Seven Swans
| Seven Swans | ||||
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| Studio album by Sufjan Stevens | ||||
| Released | March 16, 2004 | |||
| Genre | Indie folk | |||
| Length | 46:19 | |||
| Label | Sounds Familyre | |||
| Producer | Daniel Smith | |||
| Sufjan Stevens chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Seven Swans | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 87/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Entertainment Weekly | A− |
| The Guardian | |
| Mojo | |
| Pitchfork Media | 8.1/10 |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Spin | A− |
| Uncut | |
| "The Dress Looks Nice on You" | ||||
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| Single by Sufjan Stevens | ||||
| from the album Seven Swans | ||||
| A-side | The Dress Looks Nice on You | |||
| B-side | Borderline | |||
| Released | March 8, 2004 | |||
| Format | 7" vinyl, Compact Disc (promo only) | |||
| Length | 5:57 | |||
| Label | Rough Trade | |||
| Writer(s) | Sufjan Stevens | |||
| Producer(s) | Daniel Smith | |||
| Sufjan Stevens singles chronology | ||||
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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.
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".
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.
All tracks written by Sufjan Stevens.
Bonus 7"
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.
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