Summary:Known for his genre-bending instrumentation and soulful lyricism, the Detroit-born indie rocker returns five years after his last proper album with an experimental variety of electro-orchestral folk pop songs.
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Record Label:Asthmatic Kitty
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Pop
After all those years that people remarked and possibly, tried to shut him out, Stevens has returned with what just might be the best music he has ever crafted.
The Age of Adz is not an unqualified success; occasionally it does feel like a little too much, and until the dust has settled it is difficult to say where it will sit in his discography as a whole.
I'm not sure how or why anyone would rate an album without actually listening to it first. Why even waste your time posting a review. ThisI'm not sure how or why anyone would rate an album without actually listening to it first. Why even waste your time posting a review. This album is a 10 and any BS vote of 6 without any frame of reference besides Sufjan's former album from 5 years ago is not accurate and meaningless.…Expand
Evolution is a natural process for all living things. We see it in the plants, the trees, and the animal kingdom. We see it in human beings,Evolution is a natural process for all living things. We see it in the plants, the trees, and the animal kingdom. We see it in human beings, we see it in art, and we see it in music. What Sufjan has presented here is musical evolution. He had accomplished what so many other once-prolific artists have failed to - he has continued to adapt his sound and push the envelope in new directions. Is he the first artist to utilize a mash-up of lo-fi electro and stringed/classical instruments? Surely not. But he has done it in such a way that is so captivating, so creative, and so entertaining that I find myself coming back to it day after day. If you're a seasoned Sufjan fan, you may be surprised at some of the decisions he has made on this album, but give it time. After one listen you'll realize you have just experienced one of the most sonically-beautiful albums of the new millennium. If I was to somehow travel back in time to the days of Mozart, or Beethoven, etc. . . I would play them songs from this album and tell them, "Yes, this is the music of the future."…Expand
Such a thrilling album, it really took me a while until I fully appreciated it's genius but well worth the listening effort. The combinationSuch a thrilling album, it really took me a while until I fully appreciated it's genius but well worth the listening effort. The combination of all Sufjan's learned over his previous albums, especially Enjoy Your Rabbit, Illinois, and The BQE, is amalgamated to become what I consider his finest piece. The song that displays the strengths of Sufjan's songwriting and production skills is I Want to be Well. The crisp clasps of percussion juxtaposing the extended trills of flutes really does it for me.…Expand
As a disclaimer, I should state I have always been reserved in my response to Stevens' work. I appreciate the mastery he displays over hisAs a disclaimer, I should state I have always been reserved in my response to Stevens' work. I appreciate the mastery he displays over his craft, but for some reason I have consistently failed to connect with his work. A subjective judgment, I know, but such is the nature of music. So, I didn't have high expectations for this album, however, I must say this may be the album that *finally* offers me a window into the world of Sufjan. As much as it is a departure from his previous work (darker, less concept oriented, electronic influences), it retains a distinct Sufjan feel with its idiosyncratic musical structures and instrumentation that, at times, make you work hard as a listener. It is ultimately, however, the incorporation of electronic instrumentation (though at times it sounds a little too much like Postal Service for my taste) and a more pessimistic outlook (though plenty of hope is still here) that draw me in. This Sufjan seems more self-aware than I have ever seen him, and he ridicules his own fame while still offering bittersweet hope to his listeners.
"I Walked" may be the best lost love song in recent memory. The understated pulse of electronics overlaid by Sufjan's beautiful falsetto drives home the sense of ache the lyrics communicate. And who has the right to write lyrics like "Lover, will you look from me now / I'm already dead / but I've come to explain / why I left such a mess on the floor / For when you went away / I went crazy. I was wild with the breast of a dog / I ran through the night / with the knife in my chest / with the lust of your loveless life?"
Sufjan Stevens clearly has a lot more to offer. Despite my aforementioned skepticism over his music, this album has instantly entered discussion for 10 best of the year!…Expand
Sufjan displays his versatile talent in this folktronica masterpiece. I will say, the 25 minute outro is a bit of a chore to get through butSufjan displays his versatile talent in this folktronica masterpiece. I will say, the 25 minute outro is a bit of a chore to get through but man... does this album have some sweet moments filled with choral singing, synthesizers, and drum sequencers. A must listen.…Expand
I was appalled by the quality of this album. Especially, "Futile Devices" which is quite average in a sense that it sounds the same as everyI was appalled by the quality of this album. Especially, "Futile Devices" which is quite average in a sense that it sounds the same as every other song on the album except it has added nihilism which makes the overall quality of the album inappropriate and downright shameful to be called The Age of Adz.
But that's just my opinion, - Jamie Valerio…Expand
