The Hissing Of Summer Lawns - JONI MITCHELL***

In France They Kiss On Main Street/The Jungle Line/Edith & The Kingpin/Don't Interrupt The Sorrow/Shades Of Scarlett Conquering/The Hissing Of Summer Lawns/The Boho Dance/Harry's House-Centrepiece/Sweet Bird/Shadows & Light

With The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Joni Mitchell moves away from her folk roots to incorporate into her songs an increasing jazz influence. Her innocent outlook has been replaced with a more inaccessible sound. (US:4 UK:14)

“Her lyrics are particularly perceptive here, and she delivers them in that conversational style she was beginning to gravitate towards. The great thing about this album is that it keeps surprising you even after a number of listens. Every nuance you discover earns the record a deeper level of respect.”

“Throughout the decade of the 70s, Joni Mitchell could simply do no wrong in a recording studio. Hissing Of Summer Lawns could very well be the best of the bunch. The music is simply beautiful, and the lyrics are brutally honest in their portrayal of the futility of pursuing the material over the tangible, the image over substance. This album shattered the Yuppie dream before the Yuppie dream existed. If more people had listened, the 80s may have turned out differently.”

“Joni takes aim at suburban alienation in this rather lyrically pointed release, which also features some pretty wacky experimentation. The first impression is that her music has gone a bit cold - the trademark ringing open chords are gone, replaced by off-kilter jazz influenced arrangements that sometimes lurch jarringly into experimental sections.”

“One of the most daring music experiments of her career, and for the most part it pays off. Here we see a substantial shift in her work, from self-reflection to observational, symbolic social commentary.”

“This album continues Mitchell's transformation from a simpler, sparser songwriter into a much more urban-style lyricist and musical arranger. There is a more uptown jazz style creeping in than ever before - but there's plenty of variety along the way. The lyrics are nice, but the melodies aren’t particularly memorable.”

“It may not be as accessible as Ladies Of The Canyon, but this album stands out for its spirit of innovation. It truly sounds like nothing else that pop music produced in the 70s. Overall this is more rocking that her earlier, more folk-oriented releases, but it also pushes the envelope into jazz and world music.”