I'll be there. anybody else going?
Sufjan Stevens roll call
Is there anyone who isn't super into this guy? I only read A+ reviews.
His work is ambitious and well put-together and all, but I find it a bit wan and precious and overthought…without payoff in terms of melodies, songs, passion…it comes off to me like Gastr Del Sol meets Trembling Blue Stars.
His work is ambitious and well put-together and all, but I find it a bit wan and precious and overthought…without payoff in terms of melodies, songs, passion…it comes off to me like Gastr Del Sol meets Trembling Blue Stars.
i love him so much; but i have school the next day :(
Originally posted by bellenseb:May I direct you to bigyawn.net?
Is there anyone who isn't super into this guy? I only read A+ reviews.
Originally posted by bellenseb:Me.
Is there anyone who isn't super into this guy? I only read A+ reviews.
I've listened to the disc many times and it just won't grab me. I guess I partially understand why it's getting so much notice, in that it is sufficiently "different" from most of the indie-rock out there; it's a cohesive narrative piece on a focused theme, etc…
I agree with the "too precious" comment. Unfortunately, that seems to be the style of the day – not just for Sufjan, but for Safron-Foer, and McSweeney's, and Pitchfork and a lot of others trying to prove how clever they can be. It was interesting and entertaining the first couple of times around, but now it's getting tired.
For me it has less to do with the cute factor or cleverness, and more with the arrangement and ambition that was mentioned before. I think his sense of composition is brilliant, but my background is in classical music and jazz, which then in turn eventually led me to indie rock. So I think its his obvious classical training/influences that really win me over.
Yes I will be there.
As to the other discussion - I think there is a difference between someone trying to sound clever and someone actually being clever. It is the difference between David Sedaris and Oscar Wilde. Because I am going you can probably guess that I think Sufjan is actually clever. I can see how one might not think the same thing about his music but I enjoy it. As for it being "over-thought," well I guess that is probably true, but then again that is what I like about it; the sense that he actually thinks about things rather then just looks for rhyming couplets.
That is just my opinion. Anyway I look forward to the show since his last trip to DC was housed in a venue unsuited to his strengths.
As to the other discussion - I think there is a difference between someone trying to sound clever and someone actually being clever. It is the difference between David Sedaris and Oscar Wilde. Because I am going you can probably guess that I think Sufjan is actually clever. I can see how one might not think the same thing about his music but I enjoy it. As for it being "over-thought," well I guess that is probably true, but then again that is what I like about it; the sense that he actually thinks about things rather then just looks for rhyming couplets.
That is just my opinion. Anyway I look forward to the show since his last trip to DC was housed in a venue unsuited to his strengths.
I've never heard a Sufjan song (that I know of).
Originally posted by bellenseb:coming from someone with belle & sebastian in their name?
I find it a bit wan and precious and overthought
I'm ready for some illinoise.
Not going. When a friend asked what I thought of the new album, I believe the adjective I used was "unlistenable". I couldn't even get through it. I'll give it a few more tries. Good music can take time to settle in.
Originally posted by HoyaParanoia:Yes…well, there is twee in the Wolfie vein, there is precious from the likes of Trembling Blue Stars…and then there is B&S, which is in my view unfairly lumped in with the likes of these guys.
Originally posted by bellenseb:coming from someone with belle & sebastian in their name?
I find it a bit wan and precious and overthought
I liked him better when he was Billy Idol's guitar player. The Atomic Playboys stuff never really did it for me. I mean what kind of a lyric is -
"Atomic Playboys we are radiation romeos!"
THAT'S TERRRIBLE!!!!
We are talking about Steve Stevens, right?
"Atomic Playboys we are radiation romeos!"
THAT'S TERRRIBLE!!!!
We are talking about Steve Stevens, right?
Originally posted by callat703:Thanks, callat…I like "Chicago." Generally with this genre, it may really stick after a few listens, but as often or more than not it doesn't (for me). Folks love this guy – if you do, enjoy the show!
http://www.myspace.com/sufjanstevens
If anyone has an extra ticket…
Originally posted by Chip Chanko:…they would have posted in the ticket exchange.
If anyone has an extra ticket…
I'll be feelin' the Illinoise, and probably gawking at Katrina:
<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/chriscantalini/katrinaswan.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/chriscantalini/katrinaswan.jpg" alt=" - " />
Question to you veterans:
How long do you all think Sufjan will be on for tonight? It says he goes on at 10…when will he be wrapping up?
How long do you all think Sufjan will be on for tonight? It says he goes on at 10…when will he be wrapping up?
Show should be over around 11:15 or 11:30