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Title: How does he do it?
Review: It seems like an impossible feat. That one person could produce work of such consistent genius. Surfjan seems to have a supernatural songwriting gift. When I first listened to this album I sat in shock as the John Wayne Gasey Jr. track started playing (I hadn't looked at the track listing). Here is a song about a serial killer that, far from leaving the listener wallowing in hatred or revulsion leaves us with a new and completely astounding insight. I won't give it away. If the album consisted of just that one song I would recommend it. But, of course, it has many songs, and it is a wonderful achievement. Some of the material seems to take an odd direction, but it works into the whole. I also have a suspicion that there are many musical references that I'm not catching.Highly recommended. (If you have a record player, get the vinyl. It's stunning.)
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