The first of the 50 States project starting at the beginning with his home state of Michigan. I'm guessing he has given up on this feat since he only released two albums with this theme, but I do love the idea. The sound of the record is a pastiche of Donovan, the softer side of Bowie, some Neutral Milk Hotel horn stylings, a Christian choir and Charlie Brown's piano player -- I think that just about does it! The album reads like a tour of his home State and personal life, part promotion, part mystical journey. This isn't the kind of record you slap on during your killer house party, but if your chillin' out, feeling peaceful, Sufjan is the way to go. The album will definitely be a New Weird America (a pseudo-genre still in the works) classic. Stevens is clearly a firm believer in the DIY aesthetic, by playing most instruments himself, even going as far as producing his own record and co-founding his own label Asthmatic Kitty, with his step-father. This dude is a real artist he better get the credit he deserves, what the hell, let's all go to Michigan and relax to some Sufjan Stevens!!!!
