CD of the Month-November

 

As my mom said, it's a little weird.  At least that was my first reaction.  Even now, after listening to the set of five cds, I can see where she's coming from.  But I think I like this music.  Sufjan Stevens sings like he means it.  When he says "you" in a song, it takes a second to realize that he's not talking to me. The home recording may play apart in that reaction, but from reading the liner notes, it seems like Sufjan Stevens has a deep desire to be sincere and transparent.  I really like that, even if I may have my doubts about some of his music.

Favorite song for lyrics: Once in Royal David's City (Disc 5)

I didn't realize that this song had lyrics in the first place, and now that I listen to them, they're well thought out and reflective.

Most questionable song: Come Thou Font of Every Blessing (Disc 2)

Still not sure what I think about this one.  It almost sounds like the instrumentals are in a minor key, while the vocals are in a major key.  Not the most beautiful rendition, although very creative.

Song I want to listen right now: O Come O Come Emmanuel (Disc 5)

It makes me think of paint by numbers, where you're not quite sure what's going on, but suddenly the colors start to make sense and you can see the big picture.

CD of the Month-October

I was so eager for this CD to come in the mail!

Reason I bought it: One of the teenagers at the church played the last track (Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme) for offertory sometime in September. It's so rich and complex. If you ever get the chance to listen to this song, close your eyes and imagine God leading the planets in a dance where they spiral around him and interweave with each other. It has that feeling of graciousness and majesty each time I hear it.

Favorite thing: I've listened to this CD more than 10 times since it arrived on the 30th of October. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. The music is too complex for me to understand in one hearing, and so enjoyable that I simply keep listening to it!

Cd of the Month-September

My CD of the month (a club I made for myself using ebay, amazon and Cdbaby) finally arrived today! So far, I really like it. I haven't listened much to Elvis before, and I'm impressed by the depth of his voice. It goes from mumbley on Jailhouse Rock to close to operatic, or least pretty good on several other tracks. It's a great cd of songs that are catchy, playful, all that. I can see why he became famous!

Favorite Track: All Shook Up
Who can resist the close proximity of the words "volcano" and "buttercup"?

Least Favorite Track: Wooden Heart
Why did Elvis think that a polka song about not being a puppet would be better by adding German?