Section: THE REVIEWS
MUSIC
EW PICK

Sufjan Stevens
The Avalanche
(Asthmatic Kitty)
Indie Rock

This isn’t a new geographic-themed CD from the indie heartthrob, but a set of outtakes and extras from his 2005 boho Americana masterpiece, Illinois. Though the cover says The Avalanche is “shamelessly compiled,” Stevens has nothing to be ashamed of: These wistful folk-pop leftovers are better than most acts’ A game. Tunes about Prairie State notables Adlai Stevenson and Saul Bellow are charming character sketches, while the baroque arrangements suggest Stevens could have a second career as a baton-wielding composer. A?

DOWNLOAD THIS: “The Henney Buggy Band”