A night of thrills and chills

I saw Sufjan Stevens and his ten strong band the other night - oh me, oh my - the boy has changed since I caught him three years ago. Gone were the wings, the banjo, the hula hoops, the rambling banter, the folk and the tears (my tear ducts exploded with joy). This was a completely different ride.

Owen Pallett (formally Final Fantasy) opened the show. If you listen to him with your eyes closed you would swear that an orchestra would be playing, yet it’s just one man, a violin, a keyboard and a loop pedal. I won’t even bother describing how utterly beautiful his music is – just watch this (the sound quality is a bit iffy, but the atmosphere is sublime) and have a listen to this.

[Owen Pallett]

Then it was Sufjan’s turn. The Age of Adz show was like a sci-fi synth fused slow jam, lit by neon tape and glow sticks. The music was surreal, confusing, lengthy, bizarre, layered, luscious, chaotic, dark, moody and I found it impossible to sit still. I shifted and wiggled in my seat, desperate to dance, particularly when the balloons and confetti burst from the Opera House’s ceiling during the epically long song “Impossible soul”.

The Age of the Adz

I'm ridiculously excited.

Sufjan Stevens is releasing an LP on October 12th.

If you haven't had the pleasure of listening to this master storyteller, it's like having arrows of emotion fired straight into your ears. Visions of cities, people and places throughout history explode in your head. As pieces of the arrow splinter off and travel through your veins, sending chills from your armpits to fingertips. Blood pumps fast in your heart, until your a puddle not a person.

Michael Peck- Threats and Promises (82cm x 36cm. Oil on Linen. 2010)

In other words he's a bloody fine songwriter, composer and musician. Plus he knows how to wear wings stylishly.

As a heads up, so you don't sound like a dweeb - “adz” is pronounced “odds.” According to a press release form Asthmatic Kitty records "adz" is a cutting tool that is used to sculpt wood

"The title The Age of Adz is a reference to the apocalyptic art of Royal Robertson (1930—1997), a Louisiana-based sign-maker (and self-proclaimed prophet) who suffered from schizophrenia. Robertson’s work depicts his vivid dreams and visions of space aliens, futuristic automobiles, eccentric monsters and signs of the Last Judgment. Portions of Stevens’ album use Robertson’s work as an idealistic springboard and a selection of Robertson’s drawings (his primary media were poster board, magic marker, and glitter) appear throughout the album art."

Sounds like this next record is going to be another quiver full of arrows.