Pages tagged “sufjan stevens”

Paste's Signs of Spring Playlist: Running

By Caitlin Strandberg on 11:15 AM on April 1, 2009

There are many signals that usher in the changing of the seasons (celestial equinoxes, changing sleeve lengths, authoritative groundhogs), but the big tell will always be the absence or presence of outdoor exercisers. Here at Paste, we can tell it's springtime, not from the pollen that covers Atlanta in a frustrating yellow layer, but rather the spandex-clad runners who fill the sidewalks and our side-view mirrors. Atlantan runners, joggers and walkers serve a dual purpose: They remind us that the chill is over and that it's never to late to start that New Year's resolution. Then again, they could just... read more

Found in: Blogs, Playlist

Sufjan Stevens' Illinoize features Outkast, Aesop Rock, more

By Rachel Dovey on 11:44 AM on March 10, 2009

Montreal-based producer Tor is gunning for the King of Unlikely Samples title with his new, free mixtape, Illinoize, which mixes Sufjan Stevens with Outkast, Brother Ali, Aesop Rock and Big Daddy Kane, amongst others.... read more

Found in: Music, News

The Greatest Art Ever Made About the Midwest

By Nick Marino on 7:00 AM on March 4, 2009

The new Cam’ron single “Get It In Ohio” is, amongst other things, an ode to the Midwest. In the grainy video, Cam and friends drive through slushy streets and complete business transactions in parking lots—and even if this doesn’t conform to your personal Midwestern experience, there’s a shock of recognition in seeing the heartland represented so proudly in a rap song. As someone who spent a fair amount of time in the Midwest myself, this got me thinking about other memorable songs, albums, movies and literature about the oft-ignored expanse of real estate known pejoratively as “flyover country.” Here are my... read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

Three Great Albums for Three Great Causes

By Josh Jackson on 5:00 AM on February 24, 2009

Musicians have a long, storied history of lending their talents to worthy causes. But I don't remember ever coming across a trio of benefit records hitting around the same time that are this cool. I would have recommended the following albums if the proceeds went to pay for Donald Trumps hair implants, but they actually go to to organizations that fight human trafficking and AIDS and provide aid to children affected by war. So go buy them. Now.... read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

Twenty Songs not by The Decemberists About Kids Meeting Unfortunate Ends

By Rachael Maddux on 7:00 AM on January 18, 2009

The Decemberists offered up "The Rake's Song," a track from their upcoming Hazards of Love LP, as a free download last week, which means that lots of people were probably struck with the same two thoughts that hit me upon my own first listen. One, this is a song about a dude killing his kids. Two, there are not many songs about that.... read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

A Dozen Ways Sufjan Stevens Spent 2008

By Josh Jackson on 1:00 AM on January 12, 2009

Brian Wilson finally gave us a Smile in 2007. Chinese Democracy miraculously saw the light of day last year. Would it be too much to hope that 2009 is the year of Oregon? Or New Jersey? Or even a Rhode Island EP? Sufjan Stevens' second of his proposed 50-state project was Paste's album of the year way back in 2005, and he's been pretty coy about whether he's planning a follow-up or even whether he was ever serious about the project. Still, he's been doing more than learning how to hula hoop over the last 12 months. Here's a dozen... read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

Asthmatic Kitty offers up Sufjan Stevens, holiday fun

By Mary Kate Varnau on 2:45 PM on December 11, 2008

After Pitchfork gave Grampall Jookabox's new album a mediocre review, Asthmatic Kitty was quick to action. How could this negative be turned into a PR goldmine? By following in the steps of Radiohead, and a certain music magazine, with a name-your-own-price scheme, of course. But this time, instead of letting the listeners pick, the critics will do the pricing (via their review ratings). So when the Pitchfork writer handed GJ's Ropechain a 5.4, the price of the album became $5.40--and for how long? You guessed it! 54 hours.... read more

Found in: Music, News

The Welcome Wagon: Keepers of the Faith Thrive in the Hipster's Den

By Reid Davis on 8:00 AM on December 2, 2008

Manhattan might have St. Patrick’s, Trinity and St. John the Divine, yet it’s Brooklyn that’s called “the borough of churches.” Climbing up from the G Train... read more

Found in: Music, Features

David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, The National, Feist, many more contribute to Dark Was the Night comp

By Austin L. Ray on 2:18 PM on December 1, 2008

Today is World AIDS Day. Appropriately enough, it's also the day that the line-up was revealed for Dark Was the Night, a compilation release which will benefit AIDS/HIV awareness group, The Red Hot Organization.... read more

Found in: Culture, News