The Milk-Eyed Mender Turns 20

We owe Joanna Newsom an apology. Though it’s hard to recall a time when she wasn’t adored by music critics or guarded by her cultish fanbase, the singer-songwriter was divisive when she broke onto the scene. With The Milk-Eyed Mender, her 2004 debut album, Newsom was on the receiving end of backhanded compliments at best and misogynistic critiques at worst. Robert Christgau declared she was “chronically whimsical” for singing in “a fey little voice.” Some journalists described her...

Read full article Share article