I have a lot of respect for Joni Mitchell. Her lyricism, the craft of her songwriting, her beautiful and unique voice. The problem is I just don't much enjoy listening to her records. Cout & Spark and Blue are generally enjoyable even Ladies of the Canyon has pop stylings that I enjoy. The only song on Hissing of Summer Lawns that I am familiar with is In France They Kiss On Main Street, and its good but it starts her turn to more jazzy song structures and away from tradional pop song structures. Is it a bad thing.? No Not at all, it just makes the songs less accessible. IThey require more effort to allow them to get into my soul. The lyrics are obviously well crafted and intricate and poetic, but the arrangements keep me at arms length - The Jungle Line is a perfect example. So of course I respect this album and if I allowed it to dig deeper into my concsiousness I might even grow to love it. But that would require many listens and frankly I don't see that happening. 3.5 stars