New Sufjan Stevens - "You Are The Blood"
Today's Dark Was The Night track comes to us from a guy named Sufjan Stevens. It's a cover of the Castanets' "You Are The Blood," originally on Ray & rotating Co's 2004 album Cathedral (keeping it in the Asthmatic Kitty family, see). For his updated take, Stevens replaces the original's minimal gothic atmospherics with crazed keyboarding, carnival percussion, high-pitched vocalisms, and layers of general instrumental zaniness until a soft, Sufjan-y return. Take a listen. It sounds like he decided to put every piece of equipment in his studio to use.
Dark Was The Night is out 2/17 via 4AD.
Posted at 12:09 PM by brandon
Tags: Castanets | Dark Was The Night | Sufjan Stevens
This song is epicly awesome. It seems like every style of Sufjans musical history comes together for one giant 10 minute song. Love it, superb track, sufjan needs to get that new album out asap.
Score = 25
this man is fantastic.
Score = 14
This song is epic. Completely amazing. Now, Sufjan, get crackin' on some LPs of your own.
Score = 8
From: DarkWasTheNIght.com, "Blood Pt 2 (based on original song “You are the Blood” by the Castanets) – Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)". No mention of Buck 65 or Serengeti? Whats the deal? C'mon now.
Score = -5
There are 2 versions in the compilation. This one is so amazing, but I'm psyched to hear the Buck 65 version too though.
Score = 8
I like this a lot. It's unexpected. A bit repetitious but still good. His voice sounds different to me. I still think "service bell" is the winner of the album, but this is still a solid B+
Score = 4
WHOA!! For some reason I get this image of him fronting about 9 different bands who collectively honed their sound for the betterment of music. This rules.
Score = 7
Man, I just don't get it. The song really is a mess. I the recent songs have seemed like his is spit balling. Just trying everything to see if something is sticks. And could his voice be anymore maudlin and depressing, and down right annoying.
Sufjan, put down the 1983 era casio keyboard and the trash the pro-tools on your computer, it really isn't doing you any good.
Score = -98
What was the name of your song again?
Score = 16
It's called, "You And Sufjan (Are GaAaAaAaAaY)" Watch for it on Sub Pop, 2010.
Score = -25
I could almost hear this as a James Bond theme.
Score = 14
i've always been in love with castanet's version, but this is entirely another beast. best piece i've heard this year.
Score = 13
If that's true you have pretty bad taste in music, or haven't heard much.
Score = -59
...this should be half as long. All the piano noodling is superfluous, but if he cut it out it'd be damn near perfect.
Score = -6
I love the piano.
Score = 12
I really enjoyed the piano. it's like gershwin. Also, i didn't know he could play that well, if it is him playing it. Im impressed.
Score = 9
Tim, I heard the Bond element too. Very strongly.
But this song is spectacular. Fantastic.
Score = 5
Amazing song. I love those chord substitutions. The song moved me from beneath the ground, to the ground, taken up to heaven by a hurricane, thrown into space, introduced to something glorious and triumphant, then I was torn apart into a million pieces and scattered back onto the earth, and then reassembled. But this is just my personal interpretation, and the same reason why I enjoy music more than the fools on this site.
Score = -57
Once Stereogum releases their "end of the year best comments list", I think this one takes the cake for the most creepy. So, congrats Toto; next time go tell your "emo" emotions to Dorothy and spare us.
Score = 1
I wish you would have stayed in a million pieces and never reassembled back on earth.
Score = 7
I don't think i have ever really been excited about a compilation release like this, but i will definitely be buying this one.
Score = 6
Holy fucking shit. This song is incredible. o.0
Score = 5
nice
Score = 2
WOW. Great song.
There is no doubt in my mind that if this man announced an upcoming album, it would be the biggest music hype in years. And you know he would deliver.
Score = 11
all elements of sufjan packed into one song....excellent!
Score = 8
Just wonderful.
Score = 3
I just realized that I haven't been listening to the whole song. I've been listening to the version on Myspace. It's around 4 minutes, without the second mostly electronic part and the noodling at the end. The longer version is equally amazing. Wouldn't it be amazing if he just decided one day to just release an album, without any fanfare? 2009. BELIEVE.
Score = 7
gaaaay.
Score = -91
I know how you feel man, this song makes me extremely joyous!!
Score = 20
That feeling is called, "a boner."
Score = 2
I agree with the bond statement too. this would've worked way better than jack white and alicia keys, they were a mess. Can't even compare thist to castanets either cuz its a completely different song which is great.
Score = 1
This rules
Score = 2
Win.
Score = 4
breathtaking... his next album is gonna be amazing.
Score = 4
When it first started, I thought it sounded like Radiohead, and then it sounded Sufjan-y, and then it sounded like Radiohead again, and then back to Sufjan-y. Still, it's probably the best track yet from this comp.
Score = 7
totally agreed!
Score = -1
I like this. But..I'm wondering when his full length will see the light of day. I heard that it may be covering Oregon or New Jersey..
Score = -3
is that st. vincent i hear on some of the backing vocals? if not, it sounds like her.
also, this song is mind-blowing. i want a new sufjan album so bad.
Score = 4
The harmony sounds like St. Vincent and the floaty, high notes sound like Shara Worden, but it's so distortiony, it's hard to tell. This song is amazing.
Score = 1
I want a new album!
I love this man.
Score = 3
if this is any indication of what the follow up for illinois might be like, i'm all in
Score = 1
he's so pretty.
Score = 1
You'll be hearing from my attorney.
Score = 8
I see what you did there... but it's more Paul Brill than Thom Yorke.
Score = 0
I need adult diapers for every listen. I'm worried he used up all his creative genius in one grand, epic, ten-minute song!
Score = 2
this whole album is ridiculously good. i never knew i could be so overwhelmed with a compilation.
Score = 1
i like the drum programming
and the piano playing
Score = 1
mmm...."John Wayne Gacy, Jr."-level creepinessx1000
Score = 2
it's kina embarassing how joyous I feel everytime I listen sufjan - I mean near tears in my eyes, song sitting heavy on my chest, floating confetti - music montage joyous. how embarssing - but don't tell I don't want this to ruin my street cred.
ps - Good call on the Bond thing - I definately can hear that.
Score = 2
Sufjan,
I think I speak for anyone in this world who has ears when I plead for you to never stop making music. The noises you make are angelic and I would rather listen to what you might consider your throwaway material than 99% of the music released by other men of infinitely lesser talent than thee.
Dominus Vobiscum
P.S. Please release something soon.
Score = 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6OP7tATWPU
Score = -1
EPICALLY GORGEOUS!!! at first i thought 'service bell' was the best track. but then i changed my mind after i heard this song. i feel like mr. Suf tried his best to create this. very impressive, stunning , dramatic and passionate song in ten minutes.
it's like a short story telling how hard the aids patients have gone through. gracefully win...
Score = 0
this is outrageously good.
Score = 3
Sufjan is the best at everything he does. He's even better at caring about AIDs. The man is a rare talent.
Also, glitchy drum beats are not patented by Radiohead. Radiohead was also far from the first to use them. And Sufjan's style here sounds much more Fiery Furnaces than "15 Step". Have you listened to "Quay Cur" in a while?
Score = 4
I completely agree! The first time I heard this I put on Blueberry Boat immediately after and thought the two went really well together.
And, furthermore, in line with the comment about Radiohead, someone earlier called the middle piano part "like Gershwin," which is just as ridiculous a statement. Not to sound like a total snob, but it sounds a whole lot more like Debussy or Schoenberg or Berg.
Man, Zayin, I think we're just on the same page...
Score = 2
Man I am a total snob and thought the Gershwin comment was ridiculous... But then I listened again and it starts off like a more tonal Schoenberg (or at least the articulation sounds like Schoenberg...), then it shifts into 'jazzier' harmonies, and then the big ascending octaves sequence could be straight out of a Rhapsody in Blue cadenza. Man. I love Sufjan.
Score = 0
One of the most intriguing and beguiling pieces of music i've heard in a very long time... Does anyone have any news his next album... no?...anyone?
Score = 1
If this and "Ring Them Bells" are signs of things to come... they don't quench thirst for new Sufjan but only make one thirst even more.
Score = 1
I heard recently from people personally connected to Sufjan that he was doing his next album on California and would be traveling through the state doing research this year.
Score = 0
There have been rumors about at least 5 different states by now. Nothing is set.
Score = 2
I thought that Sufjan said he was taking a break from music indefinitely and just focussing on writing fiction?
Score = 0
wasn't he supposed to release an album about birds or something? Because he played some new songs live a while back about birds, and then there was Lord God Bird.
Anyone know what i'm talking about?
Score = 0
I heard a rumor that his next album was about boners.
Score = 4
Yes, I read that he's currently doing lots of research.
Score = 2
i loves it
Score = 0
I just heard on Fox News that Sufjan has now announced that in true indie hipster fashion he is bucking the "50 states" project" and will embark on doing ten albums on the ten provinces of Canada. We can expect a crapload of songs about Geese and well endowed Moose.
Score = -4
i luvs it too. Almost as much as the original version.
Score = 0
HOLY FUCK THIS SONG IS SO FUCKING GOOD.
Score = 0
Lovee this song.! I like the version of the Castanets too. But, either Sufjan puts a lot effort in his music or hes really gifted and he doesnt have to do much. Sufjan is my favorite, thats really why I love this song. It reminds me of his "Enjoy Your Rabbit".
Score = -2
I think I just eargasmed. Need a nap now.
Score = 0
wow. beautiful track! even more praise! and put another album out soon!
Score = 0
Spaghett!
Score = 1
i do love sufjan, and i do like this song, but it is a bit bloated.
Score = -3
One of the most epic tracks I've heard in a while, and definitely the best so far this year. It might actually be the first 10 minute track that isn't all electronic, that I've played consistenly in years.
Score = 2
This song it sooo good i can't wait for the compilation!
Score = 0
I could just see Sufjan coming out of nowhere with 2 or 3 releases in one year. And only because he's just that good
Score = 4
Loved Illinois. Record of the year. Changed my life. All I listened to for months and months. It was an obsession. Michigan was cool too.
This, I'm sorry, but it's shit. He's lost it. I want nothing more than for him to put out great stuff, but this 10 minute, discombobulated, self indulgent nonsense is the sign of a man who has lost his musical sensibilities.
Yes, he's talented (and yes an awesome pianist and arranger and producer), I'm not saying this work is easy to do. But level of difficutly shoud not count.
Listening to this song didn't make me cry, dance, think, admire, it only made one of my eyebrows go up in total confusion and displeasure.
A train wreck, in my view. I'm glad other people are into it though...
Score = -11
I heard that his next album is about Alaska and Palin is playing the Gacy character.
Score = -2
amazing. i probably already commented but his song and the decemberist song are the best on cd one of dark was the night.
Score = 0
Oh sweet. Sufjan is now more popular on Stereogum than a hot chick with no shirt on!
Score = 2
He's trying so hard to sound unlike himself. But the only way he seems to know how to do it is to make a shit load of noise and screw around.
Score = -8
Have you heard a lot of Sufjan? He has many noisy/screw around songs.
Score = 2
It makes me think of this other song about blood:
http://www.last.fm/music/Frontier+Ruckus/_/The+Blood
Score = 0
Here is the original, by Castanets:
http://asthmatickitty.com/go/youaretheblood
Score = 4
Wow. Thanks! I hope this draws a lot of people to listen to the Castanets. And it's really interesting to see the transformation of the song. The lyrics really anchor it.
Score = 1
that was retarded awesome
Score = 0
Beirut with a dash of IDM
Score = 0
i want to hear new sufjan as much as anybody, but....what a load of overwrought crap.
Score = -3
Great Track - it sounds like he has been listening to a lot of Blueberry Boat
Score = 0
this may be one of the greatest tracks ever recorded.
Score = 1
I think it's actually Sergi Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #3. oddly just happens to be the only classical album I own.
Score = 0
im a sufjan fan, but honestly that truck sucked, couldnt even get through it. noise doesn't always qualify as a good song. i think it was pretty much that...noise. not very enjoyable i coulda got my computer to randomize something similiar
Score = -1
is it just me or does this song bear a remarkable resemblance to radioheads "we suck young blood" aside from the sharing of the word blood in the title the tone and tempo (compare the clap) seem spot on. difference being that 'we suck young blood' is a wicked track. sufjan's unfortunately sounds ripped off and terrible at that. dont get me wrong i like some sufjan tracks. i think he just needs to refind himself/his voice.
Score = 0
Kind of reminds me of paralyzed by the cardigans :P
Score = 0