All Delighted People EP

Beware listening to this on a dreary day. This album breaks my heart. For something so melodious, it is some of the most fragile music I have ever heard. This has to be in my top ten of all-time favorite albums. And easily my favorite Sufjan Stevens album.

Everything Sufjan does, every song he writes, is pure poetry. His lyrics are so relatable, his tunes are so beautiful... it's impossible to hate his music! Keep writing more, Sufjan! You've inspired me so much in so many ways, and I'm really grateful. Please come to California sometime soon, I need to see you in concert! Peace and love to all you Sufjan fans!!! :)

Each song has it's gift ... The Owl and the Tanager could be hanging on a wall.

This EP that dropped out of nowhere has some true gems. The title track is just epic, Sufjan at his eccentric, over-the-top best. This track sounds like part of a larger musical, which I know Sufjan has in him if he ever puts his mind to it. Just wonderful imagery, melodies, choruses, etc.. Enchanting Ghost seems like a lost track from Seven Swans. The Owl and the Tanager is where he loses me. An oddball tune that is way too gloomy and self indulgent. The rest of the tracks are B-level fodder, with wonderful moments tossed in.

He’s baaaaaaack! Sufjan Stevens, indie god, has returned with an eight-track EP, which precedes a full length album due in the very near future (yay!). Consider this EP an appetizer. And as far as appetizers go, Sufjan Stevens does it better than most people’s main course. He starts the EP in typical fashion with the multi-instrumentalized 11.5 minute romp “All Delighted People”, which perhaps one day I’ll stop being overwhelmed by. And while the album is short, Stevens stuffs the middle with three gems. “Heirloom” keeps in strikingly simple compared to the opener, with barely more than Stevens’ soft vocals and an acoustic guitar. On “Heirloom” Stevens brings the same wounded sense he gave so wonderfully to all-time great track “Casimir Pulaski Day” when he sings “Do I always think I’m right? Oh no I never meant to be a pest to anyone this time. I only meant to be a friend to everyone this time.” Anyone who' has every had their intentions misunderstood can relate not just in words, but in feeling. “From the Mouth of Gabriel” is nearly as good and “The Owl and the Tanager” is dark, foreboding, and moody, primarily when Stevens shamefully and softly sings “and your father called to yell at me/’you little boy, you little boy’”. The album may just be a tease for what’s about to come in the approaching weeks, and what a solid tease it is.

Another challenging, interesting album from Sufjan Stevens. My criticism is that several songs, including the title track, are not mixed well; the main vocal is too far back, other elements too far forward, making for a difficult listen except on headphones. There are also several shredding sessions that go on for too long without focus, which is unusual for Sufjan (the lack of focus, not the going on). That aside, it will tide you over until his next full-length album.

I have been waiting for Sufjan's next album and was quite pleased to finally see this one. If you are a Sufjan fan you will like it. Unlike some of his other albums, I have not listened to this one over and over again, which is disappointing. These songs are good, but don't grab me as much as previous songs. My one criticism for Sufjan is Djohariah. It's not a good song at all. It's the same wailing over and over again. It could have been good with lyrics and without the repetitive annoyance.

First track made me teary.

I know I know. All of the Sufjan fans are die hards. And I love Sufjan. His Christmas Album might be one of the greatest albums of all time to me-at least top 5. I just wasn't blown away like I usually am. However, with the price, you won't find a better album in the $4.99 category. Maybe I just need to give this one a few more "spins." It just wasn't my favorite Sufjan.

I really love this album. The end.