“Have One on Me” is Joanna Newsom’s magnum opus. The idea of a triple album made up of 18 songs sounds daunting, but Newsom tackles the length masterfully with perfect pacing between the records and literary lyrics with a focus on storytelling.

As a classically trained harpist with a quirky voice, Newsom has always sounded unlike anything else. Her first album, “The Milk-Eyed Mender,” attracted some listeners but alienated others. Her second album “Ys” contained five tracks, ranging from eight to 17 minutes each, leaving many listeners unable to appreciate Newsom’s lyrics.

Each record is cohesive and can be enjoyed separately. To the casual listener, it makes the album more accessible. The songs are still longer than normal, averaging around six minutes, but they rarely drag. Only near the middle of the third disk is the pacing slow.

Newsom’s voice is less squeaky on this album than on previous releases, but it is as powerful as ever. The lyrics often focus on love or lost love. Newsom’s storytelling skills are in full force, especially on the final track, “Does Not Suffice (in California Refrain).”

In the past, Newsom has primarily played the harp, but her use of piano on this release is an exciting change. The  addition of orchestration keeps the tracks varied without sounding too complex.  “Good Intentions Paving Co.” is an early favorite on the album, using percussion, banjo and piano to paint a picture of carefree road travel.

“Have One on Me” combines the best parts of Newsom’s earlier releases to craft an excellent collection of songs. Though long, the pacing is perfect, making it easy to break the album into chunks. The complex lyrics still take a few listens to appreciate. Anyone who is willing to put in the time, however, will find a complex and emotional record.