‘Michigan’ is this songsmith’s first instalment of his American quinquanology, yes the first of fifty. Born in Michigan, Sufjan Stevens aims to document his neighbouring States in a somewhat ambitious project. With this first State however he has made a great mistake, each subsequent offering will now surely be pale in comparison.
‘Michigan’ is an album of truly beautiful proportions. Following the tragic death of the legendary Elliott Smith, some my herald Sufjan as his successor, and with this offering few can argue. Perhaps a closer comparison would be a minimalist Belle and Sebastian with Nick Drake among their ranks.
The delicate voice of Mr. Stevens and tender piano, is accompanied by a brass section recruited from ‘the very Salvation Army hostel Tom Waits once called home’ on the opener, ‘Flint (For the Unemployed and Underpaid). Similar gems on an album consisting purely of highlights is the banjo led ‘For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti’
The next track, ‘Say Yes! To M!ch!gan!’ is of equal proportions, the only criticism is the over exuberance of exc!amat!on marks!!! At first the tracks appear sparse and simplistic, yet on closer inspection there is a wealth of subtle tactile layering.
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The eighth track, clocking in at a lengthy eight minutes and with the long title, ‘Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!), is, punctuation aside, pure perfection. This breezy, jaunty piece is reason for buying the complete 50 album set in itself.
If that copy of Damien Rice’s ‘O’ has worn out whilst you desperately await the follow-up, Sufjan’s album is a more than worthy to quench your thirst. ‘Michigan’ is an album of such magnitude that this author believes comparisons with that of Neil Young’s masterpiece ‘Harvest’ are reasonable.
My greatest disappointment is that America only has 50 states (yes I was never great at geography, perhaps Sufjan perceives Alaska and Hawaii as B-sides, who knows!). ‘Michigan’ will certainly be a contender for album of the year, how will others compete when this one is permanently lodged in the hi-fi.
If you liked this, try:
Elliott Smith - "Either/Or"
Damien Rick - "O"
Nick Drake - "Pink Moon"
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