Downloaded the new Sufjan Stevens record Carrie & Lowell last night. It is a perfect folk record. (Pitchfork review here)
The record follows his fractured relationship with his mother Carrie. How their relationship shaped him and how her death effects him. Talking to Pitchfork Sufjan says, “This is not my art project; this is my life.”
The language and poetry is crushing. Exceptionally beautiful. I love the line in this song near the end, “My brother had a daughter, A beauty that she brings. Illumination.”
As dark as the record often is, you have these uplifting moments.
Talking about the nature of art on his blog:
“To objectify art is to measure its commercial value and squander its transcendental powers of benevolence. Reciprocity demeans art; or, rather, it functions to incarcerate its powers, to judge it for its charity. Like putting Mother Theresa on trial, or in prison, for the crime of compassion. On the contrary, perfect art, as a perfect gift (without ulterior motive, without gain, without compensation) courageously gives itself over to the world asking nothing in return.”
Sufjan Stevens will be in Vancouver on June 9th for a show at the Orpheum.
Go with yourself.
The Morning After 
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