pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news

So… I’ve heard the new CD from Sufjan Stevens, called The BQE.  (Thanks Asthmatic Kitty for the pre-release download.)  Wow. No vocals, but very much a Sufjan album, though.  The instrumentation borders on classic Sufjan instrumentals from Illinoise and Michigan (specifically the flute trills) mixed with more conservative chamber music (piano, strings, horns, tympani, et al).  It also jumps into a very Enjoy Your Rabbit moment with “Movement IV – Traffic Shock.”

AK DOWNLOAD: Sufjan Stevens – Movement VI–Isorhythmic Night Dance with Interchanges (FREE MP3)

The BQE tracklist

1. Prelude on the Esplanade (2:56)
2. Introductory Fanfare for the Hooper Heroes (1:07)
3. Movement I–In the Countenance of Kings (5:19)
4. Movement II–Sleeping Invader (4:34)
5. Interlude I–Dream Sequence in Subi Circumnavigation (3:33)
6. Movement III–Linear Tableau with Intersecting Surprise (4:09)
7. Movement IV–Traffic Shock (3:24)
8. Movement V–Self-Organizing Emergent Patterns (3:45)
9. Interlude II–Subi Power Waltz (0:28)
10. Interlude III–Invisible Accidents (0:54)
11. Movement VI–Isorhythmic Night Dance with Interchanges (3:17)
12. Movement VII (Finale)–The Emperor of Centrifuge (3:51)
13. Postlude–Critical Mass (2:59)

I think it fits very well within Sufjan’s oeuvre.  A fan of his instrumental tunes interspersed within his State’s records should truly enjoy The BQE.  The limited edition, which is on order for me, has presumably a lush packaging with a full-color booklet accompanying the vinyl.  I can’t wait to crack it open…

It’s available for pre-order from Amazon and Asthmatic Kitty (and other eTailers):

Amazon CD/DVD ~ LINK
Amazon limited edition vinyl ~ LINK
AKitty CD/DVD ~ LINK
AKitty limited edition vinyl ~ LINK

~*~*~*~*~

And a complete side-note, Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt is planning releasing a Nick Drake-ish acoustic solo album (Blabbermouth link).  Man, I love music.  Seriously.  Frank was right.  It’s the best.

~Dan – np: Sufjan Stevens – The BQE

no free downloads or torrents here