Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans Vinyl LP+7"

This is a great album but the vinyl pressing is disgraceful. It is covered in marks and scratches and is barely playable. Unfortunately I played it for the first time too far past the return date. No dealer should be able to sell a product of such poor quality.

With this 2004 release, Sufjan Stevens creates music that does far more than entertain. It reaches people in a spiritual way that few albums ever accomplish. Immediately after the first couple seconds, it establishes a safe environment where the mind can wander freely and creatively. Recently, I was feeling a void in my life and I had no idea how or what would make me feel happy again. Listening to this album gave my mind a blank slate and encouraged me to explore the real problems that were making me feel empty, eventually guiding me to the solution. After finding the solution (which turned out to be helping and teaching others; I recently had been so immersed in my own work I had forgotten about others) I acted upon it and have returned to my normal, happy self. Although this album is great to listen to from a musical perspective, it is best used as a tool to help answer deep and personal questions. I would highly, highly recommend it to any music lover looking to find solutions for their unanswered questions to ultimately become a better person.

At first, I had a bit of a harder time with "Seven Swans", but then Sufjan released "Illinoise" in 2005, which eased my way into his music. I then went back to this album and rediscovered it. It is now one of the albums I find myself listening to most often, either by accident or on purpose. His unconventional approach to music keeps me going back to listen to his work over and over.At the most elemental level, Sufjan's songwriting is captivating and simple. His ability to capture and transmit so beautifully a feeling of intimacy in his songs is mindboggling. His lyrics are weaved brilliantly around the songs' music, as the muscle and tissue are built around a backbone in order to lift up and sustain the body of his songs.The songs on "Seven Swans", with a folksy bucholic feeling that runs through most of them, tell of spiritual tales. They tell of love that transcends the body and age. Sufjan can appeal equally to the Christian person as to the one who practices Zen Buddhism. And that is something few songwriters can accomplish. Keep an eye on Sufjan for years to come. With 48 more States to write about in his 50 State Project, there will be lots of good stuff to hear from him in the future.

I Picked this up after buying and loving Stevens' two state-themed albums, "Illinois" and "Greetings from Michigan", and I'm pleased to report that I'm enjoying this album at least as much the other two. The state albums, while brilliant, had a tendency to suffer from a bit of bloat - they were both over an hour long in runtime (admittedly, Sufjan Stevens' "bloat" is generally very listenable). On Seven Swans, however, things are trimmed down to a tight 46 minutes consisting of vintage Sufjan brilliance.Don't expect the variety of tone color and texture heard in "Michigan" and "Illinois"; things are a bit more subtle and subdued here. That's not to say that this is album is strictly acoustic guitar and banjo. Piano, organ, and some synth work are all heard here, along with the usual harmonized female vocals. "The Transfiguration" features some refreshing woodwinds and percussion. "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and particularly "Sister" utilize an electric guitar. The songwriting itself is still the star of the show here, though. Stevens' lyrics are decent enough, though for me they can tend toward the inane when examined too closely.This album is definitely simpler and less ambitious than the state albums, and it may not be for everyone. One reviewer in particular seemed a bit fed up with the perceived overuse of the banjo. He had a point - if you don't particularly like banjo, proceed with caution. For me personally though, I enjoy Stevens' songwriting and delivery enough that the instruments used are less important (that said, I actually really enjoy his use of the banjo on this album).

I only rated this product four stars because of what I received. So many of you are aware that there are lots copies of this record on colored vinyl of all different kinds. I happened to get the forest green copy of this record, but there are also copies out there in blue, pink, and orange, and maybe even some other colors. There is also a seven-inch that is supposed to come with this album, but I didn't receive that in my package. So that's kinda lame.Other than that, the record sounds great, and the pressing I got was so clean. It is probably the clearest Sufjan record I own. It's kinda hard to be upset. If you were looking for a certain color, or the seven-inch, then maybe buy it somewhere else.This site has it for cheap: http://www.melodysupreme.org/product/sufjan-stevens-seven-swans-vinyl/

I purchased it used and it arrived in near-perfect condition. I was beyond satisfied. As for the album itself, it's got to be one of my all-time favorites. I'm so happy to own a copy. There's a little extra artwork in the lyrics booklet, and everything is written in the same cursive as the front of the album. Beautiful CD, beautiful music, beautiful everything :)

Sufjan Stevens is as original and creative an artist as there is on the contemporary scene. These songs are fascinating and lovely. There is no one like him, but he can be a bit hard to follow or understand for some people some of the time. This collection is more accessible and not as mystifying as many of Stevens projects. For those who have heard "Carrie & Lowell" or "Illinoise" and loved his music, this is a must. I hope those who don't get Stevens yet give this a chance.

Classic folk singers choiceWhat can i say? Anybody who likes Dylan, Bonnie Prince Billy, Bill Callahan, Laura Marling, Nick Drake etc etc is going to love this with a passion. A medley of guitar, banjo's, drums, bass, tunes and lyrics to make your day better.Owned for many years on CD - and just bought the vinyl - which arrived on bright pink marbled 140g vinyl, with a free 7" on grey marbled vinyl. Beautiful matt sleeve, with lyrics and cool line drawings that deserve to be seen on 12" cardboard.the music is timeless, the lyrics are Christian/ God centric - but also speak of universal truths.Check out this classic, before the kitchen sink was added to make the almost as good, but less simple Illinois.

I am making the assumption that anyone considering buying this CD has heard and enjoyed "Chicago", "Come feel the Illanois" and perhaps some of the other CD's. There will be a sense of hope and anticipation that this is another gem mingled wit a little fear that it could be a dissapointment. Relax, I can assure you that "7 Swans" is brilliant, absoluetly brilliant. Buy this and it will become a treasured possession along side your other Sufjan CD'sIt is somewhat different in that there is no brass section , no string section and no trumpet solos. It is a more simple , more acoustic less symphonic offering but some will prefer this. However, Sufjan's multiinstrumental abilities are showcased the girl choir is still there. Whilst some of the tracks are acoustically based there are often quite complex and full passages melded in. On most of Sufjans CD's there are 2 or more tracks that really are exceptional. This is no different. "The Dress looks nice on you", " In the Devil's Country" and "To be alone with you" are right up there with Sufjan's best offerings. These are backed up with numerous other exceptionally strong contributions. "The dress looks nice on you" is so simple and so beautiful. "To be alone with you" can bring tears to the eye.The CD is known as perhaps the most overtly Christian offering. As a non cristian and an atheist, the lyrics do not alienate me but enrich me. Many christians talk about a personal God but I can never get it. Sufjan makes the concept real." To be alone with you" sounds like a love song to a girl but is a greater love song.I regard Sujan has a musical genius and this CD reinforces my belief. But in the end, whatever you write about music, no matter how deep or pretentious, what I want at the core are catchy songs that I can sing along to. The CD delivers 100%

Amazing love it

Sufjan makes me feel so calm

Brilliant album, one of my favourites