on 2011-10-21 CharlesMartel Said:

I agree entirely. I am now approaching that section of my music collection where I park the albums which leave me cold, for a variety of reasons, and have to try to explain why. That is likely to confuse and (possibly offend) but offence is not my intention. I feel I can always poke fun at an artist (after all, they have put their wares in front of me as an inducement to spend money). As for music fans, as you say, each to his own. The only music fans who I have no time for are those, and we all know them, who sit around saying X or Y is fantastic just because everyone else does. Similar people exist in art, literature and film, and not one of them is genuine.

There are people who like what I do not, and there is a lot of stuff I like which you would be surprised at. Indeed, musical appreciation is and can only be subjective. I can only write what I hear so to speak. I have never found anyone who, in all seriousness, can say, "I have a high regard for that album because of its originality and musical inventiveness even though I can't stand listening to it because it bores me to death".

I have lived long enough (groan) to see all manner of artists rise and fall, all manner of musical styles get lauded and then disappear. These are products of time and space. But the truly great transcend both, even if they may be off their peak at various times - the Stones, Rush and U2 may be classic examples of this. There are others who disappeared after having been lauded, and most of the current crop of UK indie bands (Kaiser Chiefs, Keane, Snow Patrol etc.) will go that way I suspect. And believe me, I have seen those who regard them as the best thing because everyone else does in many guises - Yes fans, Led Zeppelin Fans, Duran Duran fans etc. - Some of those bands I like, some I do not, some I like bits of. But it has been a long time since I liked something solely because someone said I should (about 39 years ago I think).

Diversity and tolerance are always to be applauded in musical taste. But there are times when over-inflated egos and reputations need to have a few well deserved holes punched in them too, just to remind us all that, no matter how good someone says someone else is, the real test of an artist's staying power is when the majority of people have reached that conclusion on their own accord.
Rating: 3/10

on 2011-10-21 SolitaryMan Said:

Honesty in criticism is not only appreciated (or should be), but has to be the paramount goal. But, sir, you must be content with the adage "to each his own" from time to time. I can understand the frustration, trust me; there are certain bands that are seemingly beloved by every person you come across that, once I end up hearing it, I am left altogether stunned and too confused to offer up any rational reasoning behind the drooling and fawning. But, remember, beyond hipster posing and trend-setting, there is a place where artistic merit, however unoriginal or uncreative, still exists and can be appreciated by one or one million people that are not you or me. This is clearly behind the example that, while I love so-called "pretentious" bands like Rush, Yes, King Crimson and so on, there are also tracks by Blink 182, Coldplay, and even Lady Gaga that I enjoy to varying degrees. I can, in one sitting, listen to Emperor, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Slayer, Eminem and Johnny Cash and not bat an eyelash at the playlist. TO. EACH. THEIR. OWN! A simple concept that should be remembered to at least be mentioned in most reviews that we feel the urge to poke fun at a certain cross-section of listeners that may be listening just to fit in to some pre-determined subculture.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2011-10-21 CharlesMartel Said:

The second album in his ambitious attempt to provide a sort of chronicle in song of all 50 states of the USA, Sufjan Stevens wisely gave up after this one. I don't want to sound boorish, but I really do not get what it is about this guy and his music which sends so many people into raptures of delight and praise. I mean, it is rather standard indie cross-over folk music, a slice of Americana which thousands of others have done, and many a lot better than this.

For a start, there are the oh so clever song titles, dripping with irony and pretension. Who would ever have thought of calling a song "The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience, But You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Them Until They Are Off Our Lands!" Better to have called it the "Black Hawk Down War, or How to Interfere in Something Which Is None of Our Damn Business etc. etc."

Now once you get over the prolix song titles, you come to the music, and to be honest I have never been so bored in my entire life. Sterile song writing which lacks any sort of zest, wrapped around uninteresting arrangements dripping with unnecessary instrumentation and totally devoid of anything resembling a good melody, a catchy tune or a memorable refrain which lingers with you long after you have finished listening to it.

The ultimate question is, Why? Why should this be applaued while garbage like Nickelback or Blink 182 get the big heave-ho from the same music fans? Why should this be given accolades when there is so little of any worthwhile substance to it that it beggars belief? Perhaps the truth lies in the fact that the indie hipster crowd have got themselves caught up in such a twist that they can no longer discern what is good from what is bad for all they hanker after is something they can label original. And yet, I am not even sure if this original. It lacks ambition, certainly lakcing the ambition of the 50 album project. Perhaps that is why Stevens abandoned his project. After all, if you are this dull and platitudinous about Illinois, how the f**k are you going to make an album about Vermont!
Rating: 3/10

on 2011-05-05 dscanland Said:

You should try Age of Adz. Really good album.
Not Rated

on 2011-05-04 SolitaryMan Said:

This is a great album. "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." is one of those songs that you won't soon forget, but the album is chock full of quality music. I admit I haven't followed Sufjan much beyond this album, but I can't imagine it being a bad place to start for newcomers.
Rating: 8/10