Sufjan Stevens

The Avalanche is not just a B-sides record; it's actually a mirror image, with 21 tracks that loosely follow *Illinois-- * including the suspenseful intro, the fast, pulsing second track, the quizzical segues, the interminable song titles, and the gradual instrumental send-off. The mood is gentler and more acoustic; the title track harkens back to the banjo-led introspection of Seven Swans, and the last ballad, "Pittsfield", has the cozy tunefulness of a chicken soup jingle. But for most of the disc, Stevens brings back the statewide namechecks and the "Illinoisemakers" marching band arrangements.

LPx2+ - Hatchback Orange and Avalanche White Colored Double LP.