TAHQUAMENON FALLS

Seeing as I originally intended this blog to revolve around music, I guess I should start writing about music. Today, I turn the spotlight on Flint, Michigan's second most famous son: Sufjan Stevens.

My first encounter with Sufjan occured when I was writing for the internet 'zine Delusions of Adequacy (my column, which was of very average quality, was all about the Australian indie scene, not that I knew much about it at the time). I read an article with Sufjan in which, frankly, he came across as an opinionated asshole, and seeing as I had heard none of his music at that point, I wasn't inclined to go searching for it (moreso because he stated his hatred for Wilco and Silver Jews, two of my favourite bands). The interview - and Sufjan's name - was soon forgotten and I heard nothing more about him for a year or two.

Then at the start of this year, indie rock bible Pitchfork (and I like Pitchfork, for all its' ridiculous posturing and often snarky tone) posted their best of list for 2003. As a sidenote, their best of list keeps growing and growing, from the traditional 10 best albums of the year in 1999, to 20 in 2001, to the now unwieldy 50 best albums and 50 best singles. But I disgress. Sufjan's third album Greetings from Michigan: The Great lake state came in at number three. Although the brief album synopsis was somewhat offputting - elevating the importance of the lyrics to an uncomfortable degree - I was interested enough to download a few songs. I was impressed to say the least.

The stock in trade of pop culture is hyperbole,

to be continued