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It's Pronounced Soof-Yawn, I think...

So I cashed in a store credit at Borders today, and picked up a new CD. I haven't gotten a new CD in a while, and I figured since the credit was from a gift, I could get away with trying something "new" and not really feel much guilt.

For a while, since I've been on the Danielson Famile mailing list and a subscriber to Relevant Magazine, I've been hearing about this folk artist with a funky name making waves in the underground. The artist is Sufjan Stevens, and on a whim I looked for his name in the CDs (Life After God by Douglas Coupland was my first choice to use my credit on, but I would have had to special order it), and found a stack of three or four albums by this guy.

My credit was equal to the cost of the album Seven Swans, and since it was the newest of the choices available, I grabbed it and didn't look back. (Although I did make a detour through the DVD's while chatting with Michelle on the phone - I was thinking the Donnie Darko Special Edition DVD would be there - no dice though.)

Needless to say, I walked out a few minutes later with my new CD in hand and kicking myself for the millionth time for not owning a car with a CD Player anymore. But, fear not, I threw it in the player in my basement while loading firewood, and was amazed.

I really dig this sound. It's hard to peg - it's folksy, it's banjo laced - but it's unlike any bluegrass or folk music I've ever heard. I highly recommend it - the lyrics are especially poetic, and laced with a deep faith in God. It sort of reminds me of the music on the soundtrack for Garden State - very alt rock but accessible to general music fans.

Check out his website for more info

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