Yael wrote: << I would agree though, that her most recent effort To Venus and Back, which isn't fueled by tragedy, doesn't seem like it is fueled by anything much. Rumors are starting that she may be releasing a new album this fall - but they are only rumors now - who knows? She just had a baby last year so it would be a "happy" album, I imagine. >> I listened to To Venus & Back just a couple of days ago, and I found it a staggering work - dark, twisted, dense, almost impenetrable. I agree it's difficult to form much of a view as to what it's "about" - it certainly isn't my idea of a happy album, though. Whoever suggested Cole Porter as an example of a great "happy" songwriter (I know that's not the expression you used), I'm not so sure - to me there's a hint of heartache even in some of his seemingly upbeat songs - a lot of unrequited love, I imagine, and the additional heartache of being gay and not being able to be open about it. Azeem in London
