Topic: Sufjan Stevens (Read 18461 times)

blanktom · « **on:** 26 Sep 2005, 16:42 »

Ok I'm not on here much, but I've been hearing you guys bang on about this Sufjan Stevens guy for ages now and so finally, tonight I decided to see what all the fuss is about. I got Jacksonville a while ago and although I liked it, it wasnt THE greatest thing I'd ever heard. But tonight I got a few more tracks out of interest and wow!...this guy is awesome. I've had to download Illiois to see me through, but when I get some money I'm gonna go get the real thing. Is Michigan as good as this? I'll probably buy it anyway, because I'm gonna want all 50 states (if he's being serious).
I just thought Id share my new found love for Sufjan Stevens!
Peace out...

1patheticloser · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 16:54 »

I second this sentiment. I had heard a few songs on college radio, but being Album 88 (out of Georgia State University), catching it is quite hard, as they usually play six or seven song blocks, and go in reverse order of who was just played. So I'd heard the name, I recognized the songs when I got around to hearing all of Illinois, and am very pleased with it.

Dalkaen · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:06 »

Illinois is certainly a valid album, but I haven't yet heard anything else from him. I haven't been sure what to go for next, and more importantly, I haven't been able to find much of anything.

Gryff · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:11 »

valid? surely you can conjure up a more descriptive word than that?

"I FIND YOUR MUSIC TO BE NOT INVALID!"

"OREO COOKIES ARE CERTAINLY A MOST VALID FOODSTUFF!"

"THAT WAS THE MOST VALID SEX EVER!"

valid valid valid valid valid valid valid valid. Vaild doesn't even seem like a word now…

Dalkaen · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:16 »

Quote from: Gryff

valid? surely you can conjure up a more descriptive word than that?

"I FIND YOUR MUSIC TO BE NOT INVALID!"

"OREO COOKIES ARE CERTAINLY A MOST VALID FOODSTUFF!"

"THAT WAS THE MOST VALID SEX EVER!"

valid valid valid valid valid valid valid valid. Vaild doesn't even seem like a word now…

Your cleverness knows no bounds, sir. I use valid in a way that means "clearly awesome." Thus, Sufjan Stevens' Illinois is an album of utmost validity.

Gryff · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:20 »

an interesting appropriation. Your lexicon is intriguing…

Also, 'Illinois' is clearly awesome.

blanktom · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:23 »

wow, thanks for your agreement,
I half expected you to be of the minority that say 'oooh Sufjan Stevens is getting famous now, lets not like him anymore'

Valrus · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:38 »

Quote from: Dalkaen

Quote from: Gryff
"THAT WAS THE MOST VALID SEX EVER!"

Your cleverness knows no bounds, sir. I use valid in a way that means "clearly awesome."

That's all right, but you'd better make sure that your definition has been very firmly established in the mind of your partner before you use the above phrase.

Dalkaen · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 17:44 »

Quote from: Valrus

That's all right, but you'd better make sure that your definition has been very firmly established in the mind of your partner before you use the above phrase.

These are wise words.

Jarne · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 18:02 »

Yes indeed Sufjan Stevens is awesome. I haven't gotten around to getting anything besides Illinois, but I shall once I get the money.
"They Are The Night Zombies!!..." is just a great song, but that might be the teenage boy in me speaking.
Just as a side note: Am in the majority when I think that Sufjan is pretty damn good looking?

Dara · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 19:10 »

Sufjan Stevens is bombdiggity. I think most of my favorite songs of his are on Illinois, though Seven Swans is really amazing too. I listen to "Vito's Ordination Song" from Michigan more than any of his others though.

sjbrot · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 19:10 »

Quote from: Gryff

"I FIND YOUR MUSIC TO BE NOT INVALID!"

I'm telling that to every musician I meet for the rest of my life.

Dalkaen · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 19:16 »

It is my contention that your music has not slipped into the realm of invalidity.

Merkava · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 19:16 »

Quote from: Jarne

Yes indeed Sufjan Stevens is awesome. I haven't gotten around to getting anything besides Illinois, but I shall once I get the money.
"They Are The Night Zombies!!..." is just a great song, but that might be the teenage boy in me speaking.
Just as a side note: Am in the majority when I think that Sufjan is pretty damn good looking?

If I swang that way...*rawwr*

sjbrot · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 19:25 »

There's a promotional picture of Sufjan dressed as a cheerleader.

Hot damn.

Dara · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 19:32 »

in his live show he and his band are all dressed in cheer outfits and they do cheers about Illinois between songs

Jarne · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 20:09 »

Quote from: Dara

in his live show he and his band are all dressed in cheer outfits and they do cheers about Illinois between songs

*sob*
WHY did the show have to be sold out!? WHY!?
Perhaps he'll be dressed up in some sort of skirt for... umm... hawaii?

Ok... back on topic: To all those who have gotten his other albums, which should I get after Illinois?

Dara · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Sep 2005, 20:44 »

if you want something in the vein of Illinois, get Michigan. it's a sure bet.

if you want something more subdued but arguably more stark and powerfully-written, i'd get Seven Swans. it's his "religious album", but it's one of the only pieces of modern religious popular music i know of that probes instead of preaches. he tries to reconcile the idea of a punishing god and a forgiving god, and the songs are really moving.

StrikeThePostman · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 16:58 »

I'm pretty sure I have all of his albums: Illinois, Michigan, Seven Swans, and A Sun Came!

Seven Swans was my first album of his and it's really excellent. It's more serious than Illinois, and maybe less quirky than his others, but it's the only one I listen to all the way through often. Every song is very strong.

I have to admit I haven't listened to Michigan very much.

Dara · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 16:59 »

there's also Enjoy Your Rabbit, his 'experimental' album..hear it's mostly noise/glitch type stuff. haven't really heard it. hear tell it's not bad though.

StrikeThePostman · « **Reply #20 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 17:08 »

Oh, right. durr.

TheLoweringTide · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 23:47 »

Putting an evaluation of the music aside for a moment, I was rather disappointed to find that "To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region..." did not, in fact, provide a solution to my predicament.

Spike · « **Reply #22 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 00:06 »

Sufjan Stevens is pretty good, but I find myself cringing every now and then due to seemingly over sensitive/emotional lyrics..

Praeserpium Machinarum · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 01:06 »

I like his lyrics, the sensitivity is what makes him stand out and most importantly it's quite subtle sensitivity, and he's so jolly that you can't help but smile. That said, I wish he had made Illinois shorter, it could have been a masterpiece if he had shown some restraint. But then again it wouldn't be the same album if he had done that. I supposed the excess is part of what makes him great..

sjbrot · « **Reply #24 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 09:06 »

Quote from: Spike

Sufjan Stevens is pretty good, but I find myself cringing every now and then due to seemingly over sensitive/emotional lyrics..

The only part of Illinois that I would agree with this point is on "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," because it comes off a little schmaltzy.

That being said, I love the album almost too much.

ASturge · « **Reply #25 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 09:09 »

I like Illinois, but it does go on a bit.

what was it?

8 million tracks?

sjbrot · « **Reply #26 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 10:00 »

With about an average of fifteen words per title. But I can go through Illinois in one sitting.

I think the length may be part of a shift towards mainstream rap. People like The Game needlessly pack their albums to the brim, filling up around eighty minutes on average. Sufjan is slowly trying to work his way into their ranks, starting with the length of his album.

1patheticloser · « **Reply #27 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 10:07 »

After several consecutive listens, Illinois did get a little tiresome, but then again, not much could withstand that. I have pinpointed, however, the particular thing that grated on my nerves. The lyrics. I understand how open and emotional they are, but after hearing "I cried" "we cried" "he cried" at a rate of about 7 per song, it got a little old. On the other hand I absolutely love the musicality of the album. I tend to look at the music rather than the lyrics usually anyway.

Merkava · « **Reply #28 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 13:13 »

I can't seem to cringe at any of Sufjan's songs. John Wayne Gacy Jr was very, very moving, especially after I found out who Mr. Gacy was.

Jarne · « **Reply #29 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 13:43 »

Quote from: sjbrot

With about an average of fifteen words per title. But I can go through Illinois in one sitting.

I think the length may be part of a shift towards mainstream rap. People like The Game needlessly pack their albums to the brim, filling up around eighty minutes on average. Sufjan is slowly trying to work his way into their ranks, starting with the length of his album.

Sufjan rap? That has the possibility of being the most amazing thing ever.

Oerdin · « **Reply #30 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 17:33 »

I honestly didn't like Sufjan when I saw him live in San Diego. His music nearly put me to sleep. Still, one or two songs now and then are on the play list in my Zen Touch and on my computer at home.

Garcin · « **Reply #31 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 17:38 »

Quote from: sjbrot

Quote from: Spike
Sufjan Stevens is pretty good, but I find myself cringing every now and then due to seemingly over sensitive/emotional lyrics..

The only part of Illinois that I would agree with this point is on "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," because it comes off a little schmaltzy.

That being said, I love the album almost too much.

So Sufjan makes a song about a pedophile serial murderer psychopath, ends the song with the lyrics "And in my best behavior/I am really just like him/Look beneath the floorboards/For the secrets I have hid" -- lyrics that send shivers down my spine every time I hear them because they are so creepy and so artistically brave -- and you refer to the song as schmaltzy?

Wow. Just, wow.

Illinois is awesome. Michigan is equally awesome, but more subtle. It's a concept album, and it's enormous, so the really standout tracks sometimes get crowded out but check out:

Track 3 -- For the Widows In Paradise, for the Fatherless In Ypsilanti
Track 5 -- The Upper Peninsula [Saw it live when I saw Illinois and it was even better]
Track 12 -- They Also Mourn Who Do Not Wear Black (For the Homeless In Muskegon)
Track 15 -- Vito’s Ordination Song [Fucking brilliant song, definitely the rythmic standout on the album]
Track 18 -- Pickerel Lake [Woah -- nice distorted guitar -- REVERB!]

That's right folks, Sufjan doesn't give you an album, he gives you a four course meal that still leaves you wanting more. And for the love of god, even if you have to wear the face of a ticketholder, see him live -- Illinois was one of the 5 best concerts I've been to, and from what I hear, he's mighty consistent.

Merkava · « **Reply #32 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 18:18 »

Again, I have no idea how someone could hate "John Wayne Gacy Jr."

Those lyrics are freakin chilling.

sjbrot · « **Reply #33 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 22:43 »

I don't hate "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." by any stretch of the imagination. It's really just the first part of the song, where he trying to raise up some feelings for the victims that strikes me as overdone.

Dara · « **Reply #34 on:** 28 Sep 2005, 22:46 »

I found the "with their cars, summer jobs, oh my god" line to be utterly eerie

Merkava · « **Reply #35 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 12:38 »

And that guy has an impeccable high-register.

StrikeThePostman · « **Reply #36 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 13:16 »

Quote from: Dara

I found the "with their cars, summer jobs, oh my god" line to be utterly eerie

Agreed. "Eerie" is a very good word to describe a lot of his work, actually.

Garcin · « **Reply #37 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 14:39 »

Quote from: Merkava

And that guy has an impeccable high-register.

He can also play every instrument in his group. Well. If I had half his musical talent, I wouldn't be working behind a desk.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #38 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 14:54 »

This guy isn't that bad actually. I don't like his vocals that much though, too high-register and overdubbed. Folksy stuff needs more gravel, if it is all folksy, I've only heard a couple of tracks.

Oerdin · « **Reply #39 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 19:34 »

Illinios is better then Michigan.

Skibas_clavicle · « **Reply #40 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 21:18 »

Serious question, he's not gay/bisexual is he? Because even in songs other than John Wayne Gacy Jr. I found him to be a little...I dunno how to describe it, but you can get what I'm saying.

The album itself is incredible. It always takes me a long time to acknowledge an album with a lot of hype, but I always end up loving most of them. I listened to if for the first time maybe a month r two ago and fell in love right away!

Garcin · « **Reply #41 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 03:10 »

Word around the campfire is that he is very Christian and very straight. I also note that Katrina Kerns, the Ford model who is xylophone/backup singer, appears so fixated on Sufjan during the live shows that I, for one, have to believe there is something going on there.

'Course, I'm just a big 'ol gossip is what I am.

EDIT: And Skibas, the word you're looking for is "fruity".

Jarne · « **Reply #42 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 08:58 »

Even the straightest of straights can be turned gay, with enough work. Of course, the ladies would kill me if I did that.
One day, Sufjan... one day.

And now, off the creepy lusting, does anyone know which state he's doing next?

AbsolootGeek · « **Reply #43 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 09:43 »

I just saw Sufjan Stevens live last night. It was his last U.S. show on the Illinoise-makers tour.

And I absolutely loved it. I was a little curious about how the show would be, since a good deal of Stevens' music is kind of mellow and subdued. But the whole cheerleader act kept the atmosphere of the show really light and fun.

I've come to the conclusion that Stevens is one of the best songwriters of today, both lyrically and musically. To be able to write not one, but two full length albums strictly about a state takes some serious talent. And all the music, each instrument including vocals, goes together in such incredible harmonies.

Definitely ranks among my top 5 concerts.

AbsolootGeek · « **Reply #44 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 09:44 »

Quote from: Jarne

And now, off the creepy lusting, does anyone know which state he's doing next?

I don't think he's announced what state he's doing next. But my guess would be New York, because I think he's been living in New York for a while now.

Merkava · « **Reply #45 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 12:11 »

Apparently, he has to live in a state for a while before he writes the album.

I'm expecting a song about 9/11 if he does, indeed, do New York. I'm going to assume it's going to be something like The Seer's Tower, which consists of the eeriest falsetto congregation ever.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Sufjan Stevens (Read 18461 times)

1patheticloser

Dalkaen

Dalkaen

Dalkaen

Jarne

Dara

sjbrot

Dalkaen

Merkava

sjbrot

Dara

Jarne

Dara

StrikeThePostman

Dara

StrikeThePostman

TheLoweringTide

Praeserpium Machinarum

sjbrot

ASturge

sjbrot

1patheticloser

Merkava

Jarne

Garcin

Merkava

sjbrot

Dara

Merkava

StrikeThePostman

Garcin

Garcin

Jarne

AbsolootGeek

AbsolootGeek

Merkava