Sufjan Stevens

Apparently you pronounce the J like a Y in Sufjan Stevens' name. That's what I've been told, I guess I haven't confirmed it, but I trust my source. No you can't know who my source is. Sufjan is a little different than most of the others bands/musicians to which I listen. He was introduced to me by my brother-in-law, well really my wife's brother-in-law, who is not my brother. He played for me the Illinoise album, which is his fifth album and second state album, the first being Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State. I have both of his state albums, but only really konw Illinoise since I pretty recently obtained the Michigan one. I have to say, I like Sufjan despite not wanting to like him. First off, he's a dude and it takes a bit for me to like dudes. That is noting to do with my masculinity, I'm comfortable with my masculinity. I have a crush on Brad Pitt, which seems cliche, except I have a crush on his mind not his rock hard abs. How not gay is that? Not very, is the answer, that's pretty not very not gay, which is gay. OK then. He also strikes me as a bit pretentious and that's based on nothing, really. Now that I've fallen in love with Illinoise I take back all of the horrible things I've said about him and sent to his mother. Just kidding, of course. Chicago is a brilliant song. I put it on a mix I made for my friend Mark and he told me it made him believe in God or maybe he just said he liked it, I can't remember, but the point is it's awesome. Here is a link to a youtube video of the song live. If you just want to hear the song skip ahead to the 2 minute mark. For as wonderful as Chicago is the song John Wayne Gacy, Jr is disturing. Remember how I said I don't pay attention to lyrics? Well after about five listenings to this song, I started paying attention and it makes killing puppies seem nice. The contrast between the lyrics and the beautiful meoldy is jarring. I wish I didn't know what it was about, but here we are. The album opens with Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois, which reminds me of a song that would be played over a montage in black and white. I just found this youtube clip that is just that. Pretty odd, huh? OK then. Up next... Stars