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 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.

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 got this as a Birthday present for my friend and he said that he absolutely loves it! I'm totally satisfied.

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.