Clouds

The sophomore Joni Mitchell album and the first and only Joni album I have heard so far, this was a great introduction, a very simple singer song writer album which whilst not utilising a lot of different genres, it does do folk in a very effective way,
The track-list for the album is incredibly consistent, every song is pretty great and never handing any low points. The first half of the album stars lots with the song Tin Angel I think really displays Joni Mitchell’s vocal talents, display her deeply intriguing voice with a simple but effective acoustic guitar used in the background.Chelsea Morning may be my least favourite on the album, it’s nice and catchy but it almost sounds like a prototype for Big Yellow Taxi which is a song I prefer.The next two tracks are more downtempo and sadder but still very emotionally moving and very enjoyable. Roses Blue may be one of my favourite songs on the album, Joni’s voice on this song has an eerie quality to it which matches the lyrics about Mysticism. The guitar in the background is very nice too.
The second half of the track list kicks off with the Gallery which is another really strong song on the album with a great vocal performance. I Think I Understand and Songs To Aging Children Come are both great songs whilst being quite different, the first being a bit more slow whilst the second one feels like the closest to art pop this albums gets, both are great. The Fiddle and The Drum feels like another slightly weak song on the album being a bit too basic and sparse to make much of an impact in the memory. Both Sides Now is a great closure however for a great album.
The production of this album has aged really well, a lot of these songs sound pretty crisp and clear, especially songs like the closure. I think the variation of this album is pretty strictly folk, whilst leaning into art pop sometimes but for what it lacks in variation it makes up for in execution, this album I don’t think ever truly blows me away way but most of the songs are pretty great and the weakest songs are still enjoyable
The lyrics on this album can be pretty good and intriguing at times. Songs like Roses Blue, The Gallery and Both Sides Now I think show off Joni’s talents as a lyricist
The weak spots on the album I think are the previously mentioned couple of tracks and also the lack of variation.
Overall I really enjoyed this album and would highly recommend
Fav tracks Tin Angel, Roses Blue, The Gallery, I Think I Understand, Songs to Aging Children Come, Both Sides Now