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Musicians have rarely approached a task with the depth at which Sufjan Stevens has with the beginning of his 50 States project. His task is to document the rich history of each and every state in the USA through song, each state being a different album. With the second record in the project, Illinois, his fifth album overall, Sufjan (pronounced Soof-yon) dove into the history of Illinois - its stories, its characters, its scandals - and built a rich, textured tapestry of musical styles with as many as 25 instruments. He captivated listeners and critics alike in the process. This past year was a trip for this soft-spoken Midwesterner, who never dreamed of a career in the spotlight. Topping numerous end of the year lists and playing sold out shows throughout the country, including an astounding five nights at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC, has launched Sufjan into the limelight. He has taken the unique beauty of this recent album and augmented his stage show from night to night incorporating various themes, such as a pep rally, homecoming dance and pirate night. As his States project expands, one can only expect more profound, intellectually fulfilling songs with lush orchestration that explore a states history with the depth that Sufjan has undergone in the past. 2006 is already off to an amazing start with a sold out performance of his own at Carnegie Hall and a recent appearance at Philip Glass' Tibet House Benefit. Which state will Sufjan Stevens explore next? Will he really release all 50 albums in his project? We hope so. —JB |
