so those other 48 states are out, then?

Sufjan Stevens, who once promised an album for each of the 50 United States (and has, to date, produced two -- for Michigan and Illinois), is now wavering on the notion of the song, much less the album.

I feel that the album no longer has a stronghold or has any real bearing anymore. The physical format itself is obsolete; the CD is obsolete and the LP is kinda nostalgic. So, I think the album is suffering and that’s how I’ve always created—I work with these conceptual albums in the long-form. And I’m wondering, what’s the value of my work once these forms are obsolete and everyone’s just downloading music? And I’m starting to get sick of my conceptual ideas. I’m tired of these grand, epic endeavours. and wanting to just make music for the joy of making music and having it be immediate and nothing to do with the industry itself, which, y’know is suffering right now of course. And I think it has to do with a creative crisis too. I’m wondering what am I doing? What is a song even? I’m questioning, what’s the point of a song? Is a song antiquated? Does it have any power any more? The format itself—a narrative song with accompaniment—is really beyond me now.

Which is really too bad because I was looking forward to the one about New Jersey.

Comments

[purview24.blogspot.com]

So in other words, Stevens is now just copying what Thom Yorke said about albums and songs?

[Michael Sippey]

Yeah, pretty much. Plus having some kind of nervous breakdown, it seems.

[Xris Ernest Hall]

I blogged about this on Monday and suggested that Sufjan move to a performance instead of an artifact-based model, as pioneered by the Grateful Dead, but which other artists like Pearl Jam seem to be having success with. I think he needs to spend less time obsessing by himself in Brooklyn and more time on the road, connecting with audiences.

[Michael Sippey]

Post that URL! Pimp your blog, man!

[Xris Ernest Hall]

Here it is (had to fix an embarrassing typo first):

http://fozboot.typepad.com/contrarian/2009/10/maybe-this-is-why-he-hasnt-released-a-new-album-since-2005.html

[purview24.blogspot.com]

Totally agree with Chris...there are so many options out there, so many creative ways to connect and interact with audiences. But you have to get out there and DO those things, and not sit around and stew.