Young Man in America

This is a really evocative album, painting pictures of America of a certain time. In this case, she follows the coming-of-age of her father. She also touches on a very Americana feel in songs like "Shepherd" and "Dyin Day". And the way the album ends, with the harbor bells tolling at the end of "Ships", brings about a perfect unresolved resolution to a storybook epic. We really are just children wandering in the wilderland.

This is my third Anaïs Mitchell album, and I’m still not feeling it. Hadestown was a clear standout. It had that theatrical punch and a strong concept that made it memorable. But the rest of her work, including this one, just doesn’t land for me.

I can tell the songwriting comes from a genuine place, and I respect that. But her voice, kinda like Joanna Newsom’s, just gets under my skin. They have those voices that are unique, and will either make or break the album. Add in folk instrumentation that feels a little too safe and familiar, and I end up drifting in and out. When I snap back to attention, it’s usually because something irked my ears. You Are Forgiven is a nice tune, out of all.

It’s not bad music by any means, it’s just not something I enjoy.