Sufjan Stevens

Hello everyone, this is my first post, it is nice to be on this forum

I would like to suggest that contemporary folk artist Sufjan Stevens be added to the archives for the following reasons (listed according to the 'what is prog rock' definition):

-While not extending as long as most progressive epics and songs, Stevens' work generally always exceeds the 3 minute pop limit, and he uses this time very well to combine various musical themes and changes. 

-His lyrics deal with many different subjects, covering history, politics, personal memories and religion/mythology; he often weaves them all together in a single song, as is he has done on his two 'states' albums he has released.

-He has recently begun a fascinating and original concept album-project that will occupy him likely for the rest of his life; to compose an album for each of the fifty states of the US, having each one contain references to local traditions, stories and history. (two such albums have been released thus far)

-While his vocals are not quite unusal, the soft, whispering texture he has characterizes all his work, as he produces his albums in a way that his vocals, the childish harmonies of female backup singers mix well with the innocent, clean quality of his orchestration.

-He has a very colourful, varied sense of orchestration, sometimes disregarding the standard rock group format altogether in favour of vibraphones, string quartets, flutes, banjos, pianos, trumpets and other instruments.

-While writing predominantly in standard time, he has written some songs in 5/4 and 3/4, using the odd time signature as a launching pad for particularly ambitious work. His use of soloing is very restricted, favouring instead the texture of combined instruments (to use an analogy, one might compare Stevens with the classical symphony as opposed to the classical concerto).

-As far as I know, he has not ventured into the realm of interpreting classical music, though as mentioned above, his orchestration often incorporates classical intstruments.

-Sadly, because Stevens is not yet very popular, he does not have a popularized image with which he is associated. As I had said before, there is a certain innocence and naivete about what image he has now, as is attested on his albums covers (Michigan looking like a postcard, Illinois looking like a cartoon).

Lastly, I will reccomend some songs for your appraisal and enjoyment (sadly, because I am not familiar with 'Michigan' I cannot reccomend any tracks from that album);  

-From 'Seven Swans': Transfiguration, Seven Swans, Sister, In Devil's Territory (the rest, though excellent, may not be quite as representitive of Stevens' more progressive work, do listen though for our own enjoyment)

-From 'Illinois': The entire album really, though particularly Come On Feel the Illinoise, Chicago, The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts, The Predatory Wasp of the Pallisades..., The Tallest Man Broadest Shoulders...

Thank you very much for your consideration, I look forward to discussion on this matter.

-Justin 

You make good points (and I am now inclined to agree with you), though I would kindly like the discussion to continue, if only for some interesting - and civil - debate.

Listening to Rush and some Pink Floyd now, I guess Sufjan Stevens in hindsight may not be the best candidate for inclusion to the prog archives. I still think that the discussion should be open for him if we focus on his folk leanings and how he transmutes them into songs that become something wholly other than folk or indie even by introducing synthesized and unusual combinations of instruments (ie Transfiguration, Sister, Come on Feel the Illinoise, etc.). By doing this, he colours his songs in very interesting, textured ways, preferring lengthy explorations and developments of sound over virtuosic musicianship. To use a comparison, I would place Stevens alongside Sigur Ros in terms of artistic vision, though the latter is 1. In the archives () 2. Much more inclined towards indie-sounding mainstream, particularly since Takk (not to attack Sigur Ros or anything, I enjoy them quite a bit actually).

-Justin