What They Think
Sufjan Stevens may be one of the most highly regarded artists you’ve
never hear of. Website Best Albums Ever ranked
him as the number 59 artist of all-time.1 He comes in behind Michael Jackson, The Rolling
Stones, and Prince, but ahead of Stevie Wonder and Green Day. (Charged with a
near impossible task, the list is actually pretty good.) The album received
praise from all directions. Metacritic
gave the Carrie and Lowell an incredible score of 90, and The Guardian gave it five stars.2
What I Think
I became a Sufjan Stevens fan after hearing his song “Casimir
Pulaski Day” from the album Illinois. He fearlessly makes use of any instrument
at hand, varying from orchestral sounds to stripped back acoustic sounds.
Carrie and Lowell is another great album
by Stevens, and quite possible his most personal. Lyrically, Stevens’ poetry
has few rivals.
Favorite Lyric
The song
Fourth of July gives me chills. It’s written about the last talk Stevens had
with his mother in the hospital before her death. The verses alternate between
words from Stevens and words from his mother.
Did you get enough love, my little dove
Why do you cry?
And I’m sorry I left, but it was for the best
Though it never felt right
My little Versailles
Where It Fits
This album is too heavy to listen to all of the time, but it’s
to powerful to ignore for long. When I need to reminisce or have some time in
contemplation, I’ll put on Carrie and
Lowell and settle in for a thoughtful listen. Sufjan Stevens’ music is
haunting and beautiful and worth a listen.
For more info on Sufjan Stevens and Carrie and Lowell, check out Pitchfork's interview with him here:
2 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_%26_Lowell
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