Sufjan “Garage Rock” Stevens?
Yesterday, Stereogum premiered a new track from Sufjan Stevens, noting that the song would sound more at home with Jack and Meg on Icky Thump. I don’t always agree with the gum (especially lately), but they’re dead on on this one; Stevens has indeed, recorded a garage rock song. The track, ‘In The Words Of The Governor’, features a relentless guitar, messy p ercussion, and Sufjan on some very different vocals. But, once you get past the whole what-the-fuck-factor, ‘Governor’ is actually pretty enjoyable. I’d love to see Stevens record an entire album of material like this, but it seems unlikely. After all, he’s still got 48 albums to make before he dies.
Best Of SC | 5/20
The best tracks posted on SC over the past week;
Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya – Tu Connais le Chanson.mp3
Blonde Redhead – Signs Along The Path.mp3
Okkervil River – Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe.mp3
Queens Of The Stone Age – I’m Designer.mp3
Sufjan Stevens – Waste Of What Your Kids Won’t Have.mp3
Seven Swans Gets The Reissue Treatment
In case you haven’t already heard, Sufjan Stevens 2004 gem, Seven Swans, is getting the reissue treatment from Sounds Familyre Records. While Swans seems to be overshadowed by it’s big brother, Illinois, lately, it’s still a superb album. This is especially great news if you, like me, prefer you Sufjan Stevens a little restrained and understated, rather than over-the-top and bombastic. And as if hearing these songs on “audiophile grade vinyl” weren’t enough of an incentive to pick this up, a 7″ will be included in all purchases, featuring two previously unreleased songs. It’s time likes these when I’m reminded how badly I need a good record player. Be sure to pick this up if you can. For now, you can enjoy these tracks, one from the original release, and another from the 7″.
Sufjan Stevens – The Dress Looks Nice On You.mp3
Happy Birthday To Me!
Yeah, that’s right; it’s my birthday. In addition to playing Person Pitch nonstop on my brand new stereo system, I actually found some time to track down some birthday related tracks from Andrew Bird, Bright Eyes, Sinatra, and Monroe. They separate into two categories; quick little one-minute renditions of the song people leave on your answering machine every year, and longer tracks that deal with the general idea of birthdays. Some of these are interesting beyond their gimmick, especially the infamous ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’.
Andrew Bird – The Happy Birthday Song.mp3
Bright Eyes – Happy Birthday To Me.mp3
Franks Sinatra – Happy Birthday To Me.mp3
Sufjan Stevens – Happy Birthday.mp3
Joni Mitchell – Happy Birthday 1975.mp3
Marylin Monroe – Happy Birthday Mr. President.mp3
Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday.mp3
Technorati Tags: Andrew Bird, Birthdays, Bright Eyes, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Marylin Monroe, mp3s, Stevie Wonder, Sufjan Stevens
A Tribute To Joni Mitchell; Prince, Sufjan, and Bjork
Where Sufjan goes, the indie world will follow. While that’s one of the basic truths of indie culture, it probably doesn’t hurt that on his latest project, Bjork and Prince also helped out a little. Have I peaked your interest yet? Well, these three artists, along with several others, have just put out a Joni Mitchell Tribute album. While Sufjans song is a bit off (not his style?), Prince and Bjork nail their performances. Enjoy.
Sufjan Stevens – A Free Man In Paris.mp3
Technorati Tags: Joni Mitchell, Bjork, Prince, Sufjan Stevens, mp3s
Clear The Clutter: Jan 25 Edition
It may not seem like it sometimes, but I work pretty hard on this blog. Yeah, I disappear sometimes, but never for very long. And yeah, I post in bursts, but I’m working on that. Anyway, I download a lot of mp3’s over the weeks, and they tend to pile up on my desktop. It’s not that they’re bad songs, it’s just that they get lost in the shuffle. So, every now and then, I have to do a little clean-up, so that my desktop is visible once again. And so, today I will be cleaning off my desktop. That means that I’ll listen to every mp3 there, and post about all the good ones. This may take more than one day. Let’s start out with this one.
This song, Much Farther To Go, is from Rosie Thomas’ upcoming album, These Friends Of Mine, due on March 13. It’s typically sweet, and the lyrics would probably be considered naive and trite (I lost my way when I lost you) if it weren’t for the delivery. Thomas’ voice is spot on, delicate and smooth and so is Sufjan Steven’s, Thomas’ guest. Their voices are a perfect match, intertwining together in a way that few voices can, while a guitar and banjo strum in the background. An absolute gem.
Shameless Complacency 