Length 46:19 Label Sounds Familyre | Release date 16 March 2004 Producer Danielson | |
![]() | ||
Released March 16, 2004 (2004-03-16) Similar Sufjan Stevens albums, Indie folk albums, Other albums |
Sufjan stevens all the trees of the field will clap their hands
Seven Swans is a folk rock music album by Sufjan Stevens, released on March 16, 2004. It includes songs about Christian spiritual themes, figures such as Abraham, and Christ's Transfiguration. The songs are primarily "lush acoustic compositions" with Stevens' banjo. The album was released on compact disc and vinyl LP; the vinyl was released by Burnt Toast Vinyl.
Contents
- Sufjan stevens all the trees of the field will clap their hands
- 01 all the trees of the field will clap their hands sufjan stevens
- Critical reception
- Thematic elements
- Track listing
- Personnel
- The Dress Looks Nice on You
- Songs
- References
01 all the trees of the field will clap their hands sufjan stevens
Critical reception
Seven Swans has a score of 87 out of 100 based on 23 reviews at Metacritic, indicating a "universal acclaim" rating from the site. The Guardian called it "a record of remarkable delicacy" and Spin described the album as sounding "like Elliott Smith after ten years of Sunday school".
Thematic elements
Many of the songs on Seven Swans tell stories directly from the Bible. "Abraham" references the bible story wherein Abraham is tested by God and told to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham, at the last moment and with knife in hand, is stopped by an angel and instead sacrifices a ram to God. The final song, "Transfiguration", is a "bittersweet note of Jesus' requisite suffering". "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" is based on a first-person account by The Misfit character from Flannery O'Connor short story of the same name. The lyrics of the title song, "Seven Swans," loosely allude to the events of the Book of Revelation.
Track listing
All songs written by Sufjan Stevens.
- "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands" – 4:14
- "The Dress Looks Nice on You" – 2:32
- "In the Devil's Territory" – 4:57
- "To Be Alone with You" – 2:44
- "Abraham" – 2:33
- "Sister" – 6:00
- "Size Too Small" – 3:04
- "We Won't Need Legs to Stand" – 2:12
- "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" – 3:16
- "He Woke Me Up Again" – 2:43
- "Seven Swans" – 6:33
- "The Transfiguration" – 5:18
- "I Went Dancing with My Sister"
- "Waste of What Your Kids Won't Have"
Personnel
"The Dress Looks Nice on You"
A 7" limited edition single of "The Dress Looks Nice on You" was released by Rough Trade in support of the album on March 8, 2004. The single features the song "Borderline" as a B-side.
- "The Dress Looks Nice on You" – 2:32
- "Borderline" – 3:25
Songs
1All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands4:14
2The Dress Looks Nice on You2:32
3In the Devil's Territory4:58