Review Summary: "I Heard A Voice In My Mind, 'I Will Try, I Will Try, I Will Try.'"
Sufjan Stevens is a very well known artist at this point. After writing many albums, including a few that were inspired by certain states, he released his critically acclaimed The Age Of Adz, which reached close to the top of the year end list on this very site. Somewhere in the middle of his career, Stevens released Seven Swans. Seven Swans is an album which seemed to fly sort of under the radar, which is profane considering its quality and potential for a real emotional connection.
Most of the aspects of an obvious singer/songwriter record are apparent here. Seven Swans features a somber man, weaving his most personal insights and feelings among the simple chord progressions of a strung instrument. Like most great artists in this vein, Stevens takes a minimalist approach, and like most great albums in this vein, Seven Swans is nothing special when taken at face value. Stevens often has a piano or something similar layered over his music, but other than that, the majority of the instrumentation heard in this album is either the guitar or the banjo. Stevens is very careful with the use of drums in his music, and uses them mainly to create a dynamic effect. The only memorable use of drums is in the very climax of the album itself, which lies at the latter end of the title track, Seven Swans. Having said that, Stevens is very keen with how he compliments his lovely voice with his instrument. A great example of how he is able to do this is in the first song on the album, All Of The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands. His finger picking of the banjo opens the door for his voice to softly embrace the listener, allowing the listener to understand exactly what Stevens wants them to understand for the remainder of the album.
Sufjan Stevens can be compared to something soft that you've kept from your childhood, something that you've cherished throughout your years and something you probably will always have somewhere, if only in a box in your closet. Seven Swans is a very familiar record, and one where, even if you don't listen to it obsessively or even very often at all, you will always resort back to when you feel like you need something warm to hold. There is that special time and place where Seven Swans may be necessary to keep your sanity, even if most of the time it may be inappropriate. It could be soothing in a time when you are feeling emotionally drained, or in a time when you feel like you just need something that would understand whatever feeling you contain.
In a way, Seven Swans is the most perfect name this album could have. It is something beautiful, something peaceful. Something you could admire, and something that will always be pure to you. Seven Swans may never lose their value, even when faced with something greater than themselves. Seven Swans is a product of yourself and everything you've experienced.
