A Sun Came is the first album to be released on Asthmatic Kitty records, a label set up by Stevens and Lowell Brams. Sufjan Stevens serves up an eclectic, yet very listenable, blend of electric, acoustic, folk pop, in true DIY fashion, complete with Celtic and Middle Eastern influences. The CD is completely unpredictable and truly original. Stevens does most of the work here, including playing an assortment of stringed instruments, woodwinds, and percussion. The album was actually recorded while Stevens was still with the band Marzuki out of Michigan. Interspersed between the songs are a few amusing little spoken word bits (sped up) that might annoy some, but actually serve to lighten things up a bit. Best tracks include "A Winner Needs a Wand," "We are What You Say," and the irreverent and humorous "Super Sexy Woman."
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Opus 2002Reviewed by Chris BrownPut this one in the "better late than never" file. Released in 1999 with minimal (read: no) fanfare or publicity, A Sun Came is the solo debut from Sufjan Stevens, former multi-instrumentalist from the excellent arty-folk rock combo Marzuki. That this record has gone unnoticed for so long is absolutely criminal. A stunning blend of '60s psychedelic pop influences with middle-eastern and east…Similar sounding releases
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