As prolific as Sufjan Stevens has been since (2005), a real successor did not flow out of his pen. After a number of CDs filled with leftover material, Christmas songs and soundtracks, The Age Of Adz finally arrived. Although the cover is only filled with mysterious drawings by the American artist Royal Robertson and thus raises questions, this time it is not a concept album. However, the album is
… completely without concessions. Stevens could have gone on with the florid and orchestrated style of Illinois without any difficulty, but that's not how he works. The Age Of Adz is based on electronics and production gimmicks. It's a wonderful thing that Stevens is his own boss and that he earns enough money with his successful label (Ashtmatic Kitty Records) to have total artistic freedom. However, this can also have a serious effect on the nerves. The big problem is that Stevens forgets that he may not have limits himself, but the listener can. The second track Too Much is typical of the entire CD: beats, swelling synths, choirs, wind sections, glissando flutes, drum samples and all that for 6 minutes. Too Much indeed. (JE)more
