By Will, September 25th 2010 — with 8 comments
My live blogging of Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs got a good reaction, so I figured I’d give it another go with another big album leak. I was watching the Yankees pretty pathetic display against the Red Sox today when my buddy Brent from One Thirty BPM told me that The Age Of Adz leaked. Couldn’t believe it. I’m about to give it my first listen, and I figured I’d take you guys along with me.
Now before I start, let me start off by saying that I already pre-ordered the double vinyl release and bought tickets to see him in NYC. So if you do download the leaked album, be sure to support Sufjan, because he deserves your support. You can do that by pre-ordering the album right now from Asthmatic Kitty.
1. Futile Devices – After hearing all of the new electronic based Sufjan off this album, this is a reminder of the old familar Sufjan that we all know and love. Beautifully constructed with depth and precision. His voice sounds otherwordly. While listening to this, I really do get the sense that Sufjan really is back. This was a good way to ease us into the new Sufjan that seems to be emerging. 6:16 p.m.
2. Too Much – Second song we got from the leaked songs, and it’s interesting hearing this right behind the old-era Sufjan that kicked things off. This one has continued to get better and better with every listen, and I expect this to sound perfect with the rest of the album as it’s supporting cast. 6:20 p.m.
3. Age Of Adz - Here’s the title track. Woah what a start. There is so much going on. It sounds like his old orchestration mashed up against his new electronic stuff. It sounds like a completely new world, in general. It’s a heavy, heavy, track to absorb upon one listen. Sufjan has crafted some beautifully complex vocals harmonies and melodies here. This is pretty intense folks. Hmm it does calm down at the end. Quite pretty. 6:33 p.m.
4. I Walked – Just like with “Too Much”, “I Walked” has only gotten better with every listen. It’s revealed itself as a heartbreaking tale of love and hurt, but done in such a beautiful manner. It’s chorus gets me everytime. 6:36 p.m.
5. Now That I’m Older – Trickles in with haunted vocals filled with despair. A sad piano conjures these spirits together to form a ghostly track that, for some reason, is giving me intense imagery of a dark depressing winter filled with snow and loss. Don’t ask. I’m literally typing the first things that are popping into my head.
This one is showered with vocal harmonies and choppy vocals. Once again, there’s a lot to wrap your head around upon first listens. I’m not too sure how I feel about this yet. 6:42 p.m.
6. Get Real Get Right – Woah. It starts with an electronic effect that reminded me of MGMT for some reason. This may be the most experimental of any of the tracks we’ve heard yet. He tinkers around with his vocals, which is quite…interesting. There’s a lot going on it the background. Brass instruments are coming in and out, causing a dizzying effect. This almost sounds like a drug trip. Now is it a good trip, or a bad trip? That’s for you to decide. 6:47 p.m.
7. Bad Communication – It’s only 2 minutes long, but it has spaceship sounds and more haunted vocal harmonies. In other words, it’s a short trek into the bizarre. Not feeling it too much. 6:50 p.m.
8. Vesuvius – Sufjan’s voice starts off sounding really smooth. It’s one of the closest things to bare bones Sufjan track so far, with a pretty calm electronic beat backing him up. Really feeling this one. The harmonies are right up my ally. The vocals co-align with everything quite well. Something tells me this one will be an early favorite of a lot of Sufjan fans because it’s one of the more accessible ones on the album, by far. 6:54 p.m.
9. All for Myself - Damn, this one hits hard with the vocals. The orchestration sounds like a wave of sound taking Sufjan far and wide across your room, hitting deep within your soul. It’s a bit choppy in parts but it’s enjoyable. 6:59 p.m.
10. I Want To Be Well – Oh hello. This is one of the most fast paced Sufjan songs – ever. Kicks in with a pounding drum and takes off full flight. Don’t drift off or you may get lost. This is a heavy hitter that shifts to different speeds and sounds. It calmed down midway through, but that doesn’t last long. It kicks back into full gear with a ferocious chorus that speeds and speeds into a huge climax. This is a triumphant moment. Now comes Sufjan singing with what sounds like auto-tuned vocals. Somehow, it seems like this all works…too well.
This song was just a whole different level of nuts. 7:06 p.m.
11. Impossible Soul – Alright, here we go, the last song. We are jumping into the 25 minute track, and I’m a bit intimidated. Nice calm start guided into place by a light drum beat, that has some interesting fills. Sufjan is singing in a voice that sounds like it’s his final goodbye.
In comes the guitar, and it’s fuzzed out and distorted. It feels like the tracks coming to an end, but there’s still 16 minutes left. Now Sufjan busts out full fledged auto-tune, and choppy electronics. Out of no where comes a chorus that sounds like the Sufjan of old. This is a magnificent moment.
He just threw us a curveball. The last 3 minutes return to the folky Sufjan, out of no where. Complete contrast to the other 22 minutes. Perfect way to end it.
I called the 5-8 minute songs a lot to handle, but this one clearly takes the cake. It changes gears so much, while still staying true to the song. It’s hard to explain, but when you listen, you’ll know what I mean. I am impressed, but I just need some time to digest. 7:30 p.m.
Alright so my first listen is complete, and wow. It was a lot to absorb. This is not your average album. This is extremely experimental and ahead of it’s time (should I break out the avant garde?). The songs are heavy and intense. It’s going to take many listens to really absorb all the details and layers upon layers of music that Sufjan has crammed in there. The Age Of Adz is beautiful, complex, heartbreaking, upbeat, and most importantly: rewarding.
Let’s face it. Sufjan knows what he’d doing. This isn’t an album that people are going to love and first, and something tells me he knows that. However, I feel that slowly but surely, layers of this album will reveal itself to us, and once they do, we will be happy we spent so much time trying to get to them.
Sufjan, you’re amazing.
