Music Review: Sufjan Stevens and My Brightest Diamond Live 10-15-06
Sufjan Stevens's Come on Feel the Illinoise was the highest rated album of 2005 according to Metacritic, and with good reason. His song writing is amazing, and unlike many bands, his live shows parallel if not exceed his studio recordings. This past week, Caspian and I had the awesome privlidge to see Sufjan Stevens live with opening act My Brightest Diamond, and we decided to do a dualing review!
Hit the jump for the review!
Caspian:
First off, we can't go into Sufjan Stevens' set without comments on My Brightest Diamond, the opening act. Longtime Sufjan backup singer Shara Worden's brainchild was really a puzzle-piece fit opener for this orchestrated tour. Usually at these high-profile Indie bills, the lead-in is hardly as welcome or as competent as Diamond. Shara, it turns out, is a classically-trained Opera singer, pouring her voice over PJ Harvey-like musical passages. What a great find!
Frodo:
I am listening to her album right now and she is absolutely incredible. Her live performance was pretty electric, as well. Kind of made me want to see a solo show of hers, or have her play longer that evening. But NO, Sufjan just HAD to come on stage wearing egyptian-looking eagle wings and a feather mask.
Caspian:
Yeah, he's a jerk, isn't he? So he strides up in full-winged costume and gives the ornate Paramout audience (excellent venue choice, I might add) a lovely piano version of "Sister" from Seven Swans. He played several songs from that album and I thought the live versions were infinitely better than their recorded counterparts. Ruins the whole album for me- thanks again Sufjan! Also, it's important to note that he brought with him no less than a 10 part string and horn section, a rock band, and borrowed his opener's gorgeous singing voice to enhance his sound. Any thoughts on his song choice?
Frodo:
I was a bit dissapointed that he didn't play anything off of his newest album, The Avalanche, but he ran the gamut of epic tunes from Michigan and Illinoise, matching or exceeding the sound of his in-studio recordings with his live performance. His voice never faltered, he was able to nail each and every high note, and his arrangements were impeccable. There's something about his music that is very ethereal and cinematic, and that was definitely accentuated by his showmanship and stage presence. My favorite part was during the crecendo in The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts where people ran up and down the isles throwing inflatable Superman dolls at the crowd.
Caspian:
Gotta love anyone who buys hundreds of inflatable supermans and santas for the sole purpose of littering them out to his adoring fans. I think one song that deserves a lot of attention is the new tune "Majesty Snowbird." Although the "bird" topic isn't new to Stevens, the wonderful melodic staying power of that song has me wishing he'd write a concept record about Bird Watching. The highlight of the show, for me, was Sufjan's painfully shy, yet adorable storytelling in between songs, specifically before "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades." His cute ramblings about the show's mascot (a rubber rooster doll) were silly and refreshing coming from a virtuoso that could've been a great deal more pretentious than he was.
Frodo:
I agree. With his critical acclaim and excellent musicianship, Sufjan could be way more of a prick. He comes off as sweet and humble, and I think that endeared him to me. The concert was a great kickback to shows where the act really wanted to entertain you, not just with the music, but with the entire presentation. It's too bad this was the last show on the tour, or I'd recommend everyone to check to see if he was coming to their city. For now, check out Sufjan's stuff on iTunes, and while you are at it, look at My Brightest Diamond, too!
Sufjan Stevens on iTunes:
My Brightest Diamond on iTunes:
What say you?!