SUFJAN STEVENS October 15, 2006

SUFJAN STEVENS
With special guest
MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND
OCTOBER 15, 8PM
PARAMOUNT THEATRE

The review in Slant magazine says it all about SUFJAN STEVENS: “Threatened to be overshadowed both by its ostensible gimmick and by a deafening roar of hype from the indie-rock press, Sufjan’s (pronounced SOOF-yan) Illinois, his second album in a proposed state-by-state travelogue (following 2001's home state tribute, Greetings From Michigan) and his fifth album overall, instead swaggers fully into the light, instantly asserting itself as one of the year's most remarkable recordings. Illinois offers no shortage of immediate pleasures -- the recorder flourish that opens "The Black Hawk War," the anthemic sing-along chorus of “Chicago" -- but it is ultimately the type of dense, challenging project that demands to be repeatedly, actively engaged. That he plays most of the instruments -- including acoustic guitar, piano, alto sax, electric bass, drums, banjo, Wurlitzer, flute, accordion, glockenspiel, and at least 20 more -- and still writes songs that often surprise for their minimalism is just stupid good. Sufjan gets everything right. And, ultimately, that's how Illinois surpasses expectations. From its framing gimmick and its anti-folk folk songwriting to its he-has-to-be-kidding song titles and its show-offy instrumentation, Illinois should reduce to a simple stunt performance. That it's pop-art of the highest caliber, instead, cements Stevens as one of the most vital voices in music today. It's all but inconceivable that the next 48 albums will match Illinois' quality, but Stevens is one of a select few artists who could justify such long-term anticipation.”

Tickets are $22.50 plus applicable service charges and go on sale Saturday, July 15 at
11 a.m. and are available online at ticketmaster.com or hob.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at (206) 628-0888

Official Website: http://hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=39938