Illinois
by Sufjan Stevens
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 792 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 721 out of 792
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 792
  3. Negative: 55 out of 792

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  1. LennyC
    Jun 2, 2007
    10
    Indulgent? Absolutely. But what people need to realize is that Sufjan's songs parallel their subjects; in this case, America, which is arguably the most indulgent country on earth. And yet he's able to incorporate a sense of humility into it all. Instead of going, "Yeah, I looked all this stuff up," he goes, "This is how it is, and it's amazing." Looking at Sufjan as a Indulgent? Absolutely. But what people need to realize is that Sufjan's songs parallel their subjects; in this case, America, which is arguably the most indulgent country on earth. And yet he's able to incorporate a sense of humility into it all. Instead of going, "Yeah, I looked all this stuff up," he goes, "This is how it is, and it's amazing." Looking at Sufjan as a pretentious center of hype is a mistake. The music may almost always be in first-person, but first and foremost it's a tribute to the Illinois, America, and humanity.… Expand
  2. DanF.
    Jun 25, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite all-time albums. I could listen to it anytime.
  3. Joni-M.
    Apr 21, 2008
    10
    Perfect. Nothing less than a masterpiece.
  4. AyshL.
    May 1, 2008
    9
    Amazing.
  5. AyshL.
    Aug 9, 2008
    10
    Amazing.
  6. PeterP.
    Dec 20, 2009
    10
    Astonishing, ambitious, addictive, highly original, sublime. Truly exceptional, once in a lifetime kind of album.
  7. GregS
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    Freakin LOVE this cd
  8. jimm
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    best of the year no doubt. the depth of the music and its catchiness is like nothing i've ever heard. Have been listening to reapetedly. beautiful
  9. Nick
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    I'm willing to add another 10 to this album along with all the other "hipsters" because I, along with them, actually listened to it more than three times and am not tone deaf and like wonderfully wonderful music with smart lyrics and beautiful melodies. I like you Sufjan Stevens, I like you a lot.
  10. PhilipB
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    I have hundreds of cds, and I love all kinds of music. This album is definitely in my top 10, along with Michigan. I can't find a thing wrong with this Prairie State tribute; I seriously couldn't ask for more than what he's done here--except maybe a few more tracks, but that's a harsh and invalid criticism for a disc with 22 tracks (23 on the vinyl!).
  11. DanB.
    Oct 16, 2005
    8
    Maybe it could be a bit shorter? But that's a small complaint. It's one of those albums that are great to listen to from start to finish... but it's definitely not for everyone, it's not pop or rock, it's like an old-style movie musical soundtrack done with a Brooklyn indie sensibility. Whatever that means.
  12. WillA
    Nov 6, 2005
    10
    it's a great cd. really creative. i don't think there's one bad song
  13. JoaoL
    Nov 7, 2005
    9
    An extraordinary mixture of feelings, landscapes, persons. Sung by that fantastic voice, both sad an dazzled. Great folk songs remembering Neil Young or Dylan, with arrangements that bring their immortal songs to thepresent time
  14. KopieKat
    Dec 1, 2005
    10
    I believe this might be one of the best, maybe the single best record of the year. It struck me, anyway. Oh, and don't mind the whining people down here. I doubt they even heard this record.
  15. StevenL
    Oct 2, 2005
    8
    Come on feel the ILLINOISE is overrated, but it's a very good album.
  16. IrvG
    Dec 12, 2005
    9
    The two best songs of the year -- one about a mass murderer, the other about a cancer victim -- headline a near masterpiece. The album is too abmitious and therefore contains a few songs that should have been left out. Still, the best album of the year.
  17. AronC
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    Easily the best album of the year, even beating my favourites:Arcade and Rufus. The hints were there in previous outings, but nobody could ahve predicted this! Choirs, folk, funky dance-able pop! and even a trippy ending song. Creative writing song certainly paid off. 1- 2 - 3 ' IN THE MORNING............'
  18. alanh
    Dec 16, 2005
    10
    top of the heap.....by some distance
  19. JohnScott
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    fantastic
  20. PerspicaciousCritic
    Dec 10, 2005
    7
    So I kept ignoring this Sufjan Stevens dude even though Illinois received the highest Metacritic score, but I finally broke down and decided to visit his Web site, www.sufjan.com, where I checked out samples of Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State (Samples of Illinois weren
  21. BenU
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    One of my favorite albums ever. I cried the first time I listened to it.
  22. KateL
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    A beautiful masterpiece. I get lost in thought whenever I turn it on.
  23. SWyn
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    Best album I've heard in years. Caught me from the first second.
  24. TonyI
    Dec 5, 2005
    10
    Spectacular. Sufjan is brilliant, talented, and humble. What more can you ask for?
  25. mat
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    He pushes his lyrics a bit too far in some cases, either by being overly sentimental or rhyming for the sake of rhyming in some cases, the album is overwhelmingly heart-warming and insightful. You can tell that this music comes from very real places, the composition is quite rich and it gets better after mulitiple listens. Can't wait for the next installation!
  26. KristelM
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    Definitely one of the best albums ever, really. It's not everyday you run across something you've been meaning to listen to for years and suddenly realize you have a new favorite band.
  27. JenniferJ
    Oct 3, 2005
    9
    This album, like "Say Yes! to Michigan," is addictive and infectious. The more you listen to it, the better it is.
  28. ArendvanE
    Oct 4, 2005
    9
    Just beautiful (like his other albums, exept maybe that "enjoy yr rabbit" album).
  29. Hey
    Oct 6, 2005
    9
    To Mojo, I have to say YOU'RE F*CKING IDIOTS! Come on, you gave this a 70 and Ryan Adams new one (new one as in Jacksonville City Nights) a 40? You have to be kidding me. This one is tied for album of the year for me.
  30. FredK
    Oct 8, 2005
    10
    I love this album so much. Sometimes I find myself disliking people just because they don't like Sufjan. "Seven Swans" is even more amazing than "Illinoise." Hedk, even "Enjoy Your Rabbit" is genius, even if it's not exactly all that listenable. Sufjan is Amaaazing.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2005
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2005
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. AllMusic
    80
    There's a distinct community theater vibe to the whole affair... but the majority of Illinois is alarmingly earnest.
    Read full review
  2. Almost Cool
    90
    Stevens is simply one of the most talented artists creating music right now, period.
    Read full review
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    Exhausting, enthralling, disorientating, celebratory, and contemplative, Sufjan Stevens has delivered another album that will keep us listening and educated till Christmas.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »