Illinois

4/5

amazing album. never heard anything like this.

Wasn’t bad I like the jazzy/folksy qualities. I enjoyed

This is not My type of music it’s good but not something I would play often.

I love this album, but I haven’t listened straight through in years. Should be fun. * Concerning the new years: such beautiful, simple piano and delicate vocals. * Black Hawk: choral opening is lovely with the tremolo oboes and leading into trumpet/drum march. Great buildup. * Come on: love the piano in the background. Such unique melodies and phrasing. Not even sure how to describe this singing. Is that electric harp???? Maybe just guitar. That last verse is so good. * John Wayne Gacy: haun ting and beautiful. “Oh my guuod…….” * Jacksonville: perhaps my fovorite song on the album. Banjo, the horns, the outro * Decatur: love the banjo and the melody * Chicago: ok, this probably tops Jacksonville. * Casimir Pulaski - personal note: my grandma lived on just off Pulaski street south of chicago. Love the simple guitar and melody. The soft banjo. Love the trumpet interlude. * Man of metropolis: love the rocking intro. Shows he is capable of hard rocking but chooses to be mostly delicate. Choral refrain with only trumpet. Great ending with squeaking electric guitars * Prairie fire: not sure if song or just one of the little transitions… * Predatory wasp: great melody, great song. French horn. Such a soundscape * Zombies: so different. Like the drumbeat start. The Illinois chanting throughout could easily have been more strings like cello. The layers at the end are just incredible. * Seers tower: piano intro is a mood. * Tallest man: another good piano riff intro; this one just ok * Out of Egypt: meh Such a beautiful and unique album. I didn’t mention lyrics much, but some of them are heartbreaking. The incredible layers and soundscapes and delicate moments are all great. Hoping for more sufjan on the list. I have only listened to a few other albums. Wish I had seen him live around this time.

Breathtaking.

Does not need to be this long but there’s some great music on here and some really okay ones too. John Wayne Gacy Jr is breathtaking. The song before it is one of those really well hidden 5/4s and it’s so nice when that happens. These are worse than panic at the disco song titles. It goes into a worse arcade fire/modest mouse mode for a while after that, like not bad but definitely a worse version of the mouse. Very talented song writer for sure, casimir is another one where I’m digging it. Idk this whole thing is very much i like this I think? But it’s not what I’m looking for ever and it’s so similar to a lot of music that I don’t like and then when it’s not it’s a worse version of music that I do like? Very hard to define this thing. Instead of rambling I’m just going to give it its light 4 and move on. Actually I don’t know this thing might be a masterpiece. I can’t tell. Bon Iver clears, mouse clears, but this is an achievement.

I didn’t realise this guy had been around that long. Track 3 - I can definitely hear S Club 7 Reach in there At other times, there’s a bit of Polyphonic Spree in there too. Enjoyed it more than I’d thought. 3.5 rounded down.

Do not like

One of the greatest contributions to the indie revival during the aughts.

My first 5-star rating. This album was my favourite album in the year it was released.

back of the net

It is nice to listen to, I love the jazzy instrumental and some of the songs are great, but as an album is slightly monotone and the songs are SO long, it made me want to not finish them. The album is a bit too long aswell. Still, I will listen more of Sufjan Steven because I liked his vibe. Ultimately the rating is 3 stars because it is wayyy too long without much change.

Concerning the UFO sighting near highland, Illinois 15/20 The Black Hawk War / instrumental/20 Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition – Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream) 8/20 John Wayne Gacy Jr.14/20 Jacksonville 10/20 A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Very Good Reasons /instrumental/20 Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother! 9/20 One Last "Whoo-Hoo!" for the Pullman transition/20 Chicago 10/20 Casimir Pulaski Day 12/20 To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament /instrumental/20 The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts 11/20 Prairie Fire That Wanders About 8/20 A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has an Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze instrumental/20 The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us! 12/20 They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh! 9/20 Let's Hear That String Part Again, Because I Don't Think They Heard It All the Way Out in Bushnell instrumental/20 In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth instrumental/20 The Seer's Tower 18/20 The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders (Part I: The Great Frontier — Part II: Come to Me Only with Playthings Now) 9/20 Riffs and Variations on a Single Note instrumental/20 Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt from My Sandals as I Run instrumental/20 Album 11,15/20 Amazing voice Great lyrics Some tracks sound very similar though

boring(

4.0

GOD

Hermoso disco

This album grew on me and then wore off with the space of one listen. I liked the middle section (everything from John Wayne Gacy to Chicago). Knowing Sufjan Stevens' music, it is me who is wrong. But this album is not for me.

Maybe you have to be from Illinois? Rubbish. Pretentious poetic drivel. Bad start, less worse middle, then back to that annoying guy who brings a guitar to a party.

Veery strange album. Not my type of vocal, music was strange but sometimes somewhat catchy, but still 2/5 and i considered 1, but it would NOT be fair to be 1 (real reason that i gave it 2 its because he was singing about pole in song "Casimir Pulaski Day")

I did NOT know sufjan stevens had an album from 2005. Maybe a bit longer for my taste but it was a big W. I think I prefer it from his recent stuff. I really like the different creative aspects of each song. Special shoutout to They are Night Zombies!! (Yes I should shoutout more songs but that’d make this too long so zombies are funnier) For me, it’s a 4/5

3ish is fine.

Experimental and very fun

I had never heard of this artist before, but really enjoyed the album. Happy music, easy to listen to.

Awesome

Sufjan is one of my favorite artists and this album is perfection w its storytelling and really creative framework/themes

Na początku mnie nie wciągnęło, bo słuchałem w hałasie, robiąc coś innego i jeszcze irytując się obecnością mojej matki. Myślałem, że oleję ten album i zapomnę jak o wielu innych. Jednak potem dałem mu więcej czasu oraz uwagi i to była jedna z lepszych decyzji podczas osłuchiwania tej listy. Niesamowity album, na swój sposób wręcz monumentalny. Dzieło niemalże solowe, Stevens grał na tym albumie na kilkunastu różnych instrumentach, skomponował i wyprodukował większość tego materiału sam. A jest to bardzo długi materiał (a i tak część nie dostała się na krążek i była wydawana w późniejszym czasie). Bardzo dużo się dzieje na tym albumie, zarówno tekstowo, jak i muzycznie. Nie jestem fanem tego zadurzenia sobą i samozachwytu amerykańskiej muzyki, ale akurat ta oda do stanu Illinois jest naprawdę ciekawa, urocza i dogłębnie przemyślana. Te rozwleczone tytuły kojarzą mi się z solowym albumem Andre3000 z 2023 roku, "New Blue Sun", ciekawe, czy to bezpośrednia inspiracja. Zresztą długość kompozycji i wielość instrumentów też by mogły wskazywać na inspirację. "John Wayne Gacy Jr." wprawia w dyskomfort, zamykające "Out of Egypt" przywołuje na myśl minimalistyczne kompozycje Maxa Richtera, Steve'a Reicha czy Phillipa Glassa. Zresztą wielokrotnie przywoływano te dwa ostatnie nazwiska jako potencjalne inspiracje dla "Illinois". Bardzo ciekawy krążek, tym bardziej, że to niemal solowy utwór jednego człowieka.

Great album. I'm a bit biased towards everything this is doing (concept album, instrumental complexity, time signature changes) but it's a really great work and for sure is good to have on the list. The artist reminds me of Andrew Bird which is a huge compliment.

Heard the name, not familiar with the music. I had been watching some Charlie Brown Christmas and when that piano on the start of track 3 hit, I got confused. A lot of nice compositions, maybe too many. As a younger man with more time, I could see listening to this again and again, really getting to know it. In this setting tho, it's not easy. From the song They are Night Zombies!! They are Neighbors!!... to the end of the album is where it managed to get some hooks in me.

An old favorite that I cannot rate objectively. There are too many songs that I've listened to on repeat to have reaction other that a warm nostalgia

Beautiful voice and music but some of the lyrics are a little silly. Would like to hear other stuff from him.

just not a sufjan stevens fan idk what to tell you

Nostalgia bonus points

This one already was a favorite of mine, it's sooo good literally perfect I listened to it 3 times today. Every track is a 10/10

Big fan of this album. This one and Carrie and Lowell are the two of his I return to. Even though it’s peppered with Illinois specific references that I don’t fully appreciate. Just like the fact that even though it’s low fi there’s something different I hear each time. Over an hour and I don’t care. 4.4

Incredibly inventive all round. Amazing that he plays most of the instruments himself,a subtle but layered sound that gives you more on each listen. Lovely job

Stunning piece of work, and one that my relationship to has changed alot over the years, culminating as my soundtrack to my bittersweet Chicago trip in '23 - I can't imagine another album ever being so evocative to me for a specific time and place as this one.

Enjoyed that. Particularly liked the song names. They are night zombies!! They are neighbors!! They have come back from the dead probably my favourite track.

I gave this a try, a bit too twee for my liking although I like the indie folk foundation. It’s meant to be quite influential

Very good album, very refreshing.

An insane undertaking. What possesses someone to dedicate this amount of effort and creativity in this way? Incredible music but the lyrics are just wild.

Very enjoyable

Excellent overall: orchestration, lyrics, beautiful and sad.

After listening to it a second time later that evening, I agreed with many users who wrote that this was a 5-star album. The truth is that sometimes it can be really depressing, and it's certainly not an album to listen to on all occasions. So when I listened to it at night, when everything was quiet and it was almost time to go to bed, that's when it worked for me — calm, with great stories, sad stories, for sure, but well constructed and presented — a kind of great work of art that really matched my mood and made me love it! I'm adding this singer to my favorites, as he's on another level, far removed from the singers out there who write songs to be consumed and spat out in the moment. No, not Sufjan Stevens, this guy is more like a craftsman and knows his craft well ;-)

Great album, love the horns

Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Beinahe eingepennt ey.

2.7 2x catchup 12/17, a little too indie sounding, but overall it's pretty good

Vibes: 2/5 Instruments: 2/5 Production: 2/5 Emotional Value: 3/5 Storytelling: 5/5 Album Cover: +0.5 Stand Outs: Jacksonville, Casimir Pulaski Day Overall Rating: 2.9

The composition isn’t bad, and I like the chamber pop orchestral vibes. But, the female backup singer arrangements are locked in time in the early 2000s and his breathy whiny affect irks me.

Super strange, but not bad

A desert island album.

The orchestration is often moving and beautiful. The storytelling is engaging and the lyrical delivery is both delicate and powerful. A great concept and brilliantly executed.

Cool quirky indie nonsense idk, if the mood is right I don’t hate it.

*2005. *Very pleasant, lots of piano and soft vocals. There are some interesting songs here and a lot of variety. *This album is way too long. I lost interest after a few songs and did quite a bit of fastforwarding. May be worth a revisit, but I doubt I'll do that. RATING - 6/10

Surprisingly, I like this album as an album more than I like individual songs. It has a very nice flow.

Intressant! Måste snabb lyssna igen för att hitta låtarna som var coola

calming

A 5* in 2005, the same in 2026. Touches something deep, you may have needed to have been there 20+ years ago but this still stands up imo

This is not really my kind of music, but I appreciate that it is rather pretty listening for people into this genre.

One of my favorite albums of all time! I get the voice and atmosphere Sufjan creates can be offputting to some, but the lush sonic landscape, the instrumentation, and the story each song tells combine to one of the most enjoyable experiences one can have listening to music. I get chills whenever I hear the opening piano notes of the opening track. Some of Sufjan's best work is here (Chicago, John Wayne Gacy, Predatory Wasp), alongside some underrated gems like The Tallest Man and The Avalanche (outtake, I get it, but still one of his best). I think the longer intermission song titles are funny but understand if they come off as bizarre - just can't take the album too seriously. 5 stars, if you enjoyed this PLEASE give Michigan and Carrie & Lowell a chance - his two best pieces of work in my humble opinion.

This is the first thing I've (knowingly) listened to by Sufjan Stevens, although I'm familiar with the name. Obviously a talented guy, and it's an ambitious project, which is simultaneously lo-fi but full of complexity and texture. I can't say the music connected with any of the stories offered up here though - for all the complexity, the actual musical vocabulary is very samey and a little dull to be completely honest. Everything is very dry, particularly the vocals which have a very "telephone EQ" feel to them throughout. I'm not sure if that is Sufjan's trademark "thing" but it doesn't really appeal to me. As a whole, it plays out as a collection of song sketches which rarely go anywhere that approaches being a complete package for me. He obviously did a lot of research and got into the concept, but the lyrics seem very "I am X, I am doing Y&Z" first-person structure, I might have engaged if the narratives were a little less explicit and more abstract maybe. Disappointed given the numerous positive reviews, I might warm to it on repeat listens maybe, but, sadly, I've got 746 more albums to listen to first...

Just stunningly brilliant.

This will be one I have to come back to, because my thoughts aren't fully formulated yet. The backing music was better than I was expecting for an indie folk album. Sufjan's voice is cloying on some tracks and fits in well on others. I appreciated the generally upbeat and melodic sound of most of the tracks. It's a long album, and as with most long albums, there's a bit of hit and miss. Giving it three stars now, but I'll return to it for a more in-depth listen.

skychno

4/5 exactly what I feel like Illinois would sound like.

Started many shifts at work to this album.

This was a weird listen. It sounded nice and well produced but it was 22 songs of what seemed like almost the exact same song 22 times. Didn't do much for me at all.

I’m always excited when I’m tasked with an album I own a vinyl record of. Always a pleasure to spin some Sufjan Stevens!

Now and again the affected sort of whisper singing and twee arrangements get to be a bit much but it is incredibly effective/devastating/wistful on a few of these tracks. Love the state plan, even if it was a joke?

I didn’t know what to expect from this. The song titles are rather pretentious but a couple sounded familiar (from Radio Paradise?). I liked the layered sounds and it’s about Illinois.

It's OK, honestly. I think a bit dated now, but might come back around in the future. Some nice songs on here.

Oh wow….never heard this before. How did I miss this?? This is right up my street. It’s just beautiful music. Straight into rotation. 5

Loved it, a lot of that is because I never heard of the artist before, the other part of it was that it fits my soundscape quite well.

Fun album

Not for me

I either find Sufjan unbearably twee or beautifully poignant. This album is more in the latter camp with some superb songs. The run time outstays its welcome a bit, and there are a few eye roll moments on the album, but amongst all that is a collection of wonderfully sad songs that I can always listen to.

I feel like there’s a specific time and place for every Sufjan album. Carrie and Lowell is for walking around Greenwood Cemetery. This one is for starting a drive and wondering what kind of person your little nephew is going to be and if you can stay this close forever or maybe he will be like John Wayne Gacy because he does sometimes say “Kate I’m going to hurt you” and looks really crazy in the eyes? But maybe that’s normal and his life will be a wonderful epic adventure like the song Chicago.

I do really love this album, and I have a bit of soft spot for Sufjan Stevens just based on the fact that one time I had a dream that I was taking a shower with him and it was romantic and sexy and maybe I was in love with Sufjan or maybe I was Sufjan???

Not a new album to me. One of Barrett's favorite albums. Pitchfork: 9.2 Rolling Stone: Top 150 albums of the 21st Century #133 Best Songs Concerning the UFO sighting near Highland, Illinois John Wayne Gacy, Jr. Chicago Casimir Pulaski Day

I have tried to get into Sufjan Stevens. There are individual songs that I do enjoy, even a few on this album. His music has always been more ambitious than quality in my mind. Chicago is a good song. It's all very twee and I can't say I hate the music here, because it's obvious a lot of thought has been put into every single note that is played. I don't think it's for me. I know Stevens said it was a joke that he wasn't going to write an album about every state, but it is a little odd he did two states and then just quit. Did he feel compelled to write albums about Michigan and Illinois and then thought the joke was over? Not bad and worth a listen. It's a little too cutesy for me to listen to for almost 1 hour and 15 minutes.

There was one song in there that I enjoyed, but most were just silliness with ridiculous titles

Well at least he's not singing about California. I skipped a lot of this album. Maybe a song or two at a time would be better.

No to my tastes. Does have musical elements, but it's just too soft and passive and banal.

Nice easy listening.

Good

Typical smooth and relaxing Sufjan album . Bob’s along nicely with out ever going anywhere Nice but not amazing . Combines elements of Steve vias flexible with chirpy bjork with out ever reaching their hights Title is better than the music

High 3/low 4, some really nice moments but starts to feel a bit bloated at times

Aunque a mi el chamber pop me cuesta mucho, este album lo tengo guardado hace unos años para escucharlo y siempre lo posponía. La verdad que me fue una escucha un poco densa por la extensión, el género, y algunas lyrics que no me hacían mucho sentido. Pero la producción es preciosa y la voz del sufjan es una caricia, hoy me escuche la segunda mitad del album en otro mood y lo disfruté mas. Favs: John Wayne Gacy Jr., Chicago, The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

4.3 hell yeah!

durchaus interessant, zu ruhig für die aktuelle Laune

My easiest ever 5. The off-the-scale ambition, the novel-heavy narrative detail, the endless euphoria within each peak, the crushing revelations in each slower passage, the riveting stories, the blaring horns, the sensational folky backbone, the fascinating historical lessons, the evident camaraderie in the band, the enchanting group vocals, the wacky experimental vignettes, the gut-wrenching personal anecdotes, the fucking weird sentence-long song titles, the tiny interludes that might as well have been added to the surrounding songs' runtimes, the riveting instrumental builds, the poignant opener and the poignant closer. All of it, and so much more, make it my most cherished musical experience of all time as of the quarter point of the 2000s. Sometimes I feel a little silly having so much passion for literally just some guy. That's all he is, as is anyone else. But just the mere prospect that a person can willfully create something like Illinois is enough for me to always hold out hope that things will be okay in the world, because humans are capable of *this*.

Surprisingly good. On my list

Fantastic but drags a little bit

What did I just listen to?

Kul! Inte hört hela innan, bara några hits. Imponerande krångligt men ändå lent, men har lite svårt för hans röst. Förstår att det finns massor av snygga textgrejer här som jag inte orkar sätta mig in i.

Ok so I absolutely hate the breathy style of singing - reminiscent of those CDs of children singing popular or religious songs. Setting that aside, the lyrics and moreso the music were interesting engaging and entertaining even if a bit repetitive. The album should have shed about 30 minutes. In the end it comes off as meh. 3/5

Musically this is great. Lyrically what the?

wasn't liking it at first but ended up liking a ton of songs on here

A revelation...Knew very little of this artist before I listened to this album..It's utterly unique with a mix of styles ..An artist who simply xankit be pigeon holed..

Loved Decatur

Very good album, 3.5

SOOOOOO GOOD

Not bad. Easy to have on while working.

A few cool tracks

I found this enigmatic and frustrating; the music is engaging and interesting and he clearly has a poetic eye for a lyric. However the narrative and theme of the album and songs was weak and a bit juvenile. You can be too enamoured of your own wit. It’s also overlong. I was left feeling like this guy had betrayed his talent by creating a novelty piece when he’d actually be capable of something quite profound.

Vilket konstverk! Nästan varje låt är en banger och jag blir imponerad över Sufjans talang. Och så är det ett intressant koncept på det?? Wowza

Mastodontalbum!! Tunga arrangemang. Fint att lära sig mer om Illinois också. Hann bara lyssna två gånger, men skulle vilja mer! Tror det är en föööyra?

mycket mycket bra indie….. mums! men det berör.. inte? synd! kanske om jag lyssnade mer noggrant men har en stackars småbarnsmamma tid till det? ack nej…

Håller med föregående talare. Är bra, men skulle högst troligen vara möcke bra om man fick köpa CD-skivan, lyssna och läsa innerkonvolutet i två månader

Some songs were nice and some songs were a bit annoying. Overall, positively surprised, but there were some which I just couldn't handle.

Im sorry sufjan stevens i wasnt familiar with your game.... kinda death cab for cutie if they were more folk and lots, LOTS of flutes. this was really nice, i like it a lot 9/10

An album worthy of this list. Even if a bit long, it is lyrically and musically interesting enough to hold you throughout. And the background to Stevens' 50 US states project is also worth finding out about. 48 states to go but this album is enough in itself to occupy you for some time. Great songs, delicately woven into a tapestry that is in Stevens' mind, Illinois.

Twee Elliot Smith

One star is real harsh but I must keep to my tradition of rating things such a way if I can't make myself sit through the album and LADS...SAMEY SAMEY stuff so only made it halfway. Chicago is good and there was another okay one in there somewhere but WHO the fuck knows which one it was at this point.

Pretty good an sweet. Was a bit conservative with trying new things but the base idea was good.

Not sure what to make of this. I like the sounds, but can’t get into it. It keeps fading into background noise and my mind drifts. Pleasant sounding, but not engaging. 3/5

Nostalgic. Cold afternoons in Ruby’s bed as a teenager. Twee, long-titled songs, perfect warmth on a rainy evening. 8/10

Diversifié

Again wasnt a fan

I really enjoyed this. Will be going back for more.

Strangely entertaining

Started off sweet and engaging but it's too much far too long. Plenty other similar stuff

A revelation. 4/5

Sudan’s steamiest

Loved it

It's a big album, super ambitious. I'm not a big Sufjan fan but I appreciate this, for sure.

Always love this album. Great mixing of genres and super long song names! Highlights: "Casimir Pulaski Day", "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out To Get Us"

Seems like it would have lots of depth on repeated listens.

When I think of the indie-folk stuff that was emerging in the 2000's, this is pretty much what I think of. A collection of random topics and events that centralize around Illinois were thrown into a hat and Sufjan picked some at random to make a song about. It's like he was playing Cards Against Humanity: Illinois edition. Just because he wrote a song about something obscure like a random UFO sighting, doesn't mean that it's a good topic to write a song about. Props for making songs not about the cliche topics, but good song-writing and creativity to me means a bit more than flipping to a random page in the Illinois Encyclopedia Britannica and making that your song. Now that that's out of the way, what IS extremely impressive is that he pretty much made this entire album himself. The music is composed beautifully and it's incredible he did it all himself. It really is a beautiful album, BUT it's also not something I could really listen to after today. It feels like an academic version of a music album. Like reading The Catcher in the Rye in class and studying it even through the book is not entertaining at all and you're slogging through it specifically with the intent of writing an essay on it and then selling the book off. Of course, there's always one pretentious weirdo that thinks The Catcher in the Rye is their favorite book.

This was a cool indie/alternative album.

Loved it

Like of course they made a musical out of this

Singlehandedly renewed my love of this platform. A beautiful album through and through. An absolutely enchanting journey 5/5

1.5 - Couldn't finish.

Johnny music

Ok so this is kinda tough. This is another example where I wish I could just rate the album based off talent and nothing else cause this would easily get a 5. The instrumentation and composition on this album is stellar and flawless. Musically it’s one of the most engaging albums I’ve had from a singer/songwriter type album. Plus I think not only is the cover totally iconic for the genre but the adorably long song titles are really endearing. I love just about everything about this album, but I just didn’t click with it. I never felt an instant personal connection with it like I have with other albums on this list. And there wasn’t quiet enough variety in sound to fully hold my attention between the interludes, which are soft and angelic, but also sleep inducing. Honestly the biggest problem with this album is that it’s coming from such a honest and emotional place that I can’t connect with it cause it doesn’t have any sense of silliness or joy. No joy might be an exaggeration but I do like alittle comedy to my music. Not cause I need to laugh, but in order for me to connect with the music I need to see that you don’t take yourself too seriously as an artist. Honestly, like I said previously, this album is a total flawless piece of wildly honest and emotional musical talent on display that even glows during interludes, but I just didn’t personally “click” with it, but I will admit this album will probably grow on me, and if we are ever given the ability to edit our reviews, this one might look different in the future.

What a quirky album. Definitely going to need some relistens.

Never really loved much indie and I do not love Monsieur Stevens, but I respect it.

Very awesome experience. Could see this in a concert. Probably revisit once a year. Nothing I would listen to on a regular.

I kinda hated this album right off the bat. The album art sucks and the superman version is only marginally cooler. Never heard of Sufjan nor this album. The first half felt like Jack Johnson trying to be quirky and quippy but then some strings and a choir came in... really beautiful. The songwriting unfortunately still did nothing for me but I can respect the instrumental variety. Favorite Song: They Are Night Zombies

Wild ride, good humour, quite beautiful songs intermixed with weird songs and some interludes, it does not get boring... I am torn between 4 and 5, but it is closer to 5...

I was thrilled to see this. Love this album and have not listened to in years. Chicago is a masterpiece. I’d say the album is more of a 4.5 to 4.75 lol. But have to round up and I believe it deserves 5 stars all the way through! John Wayne Gacy, Jr hit me differently this time bc I now know who he is.

First album on my list that I didn't finish. Aimless meanderings with insipid music and uninspiring vocals. Not for me.

Honestly, this was such a thing in my youth and i really only like the same songs I did then

Would give 6 stars if I could. Absolutely flawless which is impressive for an album so long. Have known and loved this album since its release as my dad played the cd in his car.

I guess I got this on the wrong day but I was uninspired. I’m sure its good

The musicianship is excellent, much of the songwriting is great. However I don't care for his voice or the two hits from the album, Chicago and Casimir Pulaski Day. Knocking it a point for that, but still wildly impressive

White music. I started off thinking "This sounds pleasant." But then the tweeness and cutesy cutesy horns and strings kept coming. The vocals are wet. This isn't the worst music ever made. Far from it. But I can't handle this amount of soppiness. Get a grip of yourself, Sufjan!

I know almost nothing about Sufjan Stevens, despite being a Michigan native myself. I feel like I owe him a listen to his previous album "Michigan". But right now, we're talking about Illinois. This is a fascinating album both conceptually and stylistically. I won't claim to know much about the state of Illinois myself, but this album seems to cover a lot of its history and culture in about 75 minutes. All with the backdrop of folk, indie and classical-like orchestrations. Very grandiose, seemingly because it wants to be. There are some beautifully constructed tracks here as a result, ranging from tender to joyous/upbeat pieces. A lot of talent and musical chops showcased here, so the album length didn't upset me too much.

I've tried a couple times with this album and I just can't get into it.

this would be a 5 if it were just the instrumental tracks (I am probably not being fair to this album) undecided about adding to collection

Très chill, plutôt cool parfois mais j'ai pas adoré non plus.

:/

Hyper intéressant au niveau des instruments utilisés, les sonorités sont agréables les paroles aussi et j'ai pas vu le temps passer. Bonne découverte !

simpler folk

Interesting and creative. Kept my interest the whole time. The instrumentation was unique - string quartet, oboe and trumpet, small choir... I'm going to use a word that I really hate but can't think of anything more fitting, and that word is "different." In the boring watercolors of the mid-2000s Indie Folk and singer-songwriter trends (Mumford and Sons, Rufus Wainwright, Fleet Foxes, etc.) this record really stands out for its intelligent songs and sincere emotional depth. Like d it a lot more than I thought I would considering it was Critically Acclaimed™.

Still waiting for him to finish the rest of the states... Just a beautifully crafted album with intricate songwriting and a strong concept. One of my favorites. 9/10

Lowkey ambitious.

Very interesting indie album. Great conpositions, warm lyrics, but it was a bit too long and "filler" at some points. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll keep it in the back of my mind

Strong 4

While there's some really interesting orchestration on this album and a great deal of effort has clearly gone into the production, 'Illinois' is just a bit too....all over the place for me. Sufjan Stevens is certainly a visionary when it comes to musical scope and direction, and 'Illinois' almost plays like a stage musical in the way it weaves from track to track, but there's not a lot that really grabs me here. I hear Ben Folds a lot here, but I prefer Ben Folds if I'm being honest. It's certainly an intriguing album, just not my cup of tea. Best songs: Not really a clear standout, more so a collective of oddities

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes indeed yes. A world building album, full of songs independant but linked together. 4.8/5.0 Best Song: Come On! Feel The Illinoise! Part 1: The World’s Columbian Exposition Part 2: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

It's so good, this was my favourite album when I was 16 i reckon, still huge for me. It is so emotive and visceral. He is a genius and this is him at the top of his powers. Its such a hipster album obviously, but it moves me. Also i think it should be an hour longer IMHO. Too many favourite songs and they all have stupid long titles, so I will say John Wayne Gacey is the best.

The first time a Sufjan album has ever connected for me. Really well done. Bland yes, but in a good way? Best Song: John Wayne Gacy Jr. Rating: 7.0/10 Stars: 4

Singer songwriter. Heard of the name, but never actively listened to him. Chill music.

100

I distinctly remember when all of the hipsters in my high school discovered this album and deified Sufjan for about a week. He’s got a good voice and I definitely understand how some people really enjoy this album, but around track 10 I started to get the feeling I’ve heard all there was to hear with this one and I was ready to tap out. 1089 albums is such a huge undertaking, and I’m trying to keep my DNFs under 10. I got really close to skipping halfway through but I managed to finish.

Musikalisch mag das alles krass sein, aber es ist mir dann schnell zu viel. Ich mag es immer wenn mich ein Album als Gesamtkunstwerk abholt - hier fühle ich mich einfach verloren.

Steht schon ewig auf der Liste, bisher nie komplett gehört. Ist sicherlich ein Grower, vom ersten Hören „nur“ 3 Sterne.

Ich mag Sufjan Stevens eigentlich ganz gerne, aber das Album war mir etwas too much. Da haben mir frühere und spätere Alben besser gefallen. Ist sicherlich auch ein Grower, aber der nächste Durchgang wird noch etwas warten müssen.

Sehr schönes Album. Aber hinten raus zieht es sich zu lang. Hätte mit etwas weniger Länge einen Stern mehr gekriegt.

Etwas lang, aber schöne Stimmung, gute Texte.

Musikalisch schon spannend, aber viel zu lang und als 'Konzeptalbum' auch irgendwie für mich nicht aufgegangen

Hmm, schwierig. Mir ging das noch nicht so gut ins Ohr, aber das schiebe ich zum größeren Teil auf meinen eigenen beschränkten Horizont. Stellenweise gibt es aber schon einige Längen.

Ein wirklich sehr gutes Album, das man am besten am Stück und in Ruhe hört um das alles komplett aufzunehmen. Aber wer hat so lange Zeit ein Album am Stück zu hören ohne groß was anderes zu machen? Ich leider nicht.

Beautifully crafted

I thought I’d dislike it more than I did. Know idea what the fuck he’s talking about half the time but the production made it listenable. Sounds like a musical

Maybe give it another go but lost interest

Really really good. 4.33 stars

I enjoyed how this record acted like a movie. The interludes acted like transitions into different scenes. Very creative! Favourite Track(s): Come On! Feel The Illinoise..., The Tallest Man,..., Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother! Least Favourite Track(s): John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

3.5/5

Soft. Strange. Ethereal. Sweeping.

Not bad. Would likely listen to again.

Its a good orchestral pop / indie folk rock album. It is long at 22 songs and 1hr 15 min but it doesn't get boring.

Strange album, felt like lots of stolen bits from all of the shop. Bone of it felt real or authentic. Almost an AI quality to it ..

I love the attention to cool timbres, inventive parts and riffs, and everything just feels so creative and of unique. At times very quirky and zappa-esque, Brian wilson-ish, and yes-like. "Come on feel the Illinoise pt 1" is gorgeous!

Magnificent. Grandiose. The musical equivalent of “that drama kid” - it’s just so extra. And yet it’s perfect. I am realizing there is nothing I like more in life than some “disco strings”. BB, you are a close second.

This old and I'll be interested to see if it hold up.

So many things about this album are over the top: it's full of strings and horns, there are songs with titles that take longer to scroll across your phone than for the song to play, it basically has three opening tracks, and it's crammed with instrumental interludes. But it's also such a touching, human album. It dwells on evil and wonders how much of it lives inside of all of us ("John Wayne Gacy Jr"), celebrates the joy and fear that come with independence ("Chicago"), and mourns the moments we weren't able to be ourselves ("Predatory Wasp"). And in its most heartbreaking moment it strips the flourishes away and tells a story of loss that doubles as a question about what faith is. It's this deep, nuanced exploration of life that makes the grand instrumentation shine instead of overwhelm and the amount of material feel like a gift with so many sounds to explore.

It's refreshing to have a modern album after a while of poorly mastered rock music. It's a relatively calming album, well mastered and very interesting. Each song has it's own story, and listening puts you into that "world". For my tastes, however, it falls a bit short in the music part. I like it, but I don't like it enough to want to listen to any of the songs again or put them on a playlist.

Have this is my collection and like it quite a bit

me, in 2005, looking at a copy of Illinois in a record store: "I'll get around to that someday." me, in 2025, finally getting around to it: "Ohhh, so it's pronounced /ˈsuːfjɑːn/"

this album is loaded, in the way a question can be rather than with lots of good stuff. i do not know why this gripped the imaginations of all my peers in 2005. one time someone turned hot fuss off and put this shit on, saying "he's gonna write one about every state!" no he isn't grow up

I spent a lot of my formative years in Illinois, and I made the mistake of spending a few of them dating a sadboy "indie music" (men playing acoustic guitar, usually distributed by major record companies and supported with world tours but also played on NPR) fan who went to the University of Illinois and thought that he was right about everything, including my own personal preferences, which means that I've heard countless defenses of this album and Sufjan Stevens as a whole, many of which will detail how much work went into it, how many references are in it, how he read books about history to write it, and none of which address the way that this album is so FUCKING boring and confuses "writing multiple references into a verse" with writing something that evokes an emotion. I'm willing to acknowledge that this album was a large project and required skill and thought, but I'm not willing to agree that just because a lot of work goes into something means that the something that came out of it is good. I am absolutely willing to bet on myself that if I could spent months sitting around reading and plucking at guitars that I, too, could make an hour-long album full of dense references. It's like putting an overly long comment on a reddit post soon after it's posted: a bunch of people who think More Words Mean Smart Writer upvote it and no one cares that your replies are all correcting you. On that note, I think that if anyone else who wasn't This Fucking Guy claimed he was going to undertake a fifty state album theme and then abandoned it after two and said it was just a marketing gag, Pitchfork et al would write a hand-wringing critical piece about how sales forecasting and marketing gags are ruining the music industry, but Stevens is a Quirky Smart Guy who is beloved by dudes who will bum rides from you every day because they've gotta get to work and then turn around and spend all of their money on American Spirits and none of it paying you for gas and then get mad when you start telling them no*, so I guess we all just let him get away with it. I recognize that a lot of this review isn't even about the album, and I'm a little sorry, but mostly that's because every song bleeds into another and they're all sung in the soft vocals that we, again, complain about female pop singers when they do it and accuse them of not actually being skilled at their work and, again, I guess it's cute here because he's writing about John Wayne Gacy so it's subversive UwU;; The punctuations of jingle bells and horns are insufficient to yank this out of being a one-hour Try Not to Sleep So It's Over Faster challenge. I've been to Chicago, I've been to Metropolis, and I've listened to actually countercultural music. I look forward to never having to listen to this again after the 74-minute disappointment of having to hear it for the first time in years today. *Believe it or not, this is not an anecdote about the guy I dated and mentioned up top, just another Sufjan fan archetype. (That guy didn't need to bum a ride because he just wouldn't get a job for most of our relationship.)

Too long. (2.5)

There is a 4 star album in here somewhere, it’s just too darn long…

I've never listened to this album (43). Lots of qualities, but way way too quirky-hipsterish for my taste.

Expected to hate it after the descriptions that I've read. But nope. Quite melodic, engaging and rewarding.

27th October 2025

Surprised by the number of thickos who dislike this.

This album reminds me of college <3

It's difficult to review this one objectively. As a teen coming to grips with faith, I resonated deeply with Sufjan's music. Illinois has everything: coming to age ballads, Illinois-based trivia (and not just fun facts from Chicago, either, but of the entire state), and the questioning of faith and maybe who we are at our core. The album balances whimsy with a strange sadness that sounds like Sufjan is about to break down weeping at any moment.

Such a unique album, it's a 5/5 that I listen to like once every 2 years. It's probably a touch too long but really enjoyable.

This thing was ambitious of Stevens in just how big of a project this album was given how much of the instrumentation was Stevens playing it. With that said, this thing just oozes the the mid-00s indie pop wave era it was made in. But it at least has the decency to hold up to today's standards. I'm alright that the whole 50 states project was a joke if it meant that we got this gem of an album out of it.

Meh

Not for me

22 tracks. I gave it one star for every song that didn't have any obnoxiously overwrought title.

Complex orchestration and lyrical genius = Sufjan Steven’s. I loved this album, especially how he drew elements from the history of Illinois and the Bible. I would love to see the musical!! Decatur was my personal favourite.

Concept album (I hope?) that is too aggressively hipster in its overall execution for my tastes. He certainly has a good sound, but I didn't find myself blown away by anything in particular. The chorals are nice. I think it is a very neat concept and a lot of work went into this, but I don't see myself putting any tracks on repeat. Favorite track: The Black Hawk War.

A very pleasant album to listen to and which came up to expectations. I’m a sucker for good melodies and this album is full of them. Only drawback is the obvious one that it is very American centric so will mean more over there and in particular the people of Illinois. Drawback is probably the wrong word as music is full of references to locations meaning a lot to the artists making it. Who would know where I lived if it wasn’t for On Ilkla Mooar Baht’at? A song which would also sit nicely on this album. 4/5 23/10/25

I’m not sure how I got through life largely ignoring Sufjan Stevens. I’d heard his name come up on indie radio and web forums every now & then but this is really the first time I sat down to listen to a full body of his work. It’s wonderful. The song that captured my attention the most was Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!

Jacksonville is a jam, Chicago is catchy too

3.5

'Chicago' é a que mais se destaca e a minha favorita. A partir daqui o interesse decresce até se tornar um arrasto que demora em ir-se embora, ao ponto de pensar que tinha o disco em loop. Tive de reconfirmar que, de facto, da track 20 à 22, o álbum estava a avançar. Primeira vez que ouço activamente um álbum completo este cantautor. Tinha uma expectativa modestamente diferente e este álbum pelo menos (já vi que tem carradas deles!) não surpreende. Tem ritmos básicos interessantes mas que se repetem eternamente. Os arranjos orquestrais e as vozes de coro, pelo contrário, são bastante mais agradáveis. Técnica à parte, no final não sinto que reste muito. Não há nenhuma conclusão, não há um retrato coerente. Mesmo para um concept álbum (que poderia ser bastante mais agradável em 1/4 do tempo).

Alternative folksy pop? Straddles the line between uniquely creative and pretentious.

A little like simon and Garfunkel.

This album is so important to me and reminds me of when I first started college. Every song is so thoughtfully produced and arranged, and somehow the tracks dance between this deeply personal intimacy and an element of whimsy. It’s all just perfect. Best Track: Casimir Pulaski Day

8/10 Favourite: Casimir Pulaski Day Least Favourite: The Seer's Tower

Que bom, que bom!!!!!

Was good but a little too long and sleepy for me

Very noughties. I never got around to listening to it Sufjan. I know people ADORE Sufjan. I liked it. With a bit more time I think it could really seep in. It was fine.

A bit too jolly and hippy-like for my taste

Likte dette bedre før. Syntes det ble litt omstendelig denne gjennomhøringen og litt for mye låter som ikke gikk noen vei. Et par høydepunkter er det som Casimir Pulasky Day, Chicago og John Wayne Gacy Jr. Carrie and Lowel av samme artist er ganske mye bedre, men tviler det er på denne lista 🤷

Sånn helt ok. Liker når det er blåsere, liker ikke så godt når det ikke er blåsere. Litt langt, ga meg halvveis. Hørte ikke på teksten, Illinois er en stat i USA.

sensational

The good stuff here

I absolutely love this concept album and Chicago is one of my favorite songs. This was a peak Covid full on depression spiraling out album find for me personally. Did you know he plays every instrument himself? There’s so many of them. There’s Carl Sandburg references and he’s my favorite poet. Also, I cry every time I listen to Casmir Pulaski Day.

Turn of the century Indie Rock right here. That Chicago song was blowing up my MySpace along with tunes from The Shins, Margot And The Nuclear So And Sos, and Peter Bjorn & John. Artsy, quirky, and a bit depressing, but that was the style at the time. 4.5⭐️

Some great stuff here: amazing songwriting ("John Wayne Gacy, Jr.") and fantastic arrangements ("Chicago"). It just goes on a little too long. Trimming 15 minutes or so would have helped a bunch. Trimming it would also help Sufjan fulfill his 'promise' of an album for every state. I'd love to hear songs about the Standard Oil Explosion, Major Taylor, or Herb Baumeister. Rounding down half a star for that loss of potential alone.

Longest 1:14 hours in my life

At first i was indifferent, thought it was interesting in a good way. Then it grew on me.

Enjoyable.

Sufjan Stevens is an artist I have heard good things about but never listened to personally. What are these song names? Those sure are something. Not usually into singer/songwriter stuff but this album is pretty nice. There is just such a wide variety of styles and instruments throughout this album. Each track is a new experience. And the lyrics are well thought through too. The kind of album that will take a few listens to fully appreciate. "The man of metropolis steals our hearts" is my pick.

This album has always been a slam dunk for me since I was a sensitive and literarily-minded Christian teenager in the Midwest when it came out. Even then, I have to acknowledge that this album is too long and has too many songs. I knew it was a problem because my very gentle morning-time alarm went off while I was listening to this and I didn’t notice for three minutes.

I've heard of him, but never heard him. very interesting album, as I learned he played most instruments, including brass, woodwinds, and strings. While I enjoyed the listen, probably not going to be a repeat for me

This was really good, got almost hypnotic at parts. I really liked the instrumentals and he’s got a really calming voice. I could listen to this for hours tbh

Nice, chill, and at times interesting.

Great stuff, my second favourite Suffy record

Very nice indeed

One of my favourite albums of all time, perfect blend of folk with Steve Reich esque layered instrumentation. Perfect.

Mega gut

To be quite honest this album didn’t click with me. The album has strong instrumentation for a folk album and excellent vocals (maybe even too good in a way) but the lyrics weren’t really resonating with me throughout this project. That isn’t to say they’re bad, they’re not corny or bland or anything like that. It’s just that in my current mindset, it’s not clicking. In the limited time I’ve had with this album I can only give it a 3, but I’m going to try and give it another listen when I’m in a different state of mind. The only real flaw I can give to this album, is that it’s too long considering it’s limited soundscape. Favorite tracks: Jacksonville Chicago Casimir Pulaski Day Worst track: Nothing is so bad on this album that it makes me think “Wow this is terrible what song is that.” The worst tracks are the one that were just so forgettable that I couldn’t bother to remember them.

New to me, and musically a little more interesting than I expected. Some nice arrangements. Long, and at least one song on here I never need to hear again.

Good album!

I didn't realize how good this was 20 years ago

Right in the guts.

4/5

Just Fantastic. Introspective, historical, heart-wrenching, poignant. Everything one could ask for in a musical piece of expression. Loved it the first time I heard it and will love it every time it hits my ears and my heart.

Such a wonderful album. It is brimming with whimsy, emotion, precise storytelling and so many little production details. The simplicity in this album is what makes it so magnificent to me. The only thing keeping this album from being a 5-star review is the length. I wish it were a bit shorter because it would encourage me to revisit it more often.

Are You Writing From The Heart? 1001 Albums Generator 138 (10/13/2025) Illinois is one of my favorite albums of all time. I don't understand how someone could listen to this and think it's boring; nearly every song has multiple parts that are so catchy, they could be a chorus. I absolutely love how Sufjan applies the principles of minimalism into a rock/chamber pop context. To those who call this album boring, do we really need another indie album of basic verse/chorus song structures and song titles that could fit neatly on a bumper sticker? Don't get me wrong, I love some of those types of albums as well, but while there are thousands of those, Sufjan made something truly special with Illinois. And by the way, just because many of these songs are built on a single chord progression with instrumentals that ebb and flow, doesn't mean these songs are "basic". First of all, the variety of instrumentation on display here, nearly all played by Stevens himself, is very impressive. Additionally, my prog brain loves how many of these songs play with strange time signatures. I don't think this is the type of album where you can talk about individual songs, since the whole thing works better as a whole, but nearly half of these songs have made their way onto various playlists of mine throughout the years. From the bombast of Come On Feel The Illinoise and The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts to the soft sadness of John Wayne Gacy, Jr. and Casimir Pulaski Day, there is something for everyone and every mood here. Always a pleasure to sit down with this piece of art. 5. Favs: Come On! Feel The Illinoise! ... Jacksonville The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders ... Least Fav (non-interlude): The Seer's Tower

Exquisitely crafted and arranged, just like Sufjan’s singing, but this is definitely a case of less is more. Songs like “The Predatory Wasp…” and “John a Wayne Gacy” are soul-crushingly good, cutting to the bone lyrically and sonically. But a lot gets muddled in the composition, missing what makes his songs so good in the first place. It makes for an uneven listen, but one that at least gives me the desire to see where it led.

how does he do it . i was 2

Ahhh fond memories of listening to this a lot when it came out. The John Wayne Gacy song always stood out. Let’s see how it all hits 20 years later!! Don’t know how much is nostalgia or just the album itself but such depth, lovely arrangements and concept that feels substantial in quality and skill. And what a haunting and amazing song JWG is. Yeh, there is a lot of great songs on here. And a great album as a whole too. Easy 4*, but does it get a bit more. Hmmmmm

Thats an hour and fourteen minutes of my life I will never get back. If I wanted to listen to listen to show tunes I would go to a show, a good one. Not this one.

3.5/5 Very much enjoyed this album, very whimsical and fun. It feels very nostalgic to me despite not listening to it before Song: the man of metropolis steals our hearts

Sufjan Stevens is a genius who can make you cry happily. It is a roller coaster album with a touch of love in every song. The " Chicago " track is a masterpiece and deserves more recognition.

refreshing. my hometown vibes

I resisted listening to this for some bad reason I don't remember. The first three tracks are great. John Wayne Gacy Jr loses me and then the rest just feels a little too simultaneously earnest and gentle but in a way that feels saccharine to me. I like the recording quality and instrumentation and how it is cohesive without being strictly a concept album.

Meh

Funish.

So I know this artist exists, but this is the first time I knowingly listen to them. It's not bad at all, conceptually I'm not in love, but this was made for the people of the Midwest USA. I remember getting to Chicago and thinking it'd be a great end to the project, but that's barely half way through the effort. By the time we get to the end we understand there was so much more in store. So, yes, it's a bit lengthy, but how could you be short when you're attempting to embody the history and lore of an entire state. It took me over 12 hours to finish the album, it's too lengthy for a regular work day, but I'm impressed. My rating here has to be based on this single listen, real possible the rating can get better with time. Also possible I never decide to put it on again. 3.6/5

Another reviewer said of Illinois (2005) by Sufjan Stevens “This sounds like what a Wes Anderson movie would sound like if it were an album.” But where they see that as a negative, I see it as a great thing. Like many Anderson films, on the surface, Illinois is a fun and at times silly journey. But when you dig deeper, you see something profoundly emotional. Though less explicitly religious than his preceding album Seven Swans, Illinois deftly weaves in and out of the highs and lows of his faith. As a result, his music often feels like a peek behind the curtain of his soul, and you’re left feeling like you saw something deeply personal. But don’t be turned away by the Christian themes—in the words of a Pitchfork reviewer, “Sufjan invites not our religious conversions, but our innate human compassion.” To some, this may be too long with tracks overstaying their welcome. To me, the instrumental interludes provide a moment’s respite as you prepare for what’s next. 5/5

Actually pretty nice

Ei iskenyt, ei jaksanut kuunnella loppuun. 1,75/5.

honestly i liked it but some of them were a big sluggish and i couldnt be assed

Some of these tracks were definitely used after somebody died on Grey's Anatomy

Straight masterpiece absolutely justifies its length. The productions great love the horns. Casimir Pulaski Day is phenomenal, lyrically one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. Big fan of all the interludes

Really interesting album, havnt heard much like it. Very long, but will listen again

05.10.25 #12 Favourite tracks: Come on, Feel the ILLINOISE; CHICAGO; The tallest man. Rate: 8/10 I really enjoyed listening to this album. great songs

One of my favorites of all time. 10/10 album

Sufjan is amazing and I love him

A name that I have seen pop up in so many indie playlist but just never could get into. This album felt mostly instrumental and when the singing came in it wasn’t super memorable. It wasn’t bad but again not very memorable. 6/10

What a cool idea for a concept album. It is a lush musical landscape layered so wonderfully that it doesn’t infringe upon itself with overproduction or heavy-handedness. In fact, it seems as though it’s the perfect amount of soundscaping. Stevens’ lilting vocals and the accompanying harmonies only add to the dramatic landscape of Illinois. His voice is a soothing instrument that delivers his thoughtful lyrics in a poignant, sincere way. From his rambling song titles to his medley of melodies, Stevens is an artist who’s clearly doing things his own way and I really admire that. I’m looking forward to delving further into his catalogue, as he’s definitely gained a new fan.

Erm. What a bizarre concept. I weirdly love it, he has a beautiful voice and the music is cheery. I must pay attention to the lyrics and learn some Illinois history!

Way better than I expected. Adding this to my listen again pile

An album that has the feel of looking through holiday snapshots. A mix of indie pop, folk and mini orchestral pieces that sort of gel into a theme, Illinois in this case. I doubt this is a record that gets much repeated listening but I guess when Sufjan is planning to make 48 of them that won't be a problem. OK-ish

I honestly forgot how brilliant this album is. So well thought out: personal, but couched in a state's history. A wildly original concept record that serves as both a biographical narrative as well as a love letter to his home, "Illinoise" is an eclectic and self-contained masterpiece. Reminds me of Badly Drawn Boy's "The Hour of Bewilderbeast" in all of the best ways. A solid 9/10.

I adore this album. I have never heard anything like it before or since, other than his other records. Very much its own thing but always tuneful and you could drown in its earnestness. Some people could have a hard time with that. The few lyrics I can understand are unusual. I love the crazy ambitious orchestration - incredibly beautiful acoustics of often large and unconventional ensembles - for what otherwise might be filed under twee mumblecore. It's not crazy to hear strains of The Cure. Or Aaron Copeland. Or Minimalists like Steve Reich or (Chicagoan) Philip Glass. Or Wes Anderson. Or even The Great Gatsby. This album is possibly making a claim to be The Great American Novel. He promised (threatened?) to make an album for every state but as far as I am aware never got beyond Illinois and Michigan. I wish he would get back and finish what he started. Can't tell you why but I get the feeling he had an unusual childhood, like he grew up in a cult or something. How else could someone make music that is as unusual and familiar at the same time? Also, disarmingly vulnerable lyrics with absolutely no trace of irony. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this guy because seeing him live was our final cool act just a day or two before parenthood. He had been commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music to produce this multi-media piece honoring the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. He had easily 20-30 musicians on stage and as I was reading the program I noticed that one of them was a childhood friend on vibes! They were great. More, please!

Just based on the creative track titles alone, I really wanted to enjoy this quirky and very clearly self-styled (and self-produced) album. But for a variety of reasons--some reasonable (like how it felt like yet another off-angle collection of ditties a la Radiohead/Magnetic Fields/Rufus Wainwright/Gary Jules/Jason Mraz/etc), some not so much (trying to catch up on a backlog of "1001 Albums" albums, and cursing at yet another hour-plus indulgence)--I just couldn't really get into this oddball collection of excursions into Illinois-themed history and personalities. That said, a few tracks really worked: "John Wayne Gacy, Jr" (despite how irredeemable the subject is), "Casimir Pulaski Day" (banjos and all), and "They are night zombies!! They are neighbors!! They have come back from the dead!! Ahhhh!". I think everyone, including himself, was grateful that he only did "Michigan" and "Illinois" in the US States collection and moved on to more fertile fields. But I'm also glad this was included in the collection, even if it didn't work as well as I'd hoped.

Nice voice and lovely music passes through your ears and very little sticks. His songs are a little like the songs you make up while you're going about your day "chopping broccoli, etc"

Sucked

This one was boring AF

It was okay! More of a 2.5. The song titles were pretentious and a lot of the songs were forgettable but some had some good beats

2/5

This album sounds soooooo goooood! You can use it to test your stereo system.

A bit long and the songs all start to sound the same.

No doubt talented artist but this album is very one paced and monotonous, maybe I didn't get the sentiment

Love it, I get some of the critiques but the top reviews calling it indie landfill or whatever are not being serious, has way more in common with 70s prog pop than it does with Animal Collective or Arcade Fire or The National or whatever. Actually try listening to it rather than skimming the pitchfork review please :) This is probably one of the great achievements from the 21st century so far. His next album Mr be even better though!! Has to be a 5* especially after a few listens

Illinois is an ambitious, sprawling record that somehow manages to feel intimate at the same time. Sufjan Stevens blends folk, orchestral pop, and storytelling into a patchwork that celebrates and mourns the state’s history, people, and myths. From the delicate beauty of “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” to the grand sweep of “Chicago,” the album shifts moods constantly, yet it all feels connected through Stevens’ gentle voice and intricate arrangements. What stands out is the sheer variety. “Come On! Feel the Illinoise!” bursts with energy and brass, while “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades” floats along softly, building to something quietly transcendent. Even the instrumental interludes feel purposeful, like breaths between dense stories. The lyrics are packed with detail, weaving personal reflection with historical events in a way that feels thoughtful rather than gimmicky. Despite its length, Illinois rarely drags. It invites you to sit with it, to let its layers unfold slowly. Stevens manages to balance ambition and heart beautifully, creating a record that feels both meticulous and deeply emotional. It’s a unique journey, one that rewards patience and close listening, and it remains one of the most distinctive indie folk albums of the 2000s.

Liked it more than I thought I would

This was definitely an interesting album. I'm just not sure it's interesting in the way you would want.

hay un par que están solidas

Cool concept album

Very reminiscent for me of Iron and Wine-- gentle voice, folksy guitar, story songs. I like it. But I love Iron and Wine. I wonder what makes the difference? 4/5

It surprised me! I didn't have high expectations but the album was a nice experience, some highs and not many lows, makes it a 3/5 or a solid 7 to a feint 8 out of 10

I didn't really know what rating to give this. I think I've settled on a 4. The composition is spectacular. The usage of syncopation was great. Sufjan also has a very nice falsetto, although the transition between chest voice and falsetto was a bit abrupt at times. The short instrumental tracks were very nice. Sometimes, they feel like they are filler tracks just to extend the album. These weren't like that. They felt intentional, and musically they were simple but well executed. I really don't have any major complaints here. I could have really rated it 5/5, it just didn't feel right to group this with Cosmo's Factory and Wish You Were Here. Those albums are on another level, this didn't reach that for me.

How do you begin to review this album? I guess I'll start with the song titles. I got a good laugh out of a few of them, especially the short instrumental tracks that have no real reason to exist, but I love them for that. That honestly sums up this album. Does an hour long album about the US state of Illinois need to exist? Absolutely not. But is it one of the best pieces of art ever made? Absolutely. But seriously, those titles are something else. A whole paragraph as a title is crazy and it's balanced out by the one word "Jacksonville" and "Chicago" unless you're reading the vinyl version for some reason. The album itself is beautiful. I didn't instantly click with the singing, but after a bit I got used to it and enjoyed it. I think I actually prefer the female vocalist to Sufjan Steven's himself, but they work so well together. So many instruments are at play here too and it never feels like too much. The lyrics aren't my favorite part of this album, but even they are really good. Whether it's a story or just emotions, every word feels important. Something about this album feels nostalgic and familiar. I have definitely heard "Chicago" somewhere. I didn't know what to expect with this album. I honestly thought it looked like a jazz album, which isn't too far off at times. I was absolutely blown away by this album. Thank you generator for showing me this gem.

Illinois is a really interesting album i really like. It really does earn it's name as it really does have that feel of a city in Illinois (though i think New York would also work for this as well) I also do quite like it for all it's variety seeing just how many instruments are there with most of them being played by Stevens himself. Everything from an acoustic guitar, piano, oboe, triangle and many more are here. I also do love how long a lot of the song titles are, they do fit the songs rather well. It was long at around 74 minutes but still was able to do more than enough to remain interesting. I enjoyed this album for being as weird and interesting as it is. Best Song: The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts Worst Song: Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother!

It wasn't bad, great background music. But nothing that stood out to me that I would listen to again.