Reviews (page 5 of 8)
I think it's good. Probably needs multiple listens to enjoy
It's a pretty melancholy album, beautiful, but sad.
Rolling Stone 258 A good Joni Mitchell album but as a whole a minor work, not very memorable moments or songs.
Not my favorite.
Sound listen.
Fint nok.
Didn’t listen
3,3
this lady's alright. 3/5
Not my favourite Joni Michell record that I've heard so far, but it's good nonetheless. I enjoyed the first half of the record, but it fell short in the latter half, more specifically in the last 2 tracks. Favourite Track(s): The Hissing of Summer Lawns Least Favourite Track(s): Sweet Bird
Great voice. Nice songs. Good album
Light 3. Love Joni’s voice, love the story she tells in her songs. Hmm she sure does bring up black people and the black experience a lot in her songs, I hope she’s never done anything weird re: black people before!!!
Joni moves further into the jazz age. When I first heard this album I kinda hated it, but I realized it was a natural progression in her sound. I like it a good deal more now, but it’s also harder to get hooked. Her voice is till in peak form though, and it’s a pleasure to listen to her move into different moods and methods.
Cool listen 🎧
I’m not a fan but appreciate what she has done for music by women, for women. 3
Heard it before. Not my favourite from Joni tbh. But hey, it's Joni 3/5
I don’t know Joni Mitchell but she has a late 90s type of sound yet sounds very 60’s.
Ok
Side A is fun, Side B is boring. 3/5
This didn't quiiiite hit me as much as the last Joni Mitchell album I heard, but it's still pretty decent!
I didn’t like it as much as the other Joni Mitchell album I’ve gotten (Court and Spark) but it was good! I really enjoy her voice. Specifically liked the title track and the guitar magic on the opener.
Very solid record! I love what she can pull off with these instrumentals, but it feels like Joni ends half her lines on the same drawn-out, sustained note (the closing track is especially egregious). This sameness in delivery drags the record down a lot, imo, though she does have a beautiful voice nonetheless. Standouts: The Jungle Line • The Hissing of Summer Lawns • Harry's House / Centerpiece
Joni Mitchell is a name I’ve always heard in relation to the 60s and folk music and something that older people like, but never something that found its way into my ears. I always put her in a box with Joan Baez, and since I don’t remember Joan’s music either I’m not sure if this comparison is fair or not. ¨The Hissing of Summer Lawns¨ is such a cool title that actually listening to the album itself threatens to cheapen it. I imagined a less angry, more refined Patti Smith and that’s basically what I got. Replace the grime of the 70s with the vaguely optimistic vibe of the 60s, put it in your kooky aunt Tabatha’s album collection and there you go. {Note: this album came out in 1975, the same year as ¨Horses,¨ but it sounds 10 years older} I found the music to often be a bit boring, but the opening ¨In France They Kiss on Main St.¨ was exciting, as was ¨The Jungle Line.¨ What isn’t boring is the poetry she spews, painting pictures as good as Dylan or Nas, often eschewing any sense of verse or chorus. If an album could ever be considered ¨a grower and not a shower¨ it would be this. What was boring on the first listen I found nuanced on the second. There are musical and vocal choices that superseded any kind of expectations I’d normally have of a singer-songwriter. Respect to Joni Mitchell. Best songs: ¨In France They Kiss on Main Street,¨ ¨The Jungle Line, ¨ ¨Harry’s House/Center…¨
I have never gotten into her voice or songwriting style. There were a few tracks toward the end that held me better than others, but I accidentally let this loop and I was 4 tracks into the relisten before I realized it.
fun. airy. fine.
Bon album dans l'ensemble avec des bonnes chansons mais les quelques expérimentations au synthétiseur et autres samplers sont ratées.
I like the synthesizer components to the songs, interesting songcraft. Probably won't often go in circulation but I enjoyed it.
It's okay as a background album, but it should've been more interesting. It has one song that really makes you go "oh, I was listening to something!"
Ehh couple of interesting arrangements but didnt really connect to any of it.
not his best pero con cosas interesantes
I've never really known what to do with Joni Mitchell. While I love 'Blue' it is everything before and after I have difficulty with. This is a good album. I dont know if I will ever listen to it again.
horrible
Interesting, but not my thing
Joni Mitchell's brand of quiet, contemplative resistance seems quaint and almost archaic in today's world. Still, it's a decent album.
How many Joni Mitchell albums are on this list? Starting to feel like it might be all of them. Pick one, Dimery. We already know you love Joni and all things from the 1970's Laurel Canyon scene. But, c'mon... this is ridiculous. This spot should have gone to an Ani DiFranco album.
Although this album is good - especially the lyrics - it just doesn’t quite hit the same level as her other albums enjoy. So I’m going high 3
It’s one of those albums that is just so beautifully performed that, despite not having individual songs that I’d pull out and shine a light on beyond the opening a closing track, still come together as a grand and satisfying whole. The only song that I didn’t gel with is The Jungle Line which interrupts the flow a little bit. It’s stunning that’sJoni Mitchell is such an exceptional artist that this excellent release doesn’t stand amongst her best albums.
Felt like an album someone wrote from simply observing humans and writing their thoughts on interactions down. Very genuine, funky, and conversational.
interesting start, with a bluesy guitar driven folk song. not a bad album. Thee was nothing that stood out, but a couple of notable songs including the title song. I think I like Edith and the Kingpin the most. I would listen again, but not something I would seek out to listen to. 3.5 stars
thoughts: i did enjoy the jazzier back half of the album a lot more but this is honestly pretty disappointing. love joni’s voice as usual but eh, this just didn’t hit the way i thought it could’ve songs: “don’t interrupt the sorrow”, “harry’s house/centerpiece”, “shadows and light” rating: 5.8/10
A strange experience for sure, but it's unique style was fun trying to understand. The more vocal driven songs could feel slow and shallow at times, but when the experience culminates in certain patterns and grooves it is able to highlight Joni's voice. 5/10
I loved the jazziness and the detail of the lyrics (especially IFTKOMS) and didn't find it boring at all. Also, I love the songs which represent being stuck in a suburban home with a man and, overall, the experiences of women. I think the lyrics portray that very well, and they almost sound satire. Favourite: In France They Kiss On Main Street Least Favourite: The Boho Dance
Listened without skipping any tracks
Mere jazzy Joni. Et ok album men mere anonymt end Blue.
Finally, the last Joni album. I'm not sure what it is about her but I've come to learn that I really don't like her music. Maybe it's her grating voice but I'm glad to have finished this one. 5/10.
This was a pleasant enough listen. Feels like 1 really long song. It’s fine. Can’t say I paid attention to the lyrics much which is where I’m sure it shines but for a first listen, I like it.
I am not so found of all that jazz ( that kind of jazz) but I appreciate the lyrics. I read them and it's just poetry. So if we listened to this album as sung poetry (not all songs have that ambition). it's quite allright. And it's Joni Mitchell!
I really haven't connected with Joni Mitchell during this project, which is surprising. I thought I'd be super into her. The albums just feel noodle-y and aimless. They're very pleasant to listen to, but not songs that resonate with me in a serious way. This almost slipped down to 2 stars for me, but something is keeping it at 3 for me.
NICE
I don’t quite know why Joni Mitchell does nothing for me. On the face of it she should be right up my street - folkish singer songwriter with a great voice, but it just doesn’t spark anything in me.
The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the point in Joni’s career where she thoroughly embraced jazz structures in her songs. They tend to ramble and never feel like they make too much of a point, but Joni’s appeal is her chill delivery, and her fierce experimentation…as heard on the wildly rhythmic The Jungle Line. Overall, for me she embodies Sunday morning chill ambience and art house music done fairly well, if a little boring on this particular album. She’s also at the top of the list of artists who are “an acquired taste”. Once it seeps into your soul though, you’ll find yourself defending her to the death.
I wasn't particularly fond of the last Joni album we had, but I enjoyed this one a bit more. She creates cool jazzy atmospheres with these songs, it's not just her voice telling stories. I especially enjoyed the unique and dark sounds of The Jungle Line and really liked Harry's House with the piano too. Her lyrics can feel a bit like abstract art, I don't always understand what she's singing about, but apparently some of these are standing up to patriarchal norms, so I'm all about that! Overall, while this was an intriguing and thought-provoking journey, this style of music just doesn't move me. The songs meander so much and there's no rhythm or beat that gives them shape.
I like Joni Mitchell. Her music is something I listen to when I wish to feel a very specific type of melancholy. My criticism of this album is just that there aren't really any songs on it that I can remember the next day.
Some pretty sounds but didn't entirely click, gotta say
Album 836 of 1089 Joni Mitchell -The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (1975) Rating : 3 / 5 I’ve spent decades trying to form a solid opinion on Joni Mitchell, and somehow I’m still not there. I fully appreciate her talent, her influence, and her place in music history—but I’ve often wondered if her recordings, which I find perfectly fine, might be just a bit overrated. I know that’s a risky statement, but there it is. As for this album, it was... again, fine. It kept a similar tone and feel throughout—nothing bad, just not much that grabbed me either. I have a hard time criticizing a legend, but I’ve yet to find my seat on the Joni Mitchell bus, though I'm still open to it.
Joni Mitchell is an artist in the truest sense
It’s obvious that Joni Mitchell is a great songwriter, and the albums that I’ve heard from her - including this one - are certainly testament to that fact. However, her vocals just really aren’t my cup of tea, so I don’t think I will ever move from appreciator to real fan.
Wasn't bad, feel like i didn't give this one enough attention. Was kind of bored listening to it, but could be better with several listens.
I can’t believe how many times you listened to this!! I like the music, I like her voice but I am just not into the rambling melodies. Perhaps it will grow on if I listen more but…
The deeper Mitchell's music, the denser its sound. I've always found her mid-to-late 70s records difficult to dig into it. While I admire her brave artistry, her willingness to develop her style, her utterly original blend of jazz-folk, and her vivid lyrics relentless in their images, the resultant sound too often stays within the same lane and becomes bland. A few exceptions submit themselves in 'Centerpiece' and 'Shadows and Light', but I can never remember much else about this album.
Jazz-Rock-Folk mit Stromgitarre, das ist ja mal was. JM ist nicht mein "cup of tea" aber ich finde diese Songs hier experimentell, originell und "frisch" für 50 Jahre auf dem Buckel. Aber vielleicht habe ich auch schon zuviel Gin Tonic intus.
I mean sure why not
A good semi-experimental, jazz release from Ms. Joni, but if anything I wish she pushed her experimentation to further lengths
Niet helemaal af kunnen luisteren, maar het klonk niet zo geweldig. Goed genoeg, maar allemaal wat saai
I was prepared to hear Joni sing songs only dogs could hear (SNL). I was not prepared to like much of this due to the music. Glad I heard a full album of hers.
Cheeky achtergrond muziekje maar een beetje te dramatisch voor mij
Legendary singer, not her best album in my opinion. Still enjoyed it though
Back to back Joni and consecutive releases - what are the odds!? That said, this one passed me by a bit like yesterday’s did - probably a 2.5.
I think the significance of this album is to show that queens can flop too. Rounded up for the lyric “like a priest with a pornographic watch”
It was ok, pretty out there for 70s, nice change of pace
Maybe not something to listen to in the background
First time listening. Quite enjoyable
I love the lush atmosphere that songs like In France They Kiss on Main Street create. But there are some serious low points on this album as well like the jungle line and harry's house.
I really like the instrumentation on this one and the album art is 10/10.
Don't Interrupt the Sorrow The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Interesting lyrics, not a big fan of the sound
Nice, but doesn't stand out to me tbh
It's Joni Mitchell. Can't not like Joni Mitchell
I really liked Harry’s House / Centerpiece especially the talking bit
Alright
Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.
I like her blending of folk and jazz.
Pleasant listen, I enjoyed her jazzy sounding voice. 3.5
The best Joni Mitchell's up to this point. More jazzy, less folky. I like it.
This album is my introduction to Joni Mitchell. I've heard of the name, know the impact and influence of her music, and still, never listen to a song of hers, that I know of. I mean the story telling, off the rip is above par. Been noticing a lot of 70's, 80's music have a lot of story telling in general. Mix of sounds, wasn't even sure what time of ROCK to label this album. Soothing voice, takes you away. Slow album, you're not head banging to this one but you might be taking a nice walk to the park,
You know I liked this and thought it was more interesting than I was expecting. There is some weird avant-fusion stuff happening underneath some of these songs, not nearly as out there as I'd like but interesting nonetheless. At the end of the day, it does just kind of feel like folk music to me that doesn't hit super hard, but I enjoyed this.
Aika viehättävä, a-puoli erityisesti. Kuulosti tuoreemmalta kuin 70-luvulta aina paikoin. Tarinankerrontaa, mukavaa kävelykuunneltavaa. Mutta en muista yhtään biisiä enää seuraavana päivänä. 2,5
Too hard for me. I'm going to listen to the Carpenters again.
Unique voice, and songs. Sounds of the 60’s and 70’s.
Not my favorite Joni album but had some great songs on here
Joni Mitchell doesn't have my favorite voice, if I'm being honest. What she does have is an unmatched ability to weave a tale that you feel like you are a part of when listening to her stories (songs). I really appreciate this quality as a writer. The acoustic guitar is really the only instrument I could pick up while listening for a majority of the songs, and it felt like it was more music playing in the background of a scene. It helped enhance the stories Mitchell was telling with her voice. No doubt that there are very "of the time" topics and lingo being used throughout, but what I loved about it is that I felt like a character in each of her songs just living through the events she is retelling. It was truly a joy to listen to, and the only folk album I've really enjoyed thus far.
Joni! This kind of looks like the Brian Eno album cover. Is that just what 1974-1975 was like? I like the Canadian vowel raising on "flags". To be honest, 'In France They Kiss on Main Street' is giving SNL's Garth & Kat. And 'The Jungle Line' Regina Spektor. But the rest is more Joni, who I like, but don't love, because it's all a bit too mellow for me (right now?).
Her voice and cadence are amazing on this album and work incredibly well with the music. Bass playing is exceptional. Overall a good album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Chorus-less songs really don’t work for me on this one.
Lkec it much more than Blue. No chirpy choppy vocals and you can really hear how lovely her voice is on this one. Still, not really my thing overall. 3.5* rounding down.
I like this album slightly more than yesterday's Court and Spark for its heavier jazz composition. I respect Joni Mitchell's songwriting and genius, but for some reason, there's a barrier somewhere in which I just cannot resonate with her music as much as I want to.
Not gonna lie, I was pretty surprised when I thought my phone meeped out and failed to submit my rating yesterday, only to realize that it was in fact another Joni Mitchell album that the 1001 gods prescribed to me. This album has all the same flaws as the last. Admittedly I thought The Jungle Line had an interesting sound, kinda like Q*bert music 7 years before the game would be released. I guess this is a solid 3/5. If I was in a worse mood, i could've justified a 2.5.
I find Joni Mitchell's voice too ethereal to to get into her lyrics. It just sorta sits on top of you like a light dusting. This makes it boring. And very soft instrumentation doesn't help.
Some of these songs were pretty cool. “Jungle Line” especially stood out as unlike what I traditionally expect from Joni Mitchell. But there were still too many more typical Joni ballads on “The Hissing of Summer Lawns.” What is not cool, is that after our first three Joni albums, I learned about her history of blackface and strange justifications long after we all knew better.
Once again Joni’s voice sails and the music fails…to live up to her voice.
I think I said this on my last Joni Mitchell album but it really sounds like she just sing/talks words and then they add music in afterward. Some of it works fine but some of it comes across jarring in the difference of tempo, theme and general sound. 5/10
If it weren’t for The Jungle Line I’d swear this was just one long song. As an aside, my uncle is a HUGE Joni fan. Joni was also seeing some musician fellow from my hometown in Saskatchewan. We had one nice restaurant then and my mothers friend spotted them eating there. Once she left they grabbed her wineglass and gave it to us to give to my uncle. For weeks we had Joni’s lipstick embossed wineglass around our kitchen. I’m certain that antidote is at least as interesting as this album.
She's singing more like a folk singer on this one than what I remember from Court and Spark, and sometimes that's just too much, but I really enjoy the jazzy elements. I hear a lot of random instrumental similarities with the brilliant Emily's D+Evolution by Esperanza Spalding, which is kind of inspiring me to want to listen to this again but really is mostly just making me want to listen to that album instead.
It's good but I don't find it essential. I am already not all that crazy for Joni Mitchell, and she can't quite break through and make me excited here either.
There's a few really incredible songs here, like "The Jungle Line" or "Harry's House / Centerpiece", but the rest of the album doesn't really live up to it. Seems almost deliberate as moat of the other songs just seemed way quieter than the 2 I mentioned. However this was overall a pretty nice album I think a 3 is in order
Easy listening
This doesn't feel like it reaches anywhere near the peaks of Court and Spark, or obviously Blue. It's just a tiny bit same-y and unremarkable. I really enjoyed Edith and the Kingpin as a standalone song though, and of course Joni's average work is still better than most other people's best.
Has a couple of corkers such as In France They Kiss On Main Street, a substantial amount of soft, plain folksy balladry that wisps by too easily during the middle portion and also a couple of completely off-the-wall experimental numbers that are as jarring as a million jars left ajar by Jar Jar Binks. The Jungle Line uses Moog synth and sampled tribal percussion to create a feverish swamp of sweltering skewiffy summer sound. Probably the strangest pop composition since Tomorrow Never Knows. Shadows And Light on the other hand is a stark Moog acappella that makes the album sound like it’s been abandoned onto some lonely faraway planet at the very end. This album is a big favourite of Prince and he of course has impeccable judgement so perhaps this is all great stuff. Not long after this album though, Joni started inhabiting a character named Art Nouveau and went about dressing as a blackface pimp on her record sleeves, in her music videos, at parties and in a live album and film called Shadows And Light so I’m thinking these two off-the-wall experimental numbers maybe helped set off an unfortunate chain of creativity and perhaps weren’t totally for the best.
Standouts: • In France They Kiss on Main Street • The Jungle Line • Shades of Scarlett Conquering • The Hissing of Summer Lawns • Harry's House / Centerpiece
singer-songwriter mit jazz .. teilweise anstrengend, teilweise easy listening. highlight Harry‘s House/Centerpiece, für die jazzigen elemente.
Maybe I wasn't on top form when I listened to this, but it didn't sound as good as the other Joni Mitchell albums I've heard so far.
I love Joni Mitchell but this album didn't go much for me. Still a decent listen, but I don't think I'll come back to it.
I love Joni Mitchell and her voice, but this album didn't feel like her strongest to me.
This was a nice listen, and Joni Mitchell's talents can't be denied. It won't be on high rotation, but I'm glad I know it's there.
This was pretty good, not something that I'd listen to heaps - but I appreciated it in my ears today
Joni Mitchell has a lovely voice and the instrumentation is delightful. This is not an album I would listen to even if I were in a good mood, and unfortunately for the impartiality of this review, I listened to this album while dealing with some of the most idiotic subhuman retard cattle ever to be given the right to vote (my colleagues).
A few strange production choices on the first two tracks kept me from really engaging with the album (the chorus of the first track and the weird ass moog on the second track that belonged in a Tangerine Dream song). However the production here seems to have been a watershed moment for western musicians, taking inspiration and sampling artists from Africa would become a lot more commonplace so I guess we have Joni Mitchell to thank for that. Once Edith and the Kingpin hits, the rest of the album the lyrics, vocals and instrumentals really worked well together for me. There is a good variety of sound and dabbling of different genres. But the album did lose my interest towards the end. Definitely an album that warrants multiple listens to mull on the lyrics here. This album also receives bonus points for receiving a lukewarm review from Robert Antichristgau (fuck you). Highlights: Edith and the Kingpin, Shades of Scarlett Conquering, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Sweet Bird
Pretty typical Joni
appreciate it, but not really my cup of tea.
Not her best album I feel, although I do enjoy a bit of Joni, I find often that it doesn’t captivate me enough. I can imagine plenty of people will adore this, but it just left me cold and uninterested.
Nice
Beautiful voice, great production for the time but none of the songs grabbed me.
Man, I so want to love Joni's jazz period. I love jazz. I love Joni. Seems like a match made in heaven. But there's the muzak-y haze over the proceedings that cloys at me. It started with Court and Spark, but somehow it doesn't bother me as much on that one as it does on this and Hejira. Also, I just don't love the compositions from these two albums as much as her earlier work, even though I admire their freewheeling boldness. It's definitely a me problem not a Joni problem. My loss.
Some of these were bangers, but the train whistle really threw me off
Not my favorite Joni Mitchell album, but her voice and lyrics spark joy and hope
If this wasn't a Joni Mitchell album it would have worse reviews and probably not even be on this list. While not as groundbreaking as Blue, The Hissing of Summer Lawns wears its dated sound while delivering a firm and creative package of solid folk songs. 3.5/5
Ja, nej. Det är väldigt ok. Inte mer. Behaglig röst, men det är inte magiska låtar. Väldigt lagom. En tydlig trea.
A voice softly deep Weaving through folksy rhythms Singing tales in prose
I almost gave this one 4 stars but I felt like the 2nd half of the album drags and doesn't have the same energy as the first half. I don't think I've ever listened to a Joni Mitchell song, much less an album, but I've definitely heard the name before. I can't describe exactly why but I get why people really enjoy Joni's music just from listening to this album. Great voice paired with really easy-listening music.
Sure. Good for a singer/songwriter album, but isn't anything more than that. Harry's House/Centerpiece was the best on this album.
I started listening to this last night, and found it kind of sleepy/dull. Upon listening to it more closely today, I found a lot to appreciate musically and lyrically, even if this isn’t my favorite of her albums. I’ll probably check it out one more time.
-this album was my first Joni Mitchell experience, and I really enjoyed it! her voice is beautiful and i can really see how she influenced a lot of later artists i like -maybe felt a liiiittle overlong / repetitive especially toward the end but honestly her voice and the lyricism were so nice that I didn’t mind. 3.5 - 4 stars -Favorites are In France They Kiss On Main Street and The Hissing of Summer Lawns
This project continues to teach me many things. Today's revelation is that although I like to think I am something of a Joni Mitchell fan, I might be kidding myself. This is the second album of hers that's come up in as many weeks and it's clear now that I admire the idea of her as an artist more than I enjoy a lot of listening to her actual music. My loss.
auðvitað tilgerðin uppmáluð en ég hef nokkuð gaman af þessu. set 3,5 því 'etta á skilið aðra yfirferð.
Not my favorite album of hers, but I do like Joni.
It's Joni Mitchell. The sound, the words. But not as magical as some of her other works.
Not my favorite Joni album, or even in my top five, but it’s still Joni. And enlisting three of your exes to play on your record is hilarious.
frankly boring and repetitive
Forse il miglior album folk finora Ma resta folk
This album makes me wonder who else from her generation was just as good at lyrically placing you right in the midst of a story or setting. Maybe Billy Joel, Elton John, and…? Surely the list is short. Vintage easy listening that doesn’t tug on the heartstrings as much as it instead functions like a personal favorite fiction novel. Also with a bit of subtle electronic production here and there? I noticed it on “The Jungle Line” song. Loved the horns on “Harry’s House/Centerpiece.” My favorite is probably the closer “Shadows and Light.” Pleasant music to listen to while lounging around
Bra, men ikke helt for meg dessverre. Av det jeg har hørt så er Blue mye bedre.
Hisssssssss
I don’t think I’ll ever understand Joni. Not my thing, but it wasn’t terrible.
chill album
ok I guess, not my style, too lyrical
Nice vocals, lyrics and arrangements. The lyrics are quite interesting and you could easily get lost just reading them. The songs don't really grab me, this album could've done with a few 'singles' as the tracks all have quite a rambling/free-form structure. It's pleasant to listen to, Mitchell's experimentation with jazzier arrangements, strings etc. create some nice songs. But after 2 listens not a lot really stuck in my memory So a mixed bag means 3*
An interesting experimental album. I'm not too big of a fan, but it's interesting at least.
Not bad!
A cool experimental album. Simple yet adventurous
I love the experimental sounds in this album. The electronica in The Jungle Lines is exciting, creating a unique sound. The other tracks are not so distinguishing, but I absolutely recommend this. It's entertaining. Harry's House/Centerpiece is good also. It's somewhere around 3.5/5 for sure. The album cover is pure art. I love it.
Pas mon préféré d'elle, mais reste respectable. 5/10
Eine gute Stimme, die mit Piano Begleitung kraftvolle Balladen singt. Sie wirken irgendwie zeitlos. Es ist schön zu hören, wobei jedoch keine Highlights dabei waren.
Oh, jazzy Joni, I don't love this record as much as some of your others (please never say "shuck and jive" again) but I also can't help but enjoy some of the tracks here. This 49 year old record doesn't sound totally staid like a lot of other music that came out in 1975 so I've got to give Mitchell her due praise as well.
It's not her best work, but I liked the jazz-folk fusion. And let's face it, the woman can sing.
I've never been a great fan of Joni Mitchell's music. It's just that it doesn't really meet my general taste in music. I had never even heard of this album before, or indeed any of the songs. I found the album interesting for some of the musical approaches, but I felt that Mitchell's voice seemed to be somewhat separate from the music.
An unusual recording. I think I need to give it another listen and that it is worth another try. "In France They Kiss on Main Street" was the only song I immediately recognized. Jazzy and adventurous with Joni Mitchell's usual poetic, sometimes obscure lyrics.
Great voice and storytelling. But it’s just not something I really enjoy.
I appreciate Joni's contribution to the genre, but for Canadian folk my preference lies with Ian & Silvia.
In a vulnerable moment I confided in a friend that I didn't quite like Joni Mitchell. He said I was a bad Canadian. I think he might be right, but I still don't really get it.
Joni Mitchell is amazing and about 30% of this record is excellent. Her vocals and phrasing are beautiful and the harmonies are unique to her. But some of it’s just… kinda weird.
I liked this okay, but I think this has been my least favorite of the Joni Mitchell albums so far. Which isn't to say it isn't good, it is. But there has to be one least favorite, right? And since it's my least favorite so far, I'll knock it down a star it probably doesn't deserve to be knocked down.
Joni is great This one is decent, maybe not to the standard of the others I've heard from her, but its good. Bit different, very jazzy at times, great production, enjoyable High 3
Love this Joni
Many interesting and pleasant sounds here but Mitchell's vocals isn't one of them. Edith and the Kingpin is a great track.
Very pretty. Like quite enjoyed it. I will add it to the Sunday afternoon at the cottage with my girlfriend playlist
Meh. Inoffensive, but I'll never listen to it again. 2.8
Lyrically? brilliant Musically? Borderline elevator music Write up says this is jazzy and experimental but it's Muzak with good lyrics
Maybe the lawns are hissing because she sucks
This was a nice relaxing album. I could totally listen to it again, but I doubt I would seek it out of its own accord.
Good
Average album
Fun listen. Not a fan of the genre but this was solid. 3/5.
Meh
Dece
Nice jazzy folk, some really nice and unusual chord progressions. However, it is a bit too easy-listening at times and just breezes by.
I absolutely love Joni Mitchell and her work. I was raised hearing her early work and fell in love with it. I basically made it up to "Court and Spark" and was introduced to this album just recently. This album continues where 1974's masterpiece, "Court and Spark" left off and gives us the jazz-rock sound that was such a departure from her earlier work. Overall, I love this album and can't understand how it was panned when it was first released, but it makes sense because Court and Spark was a masterpiece and a sequel to a masterpiece always falls short. This one has it's highlights too and can be considered an equal. Highlights: "In France They Kiss on Main Street": The only single from this album that gained any popularity, and for good reason. It features Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on guitar who did a lot of work with Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and lots of other L.A.-based musicians. Victor Feldman on electric piano (read Rhodes), who also contributed a lot to the Yacht Rock scene of Los Angeles later in the decade. James Taylor, Graham Nash, and David Crosby all provide backing vocals to this song which is catchy and gets you right into the mood. It reminds me a lot of "A Free Man in Paris" and could be considered a sequel to that song although the lyrics have nothing to do with Paris or France. Heh. "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow" - Kinda funky, groovy and I love the guitar work on this one. Lyrics refer to a woman standing up to male dominance, which is just awesome. "Shades of Scarlett Conquering" - I wonder if Taylor Swift has heard this. It's very woman empowering and standing up for women's rights. Great tune. "Harry's House ⁄ Centerpiece" - Really good song, probably the best on this album. Love the bridge to classic jazz moving into the Centerpiece part of this song.
Nice safe album nothing stands out
Jazzy Joni jams
this was okay, songs dragged a bit but i enjoyed some tracks
This cover concerns me, Joni. Update: I was right.
its giving nick drake and also carole king. and yet despite this, its boring highlights: don’t interrupt the sorrow, shades of scarlett conquering, harry’s house/centerpiece (oct 8 2024)
First listen. Ok.
That's probably enough Joni Mitchell now. This was better than the last one we had but not as good as the one before that. She still has a great voice and at least these ones were actual songs but I don't think there were as many stand outs.
This is the first Joni Mitchell record I actually kind of enjoyed listening to. I could stand it and not be annoyed or angry while it was playing. That is a huge achievement for me!
🎧Interesting, ambitious Joni record, but not my favorite.
Good songs, but Joni Mitchell has better work out there
Like her voice
Ok
I don't really have an issue with the music. It's depressing, but some of it sounded like it would've fit right in with early 2000s electronica. I just have an issue with her singing. Every song sounds exactly the same.
I didn't like this as much as Blue. The Jungle Line is fairly irritating. Harry's House is my favorite track on here.
No major complaints here - Joni has a great voice and I thought this was a pleasant listen. I sense she might have better albums?
Joni Mitchell's body of work illustrates a talent not just in music, but in other media. However, I just didn't care much for this album. Maybe it is the synthesizers, which just haven't aged well in some places. It's still a fine album, just not her best work.
I'm sorry, but I don't get Joni. Lovely voice, clearly very important to her generation but it's all pretty underwhelming for me. Pretty enough songs, without really getting the aural juices flowing
A very interesting album. This is not a pop driven album with sing along tracks. I can tell this one is very personal. I jived with about half the tracks while some are more poetry set to music almost. I think this is one that needs multiple listens to really appreciate, but probably not on my rotation.
Avant-pop. Venga, un ni fu ni fa por la voz. Pero he estado por ponerle un 2.
nice singer songwriter album
That was quite a nice listen. Spent some days thinking quite what I’d rate it. Overall I think it doesn’t justify a 4 but it really feels this record gets better with every song.
Oh Joni. You are just fine.
No sneks were harmed in the making of this record 65
I love Joni Mitchell's voice. Her song writing is wonderful but some of these are super dense
Did not enjoy nearly as much as blue, love the voice.
A great title, and I enjoyed the laid-back 70s vibe - probably Harry's House my favourite
It was aight
That's not my taste in musik. But ok
nice mellow music. bland but acceptable. would wag a baby to sleep with this on but I would change the record before putting another one into my wife
Kinda over rated
Good! 3/5
This was a perfectly good album, but there are definitely Joni Mitchell projects out there that I think are better than this. Her iconic folk sound is really hard to go wrong with, but this is definitely one of the most inconsistent albums I have heard of hers.
A bit dated, hippy, spiritual type stuff. Alright though.
I quite enjoyed this, it wasn't as folksy as I was expecting. You can really feel the jazz influences.
At least this one was on Spotify, easy listening
Joni Mitchell has such an amazing voice, she could carry anything. And this CD starts really strong - the first song is fun, fast, and weird in a way that just works. And the rest of it is nice, but the energy level just really loses steam after the first two songs. And that's fine, it's a perfectly nice listen, and she can make whatever CD she wanted to make. But for my taste, this would've been another star or two up if every song had the pacing of "In France They Kiss on Main Street."
Pleasant. 3.5
It was fine.
Ok to start, Joni’s voice is something special, incredibly talented singing aside her sound is so uniquely hers it can be pretty overwhelming, mixed with the excellent story telling she does in her music is fantastic. 3.4
So this one didn't really reach out to me as much as I would have thought with how highly peolt speak of Mitchell's work. While it wasn't bad by any means, it just didn't feel like something that I'd return to in the future, but I am looking forward to more of her work to see where I sit with her. Harry's House was phenomenal though! 3/5
An interesting album. Somehow poppy and very experimental at the same time... Favorite tracks: "In France they kiss on Main Street", "The Jungle Line", "Harry's House/Centrepiece"
Sehr langweilig, dennoch gute Instrumentierung. 2-3
extremely 70s
Prima achtergrondmuziek :)
An intriguing record. I'm most interested in tracks like Don't Interrupt the Sorrow and The Jungle Line.
Not my cup of tea
Strong poetry, but the music just makes me think of my mum after her divorce.
Disenchanted lullabies
Some great songs, folkrock/jazz vibes. Overall not that exciting over a long period of time.
I like her voice but the overall music felt pretty dull
Great songwriter, beautiful music (mostly), but not my favorite album
I don't really get Joni Mitchell, I don't think. A lot of these sounded fine, but extremely aimless and unstructured. Made me bored. Couldn't settle into the right wavelength for it.
I am so biased when it comes to her. I blame "Love Actually".
I just don't get it. I've made a genuine effort throughout this project, but try as I might, Joni Mitchell songs just don't sound like songs to me. I like some jazz noodling but this isn't that, either. This is Jackson Pollock. Sometimes it all comes together into a sublime masterpiece but often you just get a confusing unstructured mess. Love the album title and the cover art.
Joni Mitchell has amazing albums, but this feels skippable in her discography. The best song in my opinion is the opening track and there are beautiful harmonies, but it doesn't match Blue in any way. 3 stars.
Didn't know this one, but enjoyed it.
Ain't my cup of tea, but interesting early use of samples and moog. She was innovating and unafraid to try new things. A true artist.
Can appreciate the vocal ability, but it's not really for me.
3.5/5. Pretty good. It's different, and I can appreciate that. I would not mind owning this.
She has an impressive voice and a truly interesting jazzy delivery.
Not my favourite kind of music, but this was decent with some suprises
The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the seventh studio album by Joni Mitchell, originally released in 1975. I'd say I'm fairly familiar with Joni Mitchell's work. Her early stuff more than her later stuff, but I still know a majority of her albums. That being said, I've never heard of this album before. I don't think I've ever seen it in a record store either. Anyway, this album is both a logical follow-up to Court and Spark as well as a predecessor to Hejira. Joni really leans into the jazz vibe on here, and it sometimes hovers dangerously close to smooth jazz. I did like some of the experimental electronic-based tracks. Her songwriting is on point, but these songs can meander at times. I guess there's a reason why this album is kinda forgotten. It's a weird semi-experimental bridge between Court and Spark and Hejira. Not bad overall, just not a standout when you compare it to giants such as Blue.
2.5
I liked it, would listen again. Certainly had a different vibe to it.
Pleasant. Not entirely sure it's groundbreaking enough to be included in this list, but at least it wasn't crap/annoying. Might listen to a few songs again but the rest were pretty backgrpoundish.
Joni goes jazz, this was really nice
The bizarre sampling & synth-ey elements kept my attention. Otherwise per usual I find it difficult to get into the jazz-folk fusion-ness.
It was nothing remarkable for me. From the name and the looks of the cover it kinda disappointed me? Like I was expecting something more folkloric
Jungle doesn't sound like the Joni Mitchell I expected. I didn't care for it.
this one just ok. i love her early stuff tho a lot
Hadn't heard most of these songs before, but they're lovely.
I am apparently not a Joni type of gal
Rating: 6/10
I respect her unmistakable sound buy why have multiple albums they all sound the same
Her best probably
I've listened to Joni before, Blue and Hejira mostly and this is very much like those albums. I'll have to listen more to find the subtleties between this and other albums from this era.
Joni Mitchell does a lot of interesting instrumentals on this album but none of the songs stood out to me at all. It was fantastically written and performed, but I don't think it was my style. 3.5 if I could.
Just alright to me. I liked the song The Jungle Line. Not much to say about this one.
Her voice is pretty nice but her music doesn't do much for me.
It's okay
I’ve listened to a quite a few Joni Mitchell albums, but not this one. I really enjoyed it. Very clearly still a Joni Mitchell album but with a nice mix of sounds. Mostly I think there are some artists with too many albums on this list, and I question if all the albums actually deserved it. But regardless of whether or not this album should be on this list, it is and I enjoyed it.
I’m not a fan of most folk music. I hear a lot of whining and longing in the music. So I was not looking forward to listening to this album. Once I started it up and heard her voice, I was immediately happy. She does not fit in with the rest of the music i regularly listen to, but I do enjoy her singing very much.
3/5. A folk jazz album. It can work in some songs but I think the lyrics are so sporadic that it gives off a vibe of slam poetry. I think I might be too slow to fully enjoy it. From what I could gather, the themes are empowering and thoughtful but I lose track very easily. The instrumentation is good, including a synth and alternating instruments per song is a great choice. On future listens, has potential to be a 5. Best song: Shades of Scarlet Conquering, Harry's House
I ♥️ Joni. One of my favorite singer-songwriters of an era chock full of 'em, but never heard this one before. She may be the ultimate "musician's musician" - her music can be polarizing, and from what I can tell the fans tend to be musicians. I'm not allowed to listen to her music when my wife is home. Not being familiar with it, I read a little about this album after listening to it fresh. What a strange time 1975 was that a record like this would reach the Top 40! Great album title and cover art. I didn't recognize a single song on here except maybe the first one. The songwriting gets uneven after the first few. However, the deep, rich tones throughout are aural catnip to my ears - begging to be heard loud on a 1970s tube stereo with gigantic speakers that make you feel like you're sitting on the bass player's amp. The hissing (and crackling) of Summer Lawns on vinyl FTW!
Well, I'm not a huge connoisseur or particular fan of Joni Mitchell, so my response isn't all that informed. OK album, I guess, but (at least based on what I read in Wikipedia) it seems like "Court and Spark" might have been a better choice for this period of Joni Mitchell's career? It's interesting that she was experimenting with Moog and ARP synthesizers, and it's conceptually intriguing that "The Jungle Line" features one of the first musical samples, but I found so many songs (and especially "The Jungle Line") kind of cringe-worthy, especially the more world-music oriented songs (in much the same way I find Paul Simon's world music approach kind of painful). I guess I empathize more with the early reviews of the album than the later ones that seem to feel it's both timeless and a masterpiece.
got off to a rough start, esp with the Jungle song but picked up with some nice jazz tones toward the end.
I feel like I would have gotten more out of this if I was reading the lyrics alongside listening
Not my cup of tea
I've always been a fan of Joni's blend of Jazzy, folky scat. It's very stylised but after a while I think it starts to blend together. Still, I'm glad she's back on Spotify.
Listened to this on Youtube because the album was not available on Spotify. It was not half bad! I do wish it were on Spotify but you win some and you lose some I guess.
Original. Hard to follow CCR with this.
This is a 3.5 Don't really know my review of it other than the album felt warm...do with that as you will
Avant-pop. Venga, un ni fu ni fa por la voz. Pero he estado por ponerle un 2.
Hello Youtube. I'm not a big fan of JM (its the voice....Blue does nothing for me) but I feel the jazzier ones fit her style better. (Though the jungle one is a bit grim)
The songs on this album really blend together, which I don't like, but it doesn't sound bad.
I love Joni Mitchell, but not this Joni Mitchell.
Kinda sad and not on Spotify
Pretty good folk music but a bit boring at times. Stand-out: Don't Interrupt the Sorrow
Unable to access in Spotify
OK but dull.
This is unique and new to me! I have heard the name, but I don’t think I’ve heard her stuff before.
Great opener, but Joni has better albums
2.5/5
Enjoyed this way more than expected - but I'm a Yacht Rocker, and some of the musicians on here are LA studio legends. It was all going so well until the final track, which is just painful synth nonsense
Wasn't able to listen to the entire album, because I had to listen to it on YouTube. I enjoyed the few songs I listened to and will give it a proper listen when I have time.
Depressing but solid.
A good album-definitely jazz/improvisational and experimental (for the time) which lends it to feel uneven, I think.
Some interesting moments production-wise, but I think the most important thing I realized is that one reason I've never really had much interest in Joni Mitchell is because her melodies are so damned boring.
Sure, she's using different instruments in a song, but she still uses the same singing style. She uses her whole voice when she sings, but that's not always fun to listen to.
i can see why people like this and if i gave it enough time i’d probably like it more but the smooth jazz vibe sets my teeth on edge and joni’s voice has always bugged me so no
Not a ton stands out for me but I'm still pulled in to Joni's music. Her vocals and lyrics just keep me involved in every song.
Wouldn’t describe myself as a Joni Mitchell fan but this album actually kinda rocks. It’s weird, in a good way.
You know what I thought it weirdly sounded jazzy and steely Dan esque and confirmed by researching steely Dan’s influences that Joni Mitchell was an influence. Unique artist at the intersection of folk Americana and jazz. This one was good I’ll be listening to here more
Joni's Joe Rogan vendetta continues
Liked it better than Court & Spark. 3.5
I’m not a particular fan of Joni Mitchell. This was gentle easy listening but didn’t wow me. 3*
Joni meni täysin uuteen suuntaan, tutkien jazzia, enkä ollut silloin valmis siihen. Se kuitenkin kasvoi minuun ajan myötä, ja muistan päässeeni useisiin kappaleisiin. Valitettavasti se jäi jotenkin hyllylle varmaan vuosikymmeniä, kun vedin häntä kohti aikaisemmin...ja myöhempiä albumeita. Tämä yllätys (minulle) koko albumin julkaiseminen YouTubessa herätti vain nautinnon tästä albumista. Se oli upea albumi! JONI ON MIEHEN NIMI... In France They Kiss On Main Street
Previously rated: Court and Spark (3/5) ************************ I thought the first two tracks were great. The first one reminded me of Schoolhouse Rock for some reason. Again, great voice. Got a bit boring near the end.
The cover is cool. There is jazzy-jazz inside. Synth base is fun
I'm 50/50 on this. I typically like Joni Mitchell, but I definitely liked the tracks that sounded more "classic Joni" than the experimental stuff. Worth a listen though.
This is my second Joni Mitchell album, this one was more interesting than the first. I still probably wouldn't choose to listen to it again, but I feel like I appreciate Mitchell's talent much more after this.
I don't know. It's fine. I guess. Just take the 3 already.
Very soothing, but also a bit boring in the end.
But mweh, but can't pinpoint ehy