Spotlight: Sufjan Stevens brings 'Carrie & Lowell' to Northrop

Wednesday: Just when you thought it was safe to dismiss Sufjan Stevens as a novelty act — between his goofy synth-pop album "The Age of Adz" and Christmas variety-show outings — he went and issued "Carrie & Lowell," an album so deep, personal and gimmick-free it leaves you hoping the cult-loved, Michigan-bred indie-folkie still has a laugh in him. The delicate collection opens about his recently deceased mother, who suffered from mental illness and rarely spent time with her kids. Like Elliott Smith's best work, Stevens' sweetly melodic voice is the only sugarcoating for the mostly stark, acoustic and heart-wrenching tunes. Don't expect much dancing or stage props this time around on tour. Opener Laurel Sprengelmeyer, aka Little Scream, has recorded with the National and members of Arcade Fire. (7:30 p.m. Wed. Northrop, University of Minnesota, 84 SE. Church St., Mpls. Sold out.)