Decemberists and Sufjan...Part Duex

This past week I've done some serious downloading of music on to my iPod. Two of my newest additions including Picaresque by The Decemberists and Seven Swans by Sufjan Stevens. Both of these albums are older than the albums I reviewed in my first blog. However, they are new to me. I was pretty shocked how much these albums differed from the ones I previously mentioned. Both of these albums caused both Sufjan and The Decemberists to creep up my list of favorite albums of senior year 06-07; with The Decemberists and Sufjan ranking in my top 5.

Picaresque by the Decemberists was released in 2005, one year before The Crane Wife. However, after listening to both albums extensively, I have come to conclusion that it is absolutely impossible to pick one album over the other. The Crane Wife is creative and well done, but has a soft, crooning tone to it. Picaresque is just as creative and well done, but is much, much more theatrical. To compare these two albums is to compare Steel Magnolias to Chicago, the musical. Picaresque is a bit more sad, sallow and downright depressing, but the theatrical folk that backs these oh-so-sad lyrics takes away the sting at heart. The song that stood out most to me the first time I gave this CD a run-thru was "Mariners Revenge." This song begins with a polka-sounding accordion and tells the tale of two mariners trapped in a whale. Each time I listen to this song I can't help but dance and sing along to it. It is so creative and unique, even though it can be compared to some of Tom Waits songs. I also really like "We Both Go Down Together," and "The Bagman's Gambit." As far as unique songs go, this album is chock-full of them.

Seven Swans by Sufjan Stevens (say that five times fast!) is also much different than Illinoise. Seven Swans, though not as creative as Illinoise, shows a more mature and serious side to Sufjan. It is full of metaphors, not ones quite as lighthearted as those of Illinoise, that relate to love, life and religion. His deep lyrics on life and love, mostly heartbreak, shine through on tracks like "We Won't Need Legs to Stand," and "Size Too Small." Besides "Size Too Small," some of my favorites off this album include "Sister," an uplifting instrumental and "The Dress Looks Nice on You," a nice, sweet song in lyrics, but has some really cool, almost eerie and haunting sound effects. It took me a little while to get into this album, mainly because it is so much different than Illinoise. I find that this CD has an overall depressing and sad tone, that can't help but make you smile. Again, it is impossible to choose a favorite of the two albums due to their difference in content. Sufjan does reveal his playful side with his infamous banjo interludes in "All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands" but that's about it. So if you're looking for that lighthearted folk, you're not going to find much of it here. However, this is an incredible album for sad, mellow songs, great for relaxation. (And bubble baths!)

Both Picaresque and Seven Swans bring more insight into these artists. The difference between these albums and the ones blogged about earlier is shocking and amazing. So check them out, variety is the spice of life after all...