The release of “Age of Adz” hit me like a slap to the face.Where were the soft ballads everybody was waiting for? I was ok with the notion that another “State” album wasn’t going to be made, but “Age of Adz” sounded like he recorded every glitch and noise he could make with some buddies in his basement. The album is bigger than the material. The live performance wasn’t about the music. Maybe it was. Just a little. The larger picture put together by Sufjan for the new album is more performance art. Keep in mind it’s been five years since I’ve seen him, but last night’s show was about a trio of backup dancer’s, stage props, a screen projection, and Stevens earnest voice with his banjo/guitar making me a believer that we now live in the “Age of Adz”. I have a frame of reference to go off of, where prior to last night’s show, I had nothing and had left his latest masterpiece full length left for dead. I was able to dig up a recording of his last visit to the quaint Bluebird Theatre five years ago.

Sufjan Stevens ::: Bluebird Theatre ::: 07.30.05 (via CO Tapers)

1. The Fifty States Song
2. The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders
3. Prarie Fire that Wanders About
4. They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!
5. Sister
6. John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
7. Casimir Pulaski Day
8. Jacksonville (Cheer)
9. Jacksonville
10. The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!
11. Chicago (Cheer)
12. Chicago
13. Come On! Feel the Illinoise!
14. Man of Metropolis (Cheer)
15. The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

Encore:
16. The Star Spangled Banner
17. A Good Man is Hard to Find

Download the whole show via RAR

Sufjan Stevens Tour Dates

Thursday
2010-11-04 Hilbert Circle Theatre
45 Monument Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46204 (Map)
Set: 8:30pm | $30 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Friday
2010-11-05 Bijou Theatre Center
803 S Gay St
Knoxville, TN 37902 (Map)
Set: 8:00pm | $33.50 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Saturday
2010-11-06 Tabernacle
(404) 659-9022
152 Luckie St
Atlanta, GA 30303 (Map)
Set: 7:00pm | $30 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Sunday
2010-11-07 Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
87 Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28801 (Map)
Set: 7:00pm | $30 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Monday
2010-11-08 The National
Richmond, VA
Set: 8:00pm
With: DM Stith
Wednesday
2010-11-10 Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
(215) 790-5800
260 S BRd St Suite 901
Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Map)
Set: 7:00pm | $35 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Thursday
2010-11-11 Orpheum Theatre
1 Hamilton Pl
Boston, MA 02108 (Map)
Set: 6:30pm | $33.50 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Friday
2010-11-12 Orpheum Theatre
1 Hamilton Pl
Boston, MA 02108 (Map)
Set: 6:30pm | $35
With: DM Stith
Sunday
2010-11-14 Beacon Theatre
2124 BRdway
New York, NY 10023 (Map)
Set: 7:00pm | $35 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Monday
2010-11-15 Beacon Theatre
2124 BRdway
New York, NY 10023 (Map)
Set: 7:00pm | $35 (Buy)
With: DM Stith