Sufjan Stevens- There's Too Much Love from Castaways in Ithaca 9/23/09

[fillXinXblankXstares]

Oh Sufjan and your camouflage hat. Love the live version

[Dbe43]

live > studio.

[firesinged]

Ah, he reinvents himself. I guess the best genre for him is experimental. All of his songs kind of grow on you.

[caitlinrutter]

this album is so different from his last, but so great. I'm such a fan

[charlietango48]

Love the Harmony Bobkat guitar!

[Zigabid]

Wait is he talking about Greece? Or upstate New York?

[snoutout]

Sujan is absolutely one of the most brilliant artists of our time. Amazing work.

[kaileydiogo]

You can listen to the whole Age of Adz album in full, or in parts, if you go to NPR. ORG and search Sufjan Stevens in the search bar. I would post the link but YouTube is dumb about that. It's a really sick album. I'm so excited for it to come out!

[kaileydiogo]

@MusashiFilms It was just changed to "Too Much" and changed up a little. I'm disappointed. I liked it like this.

[Musicisfreedom15]

Live version is so much better.

[wantmohr]

this is way better than the recorded version

[rflgmb]

Amo a ese hombre... en verdad

[GetGrayMusic]

october 12!

[MusashiFilms]

Doesn't look like this song made it onto the new album, Age of Adz.  Shame, that. I want a studio version of this.

[indyjb]

@MusashiFilms Look at Track #2 (Too Much). Looks like the title was just shortened.

[MusashiFilms]

@indyjb Awesome! Thanks for that. Now I'm excited again. :)

[purpledonkey61]

yeah, silly. but I like this version better; little more upbeat. perhaps the studio version will grow on me though.

[Mushman34]

@MusashiFilms It very much did make the album! You can download it here. sufjanstevens(dot)bandcamp(dot­)co m/track/too-much

[MusashiFilms]

@Mushman34 I saw it listed on Pitchfork and gave it a listen. Like it, but almost like the live version better. :)

[Danf9687]

@MusashiFilms yes it did, you fool.

[MusashiFilms]

@Danf9687 Hey, thanks for the response 3 months late, Rip van Winkle! Thanks for letting us all know what we already knew, Captain Obvious!

[ry32691]

But there is not enough love to give this song. Sufjan does it again ladies and gentlemen.

[1eht]

this is the first song i heard of Sufjan Stevens and i love him!

[mombus]

sufjan stevens is just so awful. want to feed yourself talent? go listen to belle and sebastian's there's too much love... what a fake this ass is

[alward21]

@mombus No, I'm pretty sure his ass is real.

[jimbobbolooki]

@mombus Belle and Sebastian's new album is out the same day as Sufjan's.

I think I might buy both.

[jam5301]

@mombus I just went and listened to that song out of curiosity and... this is light years ahead of that song. go fuck yourself

[johntel16]

His guitar's freakin sweet! Is that a Fender Jaguar, or Tornado, or Jazz master? I'm not sure exactly what it is.

[PandasUsePunctuation]

The audio quality/camera angle on this makes it seem like this was released by the band themselves, Kudos man good job with this. Love the new direction hes going with the music definitely not an average artist. Sufjan has some serious skill :)

[BoxProductionsInc]

give us a studio version!

[smokeymcpot098]

Is that Annie Clark (St. Vincent) in the background?

[jimbobbolooki]

@smokeymcpot098 No, she'd stopped touring with him by this point.

[nolwells]

this song is so good! when is the non-youtube version coming out???

[e5mail]

Does anyone have some tablature for this even though it has not been released officially?

[TheLycheeDuke]

new stuff's awesome...i love all the free jazz influences, and all the new textures, can't wait for the new album

[radianexplorwalker]

Excellent video recording. Great job on all your videos of this set. Not finding any better.

[emersonstem]

ahh

shit

i missed it!

[beliefactionnexus]

thank you three-fold for the post. new sufjan material is very exciting what with electric guitars and cacophonous horns. much obliged; maybe you can dig my Seer's Tower cover. cheers!!

[zimbloggy]

is the kind of thing he was experimenting with the multiple personality disorder version of chicago?

[jko1992]

"There's Too Much Love from Castaways in Ithaca" actually sounds like a Sufjan Stevens song title, too.

A new album in 2010 would be wonderful!

[bulimicsquid]

@jko1992

Hate to be a downer, but the title's just "There's Too Much Love." Castaways is the place in Ithaca where they were playing.

[Carnifex90]

@bulimicsquid He's announced a new album (probably for later this year), but it won't be based on a state. The 50 States Project is definitely over.

[Lauffles]

@jko1992 Wish: granted.

[drewbocop]

Well that's different. But pretty good.

[tomboshoff]

before I read the description I thought the whole title was There's Too Much Love from Castaways in Ithaca, and I got really psyched that he was doing new york. but alas, some things just don't come to fruition, haha.

[2finbar]

Nice work, indyjb. A great opportunity to see Sufjan's latest work. You really captured the vibe of this performance. Great sound and camera angle. Despite the cacophony of the horns, this tune really has a strict, formal construction. Mesmerizing all the way through.

[jakenicolaides]

i find a good shag and MADAGASCAR exciting, but i love sufjan and his beautiful endless list of talent and if you agree say "i love jakenicolaides" just for the funnies :)

[arfuswrinkledinks]

I really like his music but he really doesn't put a lot of emotion into his live shows

[mattmilhouse]

to me he seems more concentrated in everything going on sonically rather than trying to appear emotional.

It's not like he's not passionate about his music - surely he wouldn't write the amazing songs he does if that was the case.

[rockster10101]

I completely agree.

[schucksy]

I dont think that Sufjan has any "feathery bubble pop songs"....

[vanceoliver]

I think he does but in the best way possible..!! lol. No?

[elementalftball]

Wow this is amazing, can't wait for his new album now (whenever that will be). This is alot more electronic than his previous material though. Definately not a negative point, but this somewhat reminds me of a MGMT song. Anyone else notice that?

[Shlovingit]

Agreed, but he's going to do much better. He's basically going to make every other electric indie artist look average in comparison. I can't even fathom what this album is going to be like.

[elara55]

He is better because he can write. MGMT is cool and all but Stevens has an amazing depth in a lot of his songs (yeah he has featherly bubble pop songs too...but you know what i mean!)

[hoedabestaatal]

MGMT have some of the deepest thoughts hidden in their lyrics, it's just wrapped in some cool tune, don't underestimate them.

[Questpeace]

No they're a singles band. And a mediocre one at that.

[depolarized]

Sufjan is cool :)

[PFloorDave]

That is AMAZING! Also... what camera do you use man?! great quality!

[kylestevlander]

God, what an incredibly boring performer Sufjan is. If this guy walked into some venue where no one knew his name and played, people would walk out completely unimpressed. Most of the perceived 'brilliance' you guys see is due to your own imagination and ability to project brilliance on a blank slate. The emperor wears no clothes, folks. Lay off the pot and you'll see it for what it really is.

[awkwardamie]

wow! you dont understand music then!

You dont understand how much talent he projects in his music and his song writing. You dont understand the complexity of how he writes compositions for small ensembles and how his most recent work was basically a symphony. And most of all, you dont understand the different musical techniques, styles and genres he incorporates in his music. Therefore you dont understand music at all.

[jko1992]

Sufjan, boring? What do you find exciting?

[hehsaan]

that doesnt make sense. i didn't know who sufjan stevens was before i stumbled upon his music. if his music was really boring, i wouldnt have liked it. but because it isn't, i was captivated by it and grew to like it.

i'm saying that i was in that venue of people who had no idea who Sufjan Stevens was, but i still love him.

[OrTheFuturist]

This video introduced me to Sufjan Stevens, so there.

[vanceoliver]

Thats a random way to be introduced Sufjan lol

[UchihaMatt]

Mind blowingly good.

[awkwardamie]

whats the name of the trumpet player.

Other than sufjan, I couldnt take my eyes off him. Such an amazing trumpet player. His range and improv was incredible.

[lordluke55]

awkwardamie, I went to his show last night, and the trumpet player was phenominal, he was pitch perfect. He looks like a younger skinnier version of James May. I dont know his name though, sorry.

[awkwardamie]

wait the toronto show or montreal?

if u went to the toronto show, gawd one person was so ruining it for everyone.

and my friends and i were calling him mini snape, cuz he looked like a younger version of snape in HP

[WheresPoochie]

I was looking at the setlist for Toronto and I would have DIED to have heard "Lakes of Canada" and "All The Trees" in Montreal. It's sort of offensive that he skipped Lakes being that he was still in the fucking country! Oh well, Friday was still a terrific show.

And yeah, this song is excellent.

[VelocityJude]

His name is C.J. He's AMAZING. He was out on the road with Rufus Wainwright for his last album, and completely killed all the solos on that tour too. A great musician, and a really nice bloke too.

[justinelodder]

CJ Camerieri. He's brilliant!!!!!

[awkwardamie]

ahh thank you thank you!!

[Asparagushymn]

Love you, Sufjan!

[mschafer13]

Best one of his new stuff. Thanks for the up!

[thislucidlife]

Sufjan does noise-pop ala John Vanderslice....and he freaking nails it!

After wearing out Illinoize this comes as a refreshing surprise. I only wish Shara Worden was on stage 0.o!

[awkwardamie]

omg I know! I saw the decemberists and Shara was mesmerizing.

[amwylie]

tomorrow. soupjam. toronto.

[kurtlash]

If I remember correctly, it was immediately after this song that he said, "OK, enough glam-rock," and then went on to play The Dress Looks Nice on You.

[oringetoe]

this is tooo good

[jalopy2222]

I saw Sufjan in Minneapolis the other night and got to talk to him after the show. I asked him if this new material was going to be on a new album anytime soon, and he said yes. Personally i'm very happy to hear that, because i'd heard that he might be only doing instrumental only music from now on in the vein of BQE. One more thing, I know that several of the "new" songs aren't actually that new. Many of them have been floating around on that "rarities" download thats floating around.

[mikelisbastiks]

Do you have any link where to get that "rarities" download?

[IMABBALLPLAYER]

Oh man. If that's actually what Soof said, I'm sooo excited. I can't wait to hear a studio cut of Majesty Snowbird!

[mananagoat]

@jalopy2222 how did you get to talk to him? :O (jealous!)

[dlldll]

Judas

[SomethingImplied]

No one else makes music like this. it's like... post-indie hahaha <3 favorite new song of the year so far

[wumbo502]

hahaha actually, someone else has. his name is miles davis, and its called fusion jazz.

[thisisourpostrock]

ahh. god! he's so good!

[PE553]

<3 Sufjan

[DirtySteveStevens]

To which new album are you referring, jeffunk?

[jessssstarlite]

The BQE.

[jeffunk7]

Oh man, that was awesome!! Can't wait for the new album to come out!

I just wish there was one more chorus at the end. I needed one go around on that sweet sweet chorus.

[InkInTheSky]

Yep, I'm with you on that one jeffunk. Sweeeet sweeeet delicious chorus.

[Shlovingit]

His new album is going to take all electronic indie artists and make them look terrible. Sufjan's way too good and can't be beat.

[andrahaha]

this song sounds really New York don't you think? made me think that he's making the NY album

[Shlovingit]

Hm, perhaps. But he hasn't been very loyal to the states project and I'll be surprised if he comes out with more.

[hafsol]

I agree!

[dreamkast0r]

Wow, I thought this dude was pretty good when he first exploded with Illinoise a few years ago, but this is the best thing I've ever heard from him.

[RiggsFromTheCrypt]

Soooooo good! Stoked about the kinda breakcore beats.

[SysyphusX]

God this sounds SO good, thanks!

[thourobred1]

I get to see him Tuesday Night!!!!!!

[chellly]

I went to his show last night in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois. He was amazing, and his new stuff was AWESOME. I cannot wait for his new cd.

[McFly1020]

so much dissonance! love it.

[pepedogoriginal]

music is art...experiment, find new ways, create...stevens is an example of true music as true art-never static, never fearing, always pushing. all too rare, methinks. love it!!

[ElitePirateUpsilon]

Wow, this is like a happy version of OK Computer. This new album could shape up to be absolutely amazing, can't wait to hear more new stuff!

[Shlovingit]

Agreed, I went to the one in Pontiac Michigan last night and all of his new songs were similar to this. But this was the most up beat I think. I really can't wait for the new album now!

[ElitePirateUpsilon]

Wow, I wish he was coming to Boston. Seriously, this could be the first truly great album of the 2010s

[pinnballwizzardd]

yeah, i was at the pontiac show. i was wearing my tigers jersey and everyone screamed at "tigers game tigers game" All of his new songs he introduced as new songs and gave a title, but there was one he played either just after majesty snowbird or casimir pulaski day and he didnt introduce it and i dont think i had ever heard it before... do you remember what this was?

[Shlovingit]

Yeah I got a picture of the set list, it was wither space camp vs. sigourney weaver or age of adz, I don't think I'd heard either of those. Or maybe he just performed one of them.

[amal7493]

Oh really? you were the dude in the Tigers jersey? what a cutie ;)

[willlliw]

im so pissed i live near ithaca and theres never fucking good concerts in upstate new york and then i go to college and theres sufjan and ATP

[stanleyspedowski]

Very Cool. thanks for post. Come on new EP!

[edwardiansnow]

wow, thank you for this so much

[Brendan1989]

So good. Gotta see him in toronto next week ahhhhh

[amal7493]

He played this song as the encore tonight in Detroit. It was so freaking good

[Wohlverine90]

It was such a GREAT SHOW! What was your favorite moment?

[amal7493]

All of it was pretty good. The first new song "Impossible Soul" was great and his unreleased "Majesty Snowbird" is by far my favorite Sufjan song.

I liked In "Detroit" when he sang "Pontiac" everyone cheered

[Shlovingit]

Same! Just his live versions of Majesty snowbird are so good, although on his tour it sounded a bit more electronic which I'm not going to object to. I have a live version but to have a studio version would be something else.

[ben52k]

I was there and he was amazing.

[ToTehMoon]

I stumbled across this today and subsequently bought illinois. I had heard he was a folk guy before and kinda wrote him off as the simple guitar/banjo and singer guy before i heard him. man that was wrong. hes a hell of a original and creative musician

[shorty61292]

I was the same way. Back in 2007 I heard his name then my friend gave me Illinois, and I haven't looked at him the same since. He's already a musical legend. My favorite artist by far.

[burnyourfriendsx]

Love me some Sufjan ! hah.

I can't believe I missed his show today in MI. Bummer. :/

[emoprincess001]

I can't believe I missed the Ithaca show. If I had known earlier I would have bought tickets and trekked up there in a heartbeat.

[Moblin7]

I was there for this! He's too good...

[FromAnonymous]

Can't wait to have the studio version to blast through my headphones every morning.

[moushi]

you fuck around with sufjan's ideas he wings around in 4 years to fuck with your head again. bet he had a hand in the design of that guitar... this is basically freeform lofi

[slintaii]

Oh god that's good. Can't wait for Thursday!

[codered577]

wow...surprisingly good quality. Thanks a lot for recording it.

[BCONTRAT]

wowee zowee

[evereview]

I fully intend on dedicating an entire year of my life to his new album whenever he decides to drop it from the heavens and onto us, his loyal serfdom.

[paninifelicissimi]

the second half: sufjan had plaid in his stereo!

[theburningwoman]

anyone know what kind of guitar that is?

[victoryradio]

I think it's a Danelectro.

[theblindowl2]

this and majesty snowbird please.....PLEASE?!

[justinelodder]

sooooo amazing. oh yes.

see you next week Sufjan!!!!!!!!! can't wait!!!

[shorty61292]

This sounds incredible... Hopefully this is material for a new album that's coming out SOON!

[oflnlu]

absolute genius! i'm so glad he's starting to make music again!

[FromAnonymous]

HE'S BACK! AWESOME!!!

[deeeegyo]

hell yeah i was there wooo ithaca

[pimlottc]

He encored this in Cleveland last night as well.

[handsomerob48]

This sounds like a mashup of Enjoy Your Rabbit and Illinois. Needless to say, I'm very happy.

[biasedbulldog]

Love it.

[blackguarding]

awesome

[Questpeace]

So are Kid A and Sufjan a thing??

[MajestySnowbird]

You just made me mess myself.

[dontyoudar]

nice work, man. i'm seeing him TONIGHT and i hope he does this. gorgeous!

[elisa577]

It's going to be incredible. You'll have a great time.

[ResonanceFan11]

did he play any other new stuff??

[elisa577]

Tons.

[thebulletskate2]

that was great. This guy is so overdue for a new album

[nagyovafan]

Fantastic!

[radicalsasquatch]

Kind of cool.

I wish he wasn't such a boring performer.

[thecrikster]

wow that's great quality from the psonic lumix. did you have an audio feed other than built in mic?

oh and love the new song. sufjan FTW :7)

[indyjb]

Just the built in mic. It's a great little camera. 12x optical zoom that can be used while recording, stereo audio, and 720p video.  It can also take pictures.

[zora350]

What camera is that? I have been shopping around and the audio quality on that one is amazing!

[lauriehumphrey]

Panasonic Lumix ZS3 / TZ7

[heyitsrayso]

Gosh, Pitchfork is annoying comparing everything to everything. I hate music journalists!

[doomy]

Yeah, but let's just enjoy Sufjan.

[hkammer]

Wow! Praise GOD!

[evilralfwiggum]

wonderful video :)

[stepmasterfresh]

Amazing! I'm seeing him in Madison on Monday....SO PUMPED.

[IAmTheGreenRanger]

thanks very much for posting this. that was the best night of my life! :-D

[BethanyJoy41]

ooh cool! I get to see him Sunday and can hardly sleep. although its still several days away! Thanks for posting!!