Where should I start?

[Blindman]

Howdy,

I'm trying to get into a few new artists and musicians, but I'm not sure where to start.  Since I respect the musical intelligence of just about everyone here, I figure this would be a good place to get suggestions.

My taste tends toward faith-based acoustic music, with musical variety and lyrical profundity.  By the latter, I mean that I prefer lyrics that require some digging, thought, and context to decipher, but are not so metaphorically weird or off the wall that I have no idea what's going on.  As an example, I love Andrew Peterson's songwriting, but I haven't quite figured out most of Radiohead's.  Also, I'm usually willing to take a chance on a musician or band I've never heard before if I can get their album for cheap/used (under $10, incl. shipping), and I like experimenting with good albums in new styles.

I'm looking into getting into:

Sufjan Stevens - should I get Seven Swans, Illinois, or Michigan?

Bob Dylan - what should I try first?

Also, any suggestions for places to pick up cheap CDs?  I'm a regular BMG customer (lots of free albums and cost-reducing promotions) but they don't have albums from the smaller labels.

Thanks in advance!

[Tom]

well, Sufjan is a tough call for me. however, if i were new to his music, i don't think it would be a bad idea to start with "Illinois." i'd sugges going in this order:

Illinois
Seven Swans
Michigan
A Sun Came
Enjoy Your Rabbit (beware, this is not remotely like his other output. EYR is a techno/IDM album. it is good though, for what it is.)

for Bob Dylan it is even harder to know what to suggest. so i'll just tell you my picks first to last: (but as bloop noted, arranging Dylan from best to worst definitively is next to impossible; but nonetheless fun.)

Blood on the Tracks
Blonde on Blonde
Time Out of Mind
Slow Train Coming