Yesterday I had a fantastic music experience. I put on my studio headphones and listened to Sufjan Stevens Carrie and Lowell in full while power washing my house. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. There's nothing like a great album and a menial task. Zen.
Menial tasks, especially the dishes, are my favorite way to listen to new albums. And a funny thing about Carrie & Lowell - my first time hearing most of those songs was actually at his concert! I thought the album was eh at first, but hearing them live made me fall in love with every song on it.
I also listen to music while washing the dishes. It's a great way to take a chore and make it a treat. I saw him play that album live too. HOLY SHIT. I liked it prior to the show, but at the show it made me cry. No joke, and I'm not the type to get all weepy at a concert. I was really caught up in it all. Did you see, I met him prior:
Ah, sorry. Yes, we had the screens. Plus having just talked with him etc, it was all so real and emotional. He's one of very, very few artists that I feel like I've grown with. We are about the same age and we are both from Michigan. His songs really resonate with me.
It's a wonderful album. Have you listened to Michigan? It's a favorite of mine. I recently met Sufjan and after telling him all about Hubski, I mentioned to him that when I met my now wife, we listened to Michigan all the time. I told him that I fell in love with her to his album. He said, "wow, Michigan is a really dark album." He's right, I suppose, but its funny how your mindset dictates how you perceive a piece of artwork. I have never considered it a dark album. Also, check out Illinois. SO GOOD! I mean, could there be a more gorgeous song about a serial killer?