Most Unexpected

Modern day Renaissance man Sufjan Stevens has become an elusive character to the "indie" scene. He arrived with a bang ten years ago, and has since gifted us with a collection of albums of the same number. After developing a devoted fan base, he disappeared. In hindsight, I think we all the love the mystery and intrigue that he presented.

All the same, ever since his musical exodus after Illinois, we have been eating up his erratic contributions, among them, a track from the Red Hot compilation, Dark Was the Night, and a commission to compose the score of a film dedicated to the Brooklyn-Queen Expressway (both are marvelous to the ears; I'd recommend you listen to them as soon as possible). Despite the exasperation he may have caused his fans, the dramatic return of Sufjan to the scene may be just what we all needed to shake us from our comfortable acoustic stupor.

With no prior announcement, leak, or smoke signal, Sufjan began discreetly booking shows in small clubs across North America, and followed it with the release of the All Delighted People EP. A week later, he followed with the indeed delightful announcement of a full-length album to follow in October, The Age of Adz. The album was like nothing we'd heard from Stevens before, following his unique folk style of the albums dedicated the "50 States Project." It was like a structured, lyrical harnessing of his electronic foray on Enjoy Your Rabbit, coupled with his propensity for insightful story-telling. Oh, and the apocalypse.

I had the opportunity to attend his show this past week at a beautiful club in my hometown, the National of RVa. My experiences have been nothing but stellar at this club, which has recently been featuring some of my favorite musicians. The Sufjan show was nothing short of shocking, wonderful, and unexpected. Sufjan, performing his epic twentry-five minute magnum opus "Impossible Soul," actually danced the robot ridiculously clad and perhaps making a Michael Jackson tribute with his single, glittering white glove. It was damn good stuff.

Setlist:
Seven Swans
Age of Adz
Too Much
Heirloom
I Walked
Futile Devices
Vesuvius
Now That I'm Older
Get Real, Get Right
Enchanting Ghost
Impossible Soul
Chicago
Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois
Casimir Pulaski
Jacksonville
John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

And yes, he wore the wings.

Postscript:
On less of a thrown back note, I have an interesting weekend lined up, including another local show, which the reputation Charlottesville's unexpectedly stellar local scene guarantees will be awesome. Finally, have you heard the Decemberist's new single, "Down By the Water," from their forthcoming album? Listen here.  It's an interesting mix of Colin Meloy's unnerving and trademark vocals, Stevie Nicks-esque harmonies...and--here's a weird one--harmonica reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen's early work. Say what?

Post Postscript:
Songs of the Week:
"You've Done it Again, Virginia," The National
"Movement I: The Countenance of Kings," Sufjan Stevens (The BQE)
"A Violent Yet Flammable World," Au Revoir Simone
"Daniel," Bat For Lashes
"Zebra," Beach House