The second entry from sui generis singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens in his absurdly ambitious project to make a record for every state in America outdistances even 2003's superb GREETINGS FROM MICHIGAN in scope and beauty. A sweeping paean to the Lincoln state, ILLINOIS weaves together history, personal confession, and detail-filled scenarios with chamber folk, expansive orchestral pop, and back-porch pastoral settings for a stunningly progressive indie gem that sound like Brian Wilson, Stereolab, and Neil Young holding hands in heaven.
Remarkably, in its intricate, gorgeously crafted surfaces, ILLINOIS lives up to its aims. In addition to its symphonic grandeur, the album also showcases Stevens's heartland folk, and some of the album's most shimmering moments are its most spare. "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," for instance, is an absorbing narrative that features Stevens's sweet tenor couched by guitar, piano, and backing vocals. "Casimir Pulaski Day," similarly, rides a rootsy banjo and guitar groove while Stevens unfurls image-rich lyrics over a lilting melody. Witty, audacious, and moving, ILLINOIS manages to be spiritual, entertaining, and educational all at once, resulting in an utterly unique conceptual and musical statement.
The first new album since Seven Swans and the second in his 52 state series. Sufjan is one of the leading figures in the twisted folk revolution that includes Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart and Iron + Wine. 22 tracks, it is a breathtaking record, sure to be in all of the end of the year best of polls. ''A consistently moving, subtly beautiful experience'' -Billboard. ''A record of remarkable delicacy'' -the Guardian. ''Quietly beautiful'' -Rolling Stone. Spunk Records. 2005.
Arranger: Sufjan Stevens.
Personnel: Sufjan Stevens (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, flute, accordion, recorder, oboe, alto saxophone, piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, vibraphone, glockenspiel, electric bass, drums, shaker, tambourine, triangle, sleigh bell); Sufjan Stevens (vocals, various instruments); Illinoisemaker Choir (vocals); Rob Moose, Julianne Carney (violin); Maria Bella Jeffers (cello); Daniel Smith (hand claps, background vocals); Rev. Dan Smith (background vocals); Craig Montoro (vocals, trumpet); James McAlister (drums); Elin K. Smith (hand claps, background vocals); Matt Morgan, Shara Worden, Katrina Kerns (background vocals).
Recording information: Carroll Music Studios, New York, NY (2004-2005); Marla's Apartment, Brooklyn, NY (2004-2005); New Jerusalem Recreational Room, Clarksboro, NJ (2004-2005); Redhook, Brooklyn, NY (2004-2005); St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, NY (2004-2005); Sufjan's Apartment, Brooklyn, NY (2004-2005); The Buddy Project, Astoria, Queens (2004-2005); The New Jerusalem Recreational Room, Clarsboro, NJ (2004-2005).
Spin (p.64) - Ranked #8 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[A] Chicago World's Fair of the ear -- a rebirth of wonder, discovery, and progress..." Spin (p.105) - "[The album] sounds as informed by middle-American community theater, church choirs, and John Adams' American operas as any canonical 'folk rock' it may resemble." - Grade: A- Entertainment Weekly (No. 829, p.71) - "...[F]inespun songs variously inspired by Carl Sandburg, John Wayne Gacy, Jr., and the 'Seer's' tower....ILLINOIS sounds quaint and even magical." - Grade: B+ Uncut (p.86) - 5 stars out of 5 - "ILLINOIS is an extraordinary achievement, all the more so as Stevens played most of the parts himself." Magnet (p.52) - Ranked #5 in Magnet's "The 20 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[The album] continues his brave/insane quest to document the whole of our great nation's quilt of quirks..." The Wire (p.41) - Included in The Wire's "2005 Rewind: 50 Records Of The Year." Mojo (Publisher) (p.60) - Ranked #24 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2005" - "A boundless cornucopia utilising choir, woodwind and Vince Guaraldi-like piano..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[W]hen focusing on life's minute joys or its mundane horror, Stevens' voice is as true and profound as an angel."
a cool breez in the desert songwriting doesn't get much better than this. sufjan stevens is definitely one of the best new artists out there...illinoise is raw, real, deep and full of emotion. i've got metal head friends who hate singer sonwriters, but will listen to this album for hours!
FIVE STARS!!! Submitted by bandnavalis (stanton, DE) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Refreshing and jubilant I bought this CD after hearing one track on the radio (They Are Not Zombies...). The tracks are all extremely well thought through..lyrically and musically. The best word that comes to mind for the feel is jubilant. Not cheesey, but very celebratory of life. There are many catchy musical phrasings. Many stuck with me many days after my first listening. Unusual with so many trite and redundant albums being produced. Submitted by doug.peeler (Austin, TX) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Over-Hyped pretension Ok, it was fine, unique, playful, yet substantive an all that. Hard to use the word original in music, but he comes as close an anyone. For that, he has my praise.
However, it is a tad pretentious to me. Mix the elitist sort of Sigur Ros overtones of messiah complex with Neil Young and the 70's show He Haw and some bad Indie "B" rated movie and you have Illinoise.
It is worthwhile listen, do not get me wrong. But its a bit pompous. Submitted by Nigel (London, UK) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
An amazing CD This is truly an amazing CD. The lyrics and music of each piece are so penetrating, unique and memorable, and the entire disk works together as one. No small feat. A real pleasure to listen to time and again Submitted by PFCarch (Cranford, NJ, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Masterpiece, in top 5 Albums of the DECADE I listened to this Album almost exclusively for several months. At the risk of Hyperbole, it is one of the best albums of the DECADE. On par with OK Computer and Dark Side of the Moon for completeness of vision and execution from the prolific imagination of Sufjan Stevens. However, the crap leftover (B-sides, if you will) from this project were released as Avalanche, and are not worth getting, really. Submitted by marcmaxson (New Orleans, LA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Over-Hyped pretension
Share this Product