Sufjan: The Essayist

Oh, Sufjan, we love you so. However, we never expected this!

It seems like Michigan's finest songster is back at work, but not on his next state-related album. No, this time he's gone and written an essay regarding what he declares, 'friend rock'. The piece is actually a pretty damn good read and is currently up on The Asthmatic Kitty (his label's) site.

Here's the opening blurb:

"I remember Hard Rock, Punk Rock, Emo Rock, Alternative Rock, Classic Rock. I remember going to see Lee Renaldo and Thurston Moore make a lot of noise with a gaggle of guitars and a few props at CBGBs (Experimental Rock). I remember seeing a show in someone’s basement and there was a great deal of pushing and shoving (Mosh Rock). I remember the Moody Blues playing with a string ensemble (Symphonic Rock). I remember a band from Chicago that played jigs and reels (Celtic Rock). I remember seeing Deerhoof play at Luxx and after one very complicated song someone whispered, “Math Rock.” I remember Petra (Christian Rock). I remember seeing one of my songs categorized on iTunes as “Folk Rock.” I remember, recently, playing a whole tour in formal, seated theaters and thinking “Soft Rock.”

There are a lot more terms flying around today: New Rock, Ironic Rock, Situational Rock, Crotch Rock (don’t ask). But have you heard about Friend Rock?"

*To find out more about friend rock and to read the entire dissertation, I suggest following this link.

MP3: Sufjan Stevens - Variation On 'Commemorative Transfiguration & Communion At Magruder Park'