Sufjan Stevens The Avalanche Label: Astmatic Kitty Release Date:07/11/2006

When I read “Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album” under my copy of Sufjan Steven’s “newest” record, released last July, I was disappointed but excited all over again. We all know who Sufjan Stevens is; we all know we loved “Illinois,” no matter anyone else says. Sufjan, with this elaboration on Illinois, makes “The Avalanche” an amazing release on its own right. Many feel that an outtake album isn’t what Sufjan needs to do, as he’s over 30 and he still as 48 states to go on his seemingly endless journey across America beginning with 2003’s magnificent “Michigan – the Great Lake’s State.” But Sufjan is just letting us in on the months and months spent on his recording “Illinois” and for those who still haven’t listened because you felt an outtakes album was a waste of money, you might as well go pick it up now.

Many of these tracks could have shown up on “Illinois” and felt right at home, which is a great relief from what most outtakes albums end up encompassing. Sufjan begins with “The Avalanche,” which was supposed to be the title track for “Illinois” for obvious reasons. It’s a stripped down gem, probably recorded around the time of “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” from “Illinois” because of raw feel. “Adlai Stevenson” is an ode to the man who was Governor to Illinois and ambassador to the United Nations, as well as ran for President twice, losing both times to Dwight Eisenhower. Sufjan brings back the historical references and meticulous facts while keeping the song fun and catchy singing “Adlai, Adlai, what did he say? And what is the answer?” The instrumental interludes still break up tracks like they did on “Illinois” but, much like its counterpart, the instrumentals are really a one time listen, usually just skipped over the second plus listen.

“The Henry Buggy Band,” “Saul Bellow,” dedicated to author Saul Bellow, who grew up in the slums of Chicago from Russia, and “Springfield, Or Bobby Got a Shadfly Caught In His Hair” are three tracks that should have been placed onto “Illinois” because of the pure strength that Sufjan brings to each on of them. “Henry Buggy Band” is concerned about the Ronald Reagan Toll way and Springfield features a roaming, soloing Sufjan over the backbeat, which contrary to other reviews of the album, sounds great and purposeful regardless of it the song was never finished or not.

“Illinois” was a near perfect album. If I had my way to add tracks to “Illinois,” I would probably end up messing up what made that album so special. “The Avalanche” is special in its own way, as a companion to one of the best albums of 2005. Sufjan may never finish his 50 state project, but if he finishes 10 states in his lifetime that are as complete a compendium as “Illinois,” the masses will be happy. For fans who skipped this release, its time to just pick it up for the holidays and listen to both albums on shuffle for the complete “Illinois” experience.

Sufjan Stevens- Myspace

This entry was posted on Friday, October 27th, 2006 at 12:52 am and is filed under CD/LP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.