Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens is a very interesting band, and a bit of an acquired taste, but easily Stevens' songwriting capabilites are on-par if not greater than Billy Joel or Tori Amos. For the most part he sings the way he lives: as a Christian in a world of non-Christian influence. Don't be mistaken, though, as it is in no way religious or Christian music.

Oh, and the song titles they put out are extremely long. At the moment, the band is doing a 50 States project, where they're making an album for every state in the USA. They've already done Michigan and Illinois. I honestly think if you're going to judge him (and here's where the long titles come in), you should listen to "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!," or, if you want to be depressed for the rest of the day, "Casimir Polaski Day."

 

I'm really annoyed how all of you "fans" praise Sufjan Stevens after he put out what is now being defined as his "masterpiece." First off, he's a one man band. He plays over twenty instruments, and besides for the help of a few female vocals, he does everything else. The band isn't called Sufjan Stevens, that's his actual name.

He's also kinda somewhat kidding about the State's project. He said in an interview that for every two years, he's making a state project cd. So while there will be more, it's pretty limited, though still ambitious.

And he's nothing like Billy Joel or Tori Amos. Where the hell did you come up with that comparision? Just because they play the piano doesn't put them in the same genre. And if you really knew anything about Sufjan Stevens, you'd know he's more banjo oriented.

Go listen to Seven Swans before he exploded so heavily into the media.

 

Wow, way to edit your post, jackass.

 

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I never edited this post.
I know his name is Sufjan Stevens.
I know he plays 20+ instruments.
But just because Fiona Apple writes the music, sings and plays piano for all her music, doesn't make her *the band* Fiona Apple. She doesn't play alone, and believe it or not, neither does Sufjan. (EDIT: better example probably would have been The Album Leaf, which is one guy)

I will admit I haven't heard anything but "...Illinoise," but I've been nothing but impressed. However, the comparison to Billy Joel and Tori Amos was based on their SONGWRITING abilities, not instruments or genres; after all, how do Billy Joel and Tori Amos fit in the same genre either?

Oh, and I don't appreciate the flame. You sound like just about every other indie snob. Next you'll be going after Sigur Ros' "Takk" because it has the "singles" feel to it for Glosoli and Hoppipola.

I can't believe I have to defend a clearly-written post that isn't even an opinion.

 

Uhh, no, I could care less if a band goes mainstream. I'm stating that I'm annoyed that everyone's talking about him like he's just made his debut.

I could care less if Sig Ros sounds more mainstream, as long as they're still making good music. I never said Sufjan's Illinois cd was bad, If anything I'm glad he's getting the attention he deserves. But I mean, you're going on a fucking indie music board acting as if you're the first to discover him. No one's going to wander here and go, "Sufjan Stevens? I think I'll take the time to check him out!" I'm sorry, I'm not that much of an elitist in real life. God, anyone on this board could say the biggest names in underground music are Fugazi, Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc. (That's bias of me, of course.)

My point is, I have nothing against you. But I'm so sick of hearing Sufjan's "Ahhhhh, Zombies" (I can't remember those huge titles) at fucking Borders and people finding out who he is and feeling like a fucking prophet for discovering him. I'm sorry, it wouldn't be a big deal if it were someone else, but all I keep hearing about is the rage over Sufjan's Illinois cd when he made two beautiful albums just a few years ago.

 

...well i really enjoy sufjan. after hearing "seven swans" a few times, i had to buy a banjo

everything i have heard so far from sufjan is great, he is a very talented individual.

 

im not to impressed with him, but skin is my : God, anyone on this board could say the biggest names in underground music are Fugazi, Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc. (That's bias of me, of course.)
that is fuckin hilarious...

haha

 

seven swans is much better than illinoise.

 

A friend introduced me to Sufjan Stevens. There was no topic here, so I thought others who may not have heard him may be interested. You think of me like some pretentious idiot who takes pride in discovering "undiscovered talent," which isn't true. Sorry to burst your bubble a second time, but I'm not who you think I am.

 

Sufjan is a finalist for the New Pantheon Music Prize...ThePasserby, Check it out here at www.teampantheon.com.

There are many others, but I think Sufjan is going to take it. Who do you think will win.

Animal Collective
Antony and the Johnsons
Arcade Fire
Bloc Party
Death Cab for Cutie
Fiona Apple
Kings of Leon
MIA
Sufjan Stevens
and The Decemberists.

 

You forgot Pavement... And Bright Eyes sucks.

Sufjan can get kinda tiresome after a while I find, sure, he's got a pretty voice, but sometimes it's just TOO pretty.

 

Bright Eyes does sucks, although I saw him live and he was better live (I only saw him because he was playing with 'Sons and Daughters')

Anyway, I like Sufjan alright, though not one of my favorites. I would choose The Decemberists to win because I adore them.

 

I have Enjoy Your Rabbit with the chinese astrological years or whatever.. an enjoyable cd, especially track 10, Year of the Dragon.

I consider it more of a post rock cd as it is mostly instrumental and has longer songs with some build ups and stunning climatic parts, like the aforementioned song.

 

we all have to start somewhere!

if someone wants to act like a prophet, so what, let them. its exciting to discover something thats new to you!!

we all can't discover an artist with the first cd he puts out.

 

I just want to say that you are so right!

 

Oh, geez, this was posted months ago.

Oh! And P.S-Fact: Enjoy Your Rabbit sucked

You wanna listen to good post-rock, you listen to

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Explosions In The sky
Yo La Tengo
Silver Mt Zion

Sujan's Sun! Sun! Sun! was really bad, too. But that's okay, he was just experimenting.

Hey, does anyone like the people he's signing on to his record label? Check them out, some of them are really good

 

This thread made me want to go back and listen to 'Pittsfield'. So I did.

 

I know who all those bands are. though I do not like YLT or what I have heard. Sufjan is better thus far. smz is okay, the album I have is depressing (HHLUABSLSGCOR). I like Red Sparowes better. or Magyar posse.

explosions in the sky of course is my favorite post rock band along with godspeed.

I can post about sufjan when ever I want, even if indie holier than thou fans make the assumption that I know nothing of their genre. fact is, I tend to know more about it than most folks in that little clik. by making band "so last month" you are doing music a dis service by pigeon holing bands that have been known for to long as simple fads, weather you realize it or not. which is totally what indie is not. get over yourself and let people enjoy music no matter how well known they are, when ever the hell they want.

If I want to mention Tortoise, I will feel free. built to spill. arcade fire. I simply do not care about the newest band and abandoning them a few weeks later so I can be on the lookout for the next little gem. I will mention older bands.
and yet these same indie folks I have talked to seem to not know other gems. Stafraenn Hakon, Magyar Posse...they just want the gems they KNOW, and pretend the ones they don't know aren't there..how convinient. its very un indie ironically. as if "I must know it for it to be valid" point of view, "if its to known its invalid, they are sellouts" wrong on both accounts.

 

So--how did we go from talking about Sufjan Stevens to Arcade Fire again?

Hey, but it's nice that you sifted through four months of messages to fight with me, prick.

 

I didn't shift through any topics actually. I just named random bands and happened to mention one that you apparently mentioned a while ago - SO WHAT. just a coincidence. that was a nit picky thing to point out compared with my post as a whole, you seemed to miss the point. I also mentioned built to spill and tortoise too but it really is an insignifigant point. chill out dude, easy with the childish name calling, I WON'T resort to it and you should not either. acknowledge my other points. love music for music, not when it is new on the scene!