The Welcome Wagon - Welcome to the Welcome Wagon [CD]

This debut unveils a ramshackle sing-along enterprise of a Presbyterian pastor and his wife who wrestle out the influences of folk music, religion, pop culture, and church tradition in a collection of soulful and good-humored songs. This gorgeous brew consolidates "sacred" song traditions (old Testament psalms, 17th century Presbyterian psalters), iconoclastic '60s pop innovators (The Velvet Underground), '70s charismatic Catholics (Lenny Smith), and '80s melancholy lovelorn pop (The Smiths). Recorded, produced, and arranged by Sufjan Stevens.