The man is nothing if not consistent in his dedication to Christmas music and his ambivalent relationship with the holiday. Every year Sufjan records some songs, classics and originals, and sends them to a select group of family and friends. Seldom do they leak!
This one covers the years 2007-2012 and contains 5 EPs and numerous goodies, following a similar format to 2006's Songs For Christmas
The sample track, Christmas Unicorn, brazenly interpolates Love With Tear Us Apart by Joy Division.
Read story on Asthmatic Kitty website
The Baroque Pop Blog
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Friday, 14 September 2012
Review: Emanuel and the Fear, The Janus Mirror

The band has shrunk from an unfeasible 11-piece to a more realistic 6-piece. Given the small stages they still find themselves playing this must be an improvement in safety too. Although the sound they make on this recording is as big as ever with strings striving to be heard with the framework of some well-recording searing guitar riffs, thumping bass patterns and snappy drumming. Making a big noise is hardly a unique talent, but Emanuel Ayvas backs it up (once again) with some very solid tunes, lyrics and arranging as the sound veers between Jethro Tull, The Beatles, ELO and Broken Social Scene.
My Rating: 8/10
Baroque poppy? Just a little.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Review: Patrick Watson - Adventures In My Own Back Yard
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Monday, 20 February 2012
Review: Peter Broderick - http://www.itstartshear.com
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Review: Tori Amos - Night of Hunters

There's a lyrical theme/song cycle here - which frankly I can't be bothered to relate - and each tune is based on a piece of classical music (Bach, Chopine, Schumann, Schubert, Debussy, Satie et al). And should anyone question whether classical composers could write pop tunes - just listen to some of these exquisite melodies.
My only criticism is the lyrics which are decent but not great. However that matters little when encountering such stellar music making. I wasn't expecting a Tori Amos album to feature in my year's top ten, but it's now highly likely. Brava Tori!
My Rating: 10/10, it's a beautiful listen.
Baroque poppy? Essential. This blog exists for albums like this.
Friday, 9 September 2011
Review: Gabriel Kahane - Where Are The Arms

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