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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns

Joni Mitchell

1975

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Album Summary

The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the seventh studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in 1975.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.05

Votes

7045
Genres
Folk
Singer Songwriter

Reviews

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Sun Jan 24 2021
4

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

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Mon Aug 08 2022
5

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.

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Fri Jun 04 2021
4

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.

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Wed Jun 09 2021
3

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...

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Fri Feb 19 2021
2

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

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Fri May 14 2021
1

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??

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Thu Apr 29 2021
5

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

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Wed Sep 14 2022
5

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.

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Thu Oct 13 2022
5

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

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Fri Jan 06 2023
5

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

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Thu Apr 29 2021
4

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.

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Wed Mar 17 2021
2

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

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Wed Jun 09 2021
2

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.

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Fri Dec 17 2021
2

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.

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Wed Mar 03 2021
1

So I have realized that I hate Joni Mitchell

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Thu May 13 2021
1

Not my thing, I did not enjoy this album.

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Wed Jun 30 2021
1

I just do not like Joni Mitchell.

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Fri Jun 25 2021
5

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

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Wed May 12 2021
5

I mean, Joni Mitchell is classic, and surprisingly, I’d never actually listened to one of her albums. I enjoyed this one and would look for more of her in the future.

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Sun Jul 04 2021
5

Joni knocks it out of the park on this one. Summer feels with an excellent blend of nostalgia, melancholy, and ambience.

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Tue May 18 2021
5

Mitchell is a master and this is a masterpiece

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Wed May 19 2021
5

Haven’t heard anything like it.

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Fri Jul 23 2021
5

Fantastic. The vocals and lyricism are breathtaking, and closing track was one of the biggest surprises in music for me.

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Wed Nov 24 2021
5

I was sort of dreading this after her more folksy albums, but it's kind of perfect. The sort of thing Air were trying to do, minus the tongue-in-cheekness.

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Fri Dec 17 2021
5

Really liked it. Eclectic and interesting.

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Mon Feb 07 2022
5

A happy Joni Mitchel that I din't know! Loved it! Melhor música: The Jungle Line e Shades of Scarlet Conquering

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Sun Feb 20 2022
5

mjög kosy plata mjög nice að hlusta á i like it a lot

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Thu Mar 31 2022
5

awesome album and super impressive for 1975 The Jungle Line sounds like if Tyler, The Creator produced the beat for a Björk song, and again to make a song like that in 1975 is extremely impressive overall, I love Joni Mitchell’s discography and this album is one of my favorites of hers, 10/10

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Sun May 08 2022
5

Feels like the first perfect day of summer. Jazz, folk, beautiful poetic lyrics. This might be my favourite from Joni Mitchell.

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Fri Sep 23 2022
5

Yup. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

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Fri Nov 18 2022
5

The Joni Mitchell hate on this website is embarrassing.

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Thu Jan 12 2023
5

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.

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Mon Feb 13 2023
5

so amazing. I live and die for Joni Mitchell

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Fri Feb 24 2023
5

I'm a Joni Mitchell fan but never ventured much farther than Blue. This is more experimental but truly excellent. Best song Edith and the Kingpin

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Sun May 28 2023
5

Another excellent album from Joni Mitchell, although I find the experience bogged down by ads (I do respect her stance on Joe Rogan, but why would Spotify keep someone who says misinformation about COVID over two of the greatest artists of the 70’s, the other being Neil Young). Her lyrics are amazing, as always. One song that really grabbed me instrumentally is the proto-electronic ‘The Jungle Line’ - it just stands out from a lot of other things coming out in the mid-70’s. This challenge is helping me realize Joni Mitchell’s greatness, both from this album and C&S, so 5.

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Tue Jul 04 2023
5

This is my favorite Joni album, largely due to the curve ball that is "The Jungle Line." Nothing sounds quite like that song, it's both primitive and futuristic at once. The only thing I can think of that's even comes close would be by Bjork, who came about 20 years later. It goes to show you how Joni is far from simply being just some folky singer songwriter. On the rest of the record it's like she's fronting Steely Dan, seamlessly blending genres till you don't know how to classify it. Is it jazz? Is it rock? Is it folk? I don't know... but I know I like it. She even drew the cover for God's sake! A total artist.

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Wed Jul 19 2023
5

badass album. wish it was on spotify

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Fri Aug 04 2023
5

There's little if anything new on the Hissing surface, and that dials the focus right to where it needs to be. There are plenty of places for familiar Mitchellian phrasing, including the bridge two-parter that works as the album-in-miniature. Happily not totally, though: Most tracks seem to be doing something a little bit outside while returning to the timeless voice in the end. Even the end end.

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Mon Aug 07 2023
5

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.

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Thu Sep 14 2023
5

Vraiment un bon album de Joni Mitchell. super artiste ! Certains n'aiment pas le arrangemetns musicaux sur cette album. J'ai trouvé ca vraiment bien, mais c,est toujours la voix et les paroles de Joni mitchell qui se démarque. 5

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Thu Sep 17 2020
4

First half much better than the second

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Tue Jul 20 2021
4

Great pop album. Solid from start to finish.

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Fri Jul 09 2021
4

Like this much better note than I did years ago

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Mon Feb 22 2021
4

What a strange album. I love Joni Mitchell's voice. This album is an album that doesn't know it's own genre. I didn't know a single song, but would listen again.

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Fri Apr 09 2021
4

very relaxing and sweet, nice voice and good riffs

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Wed Feb 17 2021
4

Yeah that was good I liked it

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Thu Mar 11 2021
4

Ahh, não devia ter ouvido o Blue antes desse, né? Agora fico querendo comparar os dois e não tem como algo bater aquele álbum incrível. Mas esse é muito bom!

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Mon Jul 05 2021
4

Approaching a masterpiece, this album is quite an experience! Much more sonically diverse than her other stuff I've heard, and the lyrics are so profound. Way to kill it again, Joni!

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Thu Jan 28 2021
4

Well this was an interesting listen. Definitely an experimental time, Joni must have been influenced by synthesizers, jazz and progressive rock as much as her previous style. There are definitely some words and lyrics which I didn't understand. This could be as much the way she chooses to sing them as much as the words themselves. I feel like I'm missing something in the lyrics, it could be the age of the album. It could be the way she sings. Perhaps someone more familiar with both the 1970s and Joni would know. Overall, I enjoyed it and would probably listen again. 7/10

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Fri May 07 2021
4

Well how could you not enjoy this album? No clue.

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Thu Apr 29 2021
4

I never listened to Joni Mitchell at all until this album, and while it was a great album, it just didn't resonate with me. I even listened to this twice at work, and i still couldn't feel this...if it makes sense. " Don't Interrupt The Sorrow" was definitely the best song of the album, which was incredibly well done, and i still give this high marks, maybe i'm just crazy, or the next listen-to will change things for me.

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Thu Feb 18 2021
4

NO es el Blue, pero es un disco mayúsculo

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Thu Mar 11 2021
4

I now understand one of the places music I like came from.

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Sun Feb 21 2021
4

Cantautora de 70's. Voz preciosa, agelical.

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Fri Apr 30 2021
4

“The Hissing of Summer Lawns” by Joni Mitchell (1975) Lyrics. Lyrics. Lyrics. To appreciate this album is to immerse oneself in the Lyrics. Here Joni Mitchell demonstrates her superlatively intelligent transformation of serious thoughts and feelings into meaningful sound. Her poetry is smart without being pretentiously erudite. She employs highly referential subject matter in service to exquisitely feminine introspection and evocation. Each line is vivid. Each phrase punctuated by perfectly placed consonants, begging a listener like me to shut down my interior (male) voice and surrender my attention to her. Joni Mitchell could get me to do anything. If I were so fortunate as to take her out on a date, my first words to her would be “Conquer me, Scarlett.” Musically, this is a very well produced album, well executed and recorded, and very appealing (if the listener has developed a taste for both jazz and folk—in that order). Dispensing with standard structures and melodic conventions, she walks her own path. Glad to follow. 4/5

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Thu Apr 29 2021
4

Me pareció sonicamente mucho más llamativo que el anterior qie escuchamos de ella. A pesar de que son canciones con tonos que usualmente no me interesan, la verdad sí disfruté mucho este disco, melancolía y dulzura. Canciones favs: Harry's house y shadows and light. Mood: estoy muriendo?

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Tue May 04 2021
4

Sets it's stall out in the first 20 seconds: "Downtown My darling dime store thief In the War of Independence Rock 'n' roll rang sweet as victory" Lyrically very striking, musiclly interesting. Liked it a lot. Feels like it would have more to give on repeat listens. 4/5

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Tue Jun 15 2021
4

My mom used to listen to her a lot. Makes me feel like I should be in the 70s listening to this.

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Wed Feb 17 2021
4

I didn’t love it, because it was Joni Mitchell I was tempted to score high, but maybe it’s not as high as I think

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Thu Jan 28 2021
4

Sonically and lyrically interesting. I would probably revisit this one a few times to see if I can make more sense of it.

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Wed Mar 31 2021
4

Joni is good for all moods. 🙌🏼

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Sun Jun 13 2021
4

Mitchell does some of her jazz/folk. BT: In France They Kiss On Main Street, Don't Interrupt the Sorrow, Harry's House / Centerpiece

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Thu Apr 29 2021
4

Se antoga para una tarde nublada de depresión y vino, y sí, eso es un cliché. Nunca había escuchado nada de Joni, pero sí la tenía presente como una figura femenina importante de la música de su época. igual y por no tener más referencias de ella no tengo claro el impacto o la razón de su inclusión en esta lista (?)

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Sun Jul 04 2021
4

I definitely see why this alienated Joni Mitchell fans of the time. It was a little more artsy, a little more jazzy, a little more psychedelic than her other musical endeavors. However, I thought it was an experiment that yeilded a great end product! Maybe not the instant classic that Blue was, but a great album of its own; I want more time to digest it.

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Wed Apr 14 2021
4

The jazz, folk and experimental sound of this album make it worth listening to.

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Wed Apr 21 2021
4

Lovely way to start the morning.

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Sat May 08 2021
4

super cool jazzy sound, not my cup of tea but a great listen

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Thu May 13 2021
4

Very vintage sounding, very calm, is nice

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Wed May 19 2021
4

Bra album! Bästa låtarna: In France They Kiss on Main Street Don't Interrupt the Sorrow The Hissing of Summer Lawns The Boho Dance Harry's House / Centerpiece

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Mon May 17 2021
4

If you like slow music, then is is just for you.

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Tue Sep 07 2021
4

Very good. Vibey and beautiful.

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Fri Sep 10 2021
4

one of my favourite 1001-ers

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Fri Oct 29 2021
4

I am #always #available for some Joni

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Thu Nov 11 2021
4

Good album. I rated the previous Joni Mitchell album 3 stars with the only criticism that the songs don't really feel like they're going anywhere. This one seems a bit more mature musically. The poppy jazz instrumentation was a great background for Mitchell's beautifully soothing voice. I liked it.

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Fri Mar 11 2022
4

I kinda only knew Joni Mitchell from that one hit (Taxi) and the Prince cover, but I'm very glad I finally fully listened to some more of her music. The album is an amazing combination of folk and jazz.

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Fri Mar 18 2022
4

Good album, enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting. Very different vibe from Blue, more varied instrumentals and the lyrics are quite nice. Particularly liked Don't Interrupt the Sorrow.

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Wed Apr 20 2022
4

I've never been particularly into Joni Mitchell but damn if this isn't one of the prettiest albums I've ever heard.

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Wed Aug 17 2022
4

First album that I couldn't listen to on Spotify (thanks Joe Rogan).

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Fri Sep 16 2022
4

I enjoyed this, nice and folky and she has a very pretty voice.

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Fri Sep 16 2022
4

None of the songs were absolute stand outs, but all good

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Fri Sep 16 2022
4

This was very pleasant. Having not reviewed the track listings there were a couple of times I thought she was going to break into Big Yellow Taxi. Also, there were a few instances were I detected some politicising in the lyrics but because it was so pleasant you almost don’t even realise!

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Wed Sep 21 2022
4

Musings on suburbia with her usual lyrical dexterity and folksy touch. There’s some excellent layering of vocals here too.

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Tue Sep 27 2022
4

Possibly best Joni Mitchell album I have heard?

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Fri Sep 30 2022
4

A pleasant surprise. I have honestly no experience with Joni Mitchell so this was a first experience for me. I thought there was a ton of originality, a good vibe, and a cool sound. I'll be listening to some of the songs off this again for sure. The only reason I knock it down a star is because sometimes I feel like she tried to do a bit too much with the lyrics. This isn't a huge deal but was a bit distracting on what was an otherwise very pleasant listen.

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Wed Oct 12 2022
4

Unable to listen as Joni removed all her music from Spotify. I'll take a guess on the rating based on my knowledge of her other albums.

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Wed Oct 26 2022
4

Nice, did not know what to expect

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