can do no wrong, once again proving herself as one of, if not the best, songwriter of all time. Hissing isn't as cohesive as, let's say, Blue, but the tracks here are not afraid to play around with instrumentation and take harsh left turns that keep an already investing song interesting.

In France They Kiss on Main Street - 5/5 The Jungle Line - 5/5 Edith and the Kingpin - 5/5 Don't Interrupt the Sorrow - 5/5 Shades of Scarlett Conquering - 4/5 The Hissing of Summer Lawns - 5/5 The Boho Dance - 4/5 Harry's House / Centerpiece - 5/5 Sweet Bird - 4/5 Shadows and Light - 3/5 Average score: 4.5/5 stars (rounding up to 5) imagine hating Joni Mitchell lol i've only ever listened to Blue in the past but i'm super impressed by this album as a whole. obviously Joni's vocal performance is exquisite, but the jazzy instrumentals were complimentary and pleasant to the ear. Edith and the Kingpin stood out to me most out of all the songs but i don't really hate anything here as always, Joni don't miss!

My second favourite Joni Mitchell album. Lot of jazz inspiration creeping in. 5 stars

4.5/5

Not like other joni albums

Loved that.

Joni's jazz era is the best. Super weird arrangement choices (loud bass, distorted drum loops, etc.) but it's also really pretty.

Joni. Is there anything more I can say? Okay. Remember this is 1975. People still remembered folk Joni and adored pop Joni. She made fusion understandable, engageable, slithering into Central Park and hoisted by bandanned acolytes (okay the drummers on track 2). Did it escape from her house? Internet says the skyline is LA, but I saw the bungalows as Laurel Canyon plopped in front of the Empire State building, signifying her changing from pop songstress (LA) into jazz-inflected impresario (NY). Having Larry and cool bass along and that angel-shaming voice helped. I remember people hating this, but I submitted and came to love it. Joni.

We had few goddesses to worship growing up thus our monotheistic devotion to beautiful, beautiful Joni. Every listen she imparts more meaning and more beauty not only into these songs but also my life. In the mid 80s I spent a summer in Germany and could only take a handful of cassettes. I vividly remember unpacking Court & Spark and Hissing of Summer Lawns. I don't recall the other music I brought but I played these to the point I worried the tape would break. Yet, upon today's listen Don't Interrupt the Sorrow left me in a puddle of gratitude for all the ways Joni’s music has shaped my understanding of artistry, emotion, and storytelling. Hissing of Summer Lawns radiates feminine power—intuitive, unyielding, deeply perceptive. And this listen—after so so many listens—revealed layers I hadn’t noticed before. That summer in Germany, these songs became my companions, their poetry and jazz-infused melodies etched into my memory. And today, hearing Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow, I’m reminded why I’ve carried this album with me for so long. The richness of Joni’s voice, the hypnotic rhythm, the defiant lyrics—it’s as though she’s still teaching me something, still offering new truths wrapped in her singular genius. Few albums age like this, growing more profound with each listen. Few artists possess Joni’s alchemy of intellect and soul. This isn't just an album, it's an eternal conversation—one I’m grateful to return to, again and again. Animus rising. PS...Just notices that Charlie's Brat album is a a feminine wink, an acknowledgement of power to this album.

so jazzy and cute

There's a Joni album for every season and mood. Summer Lawns is my go-to all-rounder: the lyrics create impressionistic vignettes and characterisations that move in perfect tandem with the music. I love the Blanche Dubois figure in Shades of Scarlett and the lingering menace of Edith and the Kingpin. Probably one of my top twenty albums ever, and certainly in my top 3 of Joni's. One of the few artists I love so deeply that I feel irrationally offended when I see some of the reviews she gets on here!

Thank you, Joni, for the fine cloth that is The Hissing of the Summer Lawns! https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-hissing-of-the-summer?r=4ztyq&selection=0bfef931-94dd-46c8-af56-98f5750bd221&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web

I thought that I'd completely understood Joni Mitchell's music before, but this one really surprised me. It's poetry, folk, jazz and avant garde all mixed together. This album is like a flower that keeps blooming and unfolding completely new and different layers with each listen. It should be jarring to shift between the different styles so abruptly. But it kind of works, particularly in a song like "Harry's House / Centerpiece" which really is two different songs stuck together but I still love it. I like "Blue" ok. "Court and Spark" was interesting, but not my favorite. "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" really hit a cord with me though. Enough that I probably need to revisit the others sometime.

This album is perfection. Beautifully sung and played. Joni rules.

Brilliant. Beautiful, biting social commentary, fantastically innovative production, Joni is so much more than folksy

Top. Songwriting.Qualität setzt sich einfach durch.

"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" is the seventh studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. The album continues her jazz-influenced sound from her previous album "Court and Spark" with more uncoventional and experimental material. It features sampling, synths (Moog, ARP) and contributions from jazz-rock groups LA Express and the Jazz Crusaders. Other contributors included David Crosby, Graham Nash and James Taylor. The album initially received negative reviews with critics saying the music didn't live up to the lyrics but the album has since been very much considered acclaimed. Commercially, it hit #4 in the US and #14 in the UK. "In France They Kiss on Main Street" opens the album with acoustic guitar, bass and an underlying piano. Very country-rock and jazzy. This sounds like Steely Dan and what do you know, it's Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on the electric guitar. It's about the coming of age in the 1950's during the rock and roll era. "The Jungle Line" samples the Drummers of Burundi and has a Moog synth. A plodding rhythm. She's paying homage to French painter Henri Rosseau and blends his work with the imagery of real life, music industry and drug culture. "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" is an acoustic-based guitar song. There's congas too. Stream-of-consciousness lyrics stressing women should stand up for themselves as individuals. "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" gives more of a soft jazz vibe. Trumpt, flute and sax accentuated. The Moog again. Subtle vocals as Joni sings about a woman stuck in a marriage where's she's just part of the man's portfolio. I think there's a reason for Joni's anger. "Harry House/Centerpiece" starts acoustically and adds trumpets and echoing vocals. The songs goes even deeper into jazz territory as it frames the jazz standard "Centerpiece" by Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jon Hendricks. Joni's lyrics are delivered in her typical storytelling style. There's a brilliant edge to the lyrics which was probably the result of touring in the male-dominated Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour. The accompanied music is somewhat adventurous covering jazz, orchestral, World music, electronic and experimental. I can see why it may distract some but I found it great matching her vocals. A definite must listen for all.

holy shit this is impeccable. i need to listen to more Joni Mitchell cause this is perfect

Fantastic album! Joni seamlessly blends jazz and folk with such harmonious finesse—it’s amazing how well it all works together. And Larry Carlton on guitar? That’s an automatic extra star from me!

YES. A masterclass in how to write interesting and surprising songs. There are elements of everything in here, but she obviously just did what she wanted and it naturally came out this way. It feels effortless and spontaneous. It's not even my fave Joni album, but still loving every second of it. "Coy and bitchy, wild and fine" indeed.

All time favourite Joni Mitchell album made in a period of an incredible string of albums.

oh joni, never ever change with your pleasant jazzy tunes and intriguing, poetic songwriting... this is another standard joni mitchell fair, however this one doesn't get afraid to dive into the earthy and experimental side, some songs having an african influence. i really do enjoy how joni writes, it's the kind of lyrical content that someone would write on a whim. on a walk, in a café. this album feels... human. does that make sense? human music. i like it!

Didn’t know this album. Wow! Beautiful music.

Enjoyed this one a lot. The jungle line is so innovative it surprised me. Time to do a Joni deep dive Rating: 4.6

Good album.

incredible album. can’t believe i’ve never listened to joni mitchell before today

The most amazing and appealing part of Joni Mitchell's music is her lyrics. I really believe its genius how she tells a story to a melody but kind of makes her own rules with how she does so. This album has a great mix of different musical styles to accompany her as well, which makes it even more interesting.

10/10. Loved a lot of the lyrics. Joni is one of my favorites lyrically in general and the style is so unique with amazing vibes. The frontend of this album specifically was super enjoyable thematically.

I think I went to heaven while listening to this album and so I listened to it a second time. I want to wander around in Joni's world forever. I don't know if it's her best album - I still haven't made it through her entire discography - but it's a 5 star album for me, and one I hadn't listened to yet. I have listened to Blue which is widely regarded as her best, but maybe this one will be a personal favorite. I'll let the recency bias wear off before deciding. I love this jazzy Joni.

Some albums are five stars because you get everything the artist has to offer and its wonderful. Joni Mitchell, and in particular this album, gets five stars because every time I listen to it I discover new things, new moments of melody, playing or rhythmic twists that it seems I've never noticed before. The finest Joni 'band' album.

I loved this album!

I got more out of this one than Blue; this is my favorite Joni Mitchell record.

Joni ….. youngsters won’t get it but this album is astounding. Just listen …….

Some of the best albums I have experienced are the ones which defy categorization and genre bend. Prime example, this one. I love how everything weaves around her vocals and narrative. This holds some very unique experimentation, too.

I've listened to several Joni Mitchell albums from the 70s, but this one is the most 70s of them, I think. That's not a bad thing. It just feels a little less timeless than the others. Favorite misheard lyric: "Edith Ann, the Kingpin."

Not familiar with these tunes from Joni, and some meander a bit more than I typically care to listen to, but Joni makes it all sound so wonderful!

Brought to mind a late summer supper of fresh tomatoes and basil and corn on the cob, chatting on the patio with friends in the fading light. Love.

A lovely album that was on the ramblier storytelling side of Joni Mitchell. Everything was new to me and I loved it!

This is when Joni was leaning toward Jazz influences and it was for the better.

Joni is someone who, like PJ Harvey - every time I listen to her, I'm like, "WHY am I not listening to her more?!".