Title: Stumbling between art and artifice
Review: In Joni's early work, I was amazed at her ability to cloak wonderful, accessible messages and a dreamy, passionate world within her songs and the lyrics, and was yet fun-loving. She was a wonder, from Clouds, Song to a Seagull through For the Roses and Blue....some good bits on Hissing, Court and Spark, and Hejira. I try not to be closed-minded about artistic evolution (all my favorite artists do it); but here is little discernible effort at the craft of songwriting as I understand it. No rhythm, no melody, mainly just sadness and a sense of hystrionics. When I bought this decades ago, I feared Los Angeles had finally destroyed her. I have heard a few tracks of her work since this album, and it seems true.Now, for all the people that give this such great reviews, I wonder if they really find it likable enough to play often and return to. If so, that's great. My ears can't imagine it.
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