Sufjan Stevens VS. Iron & Wine
 

Yes I know, versus threads=bad, but I've been trying to decide which one of these artists I like better for along time. I&R incorparates a more folky aspect to his music while Steven's is typically more ambient and has heavy post-rock influences. I am very undecided on this subject, so I'd like to ask what you guys thought.

F*ck versus threads

I can always count on you to contribute, Toe.

I definetly prefer Sufjan Stevens to Iron & Wine. They are both very talented but IR can be a bit boring sometimes. He is a good song writer but alot of his songs have very similar instrumentation and tone. Sufjan Stevens has a much more eclectic style. His songs vary in style from folk to electronic to Philip Glass-esque minimalism. I also he think his albums are much more complete and better to listen to. I like the way he adds the short 1-2 minute ambient tracks in. He also varies the syle of each song on the album. While IR will have like four really slow acoustic folk songs in a row Sufjan will have a piano ballad, a banjo driven folk song, and then an ambient song. Just ask yourself this: would you rather listen to an IR album or a Sufjan album?

I grew out of the indie-folk kick about six months ago, but if I had to pick, it would probably be Sufjan Stevens. Iron and Wine are so goddamn boring. Bonnie Prince Billy puts them both to shame, though.

Yes and yes. Sufjan is kind of boring too but he at least mixes it up with the occasional good song.

I can't pick! I love them both the same amount. They both make beautiful music.

Really boring is how I'd describe Bonnie Prince Billy. Elliott Smith > the whole lot.

If I never heard either of them again I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

If I never hear Sufjan again I may lose some sleep over it.

I went Iron & Wine. While they both do about the same thing for me, I find SS to get tedious at times.

I think I have to go Sufjan. It is really close though.

it's a really tough choice. i have to go with Iron though. He can hold my attenton better.

I don't get that. If anything it's the other way around.

Most of Sufjan's songs all run together like one song. i love him but he just gets boring.

I feel the exact same way about Iron & Wine.

Agreed.

you obviously haven't heard the shepard's dog then. i can understand that in reference to his earlier work, but his newest album has a different style pretty much every song.

The Sheperd's Dog, and Illinois both have many stylistic changes throughout. Saying either of them are boring is just...wrong.

I agree with that. The Shepherd's Dog is definetly different from his earlier albums, which can get a bit dull at times.

Iron & Wine can make a whole album that's good. Sufjan can't.

Is everyone forgetting Illinoise? Sufjan should be winning this vs thread by the strength of that album alone.

That album wasn't good. It just had a few memorable songs. As a whole it was garbage.

I'm confused about the comparison you're drawing but you would do well to understand that Elliott is criminally overrated, both here and elsewhere. I don't really have a deep attachment to any of them, tbh.

I actually think Michigan is a better overall album than Illinoise.

for srs?

The problem with Suf is tht all his albums are full of filler. It's not bad filler, but it's not nearly as good as the main tracks.

Then I don't take you for a full album experience kind of person, or you lost your attention span while listening, which I don't blame anyone for since the album is over an hour long.

I would have taken mediocre, or even lackluster, but "garbage"? Give the album another listen, just you and the music - maybe you'll get it. Go beyond the music, mate. The album is filled with history, references and stories.

^ and as for Michigan, I haven't listened to that one yet. I understand it's more acoustic, which is neat, but I like the grandiose feeling of Illinoise.

Anyways it makes me happy that Sufjan is tied with Iron & Wine. The world may be saved yet.

Illinois is an amazing album but I think the reason I don't like it as much as Michigan is that it is really long (I know this isn't the greatest reason to not like an album but theres more to it). There is a lot more filler on this album than in Michigan, and I think it has a worse filler to good song ratio. I also think that listening to Michigan all at once is a better experience than listening to Illinois.

Michigan is probably one of my favorite albums in the past ten years. I think it is the perfect length. To me, there really isn't much filler at all. Besides a couple of his 2-minute ambient tracks it is full of some great folk tunes. Also, listening to the album progress is really amazing. The first track is really stripped down, and quite somber. Then when once you get to the end you have this big songs with some Philip Glass-ness to them and some really great ambience thrown in.

I could go on and on about that album but I just wanted to clarify why I think it is better than Illionois. These two state-themed albums are the reason I chose Sufjan over I&W. I'm really hoping that Sufjan keeps up with the states.

Sufjan Stevens for me!

Both are good, but Stevens has the edge in my opinion.

Just as soon as he's done with the Christmas songs.

Also, I have to give Michigan another listen. I know I love the heck out of "Vito's Ordination Song."

Anyways, all is right with the world. Sufjan is winning this thread :D

I loved Illinoise so much but I also really enjoy Sephard's Dog.
It's kind of eerie.

Sufjan ftw!

Looking back I really wish I voted Iron & Wine

FaSho, that's just the stupid talking. Don't let it overcome you : D

haha.
Suf's always had his moments, but doesn't have one completley solid album, and Iron & wine has 2.

A better poll would be Michigan vs. illinois, and the winner goes against The Shepard's Dog :D

The Shepard's dog was great. He went one step beyond his usually song writing and I dug it for a few weeks, but Sufjan's just more exciting. He's got more tricks up his sleeve. If only he followed Illinoise with SOMETHING that wasn't a goddam christmas album.

Michigan and Illinoise both beat The Shepard's Dog in my book. And I agree with Roygbiv, Sufjan's got a lot more tricks up his sleeve. He has a lot more aspects than just folk music.

I actually liked A Sun Came a lot. It's probably my favorite Sufjan album. BTW, does anybody know the exact pronunciation of his name?

I always though it was Sufjan until I met someone else in person who liked him. She pronounced it Soofhan. I tink tht's more reasonable, but it's just not as cool.