Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Well it finally happened: Sufjan Stevens has a new full-length album that isn't an instrumental soundtrack for a film that he made or a reinterpretation of an old (and subpar, in my opinion) album. It is, however, a departure from his previous works, which I am indifferent to. On the one hand, I, like so many others I'm sure, want to hear something similar in size and stature to Welcome To Michigan, or Come On, Feel The Illinoise!. On the other, I am pleased to see him doing what he wants to rather than doing what everyone else wants him to do. So then, upon the fence I remain. I haven't listened to it yet, but I'm sure I will over the next few days. What I have heard is like an electronica Illinoise-era Stevens. I'm not huge on electronica, but at least it's interesting, rather than repetitive techno beats with auto-tuned vocals over them. Enjoy it a little early. On me.

Tracklisting:
1. Futile Devices
2. Too Much
3. Age Of Adz
4. I Walked
5. Now That I'm Older
6. Get Real Get Right
7. Bad Communication
8. Vesuvius
9. All For Myself
10. I Want To Be Well
11. Impossible Soul

Belle and Sebastian - Belle and Sebastian Write About Love

It occurs to me that I have yet to post any Belle & Sebastian albums, though that isn't terribly surprising as I'm not the world's biggest fan. That may change soon, however, as their first new album in 4 years Belle & Sebastian Write About Love has just leaked (and it's great). From the little B&S I've heard, Write About Love doesn't sound like a great shift in sound, just maybe a little more mature. I would suggest this album to anyone who, like me, has never had a proper introduction to the band. I cannot, however, say how a diehard fan would receive this album. For what it's worth though, I like it.

Tracklisting:
1. I Didn't See It Coming
2. Come On Sister
3. Calculating Bimbo
4. I Want The World To Stop
5. Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John (feat. Norah Jones)
6. Write About Love (feat. Carey Mulligan)
7. I'm Not Living In The Real World
8. The Ghost of Rockschool
9. Read The Blessed Pages
10. I Can See Your Future
11. Sunday's Pretty Icons