Sufjan Stevens is set to release his new festive themed box set ‘Silver & Gold: Songs For Christmas, Volumes 6 – 10’ November 13th.
Christmas seems to get earlier every year. It almost gets depressing: the relentless onslaught of time, the cynical commercialism and the terrible, terrible jingles piping out of every shop on the high street. Thanks to Sufjan Stevens, though, it doesn’t have to be this way: back in 2006 the songwriter released a frankly spectacular Christmas box set and now it seems that he’s planning a new instalment.
‘Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10’ is a compilation of five EPs released between 2006 – 2010. Now difficult to get hold of, the upcoming box set brings together the material in one handy package. The results are typically widespread, with Sufjan Stevens roping in some talented friends.
Amongst the guest stars are Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry from Arcade Fire and sundry other members of the Asthmatic Kitty family.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect.
The CD Boxset includes:
1. Five CD EPs
2. Christmas stickers
3. Temporary tattoos (non-toxic & safe for children)
4. A paper ornament (self-assembly with directions)
5. An apocalyptic pull-out poster
6. Song lyrics and chord charts (sing along with your friends and enemies)
7. Hallucinogenic photographs and psychedelic graphic design (by Sufjan Stevens, drug-free since 1975)
8. Extensive liner notes (introductory salutations and an essay on the Christmas tree by Sufjan Stevens, and a few theological words on the End Times by Pastor Vito Aiuto)
The vinyl boxset includes:
1. Five EPs on 6 vinyl discs
2. Christmas stickers
3. Temporary tattoos
4. A paper ornament
5. A 40-page Christmas songbook with vocal and piano reductions
6. A Christmas coloring book
7. Hallucinogenic photographs and psychedelic graphic design
8. Extensive liner notes ‘
Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10’ is set to be released on November 13th.
