Sufjan

Hey People,

I was thinking the blog is a few days overdue for a Bi-Weekly Beer Blog. So I sat down with every intention of busting one of those out...but, then I thought about my recent beer consumption and was a bit discouraged. Since the last BWBB, I haven't had too many beers worthy of their own blog. Friday night, I purchased a six pack of New Belgium's Ranger IPA; it wasn't doing it for me. Then Saturday, C and I went to a wedding. Obviously, no new beers there. But, I promise a really awesome BWBB soon.

Realizing the BWBB was out, I started brainstorming blog ideas. Not surprisingly, Michigan Football came to mind. That wound is just too fresh though. All I'll say is that I am hoping/optimistic that we will come to play on Saturday for homecoming. I've still got loads of confidence in Denard. But no Michigan blog...at least not right now.

Running low on ideas, I started looking around Alterra, and I realized that the music coming from my laptop was making my wait for C to finish school exponentially better. AND that's where Sufjan comes in.

As some of you may know, Sufjan Stevens has been a pretty big staple on my ipod since freshman year at Michigan. That year, he put out his album entitled "Michigan." That album is one of the best of the decade. Then, he put out Illinois, which had most of the great qualities of Michigan but pushed the envelope. It incorporated solid "folk" songs with huge orchestras, horns, drums etc.

Since then Sufjan has had a few projects. He put out an album of outtakes and extras from Illinois (which is actually solid on its own). He oddly(?) made a Christmas album...haha. Then he did some collaborations. Well, yesterday, he released The Age of Adz (pronounced "odds"), and I just finished listening to the entire album for the first time. The last song is a 25 minute epic that basically blew my mind. The ten songs leading up to that are all amazing. The album is definitely a blend of the straightforward songs from Michigan, the complex arrangements in Illinois, and new electronic elements. It's unlike many other albums out there, but in a cool, genuine way. Honestly, in one portion of the 25 minute last song, it almost sounds like hip hop. And I mean the most awesome hip hop imaginable.

If you want to listen, I believe the whole album can be streamed here

I welcome anyone's thoughts. Like I said, expect a BWBB soon and obviously, Go Blue!