sufjan.
I love Sufjan Stevens. This has been said before, but the other day, chopchica was curious about him, and asked me if I would upload some songs, and I thought, "Well, if I share with chopchica, it's only fair that I share with everyone, right?" *g* So, if you haven't heard Sufjan before, or have only heard a song or two, then you should check these out.
The songs I've chosen are some of my favorites from a few different albums. The first two are from Michigan which is his cd dedicated to said state. The album is fairly somber, which may say something about how he feels about the place.
For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti
Romulus
Sufjan is religious. It's not always obvious in his music, but you can hear it sometimes. Now, I know quite a few people have a knee jerk reaction that they don't like music just because the performer is religious is some fashion. I've always been sort of irritated by that response. I'm not religious at all, but I can still appreciate amazing music even if the person who created it has a spiritual belief. These next couple of songs are from Sufjan's one spiritual cd, Seven Swans. The religious content on the album is fairly subtle, except for a couple of songs, and never does Sufjan do that thing that I find irritating in most christian music, where they try to... convert you or something. He's just singing about what he believes. This is probably my second favorite cd by him.
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands
To Be Alone With You
This next cd is my favorite of his. Illinios is just amazing, in so many ways. Sufjan orchestrates these huge numbers, on which he plays most of the intruments. (I believe he can play something like 35 different instruments, which is just... whoa.) I can't imagine listening to this cd and not falling in love.
Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part 1: The World's Columbian Exposition, Part 2: Carl Sandburg Came to Me in a Dream
Chicago
The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!
This last cd is the most recently released, called The Avalanche, and is an album of outtakes and extras from Illinois. The major difference between this album and most musicians' outtake cds is that this one is good. He probably could have gone the easy route and just called it an all new cd, because these songs don't sound like extras. It's still a damn good cd, all on its own.
The Mistress Witch from McClure (Or, The Mind That Knows Itself)
No Man's Land
He has a couple more cds, but they're fairly expiremental, so if you find yourself getting these cds and just loving everything he does, then please check them out. They're really not for new fans, otherwise. Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy these, chopchica, and anyone else who decides to check the songs out. All songs are on YSI. Just let me know if something needs to be re-uploaded!
The songs I've chosen are some of my favorites from a few different albums. The first two are from Michigan which is his cd dedicated to said state. The album is fairly somber, which may say something about how he feels about the place.
For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti
Romulus
Sufjan is religious. It's not always obvious in his music, but you can hear it sometimes. Now, I know quite a few people have a knee jerk reaction that they don't like music just because the performer is religious is some fashion. I've always been sort of irritated by that response. I'm not religious at all, but I can still appreciate amazing music even if the person who created it has a spiritual belief. These next couple of songs are from Sufjan's one spiritual cd, Seven Swans. The religious content on the album is fairly subtle, except for a couple of songs, and never does Sufjan do that thing that I find irritating in most christian music, where they try to... convert you or something. He's just singing about what he believes. This is probably my second favorite cd by him.
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands
To Be Alone With You
This next cd is my favorite of his. Illinios is just amazing, in so many ways. Sufjan orchestrates these huge numbers, on which he plays most of the intruments. (I believe he can play something like 35 different instruments, which is just... whoa.) I can't imagine listening to this cd and not falling in love.
Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part 1: The World's Columbian Exposition, Part 2: Carl Sandburg Came to Me in a Dream
Chicago
The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!
This last cd is the most recently released, called The Avalanche, and is an album of outtakes and extras from Illinois. The major difference between this album and most musicians' outtake cds is that this one is good. He probably could have gone the easy route and just called it an all new cd, because these songs don't sound like extras. It's still a damn good cd, all on its own.
The Mistress Witch from McClure (Or, The Mind That Knows Itself)
No Man's Land
He has a couple more cds, but they're fairly expiremental, so if you find yourself getting these cds and just loving everything he does, then please check them out. They're really not for new fans, otherwise. Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy these, chopchica, and anyone else who decides to check the songs out. All songs are on YSI. Just let me know if something needs to be re-uploaded!