Illinois

A bit bland, which came as a surprise considering how fun the song titles are. The lyrics had their moments, and I didn't hate it overall, but I don't think I'd seek it out again. I like the concept of doing state albums but feel it could have been more fun.

Favorite track: They are Night Zombies!!! [...]

Interesting record, with one song I like a lot (Chicago), but the rest of them are just ok.

i have always held that sufjan stevens makes music for annoying pretentious gay people. i say this as an annoying pretentious gay person myself, so unfortunately i liked some of the tracks on this

Not really my type, although sometimes it reminds one of the minimalistic pieces by Philip Glass or Steve Reich. But then it wanders of into some kind of not so exciting vocal parts. But still, creative.

Guess I would've loved it like 15 years ago. its not bad but long and aimless

Just average.

Not a bad album. There were times I thought this was boring or things sounded the same, but a lot of it was interesting even if it wasn't really my thing. 3/5

Interesting.

The album had variety, but was just a bit too long. Not sure it should be on this list as it was just okay.

It was enjoyable and unexpected; however, it seemed a bit long.

Ok

Never heard him before (that I know of) but I enjoyed the listen! Felt like I should have been watching a movie it was the soundtrack to. I’m not sure that I would listen to this exact album end to end again but I would like to hear more of his music.

Good music with weird vibes kinda good kinda bad

Love Sufjan's creativity and story telling.

Not sure about sufjan. Don't get anything from this.

Konstigt album men på typ ett bra sätt. Tyckte inte många låtar stack ut och var asgrymma utan alla låg på samma nivå. Lite halvbra ibland kanske men allt jag fick var goda vibes. Bästa låt: Come on! och They are Night Zombies!!

Probably wanna relisten. I liked it but wasn’t crazy for me

Beautiful, but a bit too boring for me

Oh boy, this is going to be a long post :-) 01) Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois - 8,0 02) The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience but You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Them Until They Are Off Our Lands! - 7,0 03) Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream) - 7,5 04) John Wayne Gacy, Jr. - 8,0 05) Jacksonville - 7,0 06) A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Very Good Reasons - / 07) Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother! - 6,5 08) One Last 'Whoo-Hoo!' for the Pullman!! - / 09) Go! Chicago! Go! Yeah! - 8,5 10) Casimir Pulaski Day - 7,0 11) To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament, and It Involves Tube Socks, a Paper Airplane, and Twenty-Two Able-Bodied Men - 6,5 12) The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts - 7,5 13) Prairie Fire That Wanders About - 6,5 14) A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has an Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze - / 15) The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us! - 6,5 16) They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh! - 7,0 17) Let's Hear That String Part Again, Because I Don't Think They Heard It All the Way Out in Bushnell - / 18) In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth - / 19) The Seer's Tower - 6,5 20) The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders (Part I: The Great Frontier/Part II: Come to Me Only with Playthings Now) - 6,5 21) Riffs and Variations on a Single Note for Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, and the King of Swing, to Name a Few - / 22) Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt from My Sandals as I Run - 5,5 TOTAL: 7,00 (70/100) Current ranking: 157/241 So, I spent an entire album reading about John Wayne Gacy. Some songs managed to grab my attention, but I think most didn't. "Chicago" is my favorite, it goes on my playlist. I'm going back to reading, I think Gacy is about to be arrested.

I don't know shit about Illinois, but I always thought Chicago was full of crazy sport fans that like getting drunk and into fights. Not really a good soundtrack for that. Apparently there is a lot of other interesting history and things going on other then sports. The music is very 2000's indie pop stuff, it's epic and corny. I grew up with stuff like this, so it's very comfortable to listen to.

This album runs long and I prefer a bit of edge in my music, but its light fare is not an unpleasant listen.

Different…first reference to Stephen Douglas I’ve heard.

Prefer Stevens’ later, more mature work. This can be a bit twee and repetitive.

This was kind of beautiful and kind of sad. I thought his voice and music were lovely, but the songs were kind of depressing.

It's big, it's long, and it's not bad.

1. 5 2. 7 3. 3- least favourite 4. 6 5. 5 6. n/A 7. 4 8. N/a 9. 6 10. 6.5 11. 7.5 12. 5 13. 7.5 -favourite 14. N/a 15. 4.5 16. 6 17. 6 18. N/a 19. 6.5 20. 6 21. N/a 22. 3 5.56/10 2.78/5

Well this album deserves an award for the longest song titles. An independent concept album where the artist not only recorded and produced, but played most of the instruments as well. I should love this, but it fell kind of flat for me. I found my mind continually wandering whilst listening. It just couldn't hold my attention, with songs just blending together.

A coworker had this album on his default playlist for the office, so I was already somewhat familiar with it. I think the album concept is interesting, and there seems to be a lot of depth to the songs (both lyrically and musically), but wouldn't be excited about having a song about John Wayne Gacy appear in my regular rotation either.

I wanted to like this album much more than I did. I've heard many of the songs before, but had never sat down to listen to the album carefully. Positives: - Interesting instrumentation, particularly the use of brass - Interesting harmonies - Feels very cinematic (perhaps that's just the orchestral arrangements?) Negatives: - I don't care for his voice, which feels very boring to me - Feels disjointed; perhaps a thin line between experimental and just 'needs an editor' but this felt more like the latter to me From a genre perspective, this is exactly the kind of thing that should appeal to me, but in practice I just don't particularly like it.

The sounds were cool. I never thought I’d say this, but not every emotion needs to be a song.

I GET the Sufjan hype but I've never been able to get into his music.

Yeah, this is nice and all, but not really my jam. 2.5/5

arranjos característicos das bandas fofas dos meados dos 2000

Nice. Not really for me but some really great songs in there

Good

I bet theater majors eat this up. All in all I think this is a fine album. It's got some pretty good songs and some snoozefests. I'm not a big fan of the soft, wordy, melodramatic acoustic songs on here. I think they're pretty boring. The whole album, which goes on for a bit longer than it should, feels like an art house indie film. Quirky and trying to stand out, but long-winded and a little pretentious. 5/10 Would I listen again? There's some halfway decent tunes that I wouldn't mind listening to again, but the whole thing is a no for me.

didn't realize the state of Illinois needed an album... but here we are. never heard of Sufjan Stevens, or this album before but its oddly beautiful. i enjoyed having it on in the background while working. i am sure the lyrics are probably a bit deeper than what i heard, but all in all it was a pleasant listen.

Album has it moments of sleep and some interest. It’s a pretty interesting album though and somehow the americana nostalgia pulls me in.

Surprised by this one

Not my typical style. Soft & chill vibes. Good for reading/writing to.

Songs added: 6/22 Average: 3.5 Best: 5 (Chicago)

Good album, I enjoy this one a few times a year

Meh. Honestly not bad at all. Just felt like it outstayed it's welcome.

Like the musicality

That is an interesting album that feels like it should have been recorded 20 years earlier. It’s a long album and really needs more than one listen. The lyrics are interesting and the music is decent.

3.5/5

3.5 stars

Kinda cheesy but enjoyable. If it had been the same quality and about Virginia, I would give it a 5. As I don't care for Illinois, let's go with 3

Totally inoffensive and completely......'meh. No edge, no passion....just ditties.

I'm not too big on the album as a whole. Mainly just a genre thing. The vocals are nice and I love the instrument choices throughout the album. I just don't like it much. But I do think "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts" and "Prairie Fire That Wonders About" are pretty good. Some of the other songs are also Little Big Planet-core AF.

this has so much more instrumentation than I was ready for. I'm used to sufjan just being a guy with a guitar but holy hell the choir and the flutes and the horns went on a bit too long (track 2) oh wait oh no it's the whole album maybe (track 3) OH I KNOW CHICAGO this one is genuinely so good it will probably carry the rest of the album for me (track 9) Okay the second half is way less overstimulating it's still painfully 00s overproduced but I can see why it's important

Great music, interesting. Let down by the lyrics in my opinion. I typically find interest in lyrics about experiences I haven't had, but I thought the ones here weren't interesting at all.

Nice easy listening I've heard the name for years but only new the one song. Not really much relisten factor

Very cool sound. Disjointed at times.

Pleasantly surprised 😊

It’s an interesting album. Chicago is my fav on the album. Overall great arrangements but not something I’d listen to regularly

There are a handful of tracks on this album that with an immersive, full-orchestra sound to them that’s really enjoyable. But it’s also got some aggressively mid-2000s sad boy vocals and experimental mini tracks that hit just a little different in 2024.

Started out not minding it, but it was depressing in places, and enough trumpet to please Phoebe Bridgers. I started to feel like I was trapped in a never ending Broadway show.

Hard to listen to, in the beginning. But surprised about the few songs that I recognized.

Good jazzy laid back album. I could see me listening to this one again.

ok

Meh

Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois is an unsuccessful attempt at abstractness. The idea of painting the songs like Illinois is cool, but it means nothing to me, because I don’t know or care about Illinois. The songs feel dragged out, the music is weird, nothing makes sense, including the titles! My favorite is Come On! Feel the Illinoise! . All in all, Illinois is a mid album. Best Song: Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Worst Song: Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!

Cool

Beautiful music but I didn't think it was anything special.

Jeremy Messersmith vibes. Soft and super precious. Reminiscent of Penguin Cafe in a couple places. I generally like it, but the convoluted song titles push me away. And 22 songs? ffs 3.5

Interesting listen while I went to the shop :)

This album was wild in all the best ways! A fun time was had, the adventure was real. Favourite track: They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!

I feel this is a love it or hate it album; however, that being said, I find myself mostly in the middle. Every time I thought it was getting airy and boring, or too weird, it would pull me back with a neat vocal melody or interesting musical part. Not at all what I expected. Fav tracks: John Wayne Gacy, Jr., To The Workers of The Rock River..., Prairie Fire That Wanders About

Good listen. Much to enjoy!

An hour and fourteen minutes of songs about Illinois can, no shit, feel a little monotonous. Although, if anyone can pull it off as well as Sufjan, that would certainly be an incredible feat. The whole thing was pretty good, but I felt disinterested the whole time based on the fact that it's entirely about Illinois. Almost feels like an educational album. It was good, every song was nice. It sort of feels like a waste of incredible production and arrangement for an album that's just so lackluster in design. Fun stuff. 3/5

The songwriting definitely shows talent, but on the first couple listens, I’m not connecting with it much.

It has bursts of interest, but then long cycles of putting me to sleep. As an album I don't know, definitely liked some of the songs.

Reminds me of Donovan in the 1960's

Hm, interesting. I like Sufjan Stevens, but this is a bit... pretentious indie nonsense. A few good tracks, but overall disappointing.

Loved this album. I love when artists are not afraid to go big! There were so many different instruments like strings and horn sections. They also had tons of vocal parts in each song. Favorite song was Casimir Pulaski Day. Added to my Spotify library.

I like a lot of the instrumentation, but damn this was way too long. Not enough songs grabbed me. Interested in giving this a re-listen at a later time.

gay little peanuts music

Just okay. Like a softer, more sentimental Fleet Foxes or Beirut. Sufjan is a bit too politely theatric for me, and the chorus parts of his songs can sound like seeing a small live stage performance. He's talented, but he doesn't do it for me.

A largely well-executed concept album that is able to toe the line between the serious and the absurd with ease. While it isn’t something I’d want to listen to every day, this was a fun change up. Listened to: walking through prospect park to go to the doctor. Favorite tracks: The Seer’s Tower, Chicago

Has its good points. A little long, but some of the songs were pretty enjoyable.

Gentle arrangement and very deliberate, despite it's relaxed sound. Mr. Stevens has certainly done a good job making this album sound effortless. The production lends itself well to this. That all being said, I don't know if this music is for me. I had a hard time differentiating songs and it was a bit too long.

On the fence with this one. Can't tell if it's shit or genius

The rhythms are intriguing but the lyrics become boring song to song. All in all, seemed to be a relaxed listening experience as background tunes.

Honestly the only criticism I have of this is the length. He has a lovely voice, good lyricist, and great music. The flow between tracks is great, I love how hard it is to tell one song from another at times, definitely makes this feel like a more coherent immersive concept album. But seriously, this album could benefit a lot from being about half its current length. I have never listened to an album that drags on like this one does.

Soothing - didn't hate it

A nice listen but waffly

Good album

Highlights: Jacksonville, A Short Reprise…, Casimir Pulaski Day, To The Workers… In a nutshell: “Wes Anderson vibes” (my first note when I heard the opening track) Abstract, spiritual and surreal storytelling, with music likely inspired by Neil Young, Bright Eyes, The Shins, The Polyphonic Spree and Elliott Smith (maybe Belle and Sebastian?) It’s an acquired taste for sure. Overall: 5/10

Nothing special, not bad either.

It was okay. Back end of the album was better than the early songs, which were much more experimental and odd.

Interesting - I enjoyed it

Some songs were okay

first few tracks have lots of piano, subtle use of strings, accordion? moving into slightly folky sound on track 8, then onto bells and more pronounced string sounds. almost into Lofi on track 11, into a much more upbeat crunchy sound that mellows out significantly on track 12 with some brass on the track. 13 is very melodic reminds me of a march. 16 has some funk the bass line got thicker on this track. 17 is begging to be sampled in a track, nice string arrangement. 19 the sustain!!! the first minor key song I noticed on the album. 20 back to upbeat, probably one of my favorite tracks on the album after my first listen. Great variety of sounds mostly jazz, folk, pop. Sounds very organic not really blazing any new ground but interesting enough to be appreciated for what it is.

It's alright. Wouldn't want to listen to it again though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a hard album for me. There’s lots of parts (it’s hard to even call some of them songs) that I really liked but there were still a good amount that I didn’t. The idea of a concept album never really resonates with me. I know people have been doing it for years but for some reason I just can’t get in to them. The actual “songs” on here are very very good but then I would be like 45 seconds into one of the other instrumentations or weird songs and I’d be like wtf is this?

Very gentle vibe. Come down album. Nick Drake + The Shins? John Wayne Gacy Jr. is creepy AF... Decatur - Historical soft pop? Would give a 3.5. Not really a 4.

I already had listened to this album, like it, his voice is soothing

It's quirky, but brilliant. A very surprising find

Took a while to listen to this album but it was a decent hour of tunes

Heb wel van deze artiest gehoord, maar echt nog nooit muziek van m geluisterd. Dit is meteen een flink album om mee te beginnen, met hele rare titels. Beetje gedoe om dan zo'n hele titel over te schrijven, omdat sommige halve boeken zijn joh. Maaaaar qua muziek klinkt het fijn, de stem van Sufjan is heel prettig. Ik ben iets later met dit album dan gepland, maar dit voelt nu al als een perfect maandagochtend album. Dit is zeker geen album dat ik elke dag zou willen luisteren, maar voor deze maandag is het echt dikke prima. Het kabbelt een beetje voort met hier en daar een soort explosie qua muziek. Best wel leuk! Ben alleen bang dat het album te lang duurt met ruim een uur. Merk toch dat ik dan vaak mn aandacht er niet bij kan houden. Voor nu prima, het is een beetje lieve slappe piemel indie pop. Soms is dat gewoon prima. Nadeel en beetje waar ik al bang voor was: Wat duurt dit album lang... Ik denk dat hier een fantastisch album van 40 minuten in zit, nu is het een ok album van 75 minuten. FAVO: Come on! Feel the Illinoisse pt1..., Jacksonville, Chicago, Casimir Pulaski Day, They are night zombies!!

1st album achieved! Enjoyed it ***1/2

Distasteful yet very listenable

Ok, kind of middle of the road. I expected it to be better so it was kind of underwhelming. It improved in the middle and then ended on a low point.

Tää oli varsin hyvä vaikka kansi antoi olettaa jotain ihan muuta! 3/5

Very relaxing music but still very engaging

Kinda like Cold Play

Bold and beautiful compositions paired with some high school level songwriting. Worth the listen and engaging but I don't think I'll be adding this to my rotation. 7/10

It started off so promising with the opening tracks, but I'm sad to say it fell off and I ended up bored by the end. There's lots to appreciate here - the big concept album approach, tons of varied instruments, lots of interesting songs, good lyrics. It's way too long for me though. The songs are all quite soft, and touching on the twee for some of them, and it's just too much. There's still some good tracks throughout, but it mostly feels like one big gentle thing.

Overall enjoyed good vocals and Songwriting. Light 7

I mean... it's alright. Experimental, but indie.

Very interesting. Almost feel like I can describe it as an upscale home production of a musical soundtrack. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it

It's quite nice and musically very accomplished, but too twee for me.

Hard to classify -- sort of easy listening pop. I had never heard Sufjan Stevens before and didn't know what to expect. Very pretty, soothing sound with a lot of strings and choral arrangements, giving it a Broadway musical feel. I liked a couple of the songs (Jacksonville in particular) but the melodies and tone were pretty consistent throughout with the lyrics mostly differentiating the songs. OK -- not going to be a regular listen.

Interesting album. Lots going on in it

The 50 albums for 50 states idea still tickles me 😂 fine but now for me really

Did not expect much going in, but it was an interesting listen.

I found this interesting. I recognized a track or two. This is a classic problem with the five star system. I don't know if it reaches a four. It's definitely not a five. If I give it a three, it might get lost in the shuffle. Hm. On second listen the songs are all pretty similar to one another.

The jury's in two minds, sitting on the fence, smoking a cigarillo, all done up like a Michelangelo pastiche by Wed Anderson. First listen made me the most boring person in the world according to my former English teacher, as only boring people get bored and this bored me to smithereens. I was in the wrong mood. All but the mildest suggestion of jauntiness in music's can provoke the inner snarler, and this is liberally sprinkled with the dicey stuff, vacuum-sealed in po-mo, another of my triggers. This is clearly clever, eloquent, crafted with distinctive instrumentation fitted to song-shapes that might've been set down on ancient papyrus by Pythagoras or maybe McCartney, but I don't have the time or energy to work out what he's singing about, what the through-line is, and mentally file over an hour's worth of pop chamber music. It's probably good?

Ok.

Chicago slaps

Great, intro to indie and sufjan but the length is overwhelming.

i understand sufjan wanted to be comprehensive but the runtime is still a little long for me

There's some real power in these songs, and it's a neat orchestral motif that he concocted. Casimir Pulaski Day is a standout that's particularly haunting and beautiful. My only beef is the overall length vs. the refusal to stray from the same sound throughout the entire album.

3.5. Interesting ideas pulled off well. I never knew I needed so many songs about Illinois.

Bien disco, aunque no es de mis autores favoritos

I've been a fan for a while but have never listened to a whole album of his. That was a lot to take all at once.

Pas mal bland, mais tu pognes des petits bouts de saveur tout au long de l'écoute, faque ça à le mérite d'avoir un 3.

duplicate

Instrumentally diverse. A little too deep for me. It’s grown on me though through this listen.

Some of the songs were pleasant however it was mostly minor & not appealing. Prob would not listen again.

Released in 2005, Sufjan Stevens' "Illinois," is a sprawling and ambitious exploration of the state's history, laden with 22 tracks that weave a rich tapestry of sound and storytelling. Stevens' chamber-folk style is intricately crafted, marked by chirping vocals and abundant orchestration that evoke comparisons to his previous work in 2003's "Michigan." The album unintentionally reinforces East Coast stereotypes of Midwestern values, presenting earnest, hard-working music that is morally rooted and technically precise. The musical landscape of "Illinois" is bordering both strange and lush, mirroring the complexity of its giant, gushing song titles. A standout track, "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," delves into the chilling pathology of Illinois' notorious serial killer. Stevens showcases his literary prowess, detailing Gacy's life with alarming accuracy while shifting perspectives gracefully. The song stands as a testament to Stevens' ability to evoke nuanced emotions, alternating between being rousing and distressing, creating a captivating blend that leaves listeners unsure whether to reach for party shoes or a box of tissues. With a runtime of seventy-four minutes, "Illinois" demands patience, navigating through intricate orchestration and meticulous arrangements. The album's 22 (!) tracks include transitional snippets, and hidden gems like "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulder" reward those who persevere. In both theory and execution, "Illinois" stands as a monumental collection of impeccably arranged American tribute songs, showcasing Stevens as one of the best songwriters of his generation, on par with contemporaries like Bon Iver and Keaton Henson.

Is Sufjan Stevens talented, musically? Yes. Does his music interest me? No. He reminds me of novelists that use the stream-of-consciousness technique. I'm not into them either.

I only found out how to pronounce his name when I heard it on University Challenge last year, as I'm shit with things like that. Over the years, I've only listened to the odd song by him until now. Not what I was expecting, as it was much more quieter and tuneful. Really liked 'Jacksonville' and ''Chicago', and a couple of others. This album had a similar vibe to The Polyphonic Spree, which is a good thing. Nice enough for a low 3.

Very odd collection of songs. Definitely worth the listen

So many if these albums are masterpieces and 24 hours isn't enough to form a coherent opinion of them. This is a classic example where I managed 1.5 listens through and liked what I heard by it didn't manage to get a sense of the stories and the magnitude of the thing. I'll try to revisit.

Indie Classic. Used to love this but now its just okay. Im not a lyrics dude.

Liked a couple of songs. "Chicago" was my fav -- of course because it was the one that was most familiar. Breathy lyrics, some of it reminded me of Beatles stuff after they got a little more experimental (high flute notes . . .) Album was very long

Indie rock, Indie folk, Indie pop, Folk rock, Baroque pop, Experimental rock, Folk baroque

Still not sure if I enjoyed the album or not.

Man, I hoping to like this album more, but it wasn't anything special for me. Maybe I just wasn't listening close enough, or maybe the length was getting to me, but I found myself bored some of the time. There were definitely good parts, and I'd overall call the album good, but I was left not feeling much by the end. My favourite song was John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

Ok ,slightly long winded.

Not what I expected but also not really my thing. Would give him another shot for sure

Played in a LOT of coffee shops circa 2006.

It was a nice album to relax to. It had some nice vibes, but I'm not sure when I would ever seek it out.

Very interesting. Cool name on both album and artist. Music was very laid-back and occasionally put me in mind of Bill Wurtz. Was surprised to learn it's from as recent 2005. Good listening in the background but wouldn't go out of my way to put it on.

Kinda weird

Слишком позитивно Но одна песня мне понравилась

the theme was very fun but I got distracted by the shorter "songs"

It was fine. Too involved for a work listen, and I'm sure the concept was much deeper than I gleaned, but it didn't blow me away. Good instrumentation for much of the album though.

This is the worst type of album to hear for the first time while focused elsewhere. I had to lookup the song titles separately. Clearly, it's a dense project that has a lot of cultural/historical references and deserves more time and listens than I can afford at this moment. That said, I still was able to appreciate the instrumentals on some of these tracks, and there was never a song I actively disliked. I'm not writing this off, just too busy for the moment. Fav Tracks: Jacksonville, Chicago, The Man of Metropolis...

It’s good for what it is. Not stuff that’s normally up my alley

Good music just not my style

Una épica obra a la que hay que dedicarle tiempo. Es vasta y compleja, tanto que se hace muy larga. De Sufjan prefiero cuando es más conciso.

Too long. Definitely could have cut it down to just the tracks that have an actual identity. Half the songs are just whimsical for the sake of whimsy and don’t really feel like they’ve had much thought put into them.

Nothing really stuck to me bad or good, everything just slid off like butter one a hot pan

nice mellow music. It's ok

doesn’t tickle me but it’s good

Cover funny. Cool z ghöre was Musikkritiker 2005 so abgfiirt hend. Bläser instrumentierig natürlich immer es plus (ussert es isch "brass techno", das cha vo mir us de drummer uf sine 5 Plastikchübel allei spiele.) Strings findi au schlöö. Banjo auno, nice. De Jesus bueb chan singe und schriebe, au wenns mich mengmol biz glangwilt het (i oisere schnällläbige ziit), herzigi lieder. Dass de dude gseit het er macht es Album zu jedem staat findi sehr funny.

Couple great songs. Great voice.

Not a bad album at all! Was surprised how much I enjoy the beginning of this album! It was fun, bright, and had some interesting musical choices! However, about halfway through, I found myself bored. I ventured on and realized we're kinda treading the same ground in the latter half. Not bad at all, but definitely wears you out with it's sound and somewhat overstays it's welcome and by the end, you're wandering if the whole thing needed to be a 1 hour and 14 minute experience. I enjoy what it has to offer more than I dislike it! But definitely wouldn't go out of my way to listen to this album another time.

I'm familiar with "Casimir Pulaski Day," but other than that, I haven't listened to any of Sufjan Stevens' music. This album has been on my list to listen to for a while, but this was my first time getting around to it. This album was pretty middle of the road in my opinion. It was pleasant to listen to, but I didn't feel like anything here was lighting the world on fire. Sufjan's singing is nice, and the musical arrangements are nice and pleasant as well, especially the horns and strings that were present throughout the album. The lyrics and overall theme were very creative as well, but they weren't really enough to really captivate me. This was a nice piece of music, but I don't think it's something I'll revisit.

Folk. Rock. Curioso.

Such a ling album, needs a few listens, didn't immediately grab me but it might.

Taattua Sufjania.

This is one of the strangest albums I've ever come across the music itself is fine but the presentation is just all over the place and I still don't know what to make of it. The album art feels like it's from the 60s, the majority of the song titles are run on sentences that are insanely long, there's a song about john wayne gacy? On top of that I'm already not a big fan of this style of folk music but by the end I did end up liking this album even though I will likely never listen to it again.

There’s something I don’t like about Sufjan Stevens. Maybe he lies a little too close to my own sensibilities. So I didn’t really like this album, but maybe that’s not his fault.

Production is pretty good. Not a big fan of vocal timbre. Iike the album cover. Feels a bit Disneyish Not a big fan of music did not finish

Sweet, Elliot Smith vibes. Nice easy listening while working.

Some good and some meh here. I listened to this a bunch when new. My opinion is the same now as then. Gacy is a super weird track.

It's nice and very Chicago.

Liked more songs towards the end?

Pleasantly surprised by this one. Wish more of the album sounded like those first few bigger arrangements. The "white guy that thinks he's clever and has an acoustic stringed instrument" sections lose me, but those orchestral/big band moments are so good. Almost a 4.

Definitely unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. I enjoyed it, but… you know that saying “there’s so much movie in this movie?” Yeah, I felt that way about this album. There was SO MUCH music in this music, to the point where it was overwhelming to listen to after a while.

Conflicted about that one. There are some good song. Some of them I found too chaotic and stressful. The best one is just way too sad

Liked the concept kind of all sounded the same

While it holds moments of brilliance, it felt lengthy and somewhat too pop-centric for my taste. Stevens' vocals, though initially captivating, became somewhat monotonous after the first few tracks. The album's rich and intricate instrumentation certainly showcases Stevens' talent and creativity. The unexpected twists and turns in the music can be quite engaging, adding depth to the overall experience. It's clear that a lot of effort went into crafting this sonic journey. It's worth noting that, in the right context, "Illinois" could work beautifully as a background soundtrack during family road trips, providing an enjoyable and unobtrusive musical backdrop for shared moments.

Kosi kvöld.is

Sehr angenehm, aber nicht aufregend 3.5

Artistic

I was vaguely aware of Sufjan Stevens given he was referenced on Snow Patrol's Eyes Open album, but hadn't ever listened to his stuff. Pretty folky stuff, I can imagine a lot of it being written around a campfire with an acoustic guitar. I didn't really get into it

Theatrical.

Meh

Cool introduction to Sufjan Stevens and makes me want to listen to newest album that egghead liked. Some moments sounded very pleasant, soothing, and satisfying while others felt bland, repetitive, or drawn out. Overall immersive and would listen to in a lot of contexts. Felt like it could give me nostalgia for things I've never experienced. 7/10

Very unique album. I liked the artistic quality of the songs, but I won't go out of my way to listen to any of these songs again.

Jeremy Messersmith vibes. Soft and super precious. Reminiscent of Penguin Cafe in a couple places. 3.6

Notables include Decatur. Chicago, especially, which is a 2006 ipod shuffle nostalgia vibe. Casimir Pulaski Day, To The Workers of...,

Good, but too damn long

Litt mye til tider

Hyvä levy!

Strange and interesting. Not really sure how I feel about it. Was a fun listen, but probably won’t go back to it anytime soon.

Unusual, but nice.

It was fun, but did not blow my mind. Definite talented artist though.

Not what i wanted/ expected

Would've been better as an instrumental album

Meh, nothing special.

Did not listen. But should.

Спокойный и расслабляющий альбом, но композиции не запоминаются. Моя оценка - 6/10

Good! Interesting

Didn't really get this at the time it came out, and don't really get it now. Chicago is a good song (but absolutely does not need to be 6 minutes long), there are a couple of nice ballads in there but it all gets a bit twee after a while (and definitely after an hour and a quarter). Gets a 3, because it's beautiful easy listening music if you don't really concentrate on it, and is interesting when you dial your attention in for a track or two at a time, but it's too much to last a whole album.

Remember that Drama Teacher who wrote a musical and had aspirations of making it on Broadway? That pretty much sums up this album. I like the concept but clocking in at over a hour it wears thin. Chicago is an epic and enjoyable but some of the other tracks are nothing more than superficial filler. I would love to give this a higher score for the songs I love but as an album this falls short

Another album I have known about for a long time, but never listened to. I didn't mind it, a little too self conscious for me (I think the Wes Anderson references in other reviews are spot on), but there are some good moments.

The one song I recognized (Chicago) was very good. This rest of the album is fine but didn’t make a huge impact on me.

Great concept and would have been cool if he finished the series. BUT, this was a little too long for me and I do think a few songs could have been cut.

Felt a bit on the long side but not terrible

Feels like I've listened to a movie. Interesting idea, but bit boring in execution

Yeah listened to this enough and I'm not gonna right now. It's good, it's really good.... But just don't thrill the way it does when I was 20 and trying to connect with a girl who liked it.

fuck me i wrote a whole long review as i was listening through and it deleted. here's what i remember writing: - i generally like the calmer ones over the experimental ones which is unusual for me - with the exception of chicago which i didn't like too much i generally like the bigger ones better which is also unusual for me - conflicted feelings about feel the illinoise, can't tell if i'm intrigued or annoyed by it. feels like something i'd listen to with my partner - really like mary todd, who's surprised, i love a bit of instrumental - thought i liked night zombies more than i do it just starts with cool guitar okay that's where i got up to, i had some more points but don't remember them. i really really like the seer's tower (radiohead-esque) and i liked the two short instrumental pieces before it too. i was working while listening to the last three songs and none stood out to me. overall i like what the album was trying to do but i'm not sure if i'd choose to listen again, i think it was a little too long.

Not bad

Wanted to like but and the well known songs are great but the rest just seemed wishy washy, horn arrangements and sound was lovely tho

Pleasant and inoffensive, but ultimately kind of boring for me. Despite being a morose young adult during the hay day of the 2000's indie singer-songwriter era, I never really liked most of this sedate stuff. I don't think it's bad, it's just not my thing.

Good sad album

good for a caffee shop but i did not finish. slightly boring...

Pleasant. Reminds of death cab for cutey, bright eyes, Jason mraz... Can't quite put my finger on the exact artist I'm thinking off, but stuff my ex listened to in 2005-06

Oh Sufjan prachtige muziek maar niet zijn beste imo.

Surprising: really not sure how to feel about this album as it wasn't what I thought. For starters it was quite long but nothing unreasonable. I found that it lost my interest at parts but at the same time I loved the riffs and guitar in other tracks. I wouldn't say this album is bad, it is a little abstract to me though. Would I listen again: maybe, feel as if it needs the time to be appreciated. I won't be doing that very soon. At the end of the day it wasn't 100% for me at the moment but definitely widened my music knowledge.

I never completely forgave him for abandoning that 50-state album cycle he was going to do, so I haven’t listened in a while, but it’s got some good songs and the titles are great.

Very grandiose. Great instrumentation, interesting lyrics although the concept got lost for me a few times. Some songs feel a bit dragged out, and album doesn't have a great pacing although the "interludes" between the longer songs stop the album from being outright tiresome. 3/5

Different & Good! Not sure about the JWG song?!

Really would have thought I'd like this more. Love Chicago, that's a real standout. However, the rest was just a bit over the top for me? I dunno, I'm surprised I didn't like it more lol, low 3

Jazzy but folky and ambient at times. A unique album that definitely needs multiple listens 7/10

One of only two Sufjan albums I enjoy. Carrie and Lowell is the other. It’s good but it’s kinda over long. 2.5 rounded up.

Pretty chill and good vibe but nothing memorable, especially with 5000 character long albums titles Rating : 3 / 5

Listenable

6.5

Obviously very good music. None of it clicked for me at all. Just felt like I was watching it happening rather than experiencing anything.

I want to like this a lot more than I did. The production and musicianship are wonderful. There are some really great songs. But overall, it just didn’t grab me. The music is gorgeous but it all felt the same to me, which ultimately dulled everything. It was all a little too sweet.

I feel I need to give this another listen to. Feel’s like Sufjan’s ‘The Wall’ with repeated musical motifs and themes. 3.5 stars at first listen but I might rate it higher after a few listens.

Creative, grandiose, lovely and weird, mildly pretentious. Enjoyable, but really too long. Fave Songs: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!; Come On! Feel the Illinoise!; Go! Chicago! Go! Yeah!; The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders; To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region...; The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

Starts great but then just goes on for so long! Cut 10 songs and I would love this one.

Not bad for that type of music

I enjoy some of Sufjan Stevens' music. His 2015 album Carrie and Lowell is devastating in all the right ways. This album was a little too experimental, too all over the place, and way too long. 3.

Really torn on this. Yes it is not that exciting, but also, it is done really well for what it is....

Unless yours is hollowed out and use it as a place to keep your sex toys, Bibles are a big turnoff. However, once I was able to get beyond that, I was good with this one.

This album was really good, but kind of hit or miss. If they had cut some of the lesser songs on here and shortened the overall length it could be a 4 easy

Kinda atmospheric. Like the piano, very floaty. It starts off strong with the first 3 tracks but gets more boring/generic after that. Picked up a bit in the latter half of the album. It was alright I hesitate to give it a 4 because the highs did not make up for the lows. The lows of the album weren't as drastically bad as others though. This is probably another 3 for the books 3/5

Some great songs but it’s also a snoozer of an album at times

A pleasant Sunday afternoon chilled vibes kinda album, interesting orchestration.

I never got exactly all the hype on Sufjan Stevens, and after listening to this album, I still don't. However, it's impossible to do not to admit it has a bag of qualities on the instrumental part. Some songs are catchy. In summary, I'll not join any fan club of Sufjan Stevens or something like that, but I'll sure look with more attention to his new albums to check if it's me that is losing all his geniality (high probability, I guess 🤣)

I really respect his musicianship, creativity and authenticity, but the album feels like it drags on forever and no song keeps me engaged, gets a little dull quickly.

Some good songs 🎵

Lots of ostinati/layering—nice for ambient environments.

Surprisingly solid, enjoyed it more than I thought I would

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Yes, he has such soothing and melancholy sounds and vocals which brings the genre to life Favourite song: Track 7 - Decatur, or, Round of applause for your step-mother!

For many years I've really wanted to love this album, it ticks so many of the boxes of things that I love. Concept album, check, indie darling, check, dense and varied orchestration, check, long rambling and overly complex song titles, check. Its so overly dramatic and I love that in an artist, I love how committed he is to the concept and how confident Stevens is about who he is as an artist. It also sounds really big and bold which is great. But it just doesn't do it for me, it annoys me that I cant put my finger on why but for almost 20 years I've revisited this occasionally trying to see something in it, examining it from different angles and trying to see what I am missing. The only thing I can confidently say is I find it sonically quite grating and overly pretentious. The second of those confuses me because I love overly pretentious and highly literate music. I figured out at some point its easier if I don't think too hard about it so I've listened to it, and I think its better for my stress levels if I don't think about it again for another 5 years. I'm going to give it a 3 but only because I cant bear to put it in the "Bad categories" of 1 and 2 but ultimately at some point I need to admit to myself that this album is just not for me.

I’m in two minds about this one; I enjoyed some of the tracks and it was good background music to what I was doing whilst listening but I wouldn’t seek it out again. Consequently an average 3*

Now this I liked

This album has really beautiful soundscapes that blend seamlessly from track to track. However, none of the individual tracks really stood out to me, but I could definitely listen again (especially on a road trip). I've always been told to listen to Sufjan, but I've never gotten around to it. I hear how it reverberates through later music I'd heard (e.g., San Fermin's eponymous debut), maybe a variety of "chamber pop" - and love the brass horns.

3.75

Didnt know what this was about, a range of eccentric film score sounding songs. Odd little refernces and whimisical soinds but very enjoyable

I found this a bit dull, the interesting parts (there were quite a few) got a bit lost by the end

illinoisesque konsepti... herra laittanut maantieteellistä tutkimusta musiikin muotoon, meikä tykkää heh... vitunmoist orkesteria, sävellystä prykänny pystyyn.. valitettavasti indie biisinumerot heittää alas kahdella pykälällä. ei voi muuta tehdä kuin valituksen, sufjan siis...heh the workers of the rock river valley region

Oh god. I saw this album come up and I knew I was in for it. I know a bit about Sufjan Stevens, but I mostly know about his song from this album, Casimir Pulaski Day, otherwise known as one of the saddest songs I have ever heard. That song struck me as profound the first time I ever heard it, and it has stuck with me for so many years through no attempts of my own. While not as sad, turns out much of the rest of the album is plenty melancholy, too. I guess that's indie folk for you. Still, this album is incredibly peaceful in parts, and without being boring; it comes with intriguing vocalizations and lyrics on Sufjan's part that make the whole thing fairly whimsical. Bizarre instrumentations also dance across the already strange sounds -- horns often stand out, which is a unique and odd decision. At times, this feels like listening to a classic poet, but in song form. The real rub for me here is that it drew on too long and started to get old.

At first I thought it was slow, then there were some catchy lines here and there. Third time through I sat and read the lyrics of the songs. So much better now. Interesting songs, nice orchestral interludes. Standouts: Go! Chicago! Go! Yeah!, Casimir Pulaski Day, John Wayne Gacy Jr. 3.5/5

Weird but beautiful, recognized a few songs

As soon as I saw those song titles I was apprehensive. They’re so long and pretentious, and I am no longer a 13 year old Panic at the Disco fan who likes that. But anyway, I was mostly pleasantly surprised. Musically, this was so interesting and I can definitely see why it was so well-received and considered so ambitious. I did a little reading on the concept which helped me understand it a little too. It was enjoyable enough, but nothing really “stuck” with me or perked my ears up, besides perhaps the second half of the second track which was very poppy. Chicago is also a great track. I was also way too long for me. But if I hear it playing in a coffee shop (it has big coffee shop vibes) at least I’ll know what I’m listening to.

It was boring.

Calm jazz-folk, interesting and weird song titles.

idontknow

Not my vibe but enjoyed it

Yeah it’s good but not as good as men on hinge make it out to be.

вроде ничего, но не привыкла к его стилю, надо долго вслушиваться

Listened Before? N This seems like an art project for this guy. Of course, I'm a sucker for a concept album, but I prefer mine to tell a story. I just don't really know what to say about this music. Parts of it are unique and charming, parts of it are droning and unremarkable. I do love the cover, as a former Chicagoan as well. I think we're just going to go with a confused 3 and call it good on this one. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Chicago

couldn’t finish this one… not that it sounds bad just that it’s sad and a bit boring. sounds kinda like music from coralline mixed with music from a sad hallmark movie. thought the song about the girl dying of cancer was anti religious, turns out it is religious didnt like that. liked the one about john wayne that was kinda cool and the writing was rlly good. second time in a row i’ve encountered religious albums don’t like that. overall got a bit more than halfway through and don’t know how i’m gonna rate this one tommorow, depends on my mood.

First time listening to Sufjan Stevens given I was 17 when this album came out that is a surprise to me. Maybe Iv been living under a rock or he wasn’t that big in the U.K. On first listen this one kinda just got lost in the background. A few more and Iv started to appreciated it a lot more. But still not fully clicked with me. But has now intrigued me to want to listen again, so this may be re rated in the future.

Based on the album cover, name, art, and track list I was expecting humorous parody but not looking forward to it. I was wrong. It is an earnest and pretty concept album about Illinoise. Bursting with ideas, charm, and cinematic energy. I wish I liked it more than I actually do. Extra star for the tracks, like track 11, that remind me of Rockford Illinois' own Phantom Regiment.

Tedious, so tedious. Wouldn't mind it in the background, though.

An album that a music nerd would love, why the long titles Sufjan, the music itself is very beautiful, but too many songs, so the listening is difficult in one sitting, his voice is good and the songwriting is nice so i did walk away with a few tunes Fav songs John wayne gacy Chicago Casimir Pulaski Day The Predatory Wasp 6/10

Chill pillrat

Vissa av låtarna är väldigt fina och bland det bästa jag hört, vissa är överdrivet storslagna och tråkiga, vissa bara okej. Michigan är mycket bättre!

So his plan was to write an album about each state. I wonder if anybody who isn't  American thinks that's a good idea.  We all had school assignments requiring us to write about people and events that we researched in history books, but getting an A on a school project is not the same as being able to write song lyrics about the topics. He does this brilliantly. The music on the other hand is a little too dreamy for me. --

This was pleasant and pretty interesting, though I probably wouldn't listen again.

The quintessential indie album. It has that uplifting, life-affirming feeling that good indie albums are known for Favorite was probably The Tallest Man, which was in 11/8 incidentally. I actually thought it was a great and interesting listen, but I don’t know if I desire to hear it again, so I’m not sure what to rate it.

Liked the instrumentals, not so much Stevens’ voice.

Started out a bot weird and eventually o connected with the vibe of the album. A grower. Kinda wanna see if it grows more on me.

I think I've always liked the idea of Sufjan Stevens more than the music. There's a song on Michigan that I really love. Chicago and John Wayne Gacy, Jr. are standouts on this one. But in the end, it always fades into the background and sounds samesy after a while.

I can't help but applaud the scope and vision Stevens demonstrates on Illinois; it bespeaks of a winning restlessness. The big problem here is that Illinois could do with some pruning. Over the course of seventy-something minutes I could be charmed, but also bored. I think of other concept albums I like, and how they are often unfairly maligned as sprawling or lacking in discipline. Often that's not the case - but the charges stick here, to a degree. I wish the whole 'one album per state' bobbins wasn't a joke - would've loved to have heard Stevens taking on Kansas.

Buena sucesión de canciones pop con ritmos relajados y voz tranquilizadora. No pasará a la historia, pero es bueno para escuchar en momentos en los que queramos algo de relax

The first song is my favorite.

I imagine this is what a Musical Theatre Kid’s favourite album sounds like.

Soft, cutesy, quirky album. A lot of it sounds like it would fit in during the final scene of movies like Little Miss Sunshine or Juno, where all the conflicts are resolved and everyone is content. If Jessica Day (from New Girl) had a favorite album, this would probably be it. Long album (1 hr, 15 min). Not sure what to give it. It’s not bad by any means, but it just doesn’t really fit the soundtrack of my daily life I guess.

Sorry lads but I liked this album. I’ve not really heard anything like it before. I listened to it twice because on first listen nothing really clicked but I found it interesting enough for another go. I enjoyed it.

som bem produzido, mas não empolgou tanto

good

It was cool

Good background music.

Varied and interesting.

Interesante... por momentos super "Beatles", por momentos medio jazz, sinfónico... se deja escuchar muy bien para trabajar. Va generando diferentes climas a medida que avanza el disco.

A 21st century singer-songwriter! Wow, so recent. - Concerning the UFO Sightings Near Highland, Illinois – It’s got a nice lo-fi feel, and he’s not singing as off-key as many indie singers, so I’d digging this so far. Piano and flute is a unique combo. This doesn’t overstay its welcome either. Is nice. - The Black Hawk War – An instrumental representation of the wars between US and Native Americans, and the atrocities therein. It’s not a pleasant listen with the dissonance and weird instrumental combos. Later parts of the song once the brass and drums come in are better, but still not my fave. - Come On, Feel the Illinoise – A 6:45 track in two parts. Piano and drums make this a peppier song. First part is about the World Fair in Chicago, and the tension between art and commerce. A decent concept, but not really something I’d go back and listen to. Part II (“Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream) is a reflection on his own art and commercialization. Overall, it’s a conceptually interesting track, that isn’t quite to my taste. - John Wayne Gacy Jr. – The story of a Chicago born serial killer and rapist. Messed up, but interesting. In particular, the attitude is very much “but for the grace of God, there go I”, showing the banality of his childhood and the contrast between the upstanding image he had in the community and the horrific nature of their crimes. Another interesting track, though there are parts of the writing I don’t like, and much like Nirvana’s Polly, it’s not at all a pleasant listen. - Jacksonville – An ode to Jacksonville, Illinois, a major stop on the Underground Railroad, location of a school for the deaf and blind, and somewhat ironically named after Andrew Jackson, who himself was simultaneously a figure of generosity (providing cheese and alcohol to the public) and oppression (with the Trail of Tears). It’s kinda boring to listen to, though. - A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Very Good Reason – An instrumental track, dedicated to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. - Decatur, or a Round of Applause for Your Stepmother! – An ode to both Decatur (where Lincoln lived) and his stepmom, who he hated as a child, for no particularly good reason. The connection is that she took them to Decatur on a trip one time. It’s decent. - One Last “Whoo-hoo” For the Pullman – It’s 7 seconds of clapping and a woohoo for planned community Pullman - Chicago – A somewhat autobiographical song about hard times he experienced in Chicago and New York seeking freedom. It’s a pretty good song. Too long though by a bit. - Casimir Pulaski Day – Depiction of the death of a close female friend and the crisis of faith it caused in him. It’s an interesting track that is both a celebration of a loved ones life as well as touching on doubt and belief. This is an odd one to place, because I think objectively it’s the best song on the album, but it’s not one I think I’d casualliy listen to? - To the Workers of Rock River Valley Region, I have an idea concerning your predicament, and it involves an inner tube, bath mats, and 21 able bodied men – Yes, that is the title. It’s a decent instrumental. - The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts – It’s about Superman…or something??? The contrast between the intro/chorus and verses is jarring. I don’t get it. Some people apparently take it as a gay song, btu I don’t see that at all. - Prairie Fire that Wanders About – It’s an ode to Peoria Illinois. No lead vocals, just choir. Not my fave. - A Conjunction of Drones… - Ok, no way am I writing that title out. The title says it is simulating an existential crisis. Sure, why not. - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us – Depicts painful childhood memories of a close “best friend” (probably a lover from the rest of the song) who he lost. It’s a really nice song. Really complex juxtaposition of the romantic attraction to a male friend and the religious experience of a Methodist camp. Probably the best crafted song, though not quite my favorite. - They are Night Zombies… - What are these song titles, man?!?!?! I don’t get this one. It seems to be about Illinois’ past, but I don’t get the tone or message or whatever it’s conveying. - Let’s Hear That Strong Part Again – Short instrumental - In this Temple As in the Hearts of Man For Whom He Saved the Earth – Short instrumental - The Seer’s Tower – Seems to be talking about the Apocalypse. Whether it’s literal or literary isn’t quite clear. Very artistic. Too artsy for me in fact. - The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders – Another two-part track. Part 1 is “The Great Frontier”. It’s a much more lighthearted piece than much of the album. Almost has a Peanuts feel. Mostly seems to be about the attitude of the frontier that drove early America, and the subsequent settling and commercialization of American life. Part II is “Come to Me Only With Playthings Now” and seems to be an ode to all the great events and figures of Illinois. It’s overall a pretty good track. I like the build up in Part II quite a bit, though I’m less fond of Part 1. - Riffs and Variations on a single note… - Short instrumental. Not my favorite. - Out of Egypt… - Another instrumental to finish things off. Not really my thing. An interesting and artistic album from a singer-songwriter I’d never heard before. Explores a variety of interesting themes from faith and doubt, to lost loved ones, to romantic attraction, to seeking personal freedom, family, and more. I like the more personal/autobiographical songs a lot better than the ones that are just generally an ode to Illinois, cause it ain’t my state and I don’t really care about it lol. Many of the instrumentals aren’t particularly good either. This feels like an album that could have used a really good haircut and shave to trim down the fluff and scraggle. Still, there’s some good stuff on it, and even much of what I don’t like that much, I can see what he’s trying to do. Lots of it isn’t my thing, and there’s some worse parts, but I’d give it a solid 3/5. Top Tracks: - Concerning the UFO Sightings – neat lo-fi track - Chicago – Centerpeice of the album and nice autobiographical/personal lyrics. - Casimir Pulaski Day – It’s a bit drawn out, especially the end, but it’s a very beautiful and personal song. - Predatory Wasp… - Really interesting exploration of young love.

No llegué a escucharlo entero. No es mi género favorito

Like chamomile, it's not exactly my cup of tea, but sometimes it does hit the spot.

Really beautiful indie pop with lively orchestrations. I feel like cutting it to a 45-50 minutes album would have given it much more impact, but maybe a few more spins and I'll get why it needs to be one hour and fifteen minutes long.

Really interesting and melodic beats.

Well this seem very pleasant, interesting musically, intricate things going on with the time signatures and I have zero desire to get to the end of the album. Maybe just a bit wet? Three stars I guess?

Melodic, interesting, lots of instruments. Vocals are quiet, some back up singers on a few songs. Interesting concept songs about people and places in Illinois. Overall good, may have to give it another listen

nice mellow background music, doesn't totally draw you in but also doesn't distract if you are working on other items.

Never heard of this album but it feels like it belongs to a musical. Music was fun and light. Some great songs that I will probably break out with people from Illinois. 1. Come On! Feel Illinois! Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream 2. Prairie Fire That Wanders About 3. The Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!

Quite long. First I was jamming, then I was sad, then bored, ended with a few more jams though. Could see myself listening again

3.5 All I knew about Sufjan Stevens going in was that he's a folk musician, which isn't usually my go-to type of listening. I was really impressed by the versatility on this record though - in some ways, it almost felt like a rock opera of folk. The album did grow on me more as it went on, though towards the end I thought it might have gone on just slightly too long. Above all I found it to be an enjoyable record. I probably won't find myself returning to it too much, but I could definitely see it getting spun again on a quiet, relaxing night. Favorite songs: John Wayne Gacy Jr., Chicago, Casimir Pulaski Day