Music Review

The Avalanche (2006)

EW's GRADE
A-

Details Release Date: Jul 11, 2006; Lead Performance: Sufjan Stevens; Genre: Indie Rock

STATE SECRETS Excellent songs Stevens held back from \'\'Illinois\'\' finally come tumbling out on \'\'The Avalanche\'\' | Sufjan Stevens
Image credit: Sufjan Stevens: Denny Renshaw
STATE SECRETS Excellent songs Stevens held back from ''Illinois'' finally come tumbling out on ''The Avalanche''

This isn't a new geographic-themed CD from indie heartthrob Sufjan Stevens, but a set of outtakes and extras from his 2005 boho Americana masterpiece, Illinois. Though the cover says The Avalanche is ''shamelessly compiled,'' Stevens has nothing to be ashamed of: These wistful folk-pop leftovers are better than most acts' A game. Tunes about Prairie State notables Adlai Stevenson and Saul Bellow are charming character sketches, while the baroque arrangements suggest Stevens could have a second career as a baton-wielding composer.

Originally posted Jul 07, 2006 Published in issue #886 Jul 14, 2006 Order article reprints

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