Stevens went from cute pop songs about his dog, to being one of the foremost folky singer-songwriters, and laid the groundwork for plenty of other artists.
There are some great sparse acoustic tracks, contrasted with some more fully orchestrated pieces. I love how he works in bits of 'World Music' but in relatively subtle ways; a rhythm here, a vocal harmony there.
The lyrics are yearning for something more in the turbulent times he lived in. His eventual conversion to Islam suggests that this was a true search, not just something to fill the lyrics of a song. In some ways, this search for peace in times of unrest is best summed up by 'Father and Son' and the way he switches between a deep, world-weary croon and a high, passionate wail for the two characters. It's a simple idea but it works nicely.
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