"With his humility and subtlety, Stevens gets it right where so much of the "praise and worship" music out there gets it so very wrong so much of the time. Rather than make huge, sweeping theological statements and generic "feel-good" platitudes, Stevens' communicates things of the faith in very personal and intimate terms, drawing on darkness and sadness as much as wonder and triumph.

I know that others might listen to Seven Swans and not get any of this, aside from the explicit references to "Jesus" (but even then, they'll still end up with an album of gorgeous folk-pop). But many of the phrases and images that Stevens' employs have often moved me to contemplation and yes, even worship, be it the humble realization that closes "To Be Alone With You", the longing for the Messiah to come in "Abraham", or "The Transfiguration"'s jubilee. And as one who is often skeptical of the "W word" and the way it's often tossed around and cheapened within religious circles, that means a very great deal. "

-opuszine.com


YES. exactly.