Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

About The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens Album

The Age of Adz (pronounced odds) is Sufjan Stevens’ first full-length collection of original songs since 2005’s civic pop opus Illinois. This new album is probably his most unusual, first, for its lack of conceptual underpinnings, and second, for its preoccupation with Sufjan himself. The album relinquishes the songwriter’s former story-telling techniques for more primal proclamations unhindered by concepts: there are few narrative conceits or character sketches; there are no historical panoramas, no civic gestures, no literary maneuvers, no expository illustrations drenched in cultural theory, no scene, setting, conflict, resolution, or denouement. Sufjan has stripped away the fabric of narrative artifice for a more primitive approach, emphasizing instinct over craft. The result is an album that is perhaps more vibrant, more primary, and more explicit than anything else he’s done before. The themes developed here are neither historical nor polemical, but rather personal and primal (if even a little juvenile): love, sex, death, disease, illness, anxiety, and suicide make appearances in a tapestry of electronic pop songs that convey a sense of urgency, immediacy, and anxiety as never before seen in this songwriter. Sufjan sets his imagination on the splendor of high places rending his heart in the mire of loneliness, self-doubt, or panic, while his body urges for the ordinary touch of a lover, a brother, or a friend. Of course, the theme of unmitigated love (and affection) runs deepest, often with shameless candor. Whether singing about a sleepover, old age, illness, or the Apocalypse, Sufjan can’t help but render everything through the lens of love and affection, the desire for contact, closeness, and connection. Perhaps this reveals what we’ve known all along in spite of the conceptual pageants and epic displays: that Sufjan is fundamentally a sensualist. And a morbid one, at that. Death looms large, either as an oracle at the apex of a volcano or as a shadowy omen in the window at night. What are we to make of these emotional and romantic climaxes back-dropped by fuming volcanoes, alien space craft, and demonic deities dressed like Boba Fett? The cosmic themes are only more augmented by the obvious sonic shift on this album, which is deliberately electronic, synthesized (and occasionally danceable!). Acoustic guitars and banjos have been replaced here by drum machines and analog synthesizers. Loops, samples, and digital effects gurgle and hum underneath every verse, chorus, and bridge. For those familiar with Sufjan’s earlier work (namely, the electronic album Enjoy Your Rabbit), this foray into the digital pop world shouldn’t be so startling. The difference here is that the electronic sound collage is transposed on a collection of songs, while the sounds themselves are given equal footing to the voice, washed as it is in a pedal board of effects. The album is also heavily arranged with brass, strings, woodwinds, and a lush choir of backing voices. These “live” elements create vivacious juxtapositions against the montage of synthesized sounds, evoking their own kind of literal “sonic theory”— that is, the conflict and resolution between Real and Unreal, or Ordinary vs. Extraordinary. These themes are best illustrated in the album’s namesake. The Age of Adz refers to the Apocalyptic art of Royal Robertson (1930 –1997), a black Louisiana-based sign-maker (and self-proclaimed prophet) who suffered from schizophrenia, and whose work depicts the artist’s vivid dreams and visions of space aliens, futuristic automobiles, eccentric monsters, and signs of the Last Judgment, all cloaked in a confusing psychobabble of biblical prophecy, numerology, Nordic mythology and comic book jargon. Portions of the album use Robertson’s work as a springboard into a cosmic consciousness in which basic instincts are transposed on a tableau of extraordinary scenes of divine wrath, environmental catastrophe, and personal loss. In Robertson’s imagination, guns, lasers, gargoyles, and warring battleships upend the sins of mankind with the pageantry of a Hollywood B-movie. (A selection of Robertson’s work adds extraordinary color to the album art as well). But Robertson was also a man of mundane circumstances (his primary media were poster board, magic marker, and glitter). Living alone in a trailer in near poverty, even his most fantastical work contains heart-wrenching references to hunger, fatigue, anxiety, food stamps, loneliness and the desire for intimacy, scripted with unabashedly affectionate grievances. In the same way, Sufjan sets his imagination on the splendor of high places (divine revelation, oracles, love, the cosmos, the Apocalypse) rending his heart in the mire of loneliness, self-doubt, or panic, while his body urges for the ordinary touch of a lover, a brother, or a friend. All songs written and composed by Sufjan Stevens. 1. "Futile Devices" – 2:11 2. "Too Much" – 6:44 3. "Age of Adz" – 8:00 4. "I Walked" – 5:01 5. "Now That I'm Older" – 4:56 6. "Get Real Get Right" – 5:10 7. "Bad Communication" – 2:24 8. "Vesuvius" – 5:26 9. "All for Myself" – 2:55 10. "I Want to Be Well" – 6:27 11. "Impossible Soul" – 25:35

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The Age of Adz (Sufjan Stevens) Album Songs

NoSong TitleTime
1.Futile Devices 2:13
2.Too Much 6:45
3.Age Of Adz 8:01
4.I Walked 5:02
5.Now That I'm Older 4:57
6.Get Real Get Right 5:12
7.Bad Communication 2:26
8.Vesuvius 5:28
9.All For Myself 2:57
10.I Want To Be Well 6:28
11.Impossible Soul (feat. My Brightest...25:34

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz Album Comments

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The Age of Adz [Sufjan Stevens] Album Reviews

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- Sufjan at his best

"The Age of Adz" is Sufjan is the most exciting Sufjan Stevens record to date. Get a copy ASAP.

- Pure Magic

c'mon, it's sufjan stevens, you shouldn't even have to think about it. just buy it.

- Hard to imagine anyone would like this album

I don't normally write reviews, but this album made me decide to share my opinion. I got the album based on the positive ratings on here and then couldn't believe how bad it was. After several listenings, the only song that I consider playable is the opening track. Granted, there are some moments in pretty much every track that will remind you of Sufjan's earlier (ie good) work, but they are quickly saturated with electronic noise, auto-tuning, or some other nonsense as to make the track unlistenable. If this is the direction Sufjan is planning to take his music, then I won't be listening to his future albums. I can only hope enough people are critical of his current leanings as to steer him back to his wonderful possibilities. He is a much better musician than this horribly over-produced album demonstrates. His producer should be fired (and if he produced it himself, he needs to get a producer that won't let him indulge any little whim he has.) Just my two cents...

- depends on what you want...

i loved sufjan stevens. illinoise... brilliant! age of adz... not for me. it might be great music, that i can't deny. i just can't say it's my taste. at all. i'm more of old-fashioned-sufjan listener. i usually skip songs from this disc when they come up on the ipod, and i've had the album long enough to 'get used to it.' not for me.

- Inspired...

Does anyone else note the Philip Glass Glassworks reference???

- Listening with Your Subconscious

I was lying in bed, probably about three-quarters asleep, catching fragments of The Age of Adz, sorta letting it wash over me. But starting with Vesuvius, I began to hit strides of a deeper sleep, deciding in a quiet, almost ethereal way that I was pleased, as we sometimes do in dreams. The ensuing combination of Vesuvius, All for Myself, and I Want to Be Well periodically brought me to wakefulness and then cast me out, so to speak, bringing me to complete awareness at the end of the latter, which, if you haven't heard it, is a pretty intense song. This experience has endeared this album to me, and I can't listen to either of these three tracks unless as a single unit. I share this in order to make the claim that that which is strange and perhaps groundbreaking (strong word, I know), as The Age of Adz certainly is, perhaps best finds its voice when we remove our prejudices. That's all "taste" is, really. So if you're making a funny face, go to sleep. Zzzzzzzz...

- Trash

Sufjan is trying to sound like something he is not. This garbage might be creative but it is still garbage no matter what these other people say. Everything changes over time but this just sounds like he is trying to jump on this new electronic band wagon. You best keep it real next album Sufjan. I'll let this one slide just because every other album you have produced is pure gold.

- Worse? Better?

This isn't the worst I have heard, not something I am crazy over but definately not the worst.

- Before his time

This album transports me to 100 years in the future, but I'm still in my bedroom, weird.

- Disappointed.

Definitely not the same sound. I know everyone has to evolve their sound, but the instrumentals were a little much for me.

- Wow

I usually don't write reviews, but I gotta say this is awesome, the whole album was a surprise. I thought that this new sound from sufjan was gonna be weird and alien, and it was, but I loved it! Wow, buy the whole album, worth the 10 bucks and more.

- Do yourself a favor...

...and listen to the lyrics. I recommend listening to it when you're feeling distant and dismal or going through a breakup. Otherwise just sit still, pay attention, and let it sink in. It’s not some greatest hits album.

- Absolute art.

Beauty in a gust of a masterpiece.

- Sticks with you

I got into Sufjan because of Illinoise and Michigan, so I was a little offput when I first heard this album. Once I got to know the songs better, I found myself singing them CONSTANTLY. I probably listen to "Too Much" and "Age of Adz" every day. "Age of Adz" might even be my favorite Sufajn Song ever. The album is really different but it holds its own. I definitely reccommend listening to it in full without distractions asap.

- What took me so long to download this? Amazing.

I first heard "Too Much" in the car. I was left stunned. Even though I have only had this album for a day, I have listened through it four times and am sure it is one of the best CDs I have bought in a while. It is one of the most mature and developed albums I have got in a long time. The album excels at everything I love about modern music. "The Age of Adz" will leave you changed. This is not an album to take lightly, it isn't something you can play in the background while you work, no easy listening. But when you actually do sit down and listen, you will be rewarded. Sufjan's voice and personality shines through the vocals but yet still holds in this new environment. Even the auto-tuning, which is something that usually greatly dis-pleases me, was used skillfully and purposefully on the last track to add a necessary texture that wouldn't be obtained otherwise. This is a master's work.

- Really disappointing and head-scratching

I have never written an album review before but I have to air my disappointment about this album. When I heard it was electronic, I didn't blink an eye. I love rock acts that go electronic like Radiohead. However, these songs are just immature. The lyrics seem superficial. The melodies aren't there. I just don't get how such a talented artist could release something so bad. :(

- Put on your old records...

Yah. I guess I'll just put in the illinoise/michigan/seven swans vinyls and dream of the good ol' days, because they seem to be long gone. Saw Sufjan live on his illinoise tour, and it was easily the best live show I've attended in my life. Since then I've married and dreamt of the day Sufjan would come back through our state and my wife could experience it. Sadly....I'm afraid that will never happen. He appears to be stuck back in the "enjoy your rabbit" era of tunes - which was easily the least enjoyable of his music for me. That may be exactly what he wants, and that's cool....but it's a sad day for me as a fan. Oh well.

- Remarkable. Masterpiece.

This is a true showcase for Sufjan's radiant brilliance. Every track is used to its full potential. Lush layers swooped together with gritty textures and powerful choir blasts makes The Age of Adz an organically electronic ear-gasm for anyone with an open mind and appreciation for experimental, psychedelic music. The Age of Adz better said Sufjan's masterpiece invokes a wonderful adventure that I find myself revisiting time and time again. Top five albums of all time for certain. So much substance in this, buy it immediately.

- MAGICAL

Sufjan anounced at the beginning of his show that he would be playing songs mostly from The Age of Adz. I wasn't the only person in the audience to be let down when that was said. HOWEVER, as the night went one, the energy level climbed, peaking about three quarters of the way in to 'Impossible Soul.' As Sufjan was breakin out his best moves on stage (yeah he really dances... alot) two women shot up from the front row joining him from their seats. "What?! People dancing at a Sufjan Steven concert?" Thoughts similar to this immediately caused people to hesitate from following the the two women. But the energy kept rising and one by one everyone in the audience was on their feet letting it loose. It was unbeleivable. A folk singer bringing an entire audience rushing to the stage like he was a DJ. Only Sufjan Stevens could do this. This album is an amazing compilation of soulful lyrics and brillaint composition with a whole lot of crazy mixed in beautifully. THIS IS A MUST BUY

- 5/10

I've got mixed feelings. I got this for Christmas last year, wanted it, and now I regret it. Honestly, it's TOO experimental! It freakin gives me a headache and it's not catchy at all! For good experimental albums, try Odd Blood and Centipede Hz

- Not sure yet

I’ve listened to this a few times and I’m not sure if this is an extremely indulgent, bloated album, or a masterpiece. I’m leaning toward the latter, although the production does get a bit dramatic and overly-cinematic at times. Sufjan relies heavily on electronica here, mostly to great effect. There are a few moments here that almost bring me to tears every time (including the finale). I love Get Real Get Right, but the nearly 25-minute closer is the real highlight. This is, in some ways, “Chicago” taken to its most extreme conclusion. This is Sufjan’s Kid A.

- amazing album

this is pure art

- The Dark Side

He has definitely gone into a mechanical darker side of his creativity, but I think he's just modernizing his music, he's done a great job! Personally i like the lighter side of his music. I do occasionally get the same emotional response I did in his previous albums, but then a distorted electronic noise that can be disturbing. I feel I just have to get used to it. The only real problem I have with this album is theres no banjo. I hope in his future albums he goes back to using the banjo! I miss it so much! I fell in love with the banjo cause of his music.

- Different, yet beautiful.

Age of Adz got a lot of hate when it first came out. I understand Sufjan had always been an acoustic, indie-type singer/songwriter, and this came as a shock to many of his fans. But I think it worked perfectly. The songs are electronic, yes, but they’re still just as emotionally driven and well-written as his older albums. Definitely give it a shot if you’re wavering.

- Great with Headphones!

This is a very good album. Even better with headphones

- A very strong change, but he makes it work.

This is definitely weird, don't get me wrong. It's still growing on me, so this rating could move up. I do kind of wish that he would have just gone all out on it, because the first song, "futile devices", does give a little taste of the old sufjan. And having gotten this album after hearing nothing about it, the rest was a huge surprise. It is mostly an electronic/synth album which I didn't expect out of him, but he does make it work VERY well surprisingly. After listening to it more though I think that the little taste of acoustics at the beginning moving into never hearing a guitar stroke again is a little symbolic of his changes. Pretty beautiful i gotta say.

- He Speaks louder than ever now....

When I first listened to the single 'Too Much' after drowning myself in 'All Delighted People', I was slightly sickened and shocked. What was with the change? the Sudden shift in sound? With a shudder, i put the song away, and waited for the album to come out. Finally i got it, and three days after getting it, was able to go to a show. Still sketchy about the album itself, I was wondering how he could possibly pull off just the sound? Well, he did, and it was a fantastic show (and yes, he played impossible soul!) after that, there was no going back. Theres a shift in his lyrical pattern as well. He's shifting away from story telling into expression, just a pure expression of feeling. His instruments seem to do the same (notice an excess amount of noise in the title track 'Too much'?) A great album, just give it a listen too... it will grow on you!

- No.

I give the guy credit for trying new things. Like Neil Young. But this one isn't connecting with me at all. If you love the guy, buy it to support his experimentation. I'm glad I bought it for that reason. But it's tedious.

- Extremely creative!!!

Not like his other works but I do like the creativity and direction he is going... Have to listen to it a few times but eventually his music grows on u

- Age of ADZ

A beautiful album with great sound especially Vesuvius and an extremely compelling message a masterpiece of both sound and story.

- He's a Genius

I love the use of electronics. Anyone rejecting synthesized sound at this point is simply being short-sighted, there are endless compositional possibilities contained within it and not using them is stunting any artists growth (unless that is an inescapable part of their aesthetic). Sufjan Stevens is far too much of a maverick to ignore it for too long. This is fantastic stuff.

- Great for Strangers of Sufjan

If you're a Sufjan veteran, I would hesitate before buying this album. It's much more electronic, and he sings drastically different in most of his songs. No doubt, the music is BEAUTIFUL. I absolutely LOVE his new stuff... But, this is a completely different Sufjan than what people are used to. One may want to listen to the song previews very intently before stepping in and buying the entire album. The Age of Adz is definitely a completely different world. I wouldn't clump this album in the same pile as the rest of Sufjan Steven's work.. But I definitely think that this is a must-buy. I applaud you, Sufjan Stevens, for producing this amazing clump of songs. This album covers over so many emotions... For example, the song "Age of Adz" produces powerful uncertainty with the low bass hits, but at the same time, the higher register is mainly dominated by major-keyed melodies that make your heart wail. Though, it may not be what Sufjan-lovers are looking for... But, for newcomers, I truly can't endorse this music enough. All I can say is-- it's worth it. I would have paid TWENTY or even THIRTY dollars for this album, and I can't thank this band enough for lashing out and making a truly DIFFERENT piece of music.

- Amazing

I'm a freshman girl in high school.. And I feel like I'm the only one who listens to this type of music. It's truly beautiful. None of my friends understand. They'd rather go listen to justin bieber. Hey, that's their choice..But they're missing out!:)

- Give it time, This album is different

This is absolutely a new direction for Sufjan Stevens. This may not be an album that classic Sufjan fans might be into but it is still 100% in the Sufjan Stevens tradition. For some reason I find this album to be pretty sensual and very androgynous laden with sick and hope and neon duct tape. A hot mess of an album that you can't help but listen to over and over and over again and I mean that in a good way. Prior to this I have never heard anything that even came close to making this cacophonous sound so symphonic and sexual at the same time. If there was one artist I lust for is Sufjan Stevens after this album. I don't know what it is that this music makes me happy...

- Age of Adz!

Basically the best album I have in my collection... I am pleased...

- perfect driving record....

I am in love with this album..... a great album to get lost in while driving. no need to skip a track r even thinking about changing the album....

- Unsure

I really only like I Walked, Vesuvius and All for Myself. I am a bit disappointed by the other tracks, but the ones that I do like are OUTSTANDING.

- Visceral beauty

Comparing The Age of Adz to Stevens' earlier work is like comparing Van Gogh to Mozart. The comparisons don't match up, as they are two different beast altogether. While Michigan, Seven Swans and Illinois were song and story focused, The Age of Adz is simply art using audio as a medium. Stevens tackles his inner demons and fierce conflicts and puts his dirty laundry out for everyone to observe. Stevens is no longer a mystical beautiful entity, but he is real and he is powerful. This is his strongest and most forceful album to date.

- I Hated It At First, But Now...

It's one of my favorite Sufjan albums. My least favorite track "Age of Adz" is now my favorite. The emotion, the absolute terror, the call for helps, everything is intertwined so beautifully. Like another reviewer said, give it time.

- One of the most important albums of the decade

Big pronouncement for a record that came out at the beginning of a decade. I think this is the most beautiful and tranquil primal scream in music history. I've always loved Stevens' work, now I have respect for the guy's artistry as well. Even in the depths of psychic and spiritual crisis, the man's expression is artistic and lovely.

- Wonderful

It's a very tasteful effort and probably his most electronic anyone who enjoyed the cluttered chorus of "all delighted people" and enjoyed sufjans earlier album "enjoy your rabbit" they wil Surely love this album.

- Creative Innovation!

Although I hated this album when I first heard it, (I was hoping for more awesome melodic guitars and piano's and... Other strange intruments I've never heard of, :P) I have grown to like it a lot. Futile devices still retains his original sound, while still introducing a little bit of electronic spiff. Too much comes in with some more confusingly awesome yet different sounding electronic noises for Sufjan, while still keeping, (Somehow) that signatur Sufjan sound. The Age of Adz, however is a huge step forward and a great introduction to the rest of the album. Good stuff. Just give it time, guys.

- Age of Awesome

No it's not the classic Sufjan that we all know from Illinois but it is still a fantastic work. He conveys so much emotion through his voice. Many "devoted fans" will hate this because of the added electronic sounds and auto tuning. Do not be fooled by these people. Buy this album.

- Listen Deeper

My feeling is that this is his way of telling us to listen past the noise and hear the musc underneath, in all things, politics, society, etc.

- Yes.

I have goosebumps. Nuf' said.

- Cool

This album is pretty fun and whimsical, and I really like that it's different. The only concern I have is the repeats of patterns and synths thoughout the album. But other than that, this is great and would make a fantastical addition to my vinyl collection for the dorm(:

- Absolutely Stunning!

This album is so amazing and it will be unlike anything you've ever heard. Trust me!

- This is garbage

Save your money and have your niece or nephew play on a keyboard. Actually, it might sound better.

- genius

I've been listening to Sufjan since the beginning. At first, this album was kind of a disappointment. But, I gave it time just because it was Sufjan, and now I'm ashamed I ever thought a bad thought about this album. The electronic beats and interesting lyics make this album perfect. I can guarantee there is nothing like this. My favorite tracks are Impossible Soul, Futile Devices, Age of Adz and Vesuvius. Buy the whole album because the 25 minutes Impossible Soul is worth it. Also go to a concert, it will change your life.

- Disappointing

Artists should evolve, and it isn't their fault if they evolve in a direction their fans don't like. But there is little a redeeming value in this album. He sounds like he is layering his voice over Bjork's more recent music...and she isn't going in a good direction, either. Hopefully he will get past this sophomoric postmodern random noise phase and return to documenting the States, which he did so beautifully and brilliantly.

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