Seven Swans

Seven Swans
Studio album by Sufjan Stevens
Publication (s)	March 2004
Label (s)	Asthmatic kitty
Format (s)	CD, LP
Genre (s)	Folk , indie pop
Title (number)	11
running time	approx. 46 minutes
occupation	Sufjan Stevens
production	Daniel Smith
Studio (s)	Sounds Familyre
chronology Michigan (2003) Seven Swans Illinois (2005)
Single release March 8, 2004 The Dress Looks Nice on You

Seven Swans is the fourth album by the US songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens . It came out between his two state concept albums, Michigan and Illinois . The only single that was released was “The Dress Looks Nice on You”.

Style and content

Compared to other albums by Sufjan Stevens, the album is instrumented quite sparingly. Quite often only a banjo and Stevens vocals are used.

Lyrically the album contains many references to the Bible , for example in "Abraham", "He Woke Me Up Again", the title track and others.

"On the record, Stevens deals with his understanding of religion and spirituality, but chooses an unconditionally personal, unmarketable and often even dubious approach."

- Daniel Gerhard, Visions

Reviews

The album received mostly positive reviews. Pitchfork Media gave 8.1 out of 10 points; Allmusic four out of five.

In a review of October 2010, the German music magazine Visions gave the album (the only one Stevens had released until then) twelve out of twelve points.

Track list

1. All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands - 4:14
2. The Dress Looks Nice on You - 2:32
3. In the Devil's Territory - 4:57
4. To Be Alone with You - 2:44
5. Abraham - 2:33
6. Sister - 6:00
7. Size Too Small - 3:04
8. We Won't Need Legs to Stand - 2:12
9. A Good Man Is Hard to Find - 3:16
10. He Woke Me Up Again - 2:43
11. Seven Swans - 6:33
12. The Transfiguration - 5:18

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Visions issue 211 p. 23
2. ^ Pitchfork Media Review
3. ^ Allmusic Review