I remember when I first heard Joanna Newsom I just thought, “What the fuck? Is she Norwegian or something?” I hated her voice. Her harp playing, though, drew me in. Before I knew it I could actually stand her voice. Then a little time went by and I liked her voice. A couple albums later and I can’t imagine her music with any other voice. I love her voice. Me and my friends have had some pretty intense arguments over Joanna Newsom. She is one of those artists that you love her or hate her. Nobody is on the fence when it comes to her. I admit, she is an acquired taste. Her voice is so unexpected and unorthodox. It’s not what popular culture dictates as a “good voice” (Just think if Joanna Newsom had tried to go on Idol or the X Factor…). But her music really is not about her voice. It’s really about the song as a whole; the story and imagery. And that puts her in a different category altogether. It’s not “indie”, or “folk”, or even “classical”… it’s art.