#46

Yea just recently and no I haven’t thanks for the rec.
I will check out Boards of Canada. I also followed your last.fm. Hey I was curious where to start with Sufjan Stevens, what would you recommend?

#47

Where to start with Sufjan…

The place to start is probably Illinois. It’s my second favourite of his but it’s probably the best introduction. Covers all sorts of ground from stripped-back banjo to lush full-band ‘Americana’.

My absolute favourite of his is Carrie and Lowell. I put it in my top 10 albums of all time recently in another thread on here. It’s an astonishing album (very stripped-back, no drums), and one which has made me think and reflect more than any other about art and life in general. It’s about the death of his birth-mother. I can’t imagine approaching the album without already having built up a connection with Sufjan as a songwriter over 10 years before hearing it - I’ve wondered if the same music would have the same impact on me if it had been some Jonny-come-lately’s debut album. Maybe it would have the same impact - I just don’t know. It also stands in such stark contrast with his previous album, which is the other I would heartily recommend…

The Age of Adz is the polar opposite of C&L - it’s a busy collage of electronics - sometimes joyous, sometimes sad. Again, I can’t imagine listening to it without the context of his earlier albums, nor Carrie and Lowell without the backdrop of The Age of Adz.

In short, start with Illinois, then move onto The Age of Adz and Carrie and Lowell. Michigan is also lovely, and Seven Swans is gorgeous (although C&L does the same style of music to perfection). He’s one of the true greats of our time. And my post is rather rambling.

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#48

All good it’s really imformative. Will definitely check it out. Thanks man!

#49

Not listened to him enough really. Good suggestion, these days I don’t look for recommendations of bands I’ve never heard of…but rather bands I’m familiar with, but haven’t given enough time to fully appreciate them.

#50

So basically ;

C&L > Illinois > Age of Adz > Michigan = Seven Swans?

I’m just kidding, that’s a really good summation of Sufjan’s music. Definitely start with Illinois.

#51

:grinning:

#52

Unsurprisingly, super compatability. Your listening history is like a combination of Sufjan/Decemberists style folk with BoC/Biosphere /other electronica all topped of by Radiohead. It’s difficultly to recommend you stuff…I was scrolling down your list thinking: “oh maybe they’d like…oh wait there it is, 1000+ plays”

I presume you’re a fan of Grouper, Ian William Craig or Julianna Barwick. Check them out if not.

I’d also say, on the pastoral/chamber folk front, Mutual Benefit makes the best version if this currently, but it kind of gets ignored as it’s a bit more passé now…

#53

Lol. Y’know what, I’ve never really gotten on too well with those three - Grouper has moments which work, and did enjoy bits of the new IWC. I feel like they should be right up my street given the love they get in the ambient thread, but something doesn’t quite click. Listening to Mutual Benefit now though.

#54

Listening to ‘Lost Dreamers’ by Mutual Benefit - it’s lovely. I’m such a sucker for stuff in 6/8 time. Just love that lilting rhythm.

#55

Gosh you’ve posted in this thread a lot

#56

Banging my head trying to solve something at work. This is providing a nice distraction! I’ll do you soon namefriend

#57

Was just a shout out to your post in the daily thread, now I just look like I’m being mean.

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#58

have you ever listened to au pairs? if not, playing with a different sex is v good, bit gang of four-y

#59

There’s so much attention to detail in his music, it’s a bit sad how Skip a Sinking Stone has had next to no recognition…but Love’s Crushing Diamond is the slightly better album, and that’s reflected in good critical reception.

I also get what you said upthread about Grouper et al. as there is sometings of style over substance with their styles…it just so happens I can’t get enough of that aesthetic!

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#60

i hadn’t but just looked them up. this sounds pretty good, definitely fits into the sort of thing i like. thanks!

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#61

Did I miss the party?

http://www.last.fm/user/recrewindplay

#62

Twilight Sad and Mogwai in there but no Arab Strap. might be up your street if you’ve never checked em out

#63
#64

Your compatibility with WaylonFunn is Very High.
You both listen to Big Black, The Fall and Minutemen.

based on the above there’s definitely room for some Mclusky, Girl Band and Mission of Burma in your life if they aren’t already.

#65

http://www.last.fm/user/Pale-eyedBadger :+1: