At the Tivoli the other Saturday night, Sufjan Stevens amazed me, made me dance & brought me to tears. Never have I witnessed such a performance in my whole 23 years. His concert will stay with me forver as a moment in my life when I truly felt affected and connected to music. He is one in a million; a man of wisdom and grace, his words speak of hauntingly heartbreaking stories and the humility of love. To tell you the truth, I couldn't give a damn if Sufjan is gay or religious. To me his music is so humble and real - the connection to his listeners is beyond race, gender or sexual preference. Sufjan filled the stage with his presence - not only his magnificant voice but his stories and obvious connection with his devoted crowd of fans. I think everyone in the room that night fell in love with him. We all knew the words, we all swayed in line, we all cried at his encore of John Wayne Gacy Jr and laughed as he told us stories of his school years where he spent 8 hours a day connecting with clay. Sufjan wore a home-made, electro-reflective suit; decked out at the end with a tin-foil American-Indian style head dress complete with feather bowers. He danced his own dances, so comfortable in himself and his music - he danced to his own beat. The back up dancers and musicians all had their own quirky traits and styles and roles in the show - They put on a show to be proud of.
His new album 'The Age of Adz' is very different to the soft, folk he's known best for. But i love the experiemental side of Sufjan; listening to the album I am amazed at the layers and layers of orchestrated sound he has created. This album is a testament of his dedication and obsessive celebration of music. But underneath the thick, electro-synth sounds are still the lyrics of the sweet & sour, heart felt songs he writes best.
Listen and watch and truly come alive with the love of Sufjan Stevens
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
my top ten ablbums you must listen to ...
Top ten best ever albums:
1. The Shins – Oh, Inverted World
2. Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz
3. Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreaker
4. The Radio Dept – Pet Grief
5. Sigor Ross – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
6. Bjork – Post
7. Joanna Newsom – The Milk Eyed Mender
8. Cat Power – The Greatest
9. Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism
10. Foals – Total Life Forever
Runner up:
11. Iron and Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days
Whilst on the topic of music i thought i should voice my love and adoration for the music documentary/film 'Heima' by Sigur Ros. Huge, orchestral music partnered with beautiful, desolate scenery and interviews with the band members makes this film a must for anyone who values great musicians. I love Heima not only for its soundtrack, but the glimpses into the surroundings of where Sigur Ros grew up and the landscapes that tailored them into the musicians they are today. I think it makes you understand the depths of their music and hugeness of it all - it reflects the breathtaking scenery and the extreme location of Iceland.
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