Streetlight Records

Reviews:

''Seven Swans'' is a folk rock music album by Sufjan Stevens. It includes songs about Abraham and Christ's Transfiguration, among many others. The album is softer and sparser than other albums by Stevens, relying more heavily on his trademark banjo and melodious voice.

''Seven Swans'' was received well by critics. ''The Guardian'' called it "a record of remarkable delicacy" and ''Spin magazine'' said it sounded "like Elliott Smith after ten years of Sunday school".

The album was released on compact disc and vinyl LP; the vinyl was released by Burnt Toast Vinyl. - Wikipedia

"Last year, Danielson Famile sideman Sufjan Stevens stepped forward with a clever and charming solo debut, a theme album with 15 songs about his home state called Greetings From Michigan. His soft strumming, augmented with crystalline piano and lightly plucked banjo, set a pleasant melodic background for his witty social commentary and naturalist musings. Stevens sheds any thematic limitations on Seven Swans, though he's content to hover around a couple topics: God and love. Stevens' songs about the latter hold the most appeal for those who are devout about their indie rock, as his somber delivery and thoughtful instrumentation make tracks like ""The Dress Looks Nice On You"" and ""To Be Alone With Me"" succeed on multiple levels-especially when he throws in a subtle banjo solo. When Stevens gives into his mystical and spiritual leanings, the results get odder, and not just lyrically. ""He Woke Me Up Again"" revolves around a banjo figure and features the unbeatable backup singers from the Danielson clan, the Smith sisters, but even at under three minutes, the song is muddled. Elsewhere, Stevens trips when threading his message into the fabric, growing more intense and at times letting the music drop out so that he's merely narrating over a banjo or guitar, as on ""Abraham."" When he's not trying too hard, Stevens writes and performs with subtlety and reveals amazing depth, both as a songwriter and a pop arranger. If he overcomes some minor flaws, he'll become one of the most talented young artists to emerge in years.

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