As discussed yesterday, Sufjan Stevens has a collection of outtakes from Illinois out this summer. I was curious how you guys would react to the news. Many of you are Sufjan fans, but maybe you were sick of the album and all its year-end acclaim. Maybe I was too.
Well, after tracking down the title track (which was actually an extra on Illinois‘ vinyl release), I have to say I’m pretty psyched. Beautiful banjo, swirling strings, woodwinds, and the soothing harmonies of Katrina Kerns. More Illinoisemaking? Bring It On!
“The Avalanche” was intended for a “leading role” on last year’s masterpiece according to Asthmatic Kitty.
In his rummaging through old musical memorabilia, Sufjan began to use this song as a meditation on the editorial process, returning to old forms, knee-deep in debris, sifting rocks and river water for an occasional glint of gold. “I call ye cabin neighbors,” the song bemuses, “I call you once my friends.” And like an avid social organizer, Sufjan took in all the odd musical misfits and gathered them together for a party of their own, like good friends.
Enjoy.
Sufjan Stevens – “The Avalanche” (MP3 Link Expired)
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F Stereogum for making fun of pearl jam…a- holes…Graphdesi style.
Upon further reflection, I took it back Polops — sorry to offend. I do actually have a soft spot for PJ.
PJ rules.
I think Sufjan is a little bit over-rated.
If you bought Illinois from the iTunes music store, The Avalanche and a remix of Chicago came with it for free… or not for free… Relatively free?
Yeah.
I?m psyched for Sufjan?s detritus. I can?t get enough, though I?m a softy for singer-songwriters, historical minutiae, and pretentiously long titles.
Pearl Jam can take a long walk off a short dock. Cobain killed himself over a decade ago and he’s still more relevant than Vedder.
Cobain didn’t kill himself.
He accidently shot himself in the face.
If you can’t wait until July, you can check out the Sufjan Stevens track on “The Sound The Hare Heard” compilation being put out by Kill Rock Stars May 9.
It is “Adlai Stevenson”, and I assume it will be on ‘The Avalanche’.
I have heard that it is available already if you are cunning enough.
Big yawn. I loved the Illinois album when it came out, but now I am embarassed by my enthusiasm for it.
Merely growing tired of a song/album/artist doesn’t take away from the quality it has. Its impossible for a song to degrade in quality. The only thing that changes is your current opinion.
That said, I’m excited to hear more of these outtakes. Its hard to sum up an entire state’s history in one hour, so the more songs the better!
illinoise is way over-hyped but failed to deliver, imo. he does make great songs though. especially those that aren’t from that album. e.g. previous songs & songs from comps.
Dig it.
http://iguessimfloating.blogspot.com/2006/04/new-sufjan-stevens-adlai-stevenson.html
mmmyeah… at this stage hough, he just seems to be repeating himself because he’s on a formula. I still say that seven swans was his best album to date.
Kurt is more relevant than eddie today, but thats just how Eddie wants it to be. Hell, if pj wanted, they could probably have been the biggest band in the world for the past 15 years. Instead they went underground, said a big F you to MTV and got rid of 80% of their fanbase!
Pearl Jam were much bigger than Nirvana at the time of Kurt tragic death. That is a fact! If Eddie killed himself the same day, people would mention Eddie before Kurt. I love both of them and what they have contriuted to the music scene. No disrespect to Kurt at all! He was great, but Eddie was better.
I love Of Montreal because your music works as a nice vibrant speech about the state of the (pop) art and “Satanic Panic In The Attic” is a album without flavourings and preservatives, seducing for yours simplicity.