ANAIS MITCHELL: Hymns for the Exiled

Anais Mitchell

Hymns for the Exiled

© 2004 Anais Mitchell (753114005828)

CD coming back in stock soon.

If you want us to email you the minute this CD arrives, enter your name and email address here. We will not give or sell your info to anyone, and will not use it for any other reason than to tell you when it arrives.

Spirited, literary, political, quirky and sensual by turns.

try this

albums you will love

genres you will love

galleries you will love

By Location

Recommended if you like ...

notes

" Not since Bob Dylan's early years has a 23 year old songwriter had such power and meaning. "Hymns For the Exiled" comes to us from both sides of a story, here and there, inside and out. With literary aplomb, she gives us footnotes in the artwork, so that we can do our reading and catch up with her. Political and poetic, personal and universal, Anaïs Mitchell's work is my latest obsession. Look for her influence on my future projects." -Jonathan Byrd
" Folk music is in good hands." - Susan Werner

In times of great evil, wearing away under the weight of lies, we need our poets, shamans and truth-speakers most. We need questions raised and idols smashed by ordinary people with extraordinary courage. We need Anaïs Mitchell.
It is rare thing when a songwriter can deliver a powerful political message without compromise to the songs' poetic value. Mitchell's fusion of American roots music with high literary sensibility and broad cultural/political understanding is something new. An enormous presence on the stage, with a mix of girlishness and fierce intellect, Anaïs is utterly disarming. The raw, sweet timbre of her voice and serene picking style draw you in, and her dazzling lyrics keep you there. On "Hymns for the Exiled" she writes from the perspective of an Arabian woman; an American child caught between terrifying reality and anti-terrorist rhetoric; of the cynical political use of the survivors of the Quecreek Flood; of the death of an Austin drummer, and her grandmother's dress.
Raised by a novelist and a community organizer in rural New England, Anaïs grew up listening to Dylan and the Dead, Cohen, Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, Ani, Dar Williams and Tori Amos. At 18, she moved to Boston, where she did time at open mikes and the Park St. T station. At twenty, she moved to Austin, where she released her debut album, "The Song They Sang When Rome Fell." The Kerrville Folk Festival honored her work with the prestigious New Folk award in 2003. She recently graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont, with a degree in political science. Anaïs is passionate about the music of her native land, from old-school country to dustbowl labor ballads to rebel rock. Anaïs has spent extensive time in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, studying languages (Spanish, German, and Arabic) and international politics, bringing a worldly depth to her writing - which she presents to her audience with a graceful presence of spirit. When asked of her goals, she says, "I want a career as a folksinger." You got it, Anaïs.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Great album from beginning to end
    author: LB

    I'd seen her name around for a while but didn't really pay attention until recently when I heard a couple of her live songs on youtube. She happened to be playing that night close by so I went to see her. Really moving. I bought both of her CDs. I was really surprised how small the audience was. Go see her. You won't regret it.

  • Bringing Home and The world into the Same Places
    author: Jean Marie Pearce

    The rainy season has come to Portland Or, and Anais is warming my bones. She says so much for me. Politically and emotionally this music has got to stir anyone who takes a moment with it. I have seen Anais at least three times back home in Vermont and now I have been immersing myself in this album and her latest ( The Brightness) out here. We need are thirsty for someone to articulate where are world is and Anais does it for me.

  • she make me cry !
    author: robert arnaud

    i just love her ...terrific voice ...all the sorrow of humanity ...and more, her words touch my soul!

  • Saw her on TV and was stricken
    author: Gary Smith

    Bought the CD immediately after seeing her perform on community access TV. A clear voice singing songs about humanity and justice. She's not Joni, but draws water from the same well.

  • perfectly relaxing
    author: jen

    I love this Cd. To me the perfect music sounds like a girl playing her guitar and singing from her soul. Though I feel some songs kinda sound like repeats. As in there isn't much variation in the sounds/composure of the songs, I still really enjoyed the CD a lot. I'm in awe a bit of her lyrics, they strike a cord in me somewhere, knowing someone else besides Ani Difranco realizes the politics of america need some tending to.

  • simple beauty
    author: neomme

    This really is what pop music is about : simple songs, words, melodies, voice. If you've forgotten what all this artist business is about, listen to this. It just simply puts everything back into its place. It's like thinking that a sunny morning is beautiful : it's simple, childish, maybe ridiculous. But it really does brings you back to life as it is. Simple beauty.

  • Anais Lee Jones Mitchell II
    author: Jack Griffith

    Sounds like Joni Mitchell singing a Rickie Lee Jones version of songs Bob Dylan wishes he had written. I'm blown away. I seriously wish I had driven 4 hours to Atlanta to hear this live on Sunday. It's not for everybody, but then not everybody knows how to listen. I'm empowered, amazed and humbled in the presence of this CD. I'm thinking of building a pedestal. This should be required listening for the new crop of congressmen. And everybody else. It's like Anna Puccinelli with poetry. I got the last one CD Baby, make more!

  • Anais says what you wish you would
    author: Anna B.

    I was privilaged enough to grow up with Anais. This cd is ALL Anais. Her words got under my skin, made me want to cry and sing THREE CHEERS for the girl who had the guts to say it all. She is talanted and amazing at that. Hymns for the Exiled is an honest and personal view, I feel it in my bones while her cd spins in my player. Anais stands tall amidst a nation at war with itself. xoxo

  • Simply wonderful
    author: Cayce

    The very first song I ever heard by Anais was Orion. It caught my attention immediately and gave me chills. I played it over and over. This CD is full of so much talent and thoughtfulness. I listen to it when I lay down to nap, take a bubble bath... anytime I want to be swept away with the depth of her lyrics and melodic simplicity. I've always loved songs that tell a story and this whole album is just that. I'm so glad I heard about this CD!

  • Vulnerable as an anvil, tough as a bird's feather
    author: Julia Rohan

    The voice of a child with an old soul, this girl's every note and nuance rings true. Melodically rich and lyrically challenging, I was an instant convert. As a singer-songwriter myself, sometimes I wonder if I let my ego get in the way of truly getting into other people's music. But then someone like Anais Mitchell comes along and I realize, no, when it's really brilliant, I only feel a deep and humble joy.

  • Well worth the wait... maybe the best album EVER.
    author: Michelle Bernier

    I've loved Anais's music for a long time (I got a copy of a copy of a cd -- must have been bootlegged or something -- through a friend whose sister saw Anais do a show at Middlebury... or something... I don't actually know the whole story, but that's always added to her mystery for me!). Recently I finally got around to buying Hymns for the Exiled... talk about worth the wait! Play this CD alone in a room, one time, straight through, and you'll feel like you just met someone brilliant, interesting, and beautiful. Her voice is like no one else's out there, and her lyrics are so driving and intricate that you might find yourself responding out loud. She has something, some kind of spark, that's missing from most music I've ever heard, but I didn't know it until I heard her sing. The music world owes Anais Mitchell.

  • Still in the CD Player.
    author: Audrey

    This CD is my current favorite. I don't think there is a bad song on it. I usually can find one or two songs on an album that I don't like, but I like all the tracks on this one. My favorites right now are "I wear your dress," "A Hymn for the Exiled," and "Mockingbird." As an aspiring singer/songwriter, I am humbled by the songwriting, vocal, and guitar playing skills demonstrated on this album. I would recommend it to every intelligent person I know... and I think they would all appreciate it.

  • Deserves a place in essential disks collection.
    author: g smith

    Anais Mitchell is the real deal, with a distinctive sound and assured delivery. Alas, at just under 40 minutes, the experience ended all too soon! Favorite tracks are A Hymn for the Exiled, and 1984, but all are well worth multiple listenings.

  • Delicate Voice Delivers Immensely Powerful Message
    author: Andy K.

    I am not sure that I have ever encountered a singer whose voice was so beautiful and delicate that delivered such powerful and evocative messages. Chief among them on HYMNS FOR THE EXILED are Two Kids and Orion, in my opinion. Two Kids is particularly touching with what is going on in Lebanon. This is NOT a CD which possesses only a few keepers though as the entire package is rich and beautifully crafted. Buy it. You will not be sorry, I can assure you.

  • Get Fast Delivery ! Love the CD !
    author: Beth Berry

    CD is Great ! Great Delivery Fast ! !

  • This is a fantastic cd! Bought second copy as gift for my daughter in law.
    author: Kendall Inez

    There is not a bad cut on this cd. Anais is eloquent.

  • Lovely, literate album
    author: Jess

    Anais has a beautiful voice and the songs have interesting and thoughtful lyrics.

  • Breathtaking, heartbreaking and fresh
    author: Carsie Blanton

    Hymns for the Exiled is one of my favorites of the year. It's hauntingly honest, and the political references are delicate and heartbreaking, rather than bludgeoning and mindnumbing. Just the right amount of tongue in the cheek, allowing the listener to be completely won over, all the while questioning whether it is more appropriate to laugh or cry.

  • literate, gentle, strong and smart - folk for the here and now
    author: "betty"

    This is such an amazing cd...i am so impressed with the writing and the literary references...lyrically literate and emotively resonant! Anais's voice calls to mind an early patti griffin; mix that with the political mindedness of ani difranco, and the artistic hues of suzanne vega...this will give you an idea of why anais rises in a sea of girls with guitars!

  • Yes, contemporary themes with strong instrumentation and a great voice.
    author: Steve Hewitt

    From themes of survelance to the strife in the world politics - here is a sweet, sweet voice coming out of the wilderness. Thannk goodness not overproduced - just right.

  • Wonderful, beautiful, smart and funny!
    author: Kate

    I saw her open for Dar Williams and LOVEd her; this CD is really wonderful. I especially love 1984.

  • Fantastic writer, singer and guitar player!
    author: Matt Meighan

    This is a fabulous CD. Anais is one of the very best song writers I can think of, of any age or gender: intelligent, poetic, literary, topical and thought-provoking. Outstanding guitar playing and vocal talent too. Beautiful CD!

  • beautiful, one of the best cd purchases this year
    author: lahra tillman

    absolutely stunning. The lyrics create vivid images of time and place. I eagerly await to hear more from Ms Mitchell in the future

  • ALL THAT I CAN SAY IS FANTASTIC
    author: Alex Mcintosh

    An excellent offering from one of the bright new stars of folk music. Hopefully we will see her touring in the u.k soon. Buy the album Phil would

  • Fantastic voice: outstanding lyrics
    author: C. Aaron McNeece

    Anais Mitchell has a fantastic voice and writes outstanding lyrics. You don't no whether to listen to the words or just "feel" the music. And at her age, she's a long way from hitting her peak...

  • beautiful voice
    author: sean marrone`

    i cant keep this out of my cd player. She has a beautiful voice...and the guitars fit the mood perfectly. Shes great.

  • fantastic one of the best things ive heard all year
    author: kevin sheffield uk

    up there in my top 3 cds this year fantastic album ,i wear your dress the standout track,cant wait to see here in the uk

  • Fantastic album. Anais is an amazing songwriter.
    author: Jessica

    I was lucky enough to hear Anais at a little coffee shop in Bellingham. I bought one of each album she had with her that day. Her music is at once chilling, sweet and full of wit and insight. You will know exactly what I mean the moment you hear it. Enjoy...

  • author: Peter

    Absolutely fantastic cd. You have a tremendous talent. A female singer/songwriter who writes thought provoking lyrics and wraps them in wonderful melodies. In a sea of dross this shines like a beacon! Please come to England and play them for us

email

Please log in to email this artist.