The Album Club 2017

Trollheart · 07-01-2017, 07:23 PM

Right, we're getting closer to round two, and I take note of what people say about the list being too long, with those who tend not to get very involved still allowed their place on the list, so here's the deal: submit your next album within, if possible, the next two weeks. You'll be added to the queue. Anyone I see not getting involved will run the risk of losing their album. They'll be advised of this situation beforehand, and may then get their arse in gear, but if they don't do this in time then their album will be removed. There will be no chance to have another shot till round three.

Exceptions to this will be for those who make it clear they are going away or whatever and can't participate for a few weeks. Under those circumstances, ie when I'm advised in advance, that person may elect to keep their album, or not, at their discretion.

I'm taking mental notes here. I've noticed a real fall-off in recent months, and while this understandable it's not fair to those who participate and make the effort every week, so those people, those who are, shall we say, regular contributors, will get priority over those who do not or cannot be here every week. That only seems fair.

I don't want to make this a chore for anyone, and anyone can bow out at any time, or take a break, but in doing so you must risk having your album removed from the queue. Hope that's ok with everyone. If not, suck it.

TechnicLePanther · 06-26-2017, 07:52 PM

3 to 4 out of 5

**Exo** · 06-26-2017, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechnicLePanther

3 to 4 out of 5

And who will keep track of these stats?

OccultHawk · 06-26-2017, 08:26 PM

Chula

innerspaceboy · 06-27-2017, 11:56 AM

Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans

Stevens was an artist I smugly rejected in 2004 - pop music I resigned myself from listening to as I felt it was music reserved for those just young enough to be beyond my social sphere of relatability.

In my more thoughtful and retrospective years, I’ve shed that haughty stubbornness and find myself in a headspace where I can just enjoy this stuff, relatable or not.

This last week I’ve really been exploring intimate and vulnerable musics, beginning with Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel / Why Patterns? and progressing steadily toward key works of post-minimalism. As such, I’ve found myself in a space where I can really connect with and enjoy music far less academic and much more emotive than in my previous inclinations. Even this review is feeling far more intuitive and reflective than my usual formal and dissective analysis.

Seven Swans is intimately understated and fragile with whispery vocals and sparse chamber folk instrumentation. There is a pastoral quality about the entire record which is carried quite cohesively throughout. None of the tracks stand out as singles, and from what I understand this album is often overlooked in favor of his more radio-friendly recordings. But the subtlety of this record is what makes it more accessible, at least for someone in my headspace.

I’ve no academic criticisms to make, no judgment to pass, and no socio-cultural contextualization to apply here. I just enjoyed the album, psychologically and emotionally. It added a pleasant sonic dimension to my quiet and reflective afternoon.

Thanks for making it a part of this thread.

No X/10 this time 'round - I'm not feeling like quantification at present.

Zhanteimi · 07-01-2017, 08:20 PM

Although Seven Swans is Soof's most explicitly Christian album, it is not my favorite. I prefer Illinois and, of course, Carrie & Lowell (my favorite of his).

"Abraham" and "The Transfiguration" are songs based on stories in the Bible, and they're great, but for me, as a Christian, "He Woke Me Up Again" is my favorite track. It contains all the feelings of epiphany I felt when I'd been sleeping all my life in darkness and awoke to the light...a light I still have not reached but hope to one day grasp in some limited way.

5.00/5 stars

TechnicLePanther · 07-02-2017, 08:49 AM

Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans

Not sure if you're obligated to review your own album, but here goes.

I think this album is a near perfect example of what Sufjan is best at, and that is arrangement. He knows how to take several quite simple melodies and intertwine them to create an expansive and complex atmosphere. Then, he cleanly fits his deeply personal stories and descriptions into this atmosphere to complete the package. A cherry on top, so to speak.

First half has a couple great tracks, namely To Be Alone With You, Sister, and The Dress Looks Nice on You, but the second side is where the album really shines in my opinion. It's got Size Too Small, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Seven Swans, and The Transfiguration, with a couple slightly worse tracks sprinkled within. Seven Swans might be my favorite track for the way it slowly picks up and then really takes off at the end.

I'm well aware that the relative simplicity of this album isn't for everyone, and I agree that Carrie and Lowell has a similar atmosphere with improved songwriting. But taken on its own merit, I still really enjoy this album; it's jam-packed with catchy melodies and soothing instrumentation, and even the less intriguing songs have something interesting to say.

Favorite Tracks: To Be Alone With You, Sister, Size Too Small, Seven Swans

8/10

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 07-02-2017, 09:09 AM

the toughest thing for me with this album is deciding between it, illinois, or carrie & lowell as Sufjan's peak.

there's just something so hauntingly beautiful with this album. tracks like The Dress Looks Nice On You and To Be Alone With You are up there amongst my favourite of his, and for the duration of the album i feel sucked into the story, as if i'm in the room with sufjan as he is writing these songs.

i know the whole indie folk label turns off a lot of people around here, and although i haven't read many of the reviews yet, i'm expecting this thing to get peppered for being "boring" and "typical indie" but it will always have a spot close to me.

8/10

**Frownland** · 07-02-2017, 12:27 PM

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...ml#post1809030

I've listened to every album at least.

OccultHawk · 07-02-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...ml#post1809030

I've listened to every album at least.

Are you implying I wrote ill-informed reviews?

07-01-2017, 07:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Right, we're getting closer to round two, and I take note of what people say about the list being too long, with those who tend not to get very involved still allowed their place on the list, so here's the deal: submit your next album within, if possible, the next two weeks. You'll be added to the queue. Anyone I see not getting involved will run the risk of losing their album. They'll be advised of this situation beforehand, and may then get their arse in gear, but if they don't do this in time then their album will be removed. There will be no chance to have another shot till round three. Exceptions to this will be for those who make it clear they are going away or whatever and can't participate for a few weeks. Under those circumstances, ie when I'm advised in advance, that person may elect to keep their album, or not, at their discretion. I'm taking mental notes here. I've noticed a real fall-off in recent months, and while this understandable it's not fair to those who participate and make the effort every week, so those people, those who are, shall we say, regular contributors, will get priority over those who do not or cannot be here every week. That only seems fair. I don't want to make this a chore for anyone, and anyone can bow out at any time, or take a break, but in doing so you must risk having your album removed from the queue. Hope that's ok with everyone. If not, suck it. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

06-26-2017, 07:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
TechnicLePanther and the livin' is easy... Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New York Posts: 1,997	3 to 4 out of 5 __________________ Many have tried to destroy it... but... true evil never dies. It is only... REBORN *SUGGEST ME AN ALBUM* - I'm probably not going to listen to it but I will if you bother me enough.

06-26-2017, 08:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	Chula __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

07-01-2017, 08:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,873	Although Seven Swans is Soof's most explicitly Christian album, it is not my favorite. I prefer Illinois and, of course, Carrie & Lowell (my favorite of his). "Abraham" and "The Transfiguration" are songs based on stories in the Bible, and they're great, but for me, as a Christian, "He Woke Me Up Again" is my favorite track. It contains all the feelings of epiphany I felt when I'd been sleeping all my life in darkness and awoke to the light...a light I still have not reached but hope to one day grasp in some limited way. 5.00/5 stars __________________ Zhanteimi LetsTalkMusic

07-02-2017, 08:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
TechnicLePanther and the livin' is easy... Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New York Posts: 1,997	Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans Not sure if you're obligated to review your own album, but here goes. I think this album is a near perfect example of what Sufjan is best at, and that is arrangement. He knows how to take several quite simple melodies and intertwine them to create an expansive and complex atmosphere. Then, he cleanly fits his deeply personal stories and descriptions into this atmosphere to complete the package. A cherry on top, so to speak. First half has a couple great tracks, namely To Be Alone With You, Sister, and The Dress Looks Nice on You, but the second side is where the album really shines in my opinion. It's got Size Too Small, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Seven Swans, and The Transfiguration, with a couple slightly worse tracks sprinkled within. Seven Swans might be my favorite track for the way it slowly picks up and then really takes off at the end. I'm well aware that the relative simplicity of this album isn't for everyone, and I agree that Carrie and Lowell has a similar atmosphere with improved songwriting. But taken on its own merit, I still really enjoy this album; it's jam-packed with catchy melodies and soothing instrumentation, and even the less intriguing songs have something interesting to say. Favorite Tracks: To Be Alone With You, Sister, Size Too Small, Seven Swans 8/10 __________________ Many have tried to destroy it... but... true evil never dies. It is only... REBORN *SUGGEST ME AN ALBUM* - I'm probably not going to listen to it but I will if you bother me enough. Last edited by TechnicLePanther; 07-02-2017 at 09:01 AM.

07-02-2017, 12:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...ml#post1809030 I've listened to every album at least. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x