All Delighted People [Maxi]

Oh my goodness.

I haven't written a review here for a very long time, but feel compelled to chuck my two pennies worth in. Bottom line? This is insanely wonderful. If we all felt The Age Of Adz was an exciting electronic venture, this is sheer unadultered, classic Sufjan. Parts will remind you of Illinoise, some of the early Christmas EPs, and then out of nowhere he throws in some twisted Age Of Adz electro-squelch. The compositions are, at times, sprawling and epic, gorgeously layered and textured, with some stunning choral parts and some of the finest, intimate harmonies he's put to disc.

There's really not a half-baked moment here - anyone familiar with his work will instantly fall in love with it, and for those only beginning their Stevens journey, considering this his most recent work, it's actually a fine place to start.

For a fiver you've no argument. Possibly the most beautiful and well considered record I've bought for a very long time. And I spend stupid amounts of money on here.....

For those struggling with multifarious bleeps, electronica and 25 minute mini symphonies which comprise the new and amazing Sufjan Stevens "The Age of Adz" turning the clock back a couple of months might provide some solace. "All delighted people" was released in August 2010 and hit number 27 in the American charts which is remarkable for an EP which is actually a "front" for a full album. It clocks in at well over an hour and was probably intended as some sort of overture before the main opera that is "Adz". Yet as always when it comes to this wunderkid of modern American music from Detroit, Michigan appearances can be deceiving. This is by any standards a lovely piece of music with songs that have more traditional structures and possibly more melody than "Adz" (although not the sheer level of outright originality). In one sense it does have the same sort of feel as the eclecticism of "Avalanches" Stevens's album of outtakes and extras from the Illinois album and like that album there are some tracks which are slightly "wayward", but largely in a good way.

There is certainly no coherent vision to or concept to be found here. The two long versions of the title track present are acoustic and electric versions which together last well over twenty minutes and with a feel that suggest Stevens is developing "prog" leanings and lyrics which play with Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence". The last track "Djohariah" (dedicated to his sister) is described by Stevens as essentially "a 17-minute guitar jam-for-single-mothers" which on occasions rages like the return of Frank Zappa with a slightly distorted guitar and a choir singing a constant refrain of the subjects name.

While all these long bookend tracks are fascinating it is "the meat in the sandwich" that should draw your attention. The stellar highlight is "the Owl and the Tanager" (previously called "Barn owl, night killer") which is a heartbreaking Stevens melody combined with the sparest piano/harp and lyrical references to devil birds, death and diamonds in the rage. It's all very enigmatic, strange, child like and glacially beautiful and one of his best songs ever. There are other songs here that can be traced back to earlier work particularly the feast of banjo led melancholy on the wonderful "Seven Swans". Thus, "Arnika", "Heirloom" and the truly brilliant "From the mouth of Gabriel" will have the ring of familiarity to fans of the wintry acoustic songs of Stevens's earlier work. Finally "Enchanting ghost" is a jazzy acoustic lament which could have happily appeared on one of his "Two state" albums.

NME has described "All Delighted people" as painfully celestial balladeering self-indulgence and it is true that in parts its lacks focus and direction (it would be a shock if it was coherent). Similarly the absence of "Majesty Snowbird" a song he has performed live which redefines the word "epic" is to be regretted. But on considered judgement let us tell the muso's at NME to politely take a hike since "All delighted people" will be welcomed by all Asthmatic Kitty Aficionados as yet another intriguing addition to the canon of the most original musician currently picking up a guitar, playing a piano or plucking a banjo on terra firma.

This is such a refreshing listen after the Age of Adz. And even though I loved that album, it's great to hear Sufjan playing guitar again.
This is such a beautiful little album, from the first track, All Delighted People with it's Sound of Silence tinged lyrics and Melodies to the ten minute mantra that closes the album Djohariah. Just like Age... the lyrics are personal and heart felt and the melodies stick in your head. For £5 you get an hour of great music, so if you're a fan or have never heard of him, buy it, you're in for a treat. It's also great fun looking at the delighted people that scatter the album cover. The should have called the album: Where's Sufjan.