The Search for Existential Significance in All That Sentimental Oatmeal
at least, that's how Sufjan put it.
It would be imprudent for me to attempt an actual review of the Sufjan Christmas Albums. I'm no writer.
So here is my wholehearted recommendation of the albums. The packaging, materials, and design are all superb, lending to a wonderful "Out of Box" experience. The set is a real treasure trove: essays, stories, comics, chord charts, little illustrations, stickers, and more.
Then there are the songs.
I do believe the music is important in a fashion beyond my own personal enjoyment. There's something meaningful, I think, about a post-conservative Christian (or at least, one who could pass for "post-conservative") attempting to winnow away the trite sentimentality & consumerism of Christmas, to get down to the import of the *thing*.
Sufjan is completely upfront with his intentions: his own personal Christmas cartharsis, complete with familial dysfunction and academic cynicism. One might accuse him of a type of emtional exploitation akin to the very thing he's reacting against, that he's simply repackaged the kitsch for the hipster set.
No single argument to the contrary is conclusive; their weight is in the sum, I think. The meticulous craft and care of each song (nevermind the packaging & essays), the diversity of musicians involved, Sufjan's unrelenting openness about his process and motivations: all seem to insist that Sufjan believes there is something good here and that he wants you to believe it too.
So, five stars, two thumbs up and all that. Asthmatic Kitty has been swamped with orders far exceeding their expectations. Get yours while you can.
fav tracks: Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, O Holy Night (Shara Worden's backing vocals are captivating), Star of Wonder
Music | By Josiah Roe | 10:14 PM
Comments
Great "non-review." I just ordered my copy the other day. I've enjoyed the first three albums I downloaded from your website.
Posted by: shelbybark at November 28, 2006 01:01 PM
"One might accuse him of a type of emtional exploitation akin to the very thing he's reacting against, that he's simply repackaged the kitsch for the hipster set."
But isn't that always what happens in the end?
When sincerity is overplayed, it become sentimentality, so it needs to be repackaged as irony so it can seem like sincerity again.
Posted by: Evan Donovan at November 28, 2006 11:57 PM
What's all this about "ordering"? I've come across the set in numerous music stores. Is there more to it if you order it?
Posted by: heidi at November 29, 2006 03:19 PM
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