Ys (album)
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| Ys | ||
| Image:Ys cover.jpg | ||
| Studio album by Joanna Newsom | ||
| Released | November 6, 2006 (UK) November 14, 2006 (U.S.) | |
| Recorded | December 2005, L.A. May-June 2006, L.A. (orchestra) | |
| Genre | Folk | |
| Length | 55:38 | |
| Label | Drag City | |
| Producer(s) | Joanna Newsom Van Dyke Parks | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Joanna Newsom chronology | ||
| The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004) | Ys (2006) |
|
Ys (IPA pronunciation: [i:s]) is the second album by Joanna Newsom. It is the follow up to The Milk-Eyed Mender and was released by Drag City on November 14, 2006 (see 2006 in music).
The album features a full orchestra on four out of five tracks, with arrangements by Van Dyke Parks, who also plays the accordion. Newsom's harp and vocals were recorded by Steve Albini and the orchestra was recorded by Tim Boyle. Newsom and Parks produced the album and it was mixed by Jim O'Rourke. The recording process was completely analog, the music mixed to tape and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. [1]
Bass guitar is contributed by Lee Sklar, and electric guitar by jazz guitarist Grant Geissman. Don Heffington played percussion and Matt Cartsonis played mandolin and banjo. Bill Callahan of Smog provides backing vocals on the song "Only Skin."
The album leaked onto the internet over two months in advance of its release when it was left unprotected on servers belonging to music criticism website Pitchfork Media.[2]
Since its release on November 14, Ys has recieved widespread critical acclaim, earning a score of 9.4 out of 10 from Pitchfork Media. It currently has a score of 90 out of 100 and is 4th highest scoring album of 2006 on Metacritic.
[edit] Track listing
- "Emily" – 12:07
- "Monkey & Bear" – 9:29
- "Sawdust & Diamonds" – 9:54
- "Only Skin" – 16:53
- "Cosmia" – 7:15
