Sufjan Stevens - none more marvellous

[Charlie Jefferson]

After a few years break from song based music he's back with a flurry of releases. The first is the download only, All Delighted People EP, and I think it's stunning. Sounds great as a hi-fi listen too. The download is available in lots of high quality formats. (ALAC for me). Is there anyone in "pop" music today doing anything quite as exciting and experimental, yet as accessible as him? It's great to have him back, and there's a full length album in a month's time too.

 

[John Duncan]

That Snow Patrol song always used to throw me - hadn't heard of Sufjan Stevens so had no idea what he was on about. And when he sings "Chicago bursts to life" I thought he meant something like 'Hard to Say I'm Sorry'...

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

JohnDuncan:That Snow Patrol song always used to throw me - hadn't heard of Sufjan Stevens so had no idea what he was on about. And when he sings "Chicago bursts to life" I thought he meant something like 'Hard to Say I'm Sorry'...

I haven't heard of Snow Patrol (!), so I googled that song you referred to. Well done, Mr Lightbody for an inter-indie shout out!

(Currently basking in the epiphanic, hymnal beauty of Sufjan's Heirloom).

 

[John Duncan]

Charlie Jefferson:I haven't heard of Snow Patrol (!)

Dundee band. A curse on all your houses if anyone claims they're Irish...

 

[Anonymous]

Hi all

I was very excited about this - I'm a big fan.

But then I read this:

"The album relinquishes the songwriter's former story-telling techniques
for more primal proclamations unhindered by concepts: there are few
narrative conceits or character sketches; there are no historical
panoramas, no civic gestures, no literary maneuvers, no expository
illustrations drenched in cultural theory, no scene, setting, conflict,
resolution, or denouement."

And that was basically all the stuff I liked about him!

Sobbing

Shaun

 

[John Duncan]

Shaun Marin:that was basically all the stuff I liked about him

The pretentious b******* you mean?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, and the bits with banjos.

 

[John Duncan]

You and your banjos, Shaun...

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Shaun Marin:
Hi all

I was very excited about this - I'm a big fan.

But then I read this:

"The album relinquishes the songwriter's former story-telling techniques
for more primal proclamations unhindered by concepts: there are few
narrative conceits or character sketches; there are no historical
panoramas, no civic gestures, no literary maneuvers, no expository
illustrations drenched in cultural theory, no scene, setting, conflict,
resolution, or denouement."

And that was basically all the stuff I liked about him!

Sobbing

Shaun

Yeah, but just listen to the music.

Actually, I seem to recall that pseud's corner entry was about the new album not the EP. Which as you will see is old-style album length anyway.

The EP's got lots of banjoes still. This time there's a choir and modernist strings too.

Songs about Paul Simon's The Sound Of Silence, the value of existence, and his sister. What's not to like?

 

[John Duncan]

Charlie Jefferson:Songs about Paul Simon's The Sound Of Silence, the value of existence, and his sister. What's not to like?

I prefer For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm there with the EP - downloading now.

And available as FLAC and ALAC. Which is nice.

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Shaun Marin:
I'm there with the EP - downloading now.

And available as FLAC and ALAC. Which is nice.

Hi Shaun,

Let us know what you think when you've had time to savour.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

JohnDuncan:You and your banjos, Shaun...

Don't. He will go off and scream like a pig!