The three hundred and ninth album: #309 Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
Court and Spark is a simple folk pop album, an easy listening album with some meaning behind the lyrics. Joni Mitchell's lyrics are quite meaningful - not quite central to the song, but with enough of a focus to listen to, while the music is full in a good accompaniment to her voice, perfectly balanced so it doesn't drown her out but gives her a good backing. There's a vulnerability in there at times, combined with more power and certainty depending on what the song allows. While it doesn't stray too far from the basic folk formula, it's enough variation to make the songs feel distinct enough.