quote:

Originally posted by Yukon Chamberknelius:
I quite liked that song as well.

I wish he'd come out with something NEW, though. *grouses*

I feel like we're due for an announcement any day now (New Year's?).

It'll probably be around January 12th, and he'll probably shrug and say "Yeah, the South Dakota album will be out in like two months or something" all self-effacingly-like.

Whoa, did you guys realize that Sufjan's brother, Marzuki Stevens, who did the amazing artwork for his Seven Swans and has also contributed to some of Sufjan's work, is a professional distance runner who finished 20th overall at the 2006 Boston Marathon and was the 5th American finisher at the 2004 Chicago Marathon and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials? Man, what an incredible family.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
...and was the 5th American finisher at the 2004 Chicago Marathon...

That's the nice way of saying that he finished 80th behind 4 Americans and 75 Kenyans.

Don't forget the Ethiopians!

quote:

Originally posted by Away in a Chamber (k):
I quite liked that song as well.

I wish he'd come out with something NEW, though. *grouses*

Volume 8 is available. 40 minutes of new Sufjan material, albeit he didn't plan on releasing this yet. It can be had at bolachas gratis.

He's also going to appear on a charity CD curated by the Dessner's. (Of the National.)

And then there's always the Welcome Wagon...

So combining those 3 right there, and there's some new Sufjan to listen to.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: anbc,

quote:

Originally posted by ANinBC:

quote:

Originally posted by Away in a Chamber (k):
I quite liked that song as well.

I wish he'd come out with something NEW, though. *grouses*

Volume 8 is available. 40 minutes of new Sufjan material, albeit he didn't plan on releasing this yet. It can be had at bolachas gratis.

He's also going to appear on a charity CD curated by the Dessner's. (Of the National.)

And then there's always the Welcome Wagon...

So combining those 3 right there, and there's some new Sufjan to listen to.

Also, it's all very good Sufjan music. His new christmas album is like very little that has come before it from him. It mixes his early electronic work with his more recent sweeping orchestral arrangements. It's really a vivid experiment. And from the descriptions, I get the impression the track "Blood" on the charity album is going to be in the same style.

Indeed, it's all so good. But of course it's Sufjan... when does he ever disappoint when he actually makes music?

I just checked out the tracklist for the charity CD, and Sufjan plays "You Are the Blood." Then Buck 65 remixes him on "Blood Pt. 2".

I'm guessing "You are the Blood" is a cover of his fellow Asthmatic Kitty friend, Castanets, but I can't be sure. Either way, the Castanets' version of the song is terrific.

(LISTEN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDjzLH8FYR4 )

...oh, and I can't get enough of the Welcome Wagon right now...

After reading this article: (It's pretty tech-y talk, all about recording devices, and such)
http://www.thebuddyproject.com...an_tapeop0309_1.html
(There's a couple pages, just click the screen to go to the next page)

I realized why it takes Sufjan to take so long to record albums. He takes a million years to find places with instruments he could play, a million more years to find places to record, a million more years to find the sound he's looking for out of the instrument and mics, and a million more years to edit.

Note: On page 3, he talks about recording in the NOW, which is a good sign...

Also, on his label's site Asthmatic Kitty, he just wrote an article about his unique name, and shared an old song he wrote about Sofia.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: anbc,

So has Sufjan completely lost the ability to write songs, make albums, etc.? Instead of working on the long overdue next state album, he's putting together a new version of his 2001 outre electronic album, Enjoy Your Rabbit, which consists entirely of string-quartet "remixes." Not that I'm not interested in this project, but geez, I'd much rather have a new state album of Sufjan originals. I used to think he was a prolific songwriter who turned out songs in his sleep. He did write over 40 songs for Illinois. Now it seems like he's content to ride the wave of his successful first few albums. I still love the guy.

Well. I don't think this project is his persay. It's coming out of his record label, and he probably worked with them a little, but I get the impression it's mostly like a string quartet tribute album. Should be at least interesting, but hardly something Sufjan.

I share your frustration though. Just the other day I was listening to "Majesty Snowbird" and "Barn Owl, Night Killer" which he played live a few times several years ago (several years after Illinois) and they were amazing. But he has never even hinted at having them officially recorded. So he has songs, great song (his best songs I would argue), in his pocket. But he isn't releaseing them. The wild animal hunger that everyone ate up "You are the blood" with has proven that he is still highly relevant and marketable. I almost think that scares him.

I almost think that Sufjan gets bored with stuff a lot faster than everyone else and maybe just got tired of releasing albums. Maybe he'll get back to it soon, who knows.

I don't even care if he even tries to do more state albums, I just want more full lengths of new material from the guy. I'm impatient

Yeah, I'm not particularly set on state albums either. My favorite album of his is definitely Seven Swans.

I still say Illinois is going to be his Aeroplane. Nothing afterwards.

And yeah, Seven Swans is severely underrated.

I'd prefer he'd drop the state theme and just release a regular set of new material. Illinois is absolutely brilliant, but honestly its just a more fleshed out and better version of Michigan. Stylistically, they're extremely similar and I think he's gone as far as he can with that idea. I'm sure it would be great, but to do another version of Illinois except about New York or wherever doesn't interest me that much, and I think he'd catch a lot of flack for doing the exact same thing again. I'd love for him to just release a regular album of 10 to 12 great songs.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
Yeah, I'm not particularly set on state albums either. My favorite album of his is definitely Seven Swans.

Yeah, Seven Swans is my fave as well. It doesn't matter what Sufjan's next album is about, it's going to be a work of genius regardless of theme.

I'm not convinced that it will be. I though "You Are the Blood" was atrocious.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
I'm not convinced that it will be. I though "You Are the Blood" was atrocious.

I love it. It harkens back to his "Enjoy your rabbit", "a sun came" days.

I liked Michigan a lot, loved Illinois, but can't stand Seven Swans. Not even just being bored by it, but I find it unpleasant, which is hard for that style of music.