Sufjan Steven's back catalogue

cleanbluesky · 24 Jun 2006 at 19:31

Purchased Seven Swans and Michigan - I really loved Illinois but these two are no-where near as good. The songwriting isn't as clever - and some of the orchestrated parts are poorly performed in parts....

Still, I think he is releasing more stuff soon...

OzZie · 24 Jun 2006 at 19:44

The only song i've heard of his is "For the widows in paradise" or something like that. Was a nice tune. I wonder if his other stuff is any good...

Augmented · 24 Jun 2006 at 19:58

cleanbluesky said:
Still, I think he is releasing more stuff soon...

Well we can expect at least another 48 full-length releases if he does ever complete the whole album-for-each-state idea

.

I do agree that Illinoise is his best work so far, a really excellent album, which looks good for future releases.

RandomTom · 24 Jun 2006 at 20:14

I bought michigan for some i know and they liked it, but she hasn't let me borrow it yet so I might have to steal it back, I'll check out Illinoise though because it does have some good feedback from people.

Royality · 24 Jun 2006 at 23:39

Illinois is his best work so far in his career for sure but he is very prolific and is releasing a new album (The Avalanche - which is more a rehash of unreleased songs) soon.

I like Sevan Swans personally but it's certainly not the same kind of album as Illinois, I haven't heard Michigan yet (going to buy it soon) so can't comment on that.

He also has a more electro based album I think, but I forgets the name.

Check out Danielson - Ships to be honest, thats a great album and I think Sufjan Stevens collaborates on some of the songs.

chrisd · 24 Jun 2006 at 23:44

I really like all three albums mentioned. You might also want to check out 'A Sun Came!' and 'Enjoy Your Rabbit'.

As Royality says, 'Ships' by Danielson is also well worth a listen.

CircleFaust · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:43

'to be alone', is that off michigan. brilliant track.
i've only got into certain tracks of his last three albums rather than the album as a whole

cleanbluesky · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:59

Cruiser said:
'to be alone', is that off michigan. brilliant track.
i've only got into certain tracks of his last three albums rather than the album as a whole

Its off of Swans, and it is quite good...

Jampy · 26 Jun 2006 at 23:09

not sure i agree, although maybe its because i heard them first.
I think the songwriting is probably stronger on those two, although the arrangements are not quite up to the same standard.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, illinoise is a little overblow and shiny in parts and sufjan is at his best stripped down - just him and his banjo!
Sister is probably my favourite sufjan song.. perhaps...

after all that though, illinoise probably is his best! (just)

edit:
just to add to this, listening to seven swans now, i think the songs mean more to me after seeing him live in a small venue in 2003, there was a little story between each song, and you got a whole backstory for each one... he has the best banter (it was complete with OHP projector with slides of michigan)