VENUS

I grew up listening to Joy Williams as a Christian artist. Surrender in particular was a favorite song of mine. When I listened to The Civil Wars years later I loved everything about their sound and her voice especially but I didn't realize she was the same Joy Williams I listened to as a kid. That was a cool surprise. The last Civil Wars album was just incredible in its quality. You could hear them falling apart and as sad as it was, it was also a beautiful piece of art.When they broke up my first thought was that I hoped Joy would make a solo album. I was thrilled when she announced she was going too. I waited anxiously for this album and she does not disappoint. The songs are raw and emotional. Her voice makes all of them above average because she has some serious talent.I love the way this album grows on you. It has so many layers. It's interesting and beautiful. "What a good woman does" is one of the most gorgeous songs I have heard in awhile. It's the stand out track on the album for me but as a whole I enjoy the album in its entirety.There is more where this came from I'm sure of it. She just gets better and better.

I was heartbroken when The Civil Wars broke up. While I still regret we'll be forever deprived of that particular magic, Joy Williams' new solo album, Venus, is definitely a keeper. Outstanding tracks include the haunting, "Until the Levee," the achingly confessional "What a Good Woman Does," and the defiant "Woman." The use of electronic beats under Appalachian-influenced tunes is an interesting idea, even if it doesn't quite gel sometimes, like in "Sweet Love of Mine." I'll keep this album in heavy rotation in my music library.

I was expecting the beautiful sounds of her Front Porch CD. This is more electronic and pop with a few more acoustic. Maybe she's experimenting. I hope she stays with her beautiful acoustic sound.

After the breakup of the Civil Wars, I was devastated! I was thrilled when Joy was set to deliver her first solo album after the break-up. Overall, the CD provides a variety of musical selections, some similar to that of the Civil Wars. Joy's voice is versatile, embracing the range of musical selections she performs. Some of the songs were a bit unexpected...faster tempo. My personal favorites are the soulful, slow songs where Joy's beautiful voice is truly captured. Overall, a good CD, especially if you want to continue to support one of your favorite artists.

I bought this CD for 1 song - 'Welcome Home' - and I love it! The song stirs up emotions and causes my imagination to flare towards, is that how I will be greeted when I arrive in Heaven? I hope so.Songs of love and hope are what you are getting. I am sure there is something here for everyone.

I like this album. I copied all the songs to a randomized playlist and, so far, I only feel compelled to skip a few of the songs and a there are at least 4 songs that are really catchy. I don't pay any attention to lyrics in general (for people who do it may enhance or diminish the listening experience). I love acoustic instruments but I also love "computer" sounds which apparently people don't like about this album.

I don't usually write Amazon reviews, but as a writer, a musician, a songwriter, and a fan of Joy Williams, this one has been dying to get out. I was reading the interviews and watching the marketing in preparation for Joy's new album, and even being stingy, I couldn't help but cave in to buying the new album. Maybe part of it is I relate. Isn't that what good songwriting is, making something that someone can deeply relate to? I relate to Joy because her career was born in the Christian music scene. I also grew up listening to Christian music, and although I didn't grow out of my faith, I did grow past the fact that a believer had to be confined to listening and writing Christian music. When I met Joy in person that was the first question I had to ask her is how she went from writing and singing Christian music to writing secular music. And it wasn't just any secular music. There was an obvious chemistry between her and John Paul White in the Civil Wars, and then there was the small detail that they were both married...to other people. When they sang, it was literally like they were making love. I thought, wow, I would love to be in a similar duo, but I know I personally would have a problem with being that close to another women's husband. And you read between the lines that maybe it wasn't okay. Ah, it was dynamic, it was profitable, but yes, maybe it wasn't okay in the end. For both their marriages and probably a host of other reasons we may never know, it had to come to an end. I love that she bares her soul in this album. And like me, a woman in her 30's, there are a lot of endings and beginnings in her life. The obvious death of the Civil Wars, her dad dying, her marriage almost crumbling, the birth of her child, the rebirth of her marriage, leaving Nashville, moving back to California, and the rebirth of her as a solo artist. This all comes across in the album. In fact, it almost seems like a metamorphosis from death and grief to an embracing and peace with the new life.What I also love about the album is some of the creative beats underpinning the album. What I can't stand are what I call "box beats". Those dorky beats that come pre-packaged and unimaginatively inhabit much of pop music today. The percussion on this album is fresh and moving. I loved some of her simple piano supported songs right before she became famous with the Civil Wars. She hearkens back to that time with some of the clear piano framework. Breathtaking piano licks. Her voice and her melodies are gorgeous on this album. Lilting along. I almost feel like I am listening to Enya or an Irish folk song in parts.I have to say though that some of the more angst filled songs, I ADORE (Before I Sleep, One Day I Will, What a Good Woman Does, Until the Levee). And some of the more calm songs seem rather boring, and I could really do without. I'm not saying I don't appreciate them, or that they won't move other people, or that they won't grow on me. However, some of those angst filled songs, I can belt at the top of my lungs, ready to burst in tears. Ah, they speak to me and move me.I still feel a little sad to see Joy alone on stage. There is something missing without John Paul White. (Maybe try a female duo this time. Hey, I can do a MEAN harmony for you Joy). But I am glad she has moved on...that she has found her voice...rediscovered her husband...and found a sort of happiness. Thanks Joy for giving of yourself to the world...in your music...for taking the risk to truly bare your soul.

Beautiful songs that tell stories of her journeys. I love how each song is different from the next. I recommend this album for anyone who appreciates getting lost in the lyrics and enjoys the sound of a beautiful natural voice. She speaks from her soul which is a refreshing change from what is popular in today's music.