1001 Albums Generator
Illinois by Sufjan Stevens

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens

2005
3.5
Rating
30033
Votes
1
6%
2
14%
3
28%
4
30%
5
23%
Distribution
Genres: Pop, Folk, Rock Styles: Indie Rock, Singer Songwriter, Baroque Pop, Chamber Pop, Folk Rock, Indie Pop

Reviews (page 2 of 16)

Oon kuunnellu tätä verrattain vähän moneen muuhun Sufjanin albumiin verrattuna. Siinä mielessä oli kiva et oli just tää levy. Mut toisaalta tähän oli näköjään aika vaikee keskittyä. En saanut kertaakaan kuunneltua yhdeltä istumalta alusta loppuun. Mut pidän valtavasti artistista ja hänen tyylistään. Pisteissä tällä kertaa aimo annos puolueellisuutta 😅

Bimbel-bombel, dingel-dangel. Tykkään Sufjan Stevenin musasta ja tää oli hyvin tyypillistä musaa häneltä. Kivaa ilottelua ja paikoin yllättävääkin, kuitenkin määrällisesti tätä oli liikaa, että mielenkiinto olisi säilynyt loppuun asti. Lisäksi kristilliset teemat tökkii kaverin musiikissa.

I couldn’t get past the third song…

Fantastic album. I think it’s the atmosphere the whole thing creates that really gets me. A rare 5 stars from me for an album over an hour.

Been a couple of years since I actually listened to this in full. Every bit as good as I remember.

a really quite lovely set of arrangements and some expressive lyric writing, fatally undermined by a poorly supported and breathy vocal presentation

Tough one to evaluate: On the one hand, the 3-song stretch in the middle with Decatur-Chicago-Pulaski Day is about as good a stretch as it's possible to have. On the other hand, everything else is ... well, if it was just "meh", this would be a 5, but a lot of it is irritatingly twee. Whoever said this is the Wes Anderson of albums was dead-on: When it's on, it's phenomenal, and in exactly the same way: Poignantly sad without being overwrought or maudlin. To further the analogy, the 3-song stretch above is Rushmore-Tennenbaums-Budapest Hotel. When it's off, it's not forgettable, it's quite annoying. I'm giving it a 4, but it's really 3 5's (and high-5's at that), a bunch of 2's and a few 1's.

’m a sucker for a good concept album, and it doesn’t get a much higher concept than a series of albums each devoted to a detailed history of one of the American states. Sadly we only got Michigan and Illinois before the project was abandoned. There was a lot that I enjoyed about this, particularly the ambitious scope of the music which reminded me in places of the minimalist operas of composers like Steve Reich and Phillip Glass, crossed with the breezy jazz of Vince Guaraldi and even a nod to the Cure’s “Close To Me” on the title track “Come on! Feel the Illinoise” (which was a lost opportunity to cover Slade). What I didn’t like was a piece about the serial killer John Wayne Gacy dressing up as a clown to murder people. Seriously, this should have come with a content warning. This one track was enough to almost put me off listening to the rest of the album. Seriously, skip this one or don’t say I didn’t warn you. The rest of the lyrics are a lot more interesting with what sound like autobiographical insights into Steven’s life and beliefs, and they are quite moving in an obtuse way. I think I’d like to read a commentary about what he’s alluding to on some of these. This would have been five stars, but minus one for Killer Klowns and minus another one for giving up after two states. Lazy, lazy Sufjan Stevens.

Pretty gnarly and creative musician, I love the playing on this but the ideas that connect them are uhh, super strange and disjointed to me. So it's hard going through it but there's moments I love.

Love this weird orchestral backed soft voiced chorusy album

I liked this one. I'd listen to it again on a lazy Sunday morning or rainy afternoon

Only Panic at the Disco have ever perfected the art of the long song title. Sorry Sufjan Stevens.

I thought Sufjan Stevens was Cat Stevens' first name change and was disappointed

Perfect. Almost masterpiece. Voices and the arrangement are super.

Unique album I appreciate long ass song titles and second song gave full body chills

This took me away!! How cute, lovely melodies, very nice riffs. Loved this.

I had previously heard of Sufjan Stevens but was not familiar with any material. This is a very interesting album. It's an Indie album. Some tracks are very simple - just guitar and vocals, but others have more complex instrumentation. The songs are pretty intriguing. It's a bit long but overall I enjoyed it and would listen again.

its good for about ten songs

I get a little bugged by the 2000s twee shit like this but a lot of it is sincerely beautiful.

So wonderful and different from everything else it was being produced at the same time.

This was actually a pretty pleasant surprise. I'd never heard of this guy before but this was a pretty nice album to listen through.

Chicago is one if my favorite songs of all time, Casimir Pulaski Day is up there, and the rest of the album is just fantastic.

Already had listened to, but still as immaculate as ever, one of the best pop albums of the 21st century.

I know there are people who like this kind of quasi-ASMR music, I have never understood those people. Clear talent, but oh boy was this dull to me.

Beautiful album, I loved revisiting this. What an incredible songwriter this man is. ML412

Great quality musically speaking but it doesn’t appeal to me.

Pretty, but drones on.

Great to get a new artist I can start listening to. Would have been 4 stars but went in a bit too long. Quality over quantity.

I remember really enjoying this when it first came out and circling back it still holds up for me. I like the instrumentation the most and thought the idea of one concept album per state was clever (but impossible to complete). My faves on this are: “Decatur”, “come on feel the Illinois’s!”, “Chicago”, “Casimir Pulaski day”, but there’s more hits than misses and most are above average.

Esto es lo que espero encontrar en este listado. No será mi música más preferida, pero es una experiencia completa que si no estuviera en esta tarea, no hubiera conocido.

Really interesting album 3/5

I'm on "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." so far, and it's OK. Soft, melodic indie music with moments of wanderlust for Illinois. I enjoy the mix of string instruments and percussion laced throughout the songs. I'm getting the sense that this is one of the albums to be enjoyed together as a single piece of art instead of the songs standing on their own. "Chicago" was very good, especially with the use of horns. This album is very theatrical. Hmm, the rest of the album was enjoyable. It all blends together after a while.

I was surprised that I liked this. I went in without expectations having heard the name but not being able to remember any tracks from Sufjan Stevens. It continues my current generator trend of atmospheric/gentle type albums, but this is more than that with some stylistically different tracks. Quite a long album but some of the last of the 22 tracks are less than a minute long so that passed quickly and I found myself mildly disappointed that it was over. It is an album that I found myself wondering that if I listened to it once a week for a year would I love it more having explored it's intricacies or be now bored shitless by it. I also wonder if I'm rating it highly as my last several albums have been bland.... If I don't get something more solid soon I might have to mainline Acca Dacca.

Never heard of this before. Cool album pretty repetitive longer than it needed to be good occasionally great but all the songs pretty much follow the same format.

Casimir Pulaski Day is almost definitely NOT about the Polish war hero and day off school for Chicago kids! I took a roadtrip to Michigan this summer and put on that album. It was a lot more drab and dreary than I remembered, but still great. I cried several times haha. Illinoise, on the other hand, is full of whimsy. It’s got a lot of great songs, like Chicago, Illinois, Jacksonville, Decatur, and Metropolis. It’s also got a lot of filler, looking at you Mary Todd and all you other song snippets with obnoxiously long titles. There’s also the sad serial killer song. My sister-in-law owns an original clown painting of Gacy’s and it is horrifying. I wanted to give this a 5, but looking back there’s a lot of songs I regularly skipped on the CD

What a beautiful album

A fantastic album. Really one of the best discoveries of this project, since I only knew Sufjan from the sings he did for the Call Me By Your Name movie. It’s such an ambitious project and he delivered such a sprawling album with such a wide range of sounds (from the cute Casimir Pulaski Day to the U2-esque The man of metropolis). There’s a level of detail, an intricacy to the musical arrangements that makes it such a fascinating album to pick apart different moments and sounds it used for different tracks.

Listened before?: yes, probably hundreds of times. i generally love most of sufjan's work (including this album), so i don't really have notes for this one. i've obviously abbreviated some track as i rate cuz some of these tracks have looooong titles that i don't feel like typing out. ain't nobody got time for that Concerning the UFO Sighting... - 5/5 The Black Hawk War... - 4/5 Come On! Feel the Illinoise! - 5/5 John Wayne Gacy, Jr. - 5/5 Jacksonville - 5/5 A Short Reprise for Mary Todd... - no rating Decatur... - 4/5 One Last "Whoo-Hoo!"... - no rating Chicago - 5/5 Casimir Pulaski Day - 5/5 To the Workers... - 3/5 The Man of Metropolis... - 5/5 Prairie Fire That Wanders About - 4/5 A Conjunction of Drones... - no rating The Predatory Wasp... - 5/5 They Are Night Zombies!!... - 5/5 Let's Hear That String Part Again... - no rating In This Temple... - no rating 19 The Seer's Tower - 4/5 The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders - 5/5 Riffs and Variations... - no rating Out of Egypt... - 4/5 Average score: 4.6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ okay i know i said i had no notes, but i gotta gush about this album at least a little much like most of Sufjan Steven's albums, it's a little melancholic and pulls at the heartstrings. however, it's nowhere near the level of depressing that Carrie and Lowell is at least, so i would argue this is very accessible to newer listeners Sufjan's vocal performance is very good, as always. his voice reminds me a lot of Paul Simon or Art Garfunkel in a way, just incredibly soft and comforting. the backing instrumentals in particular dance between folk-y and expansive theatrical tracks. it's both pastoral and orchestral, i can't really put it into better words than that as for the shorter riff tracks, while i don't love them, i'm not mad about them this time. i skipped them for the sake of time since i've heard the album enough times already. it makes little to no difference whether i sit through them or not tbh

First and foremost, Dennehy by Serengeti is the greatest ode to any part of Illinois ever created. With that out of the way, this is very of the time. It sounds like The Polyphonic Spree and Neutral Milk Hotel got with Lin Manuel Miranda. I thought I would hate it at the start, but it got better as it went on. Wasn't expecting a tender song about John Wayne Gacy and would always rather go to Big Back for a song about Kasimir Pulaski. All these songs and not one mention of Portillo's Italian Beef. For shame.

I love the idea of writing an entire album about a specific state, with the goal of covering all 50. I wish it was being done by an artist I enjoy. I just feels like Sufjan is trying to be quirky and clever, but it comes off as kind of annoying. I did get through the entire album, but at 72 minutes, it felt longer. I can't deny the concept, the subjects chosen were intriguing, and it's very well performed. I just didn't like a whole lot of it.

Ik vind de muziek van Sufjan altijd wel wat boselfachtigs hebben. Bij mij komt ook altijd een beeld van Orpheus naar boven.

Fijn dat dit album in de lijst staat. Fantastisch album vind ik dit. Ik luister het vaak als ik een lange vlucht heb of tijdens een lange treinreis. Als je verplicht bent om een paar uur niks te doen en te focussen op de muziek, zwevend boven de wolken. Het is een ideale situatie om dit album te luisteren. Elk nummer is een verhaaltje over iemand uit Illinois. Leuk concept en de muziek is fantastisch. Alles is perfect gemixt naar mijn smaak, er is geen instrument dat de ander overschreeuwt wat toch wel een hele kunst is met zo’n grote range van verschillende instrumenten. Ook instrumenten die ik soms vervelend vindt zoals de banjo is hier ook heel mooi ingezet. Topalbum! Staat denk ik ook wel in mijn persoonlijke top20 beste albums ooit.

Hmmm, Sufjan Stevens staat er 1 keer in en helaas niet met mijn favoriet. Ken dit album ook best aardig dus het was wel even makkelijke sessie. Veel compositie en instrumenten. De toewijding van het onderzoek zowel cultureel en muziekaal bij het maken van het album is wel bijzonder. Er staan ontzettend veel mooie nummers op die ik veel heb geluistert. Vind het soms wel net een te brave jongen, nooit een grapje, iets cynisch of sarcastisch, het is allemaal serieus en gevoelig en beetje quasi-religieus. Ben het eens qua cijfer met Arie 4 voor dit 5 voor Carrie & Lowell.

Altijd wel een momentje, maandag de werkweek begint weer. Ook deze challenge voelt als werken zo nu en dan, maar dit album voelt gelukkig ook wel als een verlengd weekend. Een beetje als een tweede paasdag. Ik maak de lijst natuurlijk niet, maar het is natuurlijk een grote schande dat Carrie & Lowell er niet in staat. Ik zal dit album dan wel op waarde raten, maar niet zonder te benoemen dat dat toch wel 5 sterren had mogen hebben. Persoonlijk ben ik Sufjan Stevens erg dankbaar voor zijn muziek. In het verleden heb ik een relatie gehad met iemand met wie ik maar weinig raakvlakken had. Ook qua muziek was het vaak erg moeilijk om een common ground te vinden. Maar gelukkig was daar Sufjan Stevens die de spanning wegnam. Tien jaar zit er tussen dit album en Carrie & Lowell. In die tijd heeft Sufjan zich enorm ontwikkeld. Illinois is groot, uitbundig en ambitieus,(en een tikkeltje te lang) terwijl Carrie & Lowell veel kleiner en persoonlijker is. Voor mij werkt die latere, ingetogen stijl beter. Illinois is absoluut een goed album, maar waar Carrie & Lowell voor mij 5 sterren is, komt dit op 4.

Центральная работа раннего периода творчества Суфьяна Стивенса. Монументальный опус и многожанровое представление которое сиановится заложником своей же монументальности.

You know if this was a project about the provinces he could have a chance to complete it.extremely strong folk blues soft rock album. Writing titles like PATD, all things go is a standout

It's Sufian Stevens Illinois, an album I absolutely thrashed when it came out. Love it.

Rate: 7.5/10.

I've tried. I tried when this came out (bought the CD and I think sold it after giving it many chances), and I'm trying again. But the precious, whispery vocal delivery and overly mannered instrumental backing (ugh flutes) just don't do it for me. No thanks.

John Wayne Gacy’s storytelling is fantastic. Casimir Pulaski Day nearly made me tear up. A long album but long albums tend to grow on me over time. Other than that—10/10.

Morze, bezkresny ocean, bardzo ładnej i bardzo sennej muzyki. Tak, chcę powiedzieć, że musiałam wyłączyć w trakcie, bo zaczęłam zasypiać. Dobranoc.

so so gorgeous

love an album about my home state ❤️

SUFJAN STEVENS NEVER FRICKING MISSING WITH HIS PRODUCTION

This is an excellent album. I had never heard of Sufjan Stevens, but this was a very nice surprise. I like concept albums, and I found this "Illonois-based" project highly interesting. It is varied (both lyrically and musically) and the arrangements are really good. I tend to dislike long albums, but I really enjoyed this one. Some songs I particularly enjoyed: "Concerning the UFO...", "John Wayne Gacy, Jr", "Jacksonville", "Chicago" or "Casimir Pulaski Day". Overall, a very solid 4 star album (which may reach 5 stars after further listens).

It's a tad longish but enjoyable.

Already liked the begining, very instrumental. Maybe too instrumental... some sounds are distracting me from the melody. A big fan of Jacksonville, Chicago and the Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts (stole my heart). Overall a great album. (4.1/5)

Crazy to have a John Wayne Gacy song that high in the tracklist and it still bangs

Best city on earth

I loved the arrangements and level of detail. The melodies were great and his voice is versatile. Hard to find flaws. I didn't like how it was a little too mellow sometimes and it felt too much like a theater performance at times. which isn't my thing. otherwise great album

A transcendental listen front to back. It's hard to believe I went this long in my life without listening to Illinois. Time wasted. Zero skips. Favorite Song: The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts Score: 92/100

Come on feel the illinoise! Absolute masterpiece

Elegant. These songs weren't written - they were crafted. There's a delicate touch here and the layers of instruments and vocals make each song pop where it could so easily have smothered them. Lyrics are great and the songs roam and the topics range from the mundane experiences to the very dark.

I can understand how people definitely would enjoy this, it's just not something I liked a lot. Though can tell the artist is definitely talented. It sound like a mix of some indie rock, with some show tunes, and some music from the 50s.

i like decatur

There is absolutely great reason why this is such an acclaimed album. It is universally beautiful, with a lot of care for arrangements, and masterful songwriting. It is a rollercoaster ride, with fast transitions from the hopeful 'Chicago' to the heartwrenching 'Casimir Pulaski's Day'. While I prefer some other parts of his discography, i.e. 'Seven Swans', this is an easy inclusion. 9/10 [KEEP]

I actually haven't listened to this loads of time and I perhaps don't LOVE all of it, but it is undoubtedly a masterpiece. There's not a bad piece on here and it's so ambitious. The live DVD is amazing.

Basically the epitome of what you're looking for in an indie-folk project. Great lyrics, nice melodies, and a warm sound that is a perfect ode to the midwest. Loved the minimalist classical influence peeking through. Will be listening again.

This is an excellent album. It has a theatrical quality, is very well composed, and features many great tunes.

This one really surprised me...I thought it was just lovely. I enjoyed it so much, I went back to the beginning to listen again straight away. Am I about to give another 5 on the same day? I think I might be.

Honestly? I didn't get it. There's nothing to dislike here, but it's overly long, way to windy, I don't get the song name thing. I'm not hipster enough to like Sufjan. Sorry everyone.

An absolutely charming record. I loved the first song as it hits that itch that I have when there’s an emotional instrumental piece, which that piano hits. Paired with his voice and I was in love from the start. But I think that gave me the wrong expectation on what the rest of the album was going to be. It fell off for me after the first song, but I think my expectations were extremely high after the first track. After that, and listening through… yeah this is a good record. I really appreciate that it’s on this list and I would have never found this otherwise. This is something with replayability as there’s a lot of variety to the songs, but together they all still make sense to form an album. Yeah idk , I loved it. I thought about it all day afterwards

2005. Features songs referencing places, events, and persons related to the U.S. state of Illinois.

Great album. Rating: 6.5/10

Probably needs a re-listen so I can give it more of my attention. Well made, lots of the songs sound samey, although there are a lot of standouts.

Intetsigende

“Illinois” is a brilliantly experimental concept album based loosely off the eponymous state. Do not mistake this, however, for a stereotypical stripped back and raw folk album. Rather, the listener is confronted with a lush variety of instrumentation. Take, for example, "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!”, and its his hypnotic accordion riff, plucky banjo melody, and twinkling guitar; as well as the clapping at the close of the track as if a live performance. Although long in length at 74 minutes, and dense in orchestration and arrangement, these characteristics manage to play into the vibe, plugging you into the world Stevens has created. Adding to this is the ordering of the songs, which flow into each other to create one, whole album, rather than a scattering of tracks. And one does not need to appreciate all the small references to Illinois to appreciate the album, which he weaves in amongst grander morals, such as his musings on who we all really are beneath our masks (in "John Wayne Gacy, Jr"). Instead, you are left with an understanding of the spirit of the state, and therefore the album itself; at once intimate and grand. Yes it is repetitive, and does drag on a few many tracks, but in that way he captures the mood.

одну песню знал, альбом понравился, сохранил. кто ставит 1-2, загуглите значение слова вкус.

wdym i can’t do half stars

Never heard of this artist before. I'm not sure how I feel about his music. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. Some of the material was a little out there for me, "John Wayne Gacy Jr.", really? I think the song I liked best was "Concerning The UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois". Still after listening to the whole album, I'm just not sure how I feel about his music, but I do know I won't run out and buy his stuff either, so I would state that I'm not a fan.

this was very fun and theatrical

That was different. An album that is an ode to a state. Casimir Pulaski Day was poignant. All in all, not a bad listen but long. Not likely to return to it.

Really a phenomenal album, with moving, funny, and profoundly creative songs.

I just couldn't help but think of the "it insists upon itself" Family Guy meme. I understand the artistic merit of something like this and respect the commitment to the concept. The orchestration is nice and I have to give him props for the songwriting. There are individual songs that I like, but as an album, I'll likely never listen to it again.

It gets better with every listen, to be honest. You might not get how impressive it is at first, but trust me, you'll feel it.

Unbelievably ambitious, without being hubristic. I wasn't in on the joke at the time so for a little while at least, I seriously thought we'd have dozens more of these to look forward to. It's crazily long but somehow that doesn't matter too much. The levels of interest, quality and dynamic range are at times so startling that this record can just about get away with anything. In most settings, this level of pure-intentioned earnestness would be somewhat cringeworthy, but it skirts all that and is just charmingly, disarmingly open. It's kind of a healing experience; from the opening note you're aware of being in the presence of something delicate, strange, and special. Casimir Pulaski Day might be the zenith, and the record does fall off a bit from then onwards but what a run up to get there. Astonishing.

Eipä jäänyt käteen tästä levystä yhtään mitään...

2026-08-31. I went into this with a bit of an unfair prejudice, expected less but after all I am indeed pleasantly surprised. This is quite a multilayered affair. Despite this, I haven't had time during my holiday to listen to this fully so I won't be rating this work yet! 2026-09-07: Finally, yes - I get it. This is indeed a great album where almost every song is like it's own world, caputed in vignette. Just makes me a bit sad to think how many albums I might have "missed" by my usual routine of listening to the album in the morning and rating it later on during the day as some works just have to grow on you. So this is easy 4 stars and probably 4.5 on RYM. 2nd half maybe not as strong so doesn't quite reach the top mark, but it's great!

honestly really touching. wasn't into it much to begin with and then about halfway through chicago it clicked for me. long but worth the listen

It’s really great but I’ve always preferred Seven Swans

i mean i didn't hate it, but definitely didn't like it enough for over an hour of it

Started off not particularly liking it. Then I started to like it. Then I got bored. His voice is rather irritating.

Disliked this at first but grew on me after another listen. Some of it is a bit wet but there's some nice compositions and it's pretty unique. Sounds like the soundtrack to a 2000s coming of age film.

Intéressant, les noms des musiques sont surprenants mais bien trouvés

I’ve previously heard of Sufjan Stevens and my first impression of this album was how pretty and pleasant it was to listen to. I don’t have any ties to Illinois so a lot of this was over my head, but I enjoyed the concept all the same. Track 3 was the immediate standout, but I really enjoyed the listen throughout. Chicago also grabbed me. This album left me wanting to dig deeper and explore more.

Muy linda la portada del álbum. Lo escuché en una sola sentada, entero. Eso es bueno. Tiene canciones muy lindas como Chicago, Jacksonville y un par más. Todo sigue una misma línea pero a la vez varía. Buena experiencia

The first half of this album is like magic, unlike anything I have ever heard, but then, the second half, it kinda is a bit too much, too long I guess? It takes away a bit of the magic...

It's really easy to hate on this album. Sufjan took the twee sentimentality, the big arrangements, and the silly song titles from his Michigan album and then dialed them up to 11. So why does it work so well for me? For one thing, Sufjan is just a great composer. All the superficial flourishes wouldn't work if they weren't built on genuinely well written songs. The other thing is there is just an endearing earnestness to it all. Between the shout outs to Carl Sandburg and Mary Todd Lincoln are very intimate and sometimes heartbreaking confessionals like "Casimir Pulaski Day" and "Predatory Wasp." It feels counterintuitive that his biggest, broadest, most bombastic concept album contains some of his most personal songs. But that's just Sufjan's quirky sincerity

A long time ago, around 2008, I was hanging out with some friends. We were taking it in turns to listen to music. I put on Ash's Girl From Mars and one of the group was very disparaging. He said it was immature music for teenagers. Given that it was my choice, I felt somewhat attacked. On my next round I put on Chicago by Sufjan Stevens. I had heard it on a compilation album and thought it might be more to the taste of "Dan". He was very complimentary of the song and I felt somewhat relieved that I had passed his cool test. Ah, the folly of youth. Looking back, I guess I felt a little insecure. I was still at an age where gaining respect from my peers felt paramount, regardless of whether they were peers worth obtaining respect from. I recall this now as I have listened to Girl From Mars many times since, but I don't think I listened to Chicago until this week when I put this album on. Dan was a bit of a hipster and that is what the album feels like to me - music for people who like to portray a certain image and style. Do they actually like the music itself? I can't answer for them but I can say that I don't care much for it. Chicago is an okay song. There's quite a lot going on in its arrangement. It also stood out from the rest of the album, which I thought was pretty dull. It was long and not very much happened. I heard that Stevens was planning on making an album for every state in the USA. I barely made it through Illinois, the thought of 49 others is very off-putting.

yeah i heard of this guy..... i think i might've listened to age of adz once maybe? that was a while ago tho and i do not remember it so... im basically going in fresh.. this album is pretty good. ive complained about rolling "sad whiteboy music" throughout the summer but at this point it's finally feeling autumnal enough outside for the vibe to line up, just about. so i enjoyed this one. i think my favourite tracks are "john wayne gacy, jr.", "chicago" "they are night zombies..." and "out of egypt..." (great tracks and incredible track names but buddy i am not typing all that shit out), although gun to my head i could not explain why they stood out above the rest to me. its pretty varied throughout so it's a bit hard to compare the tracks like that, yknow? i think overall the only real complaint i have is that it's so damn long, but honestly? i could see this album pushing through that into 5 star territory if it hit me at the right moment. its a good sound!

Excellent album - inventive, playful and brilliantly put together. Favourite track: The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

Not really what I expected. Some songs were better than others, but overall a surprise.

This one was very hit or miss for me. I either really liked a track or didn’t care much for it. Didn’t dislike anything though. 3/5

joooo album, de nem az én stílusom, viszont a hangzása nagyon is tetszett!!! (3,5)

A+ plus title. A fun, frightening and hauntingly beautiful pieces of music. I’d like to visit Sufjan Stevens’ mind and Illinois, but I wouldn’t want to live in either. It’s such a cool thing to feel like you’re traversed a state’s whole history after listening to an album.

This feels a bit like a cross between light folky pop, not too far away from First Aid Kit and the Flaming Lips. It is not at all what I was expecting, but that is because I grew up in the UK and when someone says "come on feel the noise". My Instinctive reaction is to sing back ""Girlz grab the boyz" in a glam rock style. But you have to hand it to Sufjan Stevens, I doubt anyone has sung a more beautiful song about a famous serial killer. (

There are several very cool songs in the album, but some others are too soft. And yet, most of the melodies are amazing, greatly composed. 3,5/5.

Some funny names, that's all I can say

Good but I’d rather listen to Javelin

Sufjan has such a unique sound, and I'm a sucker for it. Not an album I'm in the mood for often, but it scratches an itch few other albums can. 4.5/5.

In the spirit of 3 stars is a lyric in the opening track which I feel might have been optimistic for Sufjan! I found this irritatingly mediocre and the only thing that felt longer than this albums ludicrous 74 minute length was having to read the incredibly pretentiously long song names! Although he hit the album bang on the head with the title Riffs and Variations on a Single Note. ... also why is it called Illinois when the album cover says Illinoise. I think this guy's just out to irritate me... or should i say irritat

Might be a hard listen since I’ve never listened to a Sufjan Stevens album. It’s very impressionistic and romantic aesthetically. By that I mean this could be part of the Sims soundtrack. It was an awesome record though to listen to for a bike ride

I quite enjoy this but I think it is because I live in Illinois

Sufjan Stevens is, perhaps, the absolute best case scenario for bisexual, Christian, theater kids. And Illinois is not my favorite album of his, but it is certainly second, and (spoiler alert) still more or less rounds to a 5. This is the second, and last entry in Sufjan Stevens' "states" series, following the (slightly better) album Michigan. While his concept of making an album for eacvh of the 50 states never even really got off the ground, we at least have these two albums, which, in my opinion, he never really surpassed. Illinois manages to capture a remarkable breadth and depth of the state's history, it's victories, it's losses, it's sins and it's beauties. And it achieves this all through a mix of tone poems, mythological tellings, and the occasional, deeply personal bloodletting. There is something consistently gorgeous and fragile here. And it is exacerbated by the sheer intricacy of the songs and arrangements. Sufjan Stevens managed to assemble something really incredible on Illinois, and I honestly don't think there's a substitute to just listening to the thing. It is pretty majestic, and utterly singular (even if I prefer Michigan on some level).

The 2000 were grand big sound indie. These guys are NMHish

Perfectly pleasant, if long winded, album. I’ve tried a few times with this one now, and I don’t see the hype. Maybe it’s just me.

ooh ive been meaning to listen to Sufjan Stevens!! im super excited for this this album felt magical it was incredible. I loved all the strings, horns and piano and his voice was beautiful. I can't wait to listen again and focus on the lyrics. Though the album cover is of the city, this one definitely felt like being in an open field just before sunset. I'm happy this list is finally giving me some good shit, 4.75/5

Really enjoyed this, wish I hadn’t assumed this was music not for me because people I hated liked it at the time it was new.

bits were ok but I could say I would listen again

Very nice album. Definitely need to listen to it again.

It's fine. Overrated. His voice is really annoying and the songs are kind of nothingburgers.

Perfect for sensitive white boys who deserve an iced matcha

This was so cool, unique, and great. Perfect for sensitive white boys like me who aren’t afraid to drink an iced matcha

Had this CD in high school. Everyone went fucking nuts over this album when it came out. It’s clearly an accomplishment, and the mix of styles blend very well together. Somber, upbeat, punkish, orchestral. So very good. I never like how Sufjan pulled a “jk lol” and gave up on the rest of the 48 states as albums. Though clearly a publicity stunt in hindsight, it always left a bad taste in my mouth, and I never listened to him after that.

Calming. Fun. Vibe

What a journey of an album. Though it didn't 100% connect with me and had just too much filler for my liking, there's no denying the musicianship and excellent composition of each song. A remarkable amount of highly engaging material for an indie-pop album. Not something I thought would connect with me, but overall very pleasantly surprised. Top tracks: Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: "The World's Columbian Exposition" / Part II: "Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream"), They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!, The Seer's Tower

i hate musicals

I this this website needs disclaimers for albums that will make me really fuckin sad lmao

it was ok. apparently, he was going to do an album for all fifty states with songs about their history as well but only did two before he abandoned the project. nothing really stood out to me, good or bad.

This was way more interesting than I was expecting. Usually I find this type of music cliche, common, and trite. But honestly this had quite a bit of uniqueness to it, and it kept my attention. Nothing really stood out, but I was never bored and I never could assume exactly what was going to come next.

Was not expecting much. Never heard of. However I was very pleasantly surprised. Would listen to again. I do believe one benefits from listen to the alblum in its entirety. One or two songs don't carry the alblum but collectively the songs make this an above average alblum.

Who writes a song about John Wayne Gacey and Mary Todd, Abe Lincoln and Stephen Douglass!!! Mad props for that. However, record was very average.

Loved it

Long et globalement chiant

I just heard him for the first time three yetago. He'll always be five stars to me

A very easy 5 to give. Perfect

Great (4.5)

It'd be nice if this was 3 stars because then I could have wrote "Three starrrss" like he sings in the first song but it's more than that .

I loved this album when it came out 21 years ago. It was a real revelation to me at the time. The scope and ambition of it is incredible. Incredible songwriter. I don't often let lyrics seep in, so it's refreshing to hear the great storytelling in this record. Great musicianship and quality production despite its lo-fi origins. 5*

Sufjan captures a space somewhere between aw inspiring urban grandiosity and painfully sincere personal moments across this stunningly composed project.

Súper interesante. Me encanta

50 state project sufjan is the best sufjan

I encountered this many years ago, not sure how or why. Very interesting and different, I was glad for the reexposure.

One of the best from an era and genre that also spawned Death Cab For Cutie, Peter, Bjorn & John, Iron & Wine, M. Ward, Bright Eyes, and Elliott Smith.

One of the five greatest pieces of recorded music in my lifetime.

I have to say. This is one of the great albums. Every time I do myself the pleasure of listening to it front to back, I'm blown away. I can't believe how dense it is while hitting with total clarity (both sonically and thematically). An achievement. A special work. Plenty of other people will be annoying about this so I don't need to.

A darling of indie circles, I've never got in to any of his music. This is a well orchestrated and well produced album. Cross between Belle & Sebastian and Fanfarlo. Though generally I'm a fan of low-tempo, indie music, this album is pretty and whispy, without ever hitting any buttons. I've heard several of the tracks over the years, none ever sticking. Its well done and pleasant, but not captivating.

I don't know what I expected but it wasn't this. It is peppy, but weird, but hopeful, but also slightly melancholy. The arrangement is fresh and different. I love the piano in particular and horns in the album. The chorus is also very fun and gives the whole thing a light feeling of being stuck inside a musical. The sheer amount of different types of instruments, vocal arrangements, and tempo and structure is very fun. Starts of great with "Come On!" then slows down a bit, then returns to form with Chicago. The rest cycles through some good songs, and some okay songs. Overall, I like it and it is very unique, but it gets a little old. 3/5 Favorite Tracks: Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, Chicago, They Are Night Zombies, Least Favorite Tracks: Decatur, Predatory Wasp, The Seer's Tower

good, so silly but fun. very long though and took me quite a while to finish it all and that’s just so annoying with the nature of this “album a day” thing lmao

I'm so bored

wonderful road-trip theatre-folk that posits the midwest as the site of everything uniquely american: ambition and evil, great towers and huge swathes of empty space. as in any great road-trip, there are lulls - interstitial bits, meandering tracks, a time a good while through when you wish it could just be over - but, like any good road-trip, at least half of it feels like touching the face of god

Shockingly good.

I appreciate the intricate and lush orchestration within and around the music of this album, but I can’t really stand his sappy sad ass syrupy voice and the content of his lyrics - ugh sooo not for me. If you’re a big fan, I gotta tell you there’s way better substance elsewhere. Like try Joni Mitchell? This album is gonna be a no from me, dawg.

Please make it stop

This is pretty unique. Ethereal, quirky and lovely in equal measure. An impressive display of musical ability coupled with soft vocals. It does drift off a bit in parts and doesn't always grasp you but when it does, it's a joy. 3.5/5.

I have songs of his that I heard on film soundtracks but this is the first album I’ve heard. I thought this was a great idea and loved everything about it. The long titles, telling you much about this fair city (though its Sears tower surely), and the interesting instrumentation Despite its running length is took up all my attention and I do wish he had continued with the other 48 states, maybe one day.

Idk guys it’s almost like this album was intended to listen to in Illinois. Firstly, what a unique album. I can’t honestly say I’ve heard anything quite like it thematically. The record is basically opening a scrapbook/diary into different eras/events of the state. Who was ready for the serial killer track jump scare? I can see why people would be turned off by this. Some of my favorite tracks off this record are pretty long winded, and don’t really keep you on the edge of your seat per se. I mean is it something I’m gonna routinely be playing? Probably not, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t art. I’m not familiar with Steven’s work enough to know how much this deviates from the res of the catalog, but I’ll never knock an artist for delving into and experimenting with so many different sounds. Life’s too short to be stale 🪄

It is poetry in motion and it moves a bit too long to reall truly appreciate but you can see and feel the masterpiece here. I will add more

Illinois residents probably relate to this album. The original album cover with the image of Superman was changed shortly after release, removing Superman because of legal reasons. The song titles are really long (perhaps they set a record?). The music is indie rock or indie folk, with interesting lyrics. There is quite a bit of orchestration here as well. Overall nothing offensive but not outstanding either.

Exciting! Sufjan Stevens is one of those super popular hipster artists that I always scorned, but I did like when our college acapella group did 'Chicago'. Now if he had actually followed through with the 50 albums for 50 states gimmick, I would have been way more interested. Anyway, I do like that there's a goat on the cover, and they made a musical out of this album, so maybe it's not so bad. Well, it does have a lot of features I like: -thematic -lots of nice instruments (+ not electric guitar) -interesting lyrics So, I guess I do like the components, but maybe just because I spent so long being contrary about it, I don't feel too excited about the composite. It's just so darn hipster. An equal to piano jazz in many ways. Highlight: 'Chicago'

I remember listening to Illinois in college and particularly taking a liking to "Chicago." In that sense, it still holds up for me (but it's probably the nostalgia factor).

What if TMBG were a folk indie band

Well made but not my cup of tea

1. Album Das Album geht über eine Stunde mit insgesamt 22 Songs. Ich habe noch nie von dem Album gehört (ich kenne nur vereinzelte Songs des Künstlers. Ich bin positiv überrascht und vor allem hat mir „ They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!“ gefallen (was ein Name). Das ist meine erste Review also weiß ich noch nicht genau was ich alles schreiben sollte. Es wahren viele akustische Tracks zwischen drin, was mich nicht gestört hat. Vor allem bei diesen kann ich mir vorstellen, dass ich sie nicht einzeln hören werde. Dennoch ist es sehr angenehm das Album in einem zu hören. Insgesamt würde ich 3,5 ⭐️geben So. 2. August

🎤🎸🎈🌃🐐

I actually liked this. It a bit orchestra and whimsical but nice.

Seth - 3.7/5 Logan - 3.5/5

First time hearing this one. I was not expecting a lot, but this one lives up to the billing. Hangs together beautifully.

07/31 Pretty good

Did not know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. Some really cool songs on here.

Kind klunky and repetitive, but I loved it.

I loved this so much. Favourite song: Chicago. Least favourite: The Seer's Tower.

trying to be chutney by mandril but cant soundds like something youd eat after u get braces or oral surgery

is ts tuff in illinois

First of all I'm surprised how I have completely slept on this! I like many things about it, perfect crisp production, the Sam Beam-like singing, the fun and surprising instrumentation and resemblance to Belle & Sebastian. There are a few things I dont quite like, the lack of vocal dynamics and the brutal length of the album and that it is too "pretty", I long for some rawness. However I'm glad I was introduced to Sufjan and his universe!

Not a fan, I appreciate what he’s trying to do but it really felt experimental for the sake of being experimental. The John Wayne Gacy song wasn’t haunting to me like other reviews but just weird for the sake of it.

Fine enough

Como a todos los discos de Sufjan hay que agarrarle la onda y escucharlo varias veces porque no es tan accesible, pero ya que se tiene más o menos ubicado qué es lo que hace el artista, su música es bastante disfrutable. Pero sí me costó entrarle cuando lo empecé a escuchar. Buen disco, Illinois, aunque un tanto largo.

It was pretty good but not a album I would repeat

-First impressions soft kind of music -Too soft I didnt really like it -5.5/10

I’ve listened to some of this album before and I loved it The ending of John Wayne Gacy Jr gave me chills The album is sooo long

7/10. Not a very fan of his voice, some songs are catchy and the artistic direction behind the album is very interesting. I can feel the depth that Stevens wanted to give to the album, with the use of several classic instruments from the city. I'll keep a few songs in mind

Essentially what this album suffers from is being very, very boring. I first heard Sufjan Stevens when a track from Michigan was included on a CD with a music magazine - I loved it and was hooked immediately. I then pounced on Seven Swans, which remains my favourite of his even if it is all a bit Goddy. I was excited by the prospect Illinois, and intrigued by the idea that he was planning something similar for each US state - the record came out in 2005 and I must've played it about three times. To my ears, it just fell completely flat and I can only assume he felt the same as he didn't bother with the rest of the states. No bad thing, either.

Anthony entirely pleasant journey of an album. It plinks and plunks along ad is entirely enjoyable and yet never really grabs the attention.

OK Casimir Pulaski Day is a gem, I almost cried. The rest I WANT to like. The songs are all insanely original but they are not coherent enough to form an album. And I think they could have tried harder to make actual songs out of their ideas. After 2 listens I'm somehow attached but not enough so it's landing on my playlist.

My favorite album of all time. An examination of American history as well as Stevens’ own. Ignores conventional notions of “rock” or “pop” songwriting and uses orchestral maximalism (and New York minimalism, ha) to conjure entirely new worlds. One of the only concept albums (alongside To Pimp a Butterfly) that pokes and prods at its concept so thoroughly until you know there’s nothing left here to interrogate, and yet there is an entire B-sides album worth of extra, excellent material, in the form of The Avalanche, the greatest B-sides album of all time. The sound is so massive but almost all of those instruments were played by Sufjan himself, if not arranged by him. Changed the way I listen to music. Changed the way I write music. Changed the way I write words! Gorgeous, historically-inflected, queer, orchestral, progressive pop music about the state I’ve lived in for over a quarter of a century. The greatest work from the greatest songwriter of our time.

Listened to it before, beautiful album

Negative reviews on this from people when this is pearls before the swine. Invest in some headphones and get some taste. I'm already vastly familiar with this one. Easy 5.

What a truly glorious and haunting album, I'd never heard it before but I was very much looking forward to it - it went above and beyond my expectations I have a soft spot for obsessive music nerds who will write and play an album almost all by themselves in their room, it's a guaranteed 5* when they put their feelings so deeply into it (see also The Downward Spiral)

Another songwriter, armed only with an unhealthy fascination for the Midwest, would not be able to find emotional ballast to ground the whimsy and grandeur of the (wonderful) arrangements; fortunately, Stevens has a deeper well to draw from. TERMINALLY CLOSETED/10

En eksplosjon av kreativitet. Fint og spennende.

Mye bra. Litt for lang. Noen knallåter ellers veldig mye midt på treet.

Mye bra, men for mye orkestralt tullball. Plusspoeng for nostalgifaktor, og de beste låtene står seg.

I really enjoyed this. It was my first time listening all the way through.

Brilliant

A slog to listen to, does not catch my attention at all

This one has me a bit flummoxed. I listened twice and it had peaks of interest but faded in and out. I suspect with more listening more will stand out

It is crazy, I listened to this album a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoy it. I thik Sulfan Stevens does an excellent job of transporting you into an alternative reality. It gives me chills.

Mid 2000s indie folk masterpiece. However it is far too long

Хз что это, я не стал слушать.

Good album

Avec la liste de Robert Dimery, on tomber souvent sur des albums qu'on n'aime pas et ils existent essentiellement en deux catégories : - ceux qui sont vraiment nuls, - ceux qui ne font rien de mal, mais auquel tu accroches pas parce que c'est pas ton style. Le premier est moins pire que le deuxième, parce que tu peux rager dessus et ensuite écrire un avis un peu salé. Le deuxième ? Tu vas juste t'ennuyer et mettre un trois en disant que ça ne te parle pas, mais que tu vois les qualités. Et ça fait des jours que j'ai que ça (à part M.I.A., qui fait au moins preuve d'originalité), donc ma patience commence à se réduire. L'instrumentation ne me parle pas, j'ai trouvé que ça n'allait nulle part, le chant me déplaît. Mais d'un autre côté, c'est vrai que c'est original, ça a de la personnalité, c'est plutôt varié... Mais je me suis ennuyé, bon sang et je commence sérieusement à manquer de façons de le dire jour après jour. Je pense qu'il faudrait peut-être mettre trois, mais c'était tellement barbant ! Et en plus, l'album se permet d'être long ! Bon, après l'album de trois heures de The Magnetic Fields, je suis un peu blindé, mais non hein, y'en a marre un peu. Ouais, ça sera sûrement mon avis le moins construit et le plus bordélique, mais je pense que je mettrai un deux, parce que j'en ai marre des trucs complètement osef. Au pire, Robert, donne-moi un truc bien pourri, que je rigole un peu, quoi !

I think you really have to like Sufjan's sound, the banjo, musicals, and Illinois to dig this one.

interesante concepto

Another album I suspect would really reward repeated listening. Felt like a film sound track a lot of the time

i don't really like this style of music but i can see good art when it's presented to me. Would I listen again: nah Deserves to be on this list: yes 3.9

Such a beautiful album that unfortunately I haven't fully fallen in love with yet, but I'm certain I will one day. Definitely was nice to revisit after so long. Favorite track: Come On! Feel the Illinoise!

Musikalisch en Banger. Das eine mal, wo‘n i uf d Lyrics gachted ha isch chli corny christliche shit cho. Söt vermuetlich mal uf alles lose. Wänn lyrics immer so sind fetts 3. Da ich das aber nöd bewerte cha (will halt nöd druf glost ha,) gits für Instrumental banger 5

What makes this record very special is that it's very difficult to find a standout track. Part of it is because the songs and the interludes in this album just work so well together in a way that makes them almost inseparable from each other. Sure, songs like 'Chicago' or 'Casimir Pulaski Day' sound great on their own, but these two songs truly shine when you understand how they connect to the overall themes and sounds of the album. Just another reason why I encourage people to listen to full-length albums

I really liked Michigan (2003) at the time and Illinoise is a great follow up. No way was he going to do all 50 states like he said though, and I'm glad he didn't. I grew tired of his style shortly after and haven't listened to Stevens on purpose for two decades.

Sufjan Stevens (no relation of Cat or Shakin') is always someone I feel like I should like, or assume I would, but never really tried or did get into. This album confirms that, it's like just a bit too meh and poetry for me, reminds me a lot of songs from like Phoebe Bridgers or Belle and Sebastian that I find meh, compared to their better ones. But apart from Chicago, there aren't enough of the "better ones" compared to the meh. And I don't like to indulge concept albums.

Weird and gorgeous

No way they made the one song from the bear soundtrack into an album

ts was buns when i listened to it in mr slattery's class in 8th grade (say slat slat 💀). still is. gets better in 2nd half, still not great.

Once a favorite, not so much any longer (in general but also wrt to Sufjan; nowdays I much prefer Age of Adz, which would probably get a spot in my top 10 overall, if not higher). Still, many of the songs do move and thrill. Come On! Feel the Illinois!… will never not be as fun as the title suggest (and then as Sufjanistically sad as expected).

very fun and interesting project, would recommend

It's okay

It's over long and has some very silly song names, but overall Illinois just about gets a four from me. It's not Age of Adz, which is the only Sufjan Stevens album that truly impresses me, but it's fun enough.

This album is so cool. Is does kind of all blend together, but every moment has something interesting to listen to. And it has one of the best songs ever written with Chicago.

Loved the horns, loved the whimsy! 4 stars

Is this the most woodwind representation in any album I've listened to? He sings like a woodwind too. I am required to love this album. It's so good.

A couple songs stood out and the rest fall in the 'fine' category. Maybe if I was from that shit hole country I'd be more into it. Did not need to be a double album at all.

i loved it so much, his voice was amazing and the production reminded me of minimalism but almost progressive and lounge-y, everyone listen to it again

The two best songs have little to do with their titles, but it doesn’t matter. The rest of the album is amazing, and if you read the lyrics you might learn something—unless you’re from Illinois. The natives will smile at all of the references and wonder why this isn’t used in Civics classes alongside that Billy Joel song.

Haven’t listened to the whole albums as it’s pretty long but half way through I’ve been suprised, for some reason I was expecting a majorly depressing album but I quite enough this. Best song - Decatur…

Very annoying at first, but eventually bludgeoned me into acceptance with its relentless, aggressive sweetness. It makes Belle and Sebastian seem like Pantera, but it conquered me nonetheless.

Sufjan Stevens does more than invite us into Illinoise, he wraps us around the story and sound of the state while showing up this theatrical view of just how wonderful it is in his little world. I can totally understand why people collectively love this project so much because it is just so musical in the best way possible. What I also love is that this album can switch up moods in a heartbeat with John Wayne Gacy, Jr. I don't know how Sufjan is able to sound so pleasant but also so grim at the same time but he does it perfectly there. The different stories all weaving together shows just how much life there is in Illinoise in such a beautifully abstract way. If I could change one thing I would shrink or remove all the interludes and just throw them onto other songs, but even then they all sound good at worst and I just wish they didn't bloat the tracklist so much. I feel another relisten will very much be due for this album, but I still think it was great this time around. I do also think people overhype this a bit much but we will see how well it fairs off during my final ranking of his discography.

норм, но ничего особенного

Never heard of it; not too bad, not too good either, but certainly versatile. Three stars...

I knew what my favorite songs were before starting this album (except for The Are Night Zombies!). I honestly just wish this album was a bit shorter and I'd be much more positive towards it. Favorite Songs: Chicago, Casimir Pulaski Day, They Are Night Zombies!

One of my favorite albums of all time. At once deeply personal with family and friend interactions and also broad and impersonal that he covers the history and geography of a state. It shouldn’t work, but it works so well with such amazing music.

1. Pretty wee opener. Looking forward to album. 2. Interesting little tune. sounds like something medevil at points? 3. Great song. Thought it may be a bit goofy at first but by the end I loved it. 4. Jesus man. Almost had me in tears. Great song, but heavy listening for the office. 5. Good song. Love how it builds up and progresses. 6. Interlude. Nice strings. 7. Another cute little song. Liked the banjo a lot here, catchy. 8. 6 second interlude (accordion?) 9. Well made song. Nice production, quite grand. 10. Another nice wee song. Prefer the more stripped back songs off of this album. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Didn't finish the album in the end - quite a lot for a Monday in the office! Enjoyed decently from what I've heard though.

Really enjoyed but just a bit too long for my liking

Fantastisk skiva!!! Midwest emo classic!

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. It was perfectly fine. A little too long. 3.5 stars

Ну це легко. Знаю цей альбом, мені він подобається настільки, що є на плеєрі зараз.

Like his voice but liked only 2 songs ig i wasnt in the mood for the vibe idk i will try again

It's great but it's far too long

Oh hey I know this one already Concerning the UFO sighting: Incredibly beautiful opener, great vocals, great piano. "Then to Lebanon, oh God" The Black Hawk War: I never really listen to this one. Neat harmonies. Feels very theater Feel the Illinoise: This is easily one of the best pop songs ever made. It's weird taking notes on this one because it's a song I fully know the ins and outs of. There is nothing to really say, it just works. Beautiful writing all the way through, some of Sufjan's best. The first part especially really fills you with the optimism and wonder that came with the World Fairs. "Chicago, the new age, but what would Frank Lloyd Wright say?" "Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?" John Wayne Gacy, Jr.: The way Gacy is humanized and presented as a figure with some relatable qualities always made me somewhat uneasy, I guess that's the point. Eerie outro, great melodies all throughout. Jacksonville: It's just so in-your-face optimistic and conciliatory, very disarming. Hard to dislike. A short reprise for Mary Todd: He wasn't lying, it's short. Neat I guess Decatur: Be nice to your step moms everyone I've never really loved the vocal harmonies here but as a whole it works out well. "Sangamon River it overflowed, it caused a mudslide on the banks of the operator" is an incredible lyric One last Whoo-hoo: This is definitely one of the songs on this album Chicago: Another one of the center pieces on here. Feels really monumental. Casimir Pulaski Day: Absolutely soul crushing from the very first second To the Workers: Another one I never really listen to. Neat interlude but there just isn't that much substance The Man of Metropolis: This one never really grew on me too much. Not bad but pales in comparison to some of the other ones on here. Actually I think the chorus melody is slightly annoying. The ideas here just don't really warrant the 6 minute runtime. Idk Prairie Fire: The best "short" song on here I think. The ascending melody is great and works very well. Also amazing drumming A conjunction of drones: This would be really cool if it wasn't literally 20 seconds long Palisades: Sweet and heartfelt. We swaggered and swayed. They Are Night Zombies: This one is kind of silly. Too gimmicky, I don't think the chorus works super well either. Actually might still work better than the verses though. I don't know, none of it is amazing. I have to say some of the high notes he hits in the second half are pretty gnarly Let's hear that string part again: Sure then In This Temple: Mysterious, ethereal The Seer's Tower: The piano part is pretty good. The vocal melody could have been better. This song always reminds me of the thing from Lord of the Rings but that's probably just the title. The Tallest Man: This one's groovy. Compositionally speaking one of the best ones on here. Everything just fits together perfectly. It's like listening to an infinitely complex machine of cogs that work together in perfect unison. Riffs and Variations: Quiet goodbyes Out of Egypt: It's definitely a power move to end the album with a minimalist composition and I'm so glad he did because this makes me float One of the best, most evocative pop albums ever made :)

J'aime bien Sufjan Stevens parce que ça change et en terme d'instru c'est original, mais l'ambiance est quand même un peu trop planante pour que j'écoute ça souvent je finis par m'ennuyer un peu

Sympa, je ne connaissais pas cet album

Assez long mais très sympa, j'ai bien aimé les sonorités et l'originalité

This is a nostalgia pick for me, but it holds up. It's beautiful, surprising, poignant, exciting, jubilant, and on and on.

Before pressing play, I assumed it would still be my favorite Sufjan record. When this was released, it felt outside of time, a behemoth of creativity and singular vision. Today it feels exactly like 2005, and I found myself yearning for the neo-classical bend of Aporia, the fidgety electronic undercurrent of Planetarium and The Age of Adz, or the intimate bleeding out of Carrie & Lowell. He's become one of the great living composers, and this is no longer his defining opus (I'd now point to Javelin or The Ascension). All that said, if this is an opening chapter, or some version of a prelude (along with Seven Swans and Michigan), it's incredible. It's a 5-star album. There are surprises and delight waiting around every corner. If this is your first encounter with Sufjan, I implore you to keep going. It gets so, so rich as he sands off the twee edges of his sound opens his aperture as wide as any musician of the last 20 years (how’s that for a mixed metaphor).

Not listened to this for awhile. It's aged well.

My goodness, how time flies! Sufjan Stevens’ "Illinois" was released over 20 years ago, and his warm, dreamy blend of indie folk and baroque pop still sounds delightfully fresh. Stevens is an artist whose albums either don't really do it for me, or hit me with full force. This one really won my heart. The interweaving of classical, baroque, and minimalist music elements in his definition of Pop music is particularly effective here, making the album musically complex despite its apparent simplicity. I really ought to listen to more Sufjan Stevens and finally give his discography a proper listen from start to finish.

I like the guy but album-wise it’s hit or miss. Or maybe I am more into songs of his than his albums.

I always thought Sufjan Stevens would be doing retro indie rock'n'roll, and I had always pictures him to look like a young Elvis, or at least Mark Ronson ... so I was completely unprepared for whatever this is. It has its charme, and I really like the 3rd song, but overall it is too much of an abstract mess (read: "concept work") to be enjoyed as an album.

Inventive, interesting, wish he would have done Missouri and Florida as well. "Chicago," "Decatur," "Jacksonville," "Casimir Pulaski Day" are all great. I think the album runs out of gas about 2/3 of the way in but Sufjan is unique in his sonic soundscapes. Wish he had done a song about my hometown, Olney, and their white squirrels, LOL. Missed him in STL in 2006 touring this album because we had just moved into Bella Luna, our home. Love his first Christmas collection and recommend it to everyone.

This is a record that brings me back to a specific time in my life. Mid-20s, working at Whole Foods, drinking every night and hung over every morning, almost in tears every time I listened to Chicago on my iPod.

Instrumentation is undeniably amazing. I love that. Personally I’m a little turned off my the drama of it all. Almost takes itself too seriously

Man i’ve put off this album for about a literal decade so its about time. That was gorgeous, i’ve heard a few Sufjan tracks before so i should’ve expected a sound like this but i was expecting something else from the cover art. Nice little history lesson of a state presented in such a charming way. Standouts are Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, John Wayne Gacy Jr., Jacksonville, Casimir Pulaski Day, To The Workers, Prairie and Night Zombies.

I adore this album. I knew it was going to be an epic, and it's phenomenal.

to be honest i was on hold while listening to it so sufjan was intercut with lulling elevator music. it was a nice album though but not my typical cup of tea.

A perfect album filled with perfect songs. I remember the moment I heard “Chicago” for the first time with stunning clarity that comes rarely to me, honestly. I went years with that being one of the few transmissions from Illinois that I knew, always too afraid that the rest of the record couldn’t live up to it. All these years and many listens to this album later, I can’t think of many things I’ve been more happy to be wrong my about.

LOVE THIS ALBUM!!! I listened to it for the first time last year right after christmas and it quickly grew into one of my favourite albums of all time! Easy 100/100

One of the five-iest fives I'll give throughout this whole project. I get that it's not for everyone, but from reading some of the proud repudiations of vulnerability in the reviews here, I hope at least a couple of tough-guy hearts have been silently softened, just a little, by hearing the crescendo to Predatory Wasp for the first time.

I’ve literally no idea what’s going on in any song in this album. Abit too far one way for me. I don’t think it’s a strong enough sound. I can only compare it to what you’d hear in matalan buying a cardigan you’re only going to wear once. Probably for a funeral.

My brain is having a hard time processing what I just heard. There is definitely something here...

I listened to it a bit and I must say that I pretty much enjoyed songs with only instruments. I wasn't expecting this kind of music from the album. I can't really rate it because I just don't listen music like this.

Ecouté. Pas mal. Cool

Wtf is this cover. I like the vibe though. Okay, I kinda lied. I don't like it, I'm sorry.

this did not hold my attention at all…..

Incredibly comforting album Fave track: Chicago

Big fan of Sufjan and the inclusion. Beautiful singing/songwriting, Sufjan plays almost every instrument you hear and it’s a concept album that delivers on the concept. The 50 albums one per state in the US was a joke - but I do wonder if he had done that whether this effort would have been topped. Is it too long? Maybe. Interesting how everyone who uses that point to criticise the album never seem to suggest what should be cut? 4.5/5

Solid album with a lot of songs I really like. The softer piano tracks are my favorites.

i think i have listened before, like years ago. the kooky APUSH-project concept of a concept album and the obnoxious run-on sentence titling really just endlessly endears me to this whole deal, as does sufjan stevens' penchant for making very very sad songs. it feels like he has a very narrow whispery scope to his sound but i swear he does stylistically get around here, at least enough to not bore me. also just lovely instrumentation and lyricism. normally i don't have the attention span for such long albums but i think the theming gives it a sorta cinematic affectation that strings you along. favorite song is Casimir Pulaski Day, also really love John Wayne Gacy, Jr. and The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts 0/10 still waiting on Massachusetts

Rating: 10/10 The second album of Sufjan Stevens’ 50 state album project. But for real, it’s much better that he abandoned that terrible concept that might have been a joke all around and instead just put everything into making this masterpiece of a concept album and proving himself to be a musical genius. A brilliant album and one of the absolute best of the 2000’s. Something only a depressed gay classically trained musician with theater kid energy could make. All of the dense arrangements throughout make for so many unique and interesting songs that you can come back to and appreciate forever. So many cool instruments used here and Sufjan plays ALL of them, well except for the string quartet which is an absolutely beautiful element of the record. All of the little interludes are fun and every single longer full song is incredible that it’s so hard to pick the favorites. BUT the tracks 3-5 run is just an incredible start to the album after its introduction, and the back to back of Chicago and Casimir Pulinski Day is wonderful. Predatory Wasp and Night Zombies are so much fun. Then there’s the gorgeous instrumental closer that is Out of Egypt. A work of genius, this album will forever mean a lot to me. Little fun fact about the album is that it actually has a recent super acclaimed Broadway musical adaptation, Illinoise, that my partner and I were very excited to see as Sufjan fans, and it was fantastic. Really transformed the music in its own interesting way and was one of most unique stage productions I’ve ever seen

I warmed up to it a little more over time but I don't think I'm a total fan of Male Lucy Dacus From 2005. Bro's cadence and rhyming schemes just bothered me idk, otherwise it was fine 6.3/10

The first half is close to a perfect album. One gorgeous song after another, wrapped in astonishingly interesting and innovative arrangements beautifully performed and recorded. It is one of those collections that reveal how banal most of what we listen to really is. But it just keeps on going . . . The second half isn't bad. It still sounds beautiful. But the songwriting isn't quite as good, the melodic ideas and arrangements start to sound repetitive, the songs go on for a little too long. If the second half were a stand alone album, I think it would still rank a four star experience. It suffers from coming after the first half and the whole thing suffers from its being there. So the question is whether the lackadaisical editing is enough to subtract a star. Nope. I just turn it off when I've had enough.

um bocado noisy, não consegui ouvir tudo. por vezes, vibe de Bruno pernadas

This album was amazing very random find ! Don’t know what genre it was , reminds me a lot of ‘Ants From Up There’ by black country new road which how varied each song is.

I’m going to say 4.5 I just adored the sound of this album and loved every track. I think with more time I would really listen to what they communicate as I only got an essence.

Deserved to be listened to lying down and appreciating the nuance. I’ll definitely revisit it.

Not terrible, but at least 25 minutes too long

Funky and soulful, a pleasant surprise

Ridiculously big album. It's alright.

This album has a feel of an old sad Hollywood movie. There's a timeless feel about it but also a fleeting memory of yesterday. There's a journey back and forth between a heaviness and a light delightfulness. The second track "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..." is quite a mouthful but also a sign a complicated trek the listener is about to embark on. Another mouthful, the third track, "Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream" continues the old Hollywood feeling with a La La Land type big band number: trumpets, marimba, xylophone, big piano, synced vocals, etc. Track 7 "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother!" has a folksy feel, simple but lovable banjo, plucked guitar, and a subtle accordion with lyrics like "The sound of the engines and the smell of the grain, We go riding on the abolition grain train" Speaking of trains, track 8 "Chicago" has locomotive like building of guitar at beginning and again during the chorus. Overall the song has a very spacey, outer body experience of the universe and self-discovery with lyrics like "I've made a lot of mistakes" and "All things grow." From this optimistic direction, things quickly take a sharp turn into a heavy sorrowness. Track 10 "Casimir Pulaski Day" grabs the listeners attention with mention of finding out about someone's "cancer of the bone." The sense of struggle and sadness is throughout. Lyrically the song tells a sad tale, but the light and airy vocals and instruments, especially the trumpets outro, reflect a journey of coming to acceptance. The song "Pairie Fire That Wanders About" feels like an astrologist telling rich mythological stories of Andromeda and Aquarius. "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!" is lyrically and musically complex. Comes across as a playful sound but lyrically weighted. Looking into the lyrics I discovered the metaphor that represents a “sting” – a sting of love, of resentment, or of regret. All of which seem captures a sadness and struggle, "I was in love... Palisades." It seems to be a love that is not accepted and not even by the love of God. "The Seer's Tower" opens with bass heavy piano chords. A song with a depth and caution. A stand still moment. "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders Part I: The Great Frontier Part II: Come to Me Only With Playthings Now" brings it back to upbeat and sense of joy not seen much in the previous songs. It's like coming up for a breath of fresh air. The cadence reminds me of America in Westside Story. Despite the peppy feel, there is a warning woven in "What have we become America" "Run from yourself" "Run for your life" but there is also a calling out to something greater, spiritual "The spirit, the carpenter" "Oh, great heaven, Oh great master." Wow! What a musical epoch. At first, this felt a hard pass. It was something like a Phish type of album and needing some kind of psychedelic to make it worthwhile. Well, I believe this is the most I've written about an album so far and some how it's made an impact. There's an intriguing opposition between the sound and the immense weight of the lyrics. Seems kind of fitting the last two songs are instrumental with interpretation up to the listener. The ending piano in "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" echos out of a dream and a trumpet wakes us up and calls us into the next brief instrumental track wrapping up with "Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I shake the dirt from my sandals as I run." Building flutes and striking piano notes escalate. The intensity and amplitude is all surrounding. Clanging bottles feel a little like rainfall. Stepping into a new day. I can see why this made the 1001 albums everyone should listen to.

Easy listening, and not boring ever. Loved the sounds, the steadiness, and it was smooth like Skippy.

A beautiful piece of music.

Very good album, had a great mix of both slow and fast music and blended well together, one of those albums that’ll never get old no matter how many times you listen to it

Tough one to rate. I definitely like a lot of the sounds, compositions, orchestrations. I appreciate its lushness. So I feel obliged to give it a 4 despite the fact that I will never listen to this again. “It insists upon itself.”

This record was on heavy rotation before freshman physics at Suffield. That said, I am not the target audience of this record.