Don’t take this as bandwagon jumping, or me going all indie snob, but Sufjan Stevens Songs for Christmas is amazing. I ordered a copy from Amazon and it should be here next week. I’m stoked. In the mean time, I will be streaming it non-stop from Asthmatic Kitty Records’ Web site.
Several highlights so far:
Volume I: Amazing grace is… amazing.
Volume II: Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing is one of my favorite hymns of all times. When I sing it, I usually do so at the top of my lungs… with all my soul, so to speak. His version here is sung in an almost-whisper, and is equally, if not moreso, emotive and powerful and soulful.
Volume III: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” is a song that has always hit an odd chord with me. I love the dirge-like nature of the song, but why do we sing it every year, for Emmanuel to come to us, when in fact Emmanuel HAS come? That is why it is so amazing, and subtle, (it had to be intentional…) this is a mostly instrumental song, and the only part that is sung is “Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel…”, meaning “rejoice! rejoice! God is with us!”. Brilliant.
More to come as I listen to the other volumes.
[tags]Sufjan Stevens, Christmas, Christmas Music, Songs For Christmas, Sufjan[/tags]
November 30, 2006 at 10:20 am
I want this too! I almost bought it at iTunes but I want all the extras that come with the cd. I checked at Best Buy on line and only the Jordan Creek store had it on hand. I’ll probably go the Amazon route as well.
December 1, 2006 at 9:52 am
gotta say I’m really excited about this too. It definately went on my christmas list…but I might just have to buy it before then.
December 1, 2006 at 6:37 pm
I love “Come Thou Fount” Especially the last verse!
May 6, 2007 at 1:37 pm
i wish O come, O come, Emanuel was longer !