I really wanted to like The BQE but after one free listen on lala, it just seems a mish-mash of ideas.
It also pains me to say that even though I lived in the somewhat eccentric state of Michigan from years 0 through 10 and years 22 through 28, I don't particularly enjoy his album Greetings from Michigan - The Great Lake State. I wasn't too crazy about the Michigan weather either.
Still, Vernor's ginger ale and pickled bologna were good at the time and the movement titles on BQE are entertaining now...
BTW, BQE is a candidate in the New Sounds listener poll. I just voted for David Lang's The Little Match Girl Passion, Alarm Will Sound's a/rhythmia, and a Broken Consort's Box of Birch.
I'm a big Sufjan cheerleader, but BQE doesn't really grab me after a couple listens. I see BQE as a stepping stone. I think he has some "the new Ives" potential but he needs to transcend the things that got him here and say what he really wants to say in his music
Posted by: Alex V. Cook | January 06, 2010 at 07:53 AM