Illinois

this album was huge for me in high school. really scratched that itch of using folk/bluegrass/acoustic instruments to achieve a level of complexity that you don't usually hear in folk music. there's an immediacy to many of these songs that make them easy repeat listens, and the strings and horns contain an abundance of uplifting ear worms. what strikes me now listening back are the elements of minimalism that I wasn't attuned to when this was released. I can't listen to this album now without hearing "Music For 18 Musicians" by Steve Reich, which honestly just makes me appreciate this LP even more. Sufjan Stevens pulls together a lot of strains of American music here, and loads it down with a bunch of Midwestern references, and it never feels too ambitious or snobby. Sufjan maintains humility throughout, allowing his vocals to join the chorus and become one with the group. he knocked this one out of the park, and I'm fine with him not doing an album about Indiana or Wisconsin since he gave us this.

First off, this is one of the great road trip albums. If you’re ever driving through the night, put this on a few minutes before dawn and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Second, this album has been in my life a long time, and while I never considered it one of my ‘favorites,’ there are songs here that have been favorites and/or meant the world to me: “Chicago,” “Decatur,” “Casimir Pulaski Day,” ”The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades.” Third, this is the first time I’ve listened to it all the way through since ‘Music for 18 Musicians’ has been in my life, and the last track just screams Steve Reich. Now I gotta listen again with that in mind sometime.

Leuk en mooi album, heel vaag soms. beetje basic ook

Reminds me of the eels.

This is the most tender-feeling album in existence, probably hits harder if you know anything about Illinois but I still love it. Wasp is always good for a cry, Chicago is a classic.

The music does not deliver the expectations created by the cover. Good album but a tad bit long.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intressant och jag skulle nog med lite tid verkligen uppsktta det här albumet. Det är exprimentelt men ändå avskalat, nertonat och bitvis riktigt vakert. Riktigt bra produktion med tydlig distenktion mellan instrumenten. Det är många spår jag tycker om men det är ett för långt album med sin 1h 14 min och 22 spår! så jag har svårt att hålla mig engagerad rakt igenom. Men sedan lyssnade jag igenom i trädgårdssoffan och upplevde det nästan meditativt. Bäst är Concerning the UFO sighting near highland Illinois, Come on! Feel the Illinoise!, John Wayne Gracy JR, Chicago, Casimir pulaski day, The man of Metropolis steals our hearts, They are night zombies!!, The Sears tower

The lyrics and musicality of this album painted very visual images in my mind.

Hmm very indie boy, as someone that likes indie music

Sözlerine bakarak daha dikkatli dinlemem lazım

This felt like the equivalent of watching a very long Wes Anderson film. It's the kind of thing I don't mind doing once, and I can never say anything overly enthusiastic afterwards -- but some quirky and interesting moments are scattered throughout. The song about the friend with cancer was definitely the most engaging thing, but none of the music itself will stick with me.

I love this album so much. Sufjan's melodies are heart-wrenching, joyful, and plain beautiful.

I had somehow never actually sat down and listened to this album all the way through, which i now feel guilty about. Listening was a mixture of old favourites and discovering new instant favourites, as well as finally getting to appreciate the musical interludes threading it together which i had completely missed out on. This is a beautiful, toweringly imaginative tender and emotive album, instant 5 stars. Standout track on this listen was They Are Night Zombies! what a tune. Does anyone know any other good zombie apocalypse themed songs, I'm starting a playlist

Spectacular. So immersive and rich and creative with almost too much going on to really take it all in at one go. An example of what I really wanted from this project, which was a way to make listen to some albums I've been meaning to get round to for a long time. I was worried this one might be just a little bit too obscure and esoteric for me to actively enjoy rather than just "appreciate". But honestly, I was transported. Standouts: Chicago and Palisades I already knew and love, it was shiver inducing getting to them on the album not knowing where they were placed. As for others I liked, uh (trying to remember track names) okay the first Broadway musical style one about the world's fair, the one about the zombies, the one about the serial killer and the one about his friend dying of cancer. And the closing instrumental.

In my top 5 albums of all time. Beautiful composition, meaningful lyrics, love the brass and the wind. This album in particular doesn't get bogged down in the white boy christian sadness, and has a nice variety of upbeat and soul crushing sad. Some of the most unique sounds on this list, and not in a "1970s experimental industrial punk" kind of way. Still should have won the Oscar fuck you Mama Coco.

It's a 4 for me, but just barely.

Ambitious but boring. Better than expected. 2.5 stars.

War more listenable than I thought it would be, but it was truly boring.

Nothing so far I've had through 1001 has been as expansive as this was, even then I don't know if it lives up to the hype set by others in terms of my personal taste, still there is many gems on this

Illinoise is like indie folk show tunes. Seems to me like this one made The 1001 Must Hear List because of the incredibly long song titles as opposed to the music. Well orchestrated with very rhymey lyrics. (1.94*s) And I now know more about Illinois than I did an hour ago!

Sufjan Stevens reminds me of a male version of Imogen Heap. Illinois is pretty well crafted and smooth...made for a soft, relaxing commute into work. It's arranged like a soundtrack. Variety of instruments and I actually like the horn use. I can't really think of another time I would play this though, maybe drifting off for a nap. I got a little creeped out by "John Wayne Gacy, Jr."...maybe we should check under Sufjan's floor boards. Shorten the record and the track titles...2.13 stars.

Didn't know what to expect with this one at all. 75 minutes of an indie folk album featuring 20+ songs with crazy titles ranging in length from 6 seconds to 7 minutes? I went in with tempered expectations thinking that Illinois(e) could be a chore to get through. Pleased to say that I enjoyed my ride with Sufjan Stevens. Most of the album is pretty pleasant acoustic music with soft lyrics and some background strings and/or horns. There's a pretty wide range of instruments involved but I can't say that I clocked a majority of them. The album is nothing earth shattering but also not too bad for some background music. Each song appeared to have some reference to an Illinois-specific historical event or icon which I can appreciate as an approach for an album. 75 minutes was admittedly too long, but it was a lot more manageable than many of the other long album entries elsewhere on this list. I would have loved if Sufjan followed through to produce one of these for each state even if it was only said in jest. A good middle of the pack entry that I won't come back to but am glad I put in a listen. 2.55 stars

It was upon listening to this I confirmed I have in fact been conflating and confusing Sufjan Stevens with Cat Steven’s/Yusuf Islam. This wasn’t my kind of thing at all, but my girlfriend loves it and that’s enough for me.

This is very strange music. I like some of it; it isn't what I expected from the song titles.

It's an all timer

Einer der besten songwriter aller Zeiten. Maybe ne 5 aber ich hab mich noch nicht ganz an sein style gewöhnt

Very interesting and folk like I enjoyed listening to it and recommended it to others

Baffling but highly ambitious and beautiful. Like someone mashed Elliott Smith and Sgt Peppers' together

I don’t hate this!

This is a beautiful tribute to Illinois. The songs are arranged beautifully and I felt the connection to my childhood home.

Its a nice album. Concept was interesting. Maybe a bit on the long side, so I would say 3.5 but round down.

Very long but there is also a lot going on here. At best it’s good and catchy songwriting. At worst it’s self indulgent ego fluff

This was really long, but there are some good songs on here. Didn't follow the concept too closely.

Ive know about this dude for a while but I never really looked into any of the music. So this is my first time ever hearing anything hes done. Well not 1st ever because ive heard chicago somewhere a long time ago. Good song. Along with damn near everything else here. Its just good old indie folk is guess. With a pop spin. Everything is incredibly catchy. I get why people go nuts for this guy. My closest comp would maybe be a more laid back neutral milk hotel. They are much more surreal and just loud. But there are moments in Illinois that do similar things. Just not mostly doing thay like nmh. Just a great record all around. Lots of variety. Its just good. Not exactly what im looking for on a day to day basis but great none the less. Maybe the site throws me the album about his parents that I always hear about. But thats for another day. Im very happy with what I got here

Speed it up.

Impressive that he did all the instruments himself, but why is it so soft and twee and choral in a really annoying way. And why did it have to be so long.

Scattered. Never really got into this and him on the whole

It's okay, but it didn't leave much of an impression

pretentiously named songs, pretentious lyrics, pretentious album. I loved ascension so I’m not sure what went wrong here - his voice which I usually like sounded extra simpering - was just not for me at all.

2/50

8 - GOOD

Kind of intersting but feels like it takes a long time to do nothing. The compositions/ instrumentations are cool.

Can’t be impartial about this! I totally get why this wouldn’t work for someone. It’s too twee, too intentionally precious….but it’s also heartbreakingly sincere and at times so, so sad. It hits like a ton of bricks. The themes, both musically and lyrically. developed throughout the album, are astonishing. Also, this is simply an album that has been there for me through difficult parts of my life! It’s hard to be impartial there. I remember my first trip after COVID lockdowns was to visit my friend in Chicago and as I drove into the city for the first time I played “Chicago” from this album and as “All Things Go” pounded through my head I just wept! Music, man!!!!

a classic, listened on repeat

Hmm, guess Trump is doing The Black Hawk War. I do have to say I like the long-form titles. And the music has an expansiveness that is consonant with the titles. Not gimmicky. Nothing gimmicky here. I guess you would call it folk. Brainiac folk? Nerd folk? It makes me think and I like it.

I'm going to guess that Sufjan is a fan of Kate Bush — the sprawling, layered production approach and oddball sense of songwriting seem reminiscent of her musical approach. I can't say I fell in love with the material, but I liked it well enough, it was interesting and there's a dedication to the recording details that were impressive and indicated a musical sophistication I appreciated. I've heard other music of Stevens' that didn't resonate with me, this hit closer to home. I don't know that I enjoyed it at a 4, but the album is pretty damn good and with continued listens, I may fall deeper under its spell.

A few stone-cold classics on here but overall, this is a little too emo for my tastes.

I knew the hubbub around Sufjan before I ever heard a song of his. And then I listened to this album. An amazing work and he's well worth a lot of hubbub.

potent

It was a very pleasant sounding album. I don't think I understand the proper meaning of texts yet, as English is not my first language, but the amount I do I find very interesting. Totally goes to my top 3.

No me gusto :(

This one was a long time coming. I’ve always been an outspoken hater of this album for the simple reason that I thought it was pretentious and annoying. I still stand by the fact that it is pretentious (and those damn woodwinds could quiet down a little!), but I was wrong in my hatred. By the time I listened to this album today, it had been over a year since I’d last heard it in full. My tastes have definitely changed, and I was surprised that I enjoyed this as much as I did. It’s hard to describe the feeling that this albums brings upon me. It’s like when you’ve finally accepted a loss, and your immeasurable sadness leaves you (who’s the pretentious one now, Mr. Stevens?). My only problems with this album would have to be the pretentious, half-baked nonsense song titles and interludes, and the aforementioned oppressively present woodwinds. Overall, a beautiful experience that is difficult to truly put into words. Those damn woodwinds could really shut the hell up, though. (8/10) Favorite tracks: Jacksonville, Chicago

Some good stuff on here but I just hate the twee vibe

Felt much longer than 1h13m. Would've given it 3* if it was shorter.

An album that simply doesn't need to exist. Never needs replayed. Deserves to fade to nothing. It doesn't feel like anything new or interesting, and it's far too long too. Would have been twice as good at half its length.

I’m all over the place on this one. If I were born ten years later, I could see myself thinking that this is genius and have listened the shit out of this album when I was in college. There are parts that are interesting and build well that I can still appreciate now. But the whole thing is just so twee. The song titles are pretentious. Some of the songs sound like they are being played on toy store instruments. It just puts me off the whole endeavor.

I’m running out of ways to say “I hate this album”

Ok. Liked a few songs. Didn’t finish

Give me Concerning, The Black Hawk, Come On, Jacksonville and Chicago and you have a 5 star set of songs and musical ideas which are right up my alley. Give me an hour more of meanderment and I'm less impressed. Some amazing songs with an unmatched vibe here (I'm not buying the tepid Christian rock/indie narrative), just a poorly curated product with a questionable attachment to the theme, and an identifiable degree of pretension that prevents this being higher than a 3.

Hey this isn't a noise albun! But nonetheless, never heard of, and liked.

I’d only heard Carrie and Lowell and some other tracks before, but nothing from this one. This was great. John Wayne Gacy Jr is one of the most unsettling songs I’ve heard.

If brunch was an album. It's pleasant, easy listening, but it never reaches great heights or gives you much. I liked it as background music but I wouldn't put it on to listen to.

It's an album i already came across some time ago. I only listened to a few songs but I was pleasantly suprised to discover some other new gems

It was unusual, not quite like what I always listen to. I especially liked Come on feel the Illinois, p. 1. In general, I liked it, but I wouldn't listen to it all the time, since I'm not an amateur.

Based on the name of the album, I hoped it would be better. It was OK.

Sufjan is absolutely not for every one but I kinda like him and that's ok.

Listen to it on Friday and can’t remember anything about. It didn’t stick with me.

Kinda cool. Totally different. I expected corny but it was good although rock

His voice is so calming, but I don’t like this album much compared to some of his other albums. Very unique music, every song is different from the last. This is a very long album! Fav song is ‘Jacksonville’.

This one is a classic

I absolutely hated this album when it first came out. Couldn't stand it. Just annoyed the hell out of me and I bounced right off. Coming back to it years later, I'll admit, it's grown on me somewhat. There are a bunch of songs that still annoy me to listen to, sounding twee Charlie Brown's Christmas outtakes, but there are a number I quite liked. "Jacksonville" admittedly is a real banger. I also liked "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for your Step-Mother!" and "Casimir Pulaski Day". Pretty decent, I'll say, but an uneven listen for sure.

I don't love this. It's too gentle and dramatic. Cool melodies and instrumentation though. I think his voice just doesn't do it for me. Too whispery.

I've listened this before, but I'm still delighted on a relisten by the level of emotional storytelling achieved by this Broadway-esque album. Palisades is still one of the most affecting songs I have saved. The long track names are very charming. The interludes are sometimes the best part, as with "To the Workers..."

The Song Names Say More Than The Music Ever Could, Or Why I Think This Album Proves Too Full Of Itself For Its Own Good, Or Just Go Read The Track Listings Instead Of Listening To This Diarrhea-tribe

Not really feeling it

favs: they are night zombies!! they are neighbors!! they have come back from the dead!! ahhhh!, the predatory wasp of the palisades is out to get us!

220123 19:55 4

Schmatlzy, definitely the Sufjan Stevens sound we've come to know and love. I think he's too much of a good thing for me at this point but boy does Chicago rock.

Like the greatest school orchestra you ever heard Shakespeare gets the back to the future treatment Fabulous and out there Lo fi beach boys meets David lynch I think this one will grow on me

Just weird enough to be into it. Perfect mix of folk and electronic to keep me interested.

It's a great album which needs time to unfold properly. The sort of album you can really dig into and do some research on. I still think there's much more to be had from this album for me and one that I will come back to in the future.

the most twee thing i've ever heard but i didn't haaate it it's not interesting or varied enough to get away with being this long tho

Met 73 minuten is het een iets te uitgebreid album, waarbij niet alles helemaal raak is voor mij. Ik vind vooral de rustigere nummers fijn om te luisteren. Goede productie, een prima zangstem, fijne arrangementen. Bij de wat drukkere nummers worden er soms iets teveel instrumenten bij gepakt wat mij betreft. Ik ben eigenlijk ook wel benieuwd naar het verhaal wat het album te vertellen heeft, maar ik heb niet helemaal de tijd om daar voor te gaan zitten. Typische 3,5. Ik kan er niet geen 4 voor geven want ik vind het toch wel echt een lang album.

Fun album

An interesting and nice album to listen to. A solid 3 stars.

Despite some slight bloat, it’s basically a perfect album.

I don’t know what to say about this album. It left me perplexed. I’ll give it 2.

Classic

Kr nice, chill like that

Makes the Coldplay and Travis albums seem exciting! Seems to be a favourite of the hipsters!! Gave it an hour and found no redeeming features. Bored stiff!!

La música alcanzó su cima

I have loved this album for a long time. I was very happy to see this come up on the list. I could listen to this album on repeat, and every time I listen to it I hear more detail and beauty and it gets better.

Unexpected

If Badly Drawn Boy had soundtracked Charlie Brown/Peanuts. Quirky, and atmospheric. But I enjoyed.

I can totally see why some people will love this but for me it dragged in a lot of places, I'm not into that sound, and maybe only one completely solid track in Jacksonville

Why did I like this? It was weird but also cool?

4.5 aa bit long

An album that urges you to hold entire emotional universes for every little destination, monument, plaque, resting place and person you come across as you make your way through the world

An all time favourite. Think I was too young to fully appreciate this when it first came out, but over the years it has confirmed its place in my top albums. Pathos and vulnerability in the songwriting, contrasting to the upbeat music.

This is an odd one. I hadn't heard of this guy before and I don't particularly like it but I'm very happy to have heard it and I think it's a magnificent and original album deserving of a five.

Nice music to fall asleep to.

Sufjan Stevens: *plucks a single banjo string* Me: Bursts into tears.

So many ppl I know love this album, but never really been one I listen to. It is good though, John Wayne Gacy Jr truly 10/10 song blimmin eck.

While very much of its time and sounding perhaps a bit dated, I find it absolutely incredible. I'm amazed how something, at face value, can be this simplistic, light, and airy, but at the same time hide some real complexity and richness. How does something so deep feel so easy? Plus it's got great art.

If Wes Anderson were a sound

too instrumental idk

Amazing stuff! So well recorded with great instrumentation

Too long of an album. It was not bad, but nothing I would listen to again.

As someone from illinois, the lyrics were so cheesy. Just not good at all. But the instrumentals were great. Not something I'll listen to again. But I'd compare him to current day Noah Kahan which isn't my thing either

i enjoyed this concept (?) album. i'm familiar with few of his songs but never paid attention to his lyricism nor life before this album. i'd definitely have a more positive reaction to listening to his music now

Ma suhtusin sellesse albumisse alguses skeptilisusega, sest temas ei pasitnud olevat midagi erilist ja tead ei olnud ka. Siiski kuulasin ma albumi läbi ja isegi ei pannud õppimise kõrvalt tähele, kui laulud juba spotify poolt edasi genereeritud olid. Jah ta ei hakkanud kõrva, aga tegu oli meeldiva taustamüraga. Mulle meeldis kohati, kuidas oli kasutatud erinevaid helisid, mis erinesid laulust laulu ja ma usun, et kui oleksin võtnud aega süveneda lüürikasse oleksin leidnud, et see on ka osa sellest, miks too album on nende 1001 seas, mis siin veebileheküljel on. Ta on nagu mõni kursakas. Nüansirikas nagu kõik inimesed tegelikult on, ent elu veereb nii kiiresti, et ma ei süvnene ja pinnapealselt ta ei paelu mind.

This album was an interesting listen. As someone from Illinois, born and raised, and still living here, it was interesting to see the take on a slice of Illinois history. This album, overall, was different for me. It was outside my wheelhouse, but I don't think it was for the better or the worse. I like the different elements of his music here. Some were more indie/folk, other numbers featured instrumentation such as brass and matched the eras of past events, which I appreciated. Overall, it was a fun trip. I liked the variety for not knowing what to really expect (I've heard of Sufjan Stevens, but hadn't explored his work).

Not hugeee on his voice but amazing musically like i was entertained but didn’t add anything to my playlists bc it’s just not my thing

i remember listening to javelin when it first dropped and not getting the sufjan hype. after listening to this i understand. what an impressive body of work, super long and extensive but consistently excellent. loved it

This is another one of those that I didn't like as a kid, but am really taken with as an adult. Super happy I got a chance to relisten, I've been avoiding the album for years. Alas, I am still a fan of overplayed Chicago (the one track I liked as a youth, no surprise there), but here are a few of my new favorites: Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Ill. ; The Black Hawk War... ; To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region... ; Prairie Fire that Wanders About (hugeeee new favorite!!) ; Predatory Wasp... ; Night Zombies/Neighbors... ; Tallest Man, Broadest Shoulders ; Out of Egypt... Overall, a great album. So fun and easy to listen to. Can't wait to listen to it more often.

Make some Illinoise

Ngl I thought he was a new singer

I've listened to a bit of Sufjan Stevens and found it enjoyable. Immediately notice an album that is 1 hour and 14 minutes long and I wonder if it's going to pay off. While I wouldn't say it benefited from the length, I don't think it overly suffered for it either. Even with Sufjan's multi-instrumental talent a lot of the tracks do come across as samey. That said it is the kind of same that I enjoy so for me that's less of an issue. Casimir Pulaski Day remains my favorite track on the album, but I'd give this more rotations.

A gently meandering concept album about… god and Illinois ? It’s not unpleasant but it’s quite long

Not sure what all the buzz about this album was all about. Didn’t do much for me.

i like this

Despite the album branding the album is quite relaxed in its sound

solid 4.0. Tem uma produção muito boa, mas acho que dura um pouquinho mais que o necessário. É um pouco difícil de consumir por ter um conceito bem específico.

Too folky and care free sounding for my liking.

The album was definitely too long but I enjoyed a large portion of it. Very chill folky kind of music. The first song in the second part stood above the others for me personally.

I love this album. I've heard it before, but this one is even better than I remembered. Sufjan has a way of expressing great emotion, particularly melancholy and sadness, in his music better than most. Both Chicago and Casmir Pulaski Day are stand outs in an already excellent album, where he weaves between traditional folk sounds, instrumental variations including strings, horns, and percussion, and more upbeat and pop indie style songs. Very powerful album, and likely to be one of my favorites on this list.

A nice album with fun and unique orchestration. I can't say that the album deserves to be as long as the titles of its individual songs, but it has a lot to offer. Each instrument seems to be playing something complex and technical but all come together to produce songs that don't rely on any single instrument, and each has its chance to shine throughout. I would listen to this again to gain a greater appreciation for it.

An album you could listen sitting under a tree or open fields with pleasant breeze with the blue sky absolutely beautiful 3 songs were different but good

2026.06.01.

Just an extraordinary album, so sonically interesting, mixing joy, vulnerability, confessional narrative, poetry. I was 40 when I heard this and a serious musicologist….still, it changed the way I think about and listen to music.

One of the easiest 5s ever. such an ambitious project, stuffed with a kaleidoscope of references to a state I may never visit, and with such a variety of great songs with fantastic songwriting. He played like 20 different instruments on this which is just mad Casimir Pulaski Day might be my favourite “sad song”, and very funny to think he didn’t come out until like 2023 when you read the lyrics to “Primordial Beast Of The Palisades” Very bold to have a song relating yourself to a pedophilic serial killer and have it not come off in the absolute worst way possible I always run out of steam a bit towards the end, first half is definitely stronger, but it’s all great still

The only valid complaint I will listen to about this album is the daft long song titles 5

Although I know a few songs from this very well and I’m aware of the concept, I never listened to the whole thing. What a beautifully conceptualized love letter to a complicated city.

lowk didnt listen to all of it but it was chill just too quiet for me

A bit twee

When to listen: thunder stormy day in. Reminds me of college. Had only heard a few songs but the whole album is excellent.

Would I listen again: yes Something about the flutes and his voice is just magical. Also really really great songwriting. I love it!!!

Vibes with this well, but don't think anything really stood out. Definitely an album you have to listen to in one sitting.

Pleasant album but in not sure I’ll go back to it

A three-star album with some five-star tracks (Chicago, Jacksonville). Long, drawn out, boring at times but very creative. Also nostalgic for this millennial here

Este álbum tiene una de las canciones con los nombres más largos que he visto, que locura Sufjan recurre a la orquestación en seguimiento a un álbum de estética similar, y además de ellos con temática enfocada en una sola ciudad en este caso Illinois Es interesante ver qué tanto se le puede sacar a una ciudad en el contexto de volverlo canción Elementos musicales super interesantes, al parecer el compás que utiliza es sumamente complejo pero calza muy bien con las interpretaciones que hace La canción con el nombre más largo es de hecho mu favorita del álbum Para ser un álbum de 1 hora con 22 minutos, no estuvo cansado de digerir, reescuchable y admirable el talento de Sufjan No sé si estará en esta lista Carrie and Lowell pero ese álbum tiene un lugar guardado en mi 3.9

Good instrumentals but a little slow for me, unique sound though!

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Intense and incredible journey through cities and movements. Impressive to hear a Broadway show kind of feel while keeping the indie songwriter appeal on many songs

Brilliant album

Oh yes good one

not my vibe but it is a good album as a whole

Yllättävän bängeri taustamusa

John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

I'll revisit this album to hear more of the Illinois stories

early 2000s' softboi bullshit / 5

holy shit, esta es una masterpiece. guardé demasiadas canciones. la voz de sufjan siempre es muy soothing :’)

musical heavy

tops song: john wayne gacy, jr chicago casimir pulaski day they are night zombies! the tallest man, the broadest shoulders

I remember when this came out and I didn't like it then so I ignored it. Point of order: I don't really care for baroque pop. Too many notes, as the saying goes. This coming up gives me a chance to listen with fresh ears and guess what, I still don't like it. It's a buffet of the mid 2000s sound and it's pretty technically accomplished, which is probably why it was so well received. BUT! of course the but! It grates on me. First, it's self-consciously twee and wimpy, shit I just hate. I'm reminded of Orson Welles' quote about Woody Allen being arrogant because of his timidity. "He hates himself, he loves himself, a very tense situation." Describes a lot of this album. Part of this reveals itself in the lyrics and breathless delivery, but also in the songs that are supposed to sound kinda ramshackle (Decatur, Casimir Pulaski day) that ring so incredibly hollow given how tight the rest of this stuff is. Pisses me off in its groveling at the alter of authentic emotional exposure while being so inauthentic So I'm not the target audience, though I can respect the musicianship. But then there's the music - it doesn't go anywhere! It's a shaggy dog story! The song titles are long, the album is long, the motifs are long and it always just peters out. Fuck me, it gets stale. I hear a lot of stuff from the 2000s, but in incomplete phrases and it just makes me want to listen to something else. How can something so competent miss the mark? I dunno, seems to hit it for other people. For me? What a drag. This isn't as bad as the 2 I'm giving it (again, musically, it's on solid ground), but it's so incredibly not for me that I can't give it the coward's 3.

I used to like this album quite a lot, but listening to it again it feels a little meandering and low energy. The lyrics are still the highlight for me, but the whispery vocals don’t convey much emotion.

Truly awful. Is it 22 individual, unique tracks or just the same godawful track repeated 22 times?

Rarely has an album grown on me to quite the extent that this one did, where it started as a 2, and ended up almost being a 4 by the end of the day. This album was a whole ass great vibe. The singer has a very simple but effective singing voice that for sure I had to get used to, but by the end of the day I was singing along to a good bit of the album. Having 22 songs and being an hour and 13 minutes is pretty rough though. I’m only going to remember like 3 of these songs, and some of them are pretty hard to get through in general. That being said, having this play on loop when I was working got me into a flow state so effectively that I almost want to give this a 4 and make it part of my official working music. I won’t do that, because there’s a lot about it that’s not great, but what is great is really really good and stands out. It was actually a surprisingly difficult toss up between 2 songs for my favorite on this album. I added 3 of them to my usual rotation, which I wasn’t expecting to do at all during my first listen, but that’s exactly why I always listen to the complete albums several times in general, it frequently helps me appreciate them more. Works about 90% of the time as well. Honorable mention goes to “Chicago”, which I unbelievably recognized from an old abridged series on YouTube called None Piece. I was seriously not expecting to have heard of any of these songs before, but that one specifically has been used in a few shows and movies I’ve seen as well as the YouTube vid, and most importantly it’s just really peaceful and good. Second place song goes to "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!". It does an effective job in being a bit creepy and ambient, but also has a sick beat, and the singing is extra on point. It’s just a phenomenal song with cool violin riffs and background vocals interspersed throughout. Was tough not putting it at number 1, because even when I was working, I always got excited when it would play again. First place, and it was really really close, goes to “Jacksonville”. I hardly ever give a song the gold metal for being beautiful, but this one actually got me. The trumpet chorus is catchy as hell, the singing is pretty, and the entire song in general is a fun time. It’s been stuck in my head all day. What’s funny about my favorites selection this time is that 2/3 of them are some of the shortest song names on the album. It’s such an oddball choice having song names this long. I don’t know if he’s just trying to be quirky and interesting, artsy, or what, but it’s rather annoying. This album surprised me a lot. I would return to this one, and I actually just might. Never heard of Sufjan Stevens before, but this is a good first impression. Album 300 tomorrow. I’m moving through them, but still have such a long way to go. Still though, 300 reviews is pretty good. Many more to come.

Top 10 ever

very sufjan stevens. cool flute. album cover is sick asf. i love the goat on the cover.

I don't know why this album is even on this list. It's an insult to all elevators. I'm only giving it to sorry because they know how to play their instruments at least.

Ugh, this is just annoying. Didn’t finish.

Loved this one for a long time. Real tender and gentle. Real dynamic and urgent. All over the place in a good way. Giving it a 4 because I'm an asshole.

Reminds me of beirut and cake, put me on a pavement flex

Sufjan only having one album on this list is how I knew this list sucks.

Very belle and Sebastian- not my thing

No sabía que lo conocía pero sí, algunas canciones ya las había escuchado antes

Big Sufjan Stevens fan. Not my favorite of his albums but still think this is very very good!

9/10- Boy did I waffle here. I can see this as a 4 or 5. For me it’s squarely a 4.5 because of the number of short instrumentals and interludes. I find the songs serious and powerful but the song names are so goofy. It’s a fun juxtaposition. I imagine this isn’t our only Sufjan album on the list.

The orchestration is beautiful throughout, the songs are catchy, and the songwriting is amazing. The real knock of this album is the track titles. How am I supposed to look someone in the eyes and tell them I've really been into this song called "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!"? 10/10

Excellent!!!

1,5

Haven't listened to this all the way through since around when it first came out. Still ended up finding it whimsical and really enjoyable overall.

A better idea than a realized album. The songs are awfully . . . twee, and the instrumentals are uninteresting. Far too long: a good editor might’ve shaved 20 minutes off. But there are enough pleasant moments to keep the listener going.

big fan of this

Endless.

Really enjoyable. Relatively familiar with Sulfjan Stevens but mainly from his CMBYN work. This is much more fun, with an array of musical styles which demonstrate his excellent talent. Fun songs, serious songs, it's really got it all. At a 4 because it's just quite long and could probably lose a couple of songs. Equally, it's one I might revise up to a 5 after further listens.

One of the most interesting listens and concept album experiences I've had.

So boring

He has a pleasant voice, and the instrumentation sounds carefully arranged. I have not heard his other stuff, but to me this one lacks hooks or it’s too difficult to distinguish one from song from the next. It just didn’t grab me. However, I feel like there’s more there and I need to spend more time with it and the lyrics and themes etc. I did hear too much religious preachiness, which knocks it down a star for me.

Can’t get into this album

Im not sure if this is racist or not. I was a fond Cat Stevens enjoyer, and when he chose to go by Yusuf I greeted the news with indifference. Then awhile later when I started seeing albums by Sufjan Stevens I immediately thought it was the exact same guy because the names were equally meaningless to me. Oh weird, Cat Stevens is making albums about American cities? Oh weird, Cat Stevens’ dad was named Lowell? Oh weird, Carrie Lowell was an actor in Licence to Kill? I was disabused of that false belief 5 days ago with my official introduction to this fine, but non-life-changing, album. Still, in my defense, Sufjan Stevens isn’t completely NOT Cat Stevens.

His voice sounds like he’s about to be Me Too’ed

I really enjoyed this. I've listened to a lot of concept albums but not too many themed albums. I loved all of the actual Illinois references. I've driven through Illinois more times in my life than I would have liked to and this album would have made some of those times a but better.

Soft rock - enjoyable

Very light, soft alt-rock focused on Illinois

Very unique album - In my honest opinion, this is a very fun and new sounding album to me however it felt a tad dragged out with a total of 20+ tracks which could be overwhelming to new listeners Best song - Casmir Pulaski day or John Wayne Gacy, Jr

See album annab sellist vaibi, et ta hakkab kohe nutma, kui ma midagi halvasti ütlen nii et ma armastasin seda.

Tengo emociones encontradas. Por un lado, me parece conceptualmente muy rico el album aqui presentado, es indudable la calidad que nos trae a la mesa, con canciones interesantes por momentos, arranca con una especie de soft pop, y pasa por temas puramente ambientales, por momentos mas movidos con baterias mas machacadas, o por canciones que nos recuerdan a la navidad o fechas festivas del estilo. Tiene inteludios de 20 segundos, y canciones de 7 minutos, es toda una experiencia. Pero, aqui viene el pero, es aburrido. Tiene varios momentos en los que desearia saltear canciones que son interminables. De hecho con el track numero 15 me tuve que contener 3 veces de no saltearlo. Seria un 2.5 de 5 para mi, pero le voy a poner 3 por que me gustó que sea conceptual, me gusta el arte de la portada y sin duda alguna es musica de calidad.

Casimir Pulaski Day Is saddest song ever

Never heard of this dude but really liked it. Easy to listen to and mellow with good composition of songs. Would listen again.

Surprising pleasant.

Really beautiful to listen to, would definitely listen again! maybe not quite a 5, but for an album on this list I haven't heard to before, it deserves it

Gorgeous album, it’s a bit bloated otherwise it would have been 5 stars

No bad songs, and some of my favourite songs of all time are on this album

Illannoying

Um. Really? Who thought it a good idea to put this on the list? I gotta listen to this before I die?

3+

It was truly beautiful but not for me

Songs were chill and pretty good but nothing I would crave for.

1.3/5 Chicago is a great song but other than that, It's a slow boring overhyped album. I was excited to listen to this as I heard that Sufjan was highly touted, but I don't get the appeal of this album.

Feels like a musical at first Back half of the album, most tunes mesh into one

I found it very cool, last tracks are awesome man. Great album

Do midwesterners get special ownership of Sufjan Stevens? Something about being from the great white north somehow speaks to what’s special in this music for me. Part musical/lyrical genius, part 5th grade band concert. I love this artist through and through. Excellent album.

Nice background album . Halfway through I realised I hadn't heard it before but it just sounded like a mix of Simon and Garfunkel and Belle and Sebastian. Interesting to listen to , didn't skip any tracks but wouldn't necessarily choose to play it again . Top end of 3 but not quite enough for a 4 .

Very nice, sounds like Belle and Sebastian which is a good thing. Definitely will be listening again.

I didn't really like the beginning of this album and wasn't understanding the vibe but as I went down the track list I started to feel some type of way and quickly submerged myself in the concept. I really like the album art too. I'm unsure whether I'll give this another listen in full but there are songs on here that I will listen to again one day in my liked songs I'm sure

At first i was sceptical because i don’t really like slow ballad-like music but it was so good. Turned bus ride home magical

Me gustó bastante, muy buen disco

un álbum con una vibra increíble pero muy largo y a veces monotono

Very cool album. Definitely has that mid-naughts indie vibe. I generally don’t like instrumentals mixed in and it’s too many tracks but I liked it a lot. Edit: 100-album calibration - changing from a 4 to a 5 since I keep going back to this!

Emblematic and inescapable album of the 00's indie scene. Loved it then, love it now.

Blev väldigt mätt efter detta album. Jättebra men inget som jag skulle lyssna på ofta

A complete and total wonder from Sufjan. Arguably his finest work and the achingly beautiful Casimir Pulaski Day.......whew... perfection.

This album has some of the most beautiful arrangements and orchestration. The mix on this, as well, always feels so full with the vocals feeling perfectly balanced within the complex background. The vocals themselves are emotional and angelic and everything good that human voice can do. I love this album.

10/10, would not reccomend. Cried for last 5 songs. Or maybe it's just the weather. Really put me into thinking mode, even though it was not because of the lyrics I still think it has sort of upbeat-ish sadness. Overall a great work of art

Pleasant if not entirely my thing. 3.4/5.

GENRE: indie, alternatif, un peu pop chansons coups de coeur: side notes: sonne un peu comme de la musique de film belle diversité d'instrumentation et expérimentation musical toutefois les pièces se ressemblent toute un peu Un peu long comme album (1h 14) à mon goût

This took me by surprise. I assumed this would be an early 2000s pop adjacent album. Instead, it's an experimental concept album with a quite a lot of depth. The orchestration alone makes this a stand out. I wonder if the stories attached to the concept hold up as well. Chicago

I don’t think this could get any more pretentious.

There’s a documentary I remember watching when I was younger about this woman who gets lost on a snowy mountain and has to survive for weeks on end by eating ice and foraging what she can from the surrounding area (which was basically just more ice), she finally gets saved by a trucker who happens to be passing by and because she looks so visibly malnourished he gives her an old orange he was going to have for his lunch and to her it tastes like the best thing she’s ever eaten because for the last week she’s basically eaten nothing that’s actual food. Anyway since the last album I got was a solo Morrissey album listening to Illinois by Sufjan Stevens was a real treat!

album #47 a beautifully constructed album filled with elegance and whimsical grandiosity! i can understand how this album may feel boring and/or hard to get into, but i personally love a lot of it! the brass sections, harmonies, and the swelling of instrumentals throughout (i'm looking at you Predatory Wasp of the Palisades) :) this album had a huge influence on the folk scene, especially in queer communities! it's not 5 stars for me, but incredible nevertheless. my critiques mostly centre on the length and/or some of the songs being too similar. ꩜ average track rating: 3.3/5 ꩜ favourite track(s): predatory wasp of the palisades, decatur, john wayne gacy jr. ꩜ least favourite track(s): night zombies ꩜ album rating: ★★★★☆ ꩜ number of albums left to review: 1,042 ꩜ number of albums from the list that i agree with being on the list: 28 (+1 Illinois) ꩜ albums from the list that I would consider on my list: 11 (+1 Illinois) ꩜ albums from the list I won't include on my list: 36

It was alright, unfortunetly didnt have time to finish but i got about halfway through, not really my genre of music but i did enjoy one or two of the songs i heard. Idk if id go back to listen to it again.

Lo había escuchado antes, pero repetir una escucha así del tirón siempre viene bien. Me guardo: "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!", "Chicago", "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts", "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!" y "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders". Un gran disco.

I have a memory of walking home from a house party at 3am while listening to this album on my iPod. It had just started to snow and the streets were empty and quiet. I remember watching the snowflakes illuminated by the streetlights and feeling like my head was absolutely full of this beautiful, sad music. I instantly fell in love with Sufjan’s calm, gentle singing overtop of the most maximalist music I think I had heard at the time. Horns and choirs, vibraphones and organs, banjos and flutes. It had everything and still manages to sound personal and intimate. I played it a lot that winter and pretty steadily over the years. Definitely one of my favourite records.

интересный, нежный до неловкости. контрастный.

- Symphonic - Dare I say, prog folk - woodwinds, let’s goooo - really like the vibe of john Wayne Gacy Jr. Great atmosphere - I think the orchestral work in this album is my favorite part - Sorta show tuney - I also quite enjoy the calmer acoustic songs on this album like Casimir Pulaski Day (I think this one’s my favorite)

What a vibe

Made it half way through not bad just music made for musicians.

Reddit-core, but the good kind. I was not expecting this to be so quirky and Wes Anderson lite, but I guess I can't deny that I didn't really enjoy some parts.

I would be pissed if I lived in Illinois and this is the album we got as the homage to our state.

An interesting collection of songs. The songs are simplistic and at times the lyrics seemed to be whatever the vocalist was seeing at the time of singing with no eloquence or elaboration, just repetition. …and the song titles would support that theory. The arrangements included a number of different instruments (trumpet, banjo, violin, etc..) and I was impressed with that, but overall this was a sub par listen.

The first Sufjan Stevens song I ever heard was Casimir Pulaski Day and it is still one of the sadest, strangest songs I know. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time looking through the Sufjan catalogue because I think he writes engaging lyrics, although I can never rectify the musical side of his work. I appreciate him most when there is a simpler musical presence, which he does better on other albums (like Seven Swans) but, here, everything ends up sounding like an open mic night at Musical Theater Bible Camp. It’s too bad, because I really like his imagery but I can’t make it through most of his “unique” musical arrangements.

I don't have the words to properly express the irrational hatred I have for this.

Like a demented musical. Not bad, per se, just WTF. 2005 wasn't bad, but I feel bad that this was one of the most highly acclaimed albums of the year. The fact that the first song to make my ears perk up musically was called John Wayne Gacy, Jr., named after an infamous rapist, and serial killer slash torturer. So screw this album and screw Sufjan Stevens for putting his name on the title of the song and throwing the spotlight on his bloody deeds.

Jeg har lyttet til noget Sufjan Stevens men mest hits, og det er som om det altid er klynkerne/følerne, der bliver hits. Lidt rart, med et afbræk fra det med ham. Han har en farlig stemme man kan blive træt af i længden, den er næsten 'for blød', så den rammer en eller anden centralnerve. Men når der kommer lidt kor på osv. så spiller det. Der er meget 'novelty' i hans lyd, så kan godt forstå et album som dette fortjener et lyt. Det står ud fra mængden på den måde. Jeg kan meget godt lide det. Han er godt nok vild med strygerne og hornene, men heldigvis ikke på sådan en måde, hvor de overtager det hele. Han er god til kompositionerne, hvor de bakker ham op til sangenes klimax. Det gør det meget lytbart, meeeen også lidt kedeligt og forudsigeligt i længden. Chicago slapper, føler en pæn 3'er

Et for langt album, men der er dog gode ting imellem. Det er grænsende til det overdrevede indie. Highlights: * Jacksonville - lækker lyd * The Predatory Wasp ... - igen, lyder bedre end hvad lyrikken egentlig kan bære i min optik * They Are Night Zombies!! ... Det er den typiske situation: indie kan noget, især instrumentelt, men jeg synes teksterne tit bliver så weird Fint album 3.7

No. 399/1001 Concerning the UFO sighting & The Black Hawk 5/5 Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part I 5/5 Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part II 5/5 John Wayne Gacy, Jr. 5/5 Jacksonville 5/5 Decatur 5/5 Chicago 5/5 (2x) Casimir Pulaski Day & To the Workers 5/5 (2x) The Man of Metropolis 5/5 (2x) Prairie Fire 4/5 The Predatory Wasp 5/5 They Are Night Zombies 5/5 The Seer's Tower 4/5 The Tallest Man 5/5 (2x) Out of Egypt 3/5 Average: 4,79 Infinitely inventive. Whymsical. Just a plain incredible record. This is now my best rated album, taking over from Who's Next - The Who (4,67)

One of the most beautifully arranged albums of all time. Absolute masterclass in instrumentation. Just so vast and maximalist, but without sounding corny or forced at all. The sounds are constantly evolving with new layers of instruments and amazing progressions. Whether it's the warmer, lush moments like Come On! Feel the Illnoise or something more stripped back like Decatur. Then there is the concept of growing up in Illinois. The album is like a collection of adventures, memories, stories from Sufjan's childhood. The storytelling on songs like John Wayne Gacy Jr or Jacksonville is really amazing. It's very entertaining with a lot of details, he puts the words together so nicely and creates his own world. And the album is so consistent throughout the whole runtime. The song Chicago is just total perfection, some of the best vocal harmonies and string sections I've ever heard. So magical. Predatory Wasp has one of the coolest climaxes ever, the buildup is incredible. I could go on and on, I love this album so much and could never say enough nice things about it.

Not a huge Sufjan Stevens fan but I do really love this record. I think his lyrics are super amazing and he is a great songwriter. This is a very good record. I love the song Chicago.

very nice and sweet melodic but also loud, lot of instruments, some are very emotional? film music

This album has an amazing vibe

That "Chicago" song is pretty neat, and has a special place for me. Last year I did a 350mi bike ride across Illinois to Chicago, and after I finished my brother sent me a Chicago themed playlist for my train ride home, and that song was on it. Otherwise, meh.

The album it is consistent and listenable as a whole which I appreciate. No tracks stood out in particular but all have nice melodies and vibe.

Total masterpiece in every sense

Parece el soundtrack de una película. Está bueno, pero no hay nada especial. Tiene relleno con pistas sin letras.

I like his other songs and albums more

This album is like being stuck in a hedge maze at an eccentric billionaires house. The hedges are perfectly manicured, and rare exotic flowers are weaved through every wall. But you know, you’re still stuck in a hedge maze.

Started off a bit weak and wasnt looking forward to it. Zoned out for a bit doing work and was hoping along, realised I was now enjoying it. Some good tales of the city and nice mix up of tunes

There is a lot going on here, and that is what makes it interesting. It moves between ideas, textures, and arrangements in a way that feels intentionally constructed, even when it risks becoming overloaded. Not every moment lands equally, but the ambition and the layering keep it engaging, especially when the compositions open up and breathe a bit.

pure magic and nostalgia

Cool, this album. I know Sufjan Stevens is a well-respected artist among the people who really know their music, with this widely being considered his best album. I also know that this album cover originally had Superman on it, who was evidently removed from later issues of the album. After looking it up, the original album cover was released without authorisation from DC and somehow made it through an entire record label without anyone raising an eyebrow. Seems like the legal department went out to lunch. I honestly don't know what they were thinking. The label either threw Superman in there with reckless abandon or they somehow walked into the biggest, most avoidable rake known to man. In any case, Superman is wasted on this album cover. It looks kind of ugly. Enough bloviating about shit which doesn't matter. I have no clue what genre of music Sufjan Stevens belongs to. I'd reflexively go with indie folk when taking into account the year of release and singer-songwriter status, but the artwork makes me think of something less pretentious and minimal. I'll hedge my bets on a mellow rock album with a prominent psychedelic influence and/or a heavy emphasis on digital effects. Here goes. Indie folk. I'm such a fucking idiot, DOOD. I was right on the money with my prediction, yet I changed it regardless. This was a vapid listen. Stevens is clearly the successor to Elliott Smith with his hushed vocal style and relaxed songwriting, which is a sound I'm immensely apathetic towards. Fortunately, this album is more than just a boring vocal performance, as the instrumentals have some life to them. The horns have an interesting sound when layered on top of another and played in that strained sound. The country banjos add a nice, if unremarkable finish to these songs and the acoustic guitars have an archetypical, if vacuous, folk sound. The other embellishments are fine, if unremarkable, though that's about where my praises for this album end. The music is competent and listenable on the whole, but man if it doesn't overstay its welcome. The sound and style of this album can adequately be described as nondescript, which makes me want to kick this album's teeth in when looking at how much time it demands of me. I'd gotten my fill from this music at around 20 minutes in, with the rest of this album being a complete haze. Overall, this album was a one trick pony and an incredibly dull listen. I don't need to check the book for this album. As I've mentioned in some of my other reviews, indie folk was a prominent genre in the mid-to-late 2000s, with it appearing to have had somewhat of an influence on early-2010s pop music. Given that this is likely the most prized album from this specific time/genre combination, I'm favourable to its inclusion. Sufjan Stevens could probably do with two list albums given his track record with the critics, now that I think of it. For the time being, however, I cosign this inclusion.

I have no idea what I'm listening to but it is extremely pretty. I feel like this is another of those albums I could spend a decade digesting. I can't see getting everything that's going one here in one (or even four) listens. The lyrics I've had the time to look through are incredibly dense (as in packed full of references and symbolism). Ok now I want to hear "Michigan".

haven’t heard this one all the way through in years. in hindsight it’s insane to think Sufjan could have made an album for all 50 states

Not my style

one of my favorite music mementos is the original CD i have of this, purchased before they were recalled for the DC-copyright violation of superman on the cover. but the capone caricature could stay. it's also a pretty great album, with some subtle weirdness, great use of the cure, and one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs i've ever heard in "john wayne gacy, jr."

Adding this to the favorites list

Listened to "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois" more than 20 times

I forgot but it was great.

Indie folk, chamber folk, indie rock.

he is god

That was interesting, I liked the state theme. My favorite track was "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!"

Fine for what it is... but what it is is same-y indie mope with a pretentious affect, didn't hate it as much as that sounds like, but I don't know when I'd choose it over something else

I didn’t like it at first, but it grew on me a lot. The songs are longer than I’d like, and some of them are really good and then within the same song kind of devolve into something I don’t like. But overall I quite liked it. I’ve heard the song Chicago in a few shows/movies, it gives me Peter Gabriel Down to Earth vibes

Fun but long

First time listening to this artist. Some tunes dreamy feeling. Great work/focus tunes.

great find from the list. concept album with feel good instrumentals and a folksy vibe. Favorite track: Casimir Pulaski Day other picks: Chicago, john wayne gacy jr, concerning ufo sighting

Good background music. Nothing too special, honestly. The most popular songs were better than the rest.

Been meaning to listen to Sufjan for a long time and it did not disappoint. Very unique style. Sometimes reminded me of "A Pillow of Winds" by Pink Floyd. I can easily see the hype around Sufjan and this album specifically, and how it influenced Indie music greatly.

What the hell. I didn’t like this. The murderer stuff is too much for me

I really hated this, one of those albums from this list that I’m wondering why my mood is actually getting worse and then I realise it’s the record. Just the most grating voice and pathetically simple pop structures with baroque window dressing that become so annoying. Went on forever as well.

Some very high highs but mostly middle of the road tracks for me. That could be said about a lot of albums with a few hit songs and then generic songs you forget and this album falls in to that category. Very middle of the road as a whole. The stand outs for me were the brass parts from various songs. The jazz feeling was a nice touch.

I really love this album. It’s so sweeping and big and also very sweet. Every time i listen to sufjan stevens i feel compelled to go and learn everything about him. A great monday public holiday album.

Okay so please be gentle with me but I’ve never listened to Sufjan Stevens before! I’ve just taken myself on a lovely hour and a half walk to try and give this album the focus it deserves. Some thoughts: - the opening run of tracks really sounds like my friends from the Penguin Cafe! - I’m obsessed with the track titles - listening to this album outside was the right choice - The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts is probably my fave - I can’t possibly rate this on one listen But I will and I’m giving it a 4. I know that with time and greater comprehension of the lyrics, and a chance to dive into the symbolism Illinois will be a 5-star but this is simply my truth.

Loved listening to this through for the first time. Incredible song names, Chicago is such a classic (a song I spent so long trying to identify without knowing any lyrics as a kid), those mournful and occasionally triumphant horns throughout are beautiful. It was a little bit too folky for me at times, and perhaps this is an album that would have rewarded me paying closer attention to the lyrics to work out what was actually going on, but still such a singular body of work.

He’s just such a good songwriter.

never heard any of this before. felt like music I would study to, or maybe as i’m doing a craft or something. I dig it

So far? Not really a fan. Nothing about it is capturing. There is a lot going on at a lot of points without great resolve. The vibe I'm getting? As Peter Griffin would say, it "insists upon itself" & I feel like the fan would be insufferable. I don't deny the talent of musicianship or composition, I just don't think this for me. I have a lot of tracks left, so we will see. Yeah, I don't know. Even the lyrics? Garbage. Maybe the hipsters would be correct that, I don't get it. I'm sorry I can't finish it.

This whole album plays like the imaginings of what an antique train ride would be to a child, a whirlwind of bells and whistles with buzz of populous sound through out. A stand out track to me was John Wayne Gacy,Jr , very unsettling and grief driven, that pushes you back into a weird sense of awkwardness.

its pretty cute, loved the concept and some songs, most of them were skips but yeah..

great album. top tier.

Un álbum muuuy de soundtrack, cada canción parece un episodio distinto. Lo conocía al loco por el de Call Me By Your Name. Es considerado uno de los álbumes indie más importantes de los 00s. Se llama así porque el loco quería hacer un álbum por cada estado de los EEUU. John Wayne Gacy Jr. fue mi fav, pero no creo que lo vuelva a escuchar al álbum.

(Album 3 of 1089) I've listened to Carrie and Lowell before, and I do think Illinois is superior - it's got more life and charm to it. Illinois was a pleasant listen but a bit forgettable. Highlights include 'Chicago' and 'Night Zombies'. It could grow on me, I think.

I know of artist but never truly listened to much of their stuff. Cool stuff. Actually thought he was a bit folky. Much better than I anticipated this to be.

Rating: 4.9/5 Short Review: Beautiful, expansive, and quietly overwhelming. It shifts from intimate to orchestral without losing its emotional core. Feels like memory, history, and personal feeling all layered together. Favorite Track: “Chicago.” That build feels like movement, release, and something almost hopeful without fully resolving.

wait i loved this

And so, with this, Jeff Buckley’s “Grace”, and Elliott Smith’s “Either/Or”, I have completed the “sad white boy with a guitar” holy trinity in no less than 5 days. Gotta say, while I did love all of them, I’d really like a break from these sorts of albums, at least for a week.

Exceptional. Loved listening to every minute of this album.

No bad songs, a delight to listen to individually or as full album. Gotta hand it to sufjan

Liked Chicago since it came out

Good music words not so good

Sorprendentemente me encantó. Tuve una experiencia religiosa JAJAJA. Fui a shangrila escuchando en plena tormenta 🔝. Después volví con llovizna, empezó a salir el sol y en el piso se reflejaba el cielo. Estuvo hermoso. Después apareció el atardecer y un arcoíris. Increíble

Transcendent, magnificent. A musical explosion to treat your ears to the vibes of the 2000 indie scene.

This is a very well executed album. The production is amazing, and I feel like I need to give it another listen to give it the time and day. His vocals and the length seem to be the drawbacks for me. Rating: 9/10 Favorite Song: Jacksonville

Weird that this one cropped up the day I am flying to Chicago, Illinois. It’s nicely crafted but a bit too musical theatre to me. It’s an academic type of concept album and I imagine the stories underlying the songs are interesting ones.

i was hoping this was gonna be a great album because i am a sucker for singer songwriters, but it just didn’t stand out as anything special at all :(

It's another one of those "out-there" concept albums, where the intersection between music and theatre collides in a way that often lends to long lyrics and (probably) questionable music choices. Make of that statement what you will, but I couldn't help but love this album; Stevens' voice is beautiful and accompanied by some truly emotional music playing across Piano and Guitar. I also applaud Stevens for writing about so many other things that aren't love and relationships; "John Wayne Gacy Jr." reminded me of Nirvana's "Polly" and the empathy and insight required to write both songs (though in the latter, empathy feels like a weird word to use). Going forward, any artist that has done the same will instantly get a boost in rating just for that; Adele took the biscuit on that one for my journey and ruined it for every other artist going forward. I had to listen to it in two sittings, as these kind of albums are a lot to chew in one go, especially if you aren't already familiar and fond of the artist. From the half way point, songs I enjoyed were: "Casimir Pulaski Day", "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts", "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!", "Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I shake the dirt from my sandals as I run". Overall, this was a fun listen. Stevens has a lovely voice and makes efforts to create an musical experience and not just music for the sake of itself. I can't see myself returning to it any time soon, for it was ever so slightly tiring, though this may lessen in time if my love for his music grows.

This is great music, there's something about it I really like. Very creative, yes it's also poppy but an elevated version of it. I feel like I need to listen to Sufjan Stevens more. It's a 4 for now, who knows I'll promote it to a 5.

'Oh, God of Progress / Have you degraded or forgot us? / Where have your laws gone? / I think about it now.' I was both really looking forward to this & wary going in, eager to finally listen to this celebrated songwriter but a bit on guard in re the potential for an pretentious & overdone project. It turns out I was right in both respects: Sufjan is indeed uber-talented, worthy of our adoration & the maker of music you'd genuinely want to listen to, but it kinda goes w/o saying that, yes, it's pretentious & overdone. What's rare is that a record this long grows on you, that you learn to tune out the concept for the sake of the beauty. In this regard, Sufjan is the Kanye West of this genre: overwrought, no doubt, but too smart & too good to ignore for long.

SIX stars 🌟! Love it