Customer Reviews

The BQE

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sufjan Steven's "The BQE" is a fantastic, cinematic experience. Do not be tentative to embrace this music solely because it is predominantly instrumental. Yes, the film lends visual direction to the music, but the music stands strongly on its own. The compositions are energetic and well orchestrated. The music is larger and more bombastic than some of Sufjan's softer, indie folk songs, but the subject necessitates the size. None of the movements are particularly abstract, so I doubt even fans who never listen to instrumental music will have trouble relating to this soundtrack. There are lyrics in the final piece of the soundtrack. The film is a relentless collage of mesmerizing BQE images presented in a clever triptych format, with a hula hoop as a spinning wheel motif. I really enjoyed the film. Coming from an artist who works in grand concepts, "The BQE" has to be one of Stevens' most brilliant and unified works.

I love this guy and have all his previous releases. This release has his trademark style but is quite a departure being an instrumental soundtrack to a short film. I might classify it's overall style as modern classical.

From what I glean from the video, the film was commissioned (?) by the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It is quite stunning. It is shot as 3 frames across the screen. At first I found this a bit disconcerting, but after a short while was fully absorbed in it. As the title indicates, it is an examination of the BQE from the road itself to the surrounding neighborhoods and streets. Starting with shots of the neighborhoods, it gradually builds, moving into scenes of and on the road itself. One scene which is tracked from the drivers point of view at high speed is exhilerating. It ends with some beautiful visuals of abstract lights and colors. Interspersed with the BQE scenes are 3 women playing with hula hoops, which may sound silly but is not. Some of these short interludes also feature very abstract, impressionistic filming. Overall, I appreciated and got a true feel for the BQE and it's surrounds as a living organism. The film demands repeated viewings, and I did not realize Sufjan was such an accomplished filmmaker. Be aware this is on the impressionistic "artsy" side which is fine by me.

As for the music, with lyrics this might not seem such a radical departure from his past efforts, but it is different. When listening to the music while watching the film I was very much reminded of Philip Glass or Steve Reich, though not as minimalist. The songs are orchestrated, and vary in style and dynamics. Some feature piano in the front, a couple trumpets and horns, and a couple more a music box (I think? lovely tinkling whatever it is). It is very hard to describe the overall sound and style Sufjan achieves here, but it does lean towards the modern classical realm.

If you are expecting a rehash of his earlier works you will be disappointed. If you approach this with fresh ears as I did, you might agree that this is a brilliant piece of work. Consider that this is a film score. In this regard the music is stronger when watching the film as it drives and complements the visuals. It brings them to life. Listening to the CD alone is still rewarding. Varied and complex, Sufjan has created a very strong "modern classical" score incorporating much of his "trademark" style. If you enjoyed his previous works I would recommend this, and it could likely extend his audience into different niches. I wonder where he will go next? ps - trying to read the cover abstractions is a bit of fun too!

I saw the BQE performance at the Brooklyn Academy. I am very jaded due to my musical background and experiences. It takes something unique to move my emotional meter into the tears range. This did it over and over again with each delight presenting itself, one after the other. You wondered what would be next. Then came the Super Hoopers near the end of the performance. Stunningly appropriate and purposeful. Turned the night on its head. I think anyone with an ear to what music can be again, after we've come through this desert of samples and hand claps might both enjoy and respect this.

Sufjan continues to amaze me. He has his fun and you can feel it all over you listening to his compositions. If this is how you start out in composing serious music, then what will we be lucky to hear down the road. I hope we get to hear more from him for a long, long time. We deserve it and he deserves us to pay attention. And you serious classical types, who might be sniffing their noses like Sigourney Weaver's cellist boyfriend in Ghostbusters. Just be thankful that someone with access to the resources has taken the time to try to honor your profession with something new that will reach a wider audience and maybe get them listening to other works by those that inspired both Sufjan and yourselves.

I downloaded this soundtrack today from a subscription music site. I did not get to see the DVD, and I can tell after listening to this that the visual aspect is not just a nicety, but essential to this performance. I did enjoy the album, but it may not be for every Soof-yon fan.

I think Sufjan is one of the best lyricists around, since this is instrumental I certainly missed hearing lyrics with the music. The album has ups and downs that at times made me feel like I was in a room with a VCR playing an old Disney movie... if I had the DVD this is meant to come with I'd like to think I would be visualizing an NYC expressway instead. That being said, this has as undeniable sound that is Sufjan.

If you are the type that casually enjoys listening to classical music or instrumental soundtracks you may very well enjoy this release. I feel it is a bit fuller than Run Rabbit Run. If you are looking for the next studio follow up on par with Illinoise or Michigan this is not quite it. It has been a while since we have heard much studio work from Sufjan. Considering how busy he was in the early part of the decade compared to now I am starting to wonder if I should start saving up for a 47 disc box set...

Listen, if you're expecting this album to be anywhere even NEAR the ballpark of Sufjan's other work's of art, DON"T BUY THIS ALBUM!!! If you have an open mind and you are willing to embrace some amazing, vocal-less, orchestrated arrangements that are meant to go along with his indie film, then by all means, BUY THIS ALBUM.

Very refreshing. Thanks, Sufjan, for embracing your talent on all levels.

I have enjoyed most of Sufjan Stevens albums, often for quite different reasons. The BQE album is no different. Listening to it was like taking a journey through American 20th century classical music, I kept hearing elements of Copland, Grofé, Ives, Bernstein, Gershwin & Glass coming through. Stevens has not copied their works but created an original piece that seems to pay homage to the greats of American classical music.

It's a fascinating exercise when an artist elects to focus on one gift at the expense of another. If you have heard either of Sufjan Steven's classic works, Come on Feel the Illinois or Michigan, you know Sufjan Stevens is not only a talented lyricist, but an ambitious art pop composer. BQE is essentially, Sufjan Stevens without the words and how persuasive that is truly depends on the listener. The music is too engaging too structured, to simply be an oddity, a vanity project. That said, for those expecting songs, lyrics and form, will find BQE a bit indulgent or inaccessible. Strangely, I found the score stood up better without the accompanying film and I think that speaks well of the work.

The package is a lavish one, a sturdy cardboard gate fold cover with a lush photographic booklet. The vinyl itself is heavyweight and crystal clear...maybe like the work itself, somewhat indulgent at this price, but well worth considering with some comparative pricing.

i had only listened to Come On Feel the Illinoise and the album about Michigan (sorry don't know the actual title) and I was comepletely blown away by how talented him and his band mates were. When I picked up this record I was expecting something similar and by my surprise I got something completely different. The record is completely instrumental with orchestral pieces that bring life in to a film also provided with the CD. AWEWSOME CD! REALLY GREAT. Perfect driving CD.

This album is incredible. People have complained that it's too repetitive, which may be the case, but I really enjoyed the film. The film definitely enhances the music and vice versa. If you have a longer attention span, you'll most likely love this as well.

The brief Prelude misleads you by setting a tone of repetitive roadway sounds, but even it becomes more interesting upon close listening. The remaining 12 movements are all rather short -- an intriguing and melodic symphony! Sufjan Stevens is truly a creative composer.