17 Apr 2004

Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans

Seven Swans
Sometimes it isn’t clear why you choose a new piece of music. When you go into a record shop and pick up a CD by an artist you’ve never heard of before, what makes you give it a listen? I had never heard of Sufjan Stevens before, but something about the album cover intrigued me, and I listened to it in the shop. Even through the one working working channel on the headphones (what do people do to headphones in Virgin?) I could tell that I would love it. It’s a very homespun, cut-down album, mostly acoustic, and is centred around vocals, a plinky bar room piano, guitars and a banjo. Despite—or perhaps because—of that, the sound grabs you from the start. The tracks are deceptively simple, but build and drag you into their quiet, other-worldly intensity. Another unusual feature is that many of the songs have off-kilter time signatures: 5/4 or 7/8 rather than the more usual 3/4 or 6/8. The first track, ‘All the Trees of the Field Will Clap their Hands’ has a lulling, odd rhythm, and then builds slowly in a very pleasing way with more backing vocals and guitars. ‘Sister’ is a striking track—mostly instrumental, with some vocals near the end, and I also love the title track ‘Seven Swans’. Several tracks have references to religion, and depict a rather frightening and angry god. For example, on ‘Seven Swans’:

He said: “I am Lord. I am Lord. I am Lord.”

He will take you. If you run,

He will chase you. He is the Lord.

He’s a very interesting artist all round. I heard an interview with him on WNYC where he explained the origin of his unusual first name. Apparently, his parents got into some sect of Islam in the ’70s, so he and all his siblings have Persian first names. I imagine that this must have resulted in an interesting childhood in Michigan, where he grew up. He has also said that he aims to record albums about all 50 of the States of the Union, and to that end, has started with his home state, Michigan.

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    That’s how I usually find all my music. I randomly select CDs from the stands, and then go listen to them. It’s amazing what I’ve found that way. I might give this guy a go, if I can find him up here, in the snowy north. Thanks. wink----- Alex: That’s great if you can return the CD if you don’t like it! I try to listen in the shop first, as most places won’t let you return it once you’ve broken the seal (or they refund the money very reluctantly).

    by bsag @ 18/04/2004 10:04 am • Permalink

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    Heh, I just got given mp3s of his two albums by my Dad smile A friend had given them to him but neither of us have had a chance to listen to them yet - sounds like it’ll be worth getting on to.

    by Jo @ 19/04/2004 12:05 pm • Permalink

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    Jo: You lucky thing! I think you’ll like it, though I haven’t heard the other album(s).

    by bsag @ 19/04/2004 7:04 pm • Permalink

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    Amazon recommendations are often my way of finding new music - just a few weeks ago I got introduced to an Icelandic band called Leaves whose song “Crazy” is now up there in my all time favourites. Never heard anything by them before.

    by Matthew @ 25/04/2004 11:04 am • Permalink

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    Matthew: They sound great—I’ll have to look them up.

    by bsag @ 25/04/2004 6:04 pm • Permalink

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    The best place I know of on the web to find new music is http://pitchforkmedia.com/ . You will definitely want to check it out. And if you like Seven Swans, wich is awesome, you must get the Greetings from Michigan album. Check out the link for Sufjan reviews. -----

    by Shinsplints @ 26/04/2004 2:05 am • Permalink

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    yes you are right there are many very interesting artist all round.

    by CD Reviews @ 25/03/2008 2:40 pm • Permalink

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