User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 792 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 721 out of 792
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Mixed: 16 out of 792
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Negative: 55 out of 792
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- Most helpful
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AndreaCFeb 9, 2006Definately the most intelligent and beautiful album I've purchased in recent years. Sufjan has blown me away once again. Bravo!
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bolisjMar 11, 2006The best album I've yet heard in my 40 years... intricate, multi-layered, joyful, funny, ambitious and, not least, utterly original. If it's pretentious (as some claim) - who cares! My only ever perfect score - I just love it!
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jaeroplaneApr 22, 2006
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JohnDApr 23, 2006Great to listen and play around a campfire
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BlayzeHApr 4, 2006Best album ever made.
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mr.hankeyApr 7, 2006
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LukeMMay 19, 2006Just spectacular, emotional, smooth, and astonishing.
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GabrielSMay 25, 2006It's incredible.
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ArikKJul 6, 2006Amazing album. It flows perfectly and even feels like a plot, what with a climax in Chicago and Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts.
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RandyKAug 21, 2006Maybe the person who gave this a "3" will send his copy to me! We play Illinois whenever we have company over or when women stop by to shop for my wife's paintings. It always get positive results!
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HollayRAug 23, 2006This album is "the shit." I loves pretty mcuh every minute of it. I encourage everyone to go out and buy it and i am so pumbed to be going to this concert in Sept.
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anonymousAug 8, 2006Smooth and exceedingly different, the lyrics catch the listener and pull. The music sounds homespun, giving it a truly fresh feel.
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johnnycSep 22, 2006has some of the most breathtaking songs i have ever heard
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ChadK.Nov 30, 2007Magical, disarming, earnest, and potent. A masterpiece.
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ErikaLJan 7, 2007Wonderfull!
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NickyBFeb 18, 2007Impressive, dense, moving. Beautiful writing. Took me a while to warm up to it as I found it all a bit precious at first, but I now consider it one of my favorite albums.
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christianfMar 6, 2007it's really good and Casimir Pulaski Day is the best song ever
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BennyMJul 8, 2007It's hard to describe how much I love this album. I could listen to it every single day and not get tired of it.
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JamieO.Sep 19, 2007Anybody who doesn't like this has problems.
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PeterS.Feb 24, 2008Never has a more perfect album been produced. The fragility of his voice, as demonstrated in John Wayne Gacy Jr., and the whole production behind his songs (Chicago, Jacksonville, They Are The Night Zombies... etc) makes this an album that shall only ever be dated if the state of Illinois ceases to exist in the near future. Sublime.
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AdamAMay 30, 2009Simply the best album ever created. From start to finish, each piece is a beautifully composed masterpiece which will leave shivers running down your spine. Given the fact that it is 100% original (written, performed, and produced by Stevens himself), and the hauntingly amazing songs, Sufjan Stevens should be ranked among the classical composers in brilliance.
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PJZ.Jun 6, 2009This album has been a favorite of mine and will be for years to come. It is so universal in its lyrics and musical content, but it's so personal to Stevens, it's amazing. Illinois truly deserves all of the praise it receives.
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hal9000Jan 25, 2010Sufjan Stevens Illinois is truely a special album. This is proof that Steven's is one of the most gifted songwriters and musicians working today. All 22 of the tracks on this album are hauntingly brilliant, and this is the best album of the decade.
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JasperBNov 13, 2005To sum this album up in one word: Godsend
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BHNov 2, 2005Amazing, by turns emotionally devastating and ecstatic... Perfect arrangements, like Brian Eno, Steve Reich and Philip Glass have gotten together with Neil Young. Great to see a clearly stunning album getting the recognition it deserves - with the glaring exceptions of the few who obviously listened once and "didn't get it"....
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JCNov 2, 2005Another excellent record from Sufjan Stevens, managing to take the orchestrations even further than his previous efforts. One of the finest folk rock albums of the year, alongside Andrew Bird.
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RebekahHNov 20, 2005Literally the best Album I have ever feard. This is what real craftmaship is. I am completely obsessed with Sufjan Stevens thanks to this album. If you enjoy music that is not a huge pile of over processed crap, you should appreciate Sufjan.
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MarkSNov 2, 2005This took a few listens, and even a live gig, to really get into. In fact I didn't like it at all when I listened to it first, but boy did it grow on me. There's a lot to take in with 22 tracks but the vast majority of them are pure classics. The subject matter of the album doesn't interest me much but the music is great. One of my albums of the year so far.
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PSellrsOct 13, 2005Melodically interesting, lyrically rhythmic, and pure genius!
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PatrickOOct 14, 2005Nothing will beat this pure, honest songwriting by the ambitious Sufjan in his second installment of the 50 States project.
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JohnBNov 8, 2005Amazing man and album!
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MuffinManNov 9, 2005Oddly the same quirkiness, which entices one to be almost giddy, exists similarly in the The Go! Team release. Do these two know one another?
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rajkDec 13, 2005believe the hype- this one is great. for those who´ve heard SS over the years it is no great departure in style - just more mature, well rounded and amazingly executed. this album feels sad, yet hopeful. it is a repetitive album, but remember it is an album not an long playing assortment of stand alone songs (of which we´ve become so used to in this day and age).
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stthDec 13, 2005hypnotizing. i put in another album in my car and then put this one back in after a few minutes
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NickTDec 26, 2005
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SeanHDec 30, 2005This collection of songs is so intensely poetic --- and wrought with such unambiguous sincerity and love --- that crusty cynics might well have a field day. The rest of us have only gratitude.
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JonathanVDec 31, 2005This is by far the best album of 2005, in my humble opinion! I can only say, just listen to this entire record with your headphones on and then you can only agree! Unbelievable!
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byrondDec 6, 2005Great album! Come on feel the illinoise! is one of the most shake yer rump best pop songs in ages!
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DanODec 6, 2005Believe the critics this is truly a remarkable achievement. I can not get enough of this CD and I reccomend any music fan to add this to your collection.
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KenDec 7, 2005Michigan was better
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JamesMDec 7, 2005There is only one way I can describe this album: a masterpiece. It astounds me that this whole album was made by one person: it should take an army of people to produce this glorious noise.
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HeleneDec 8, 2005There's nothing more to say about SS than that they`re one of the biggest things which has happened to music in the last decade,along with anthony & the johnsons and a couple of other
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FlashFlooderJul 11, 2005Sufjan creates a multi-layered musical gem in his 2nd state-devoted cd. Truly amazing, we can only hope for such greatness for the next 48 states. Frontrunner for album of the year.
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MattWJul 11, 2005he is now my favorite musician of all time
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J.D.HowsleyJul 11, 2005By far the best album I have heard all year! Cannot wait for his live show to see how it pulls it off.
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AaronSJul 12, 2005This album will be remembered for many years to come. Sufjan Stevens will no longer go unnoticed in the music industry. His genius is profiled in this album. Simply beautiful in all respects!
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LawrencePJul 14, 2005I hate to say it, but this guy is a genius. Keep the tunes coming.
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RyanJul 15, 2005I'm going to listen to this album in late autumn and feel an overwhelming sense nostalgia for the summer. It's an opus worthy of EVERYONE'S ear. I feel like it's the world's responsibility to buy this record so Sufjan can fund his undoubtedly great next outing.
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OwenHJul 17, 2005This album restores my faith in the music industry. If Thom Yorke were to buy a copy of this album, he might, just might get back to challenging himself with making another really good album, instead of some existential junk.
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BryanSJul 24, 2005
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ChrisAug 13, 2005Among the best of 2005 so far (August 13th) with Bright Eyes, The White Stripes, System of a Down and The Game. Let's see what Idlewild, Kanye West, OutKast, Elbow, BRMC, the Dandy Warhols, and Broken Social Scene have to offer in the last 4.5 months.
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MattAug 15, 2005Wonderful! Future generations will be looking at it as the first classic neo-folk album.
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DavidMAug 16, 2005
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PhilipGAug 24, 2005This album is simply brilliant
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SumiAug 25, 2005This is an album of uncommon melodies and beautiful arrangements. The bittersweet yet genuinely uplifting songs are simply gorgeous, with nary a false emotion. A true joy to listen to.
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PETERSSep 11, 2005Wow. He captures the feelingof Illinois is 21 songs. Wow.
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FakeNameSep 12, 2005most refreshing album this side of the century. amazing!
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chriscSep 14, 2005unlike anything i have ever heard - something that is rare in music today!
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TiagoCSep 14, 2005Great record. Probalby the best of 2005.
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JoshuaJESep 15, 2005Incredible. Just say Sufjan at the Majestic in Detroit, he and his band were amazing and this album expresses it all.
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BenDSep 16, 2005
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ErlingOSep 21, 2005My favourite of the year. Just fantastic.
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BradMSep 22, 2005
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JosiahRoeSep 26, 2005Glory!
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ChrisFromCaliforniaSep 29, 2005Ever listened to an album that was so good it just made you cry. You will after listening to this. I can't remember the last time when an album hit me this hard emotionally. People, stop buying Coldplay, give your money to someone who deserves it. Album of the year.
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KennyJJan 11, 2006Awesome album. Ecclectic and creative with some of the best lyrics I've heard in years. Sufjan has put out a unique and wonderful album.
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GlennDJan 11, 2006Exhilerating!
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DanielGNov 19, 2006This is an amazing album, it is one of those extremely influential albums that makes people who say "I hate that kind of music" start to say, "Oh wait, I guess I do like that kind of music". Who knows what gaps this CD bridges, I can only wait for him to do my homestate, Wisconsin.
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JGrahmJan 16, 2006Sufjan is so original, his music is amazing
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PaulRocksJan 17, 2006This is the album of the year. Mr Stevens your a genius. Can't wait for the Alaska album!!
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PaulFFeb 27, 2006
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stefanpMar 15, 2006awesome
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JasonEApr 12, 2006
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SydMay 17, 2006Easily one of favourite post millenium albums. Up there with Michigan.
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RodMay 31, 2006Stunningly beautiful, provocative work. I'm constantly amazed at the emotion he is able to draw from me. Vocal performances are pure and real.
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JoeGJun 14, 2006
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stefanpJun 19, 2006awesome
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annaJul 17, 2006stunning from begining to end. a modern day musical achievement.
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TheCriticJul 19, 2006A great album. The only thing holding it back is the consistentsy and the annoying female back up singers.
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barthAug 14, 2006My first contact with an artist that keeps surprising. Fun, musical inspiration, great lyrics.
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KevinKAug 27, 2006Best Album of 2005. Best Songwriter right now. You gotta love Sufjan's ambition It's so exciting to see in a time where the spotlight is usually put on unoriginal and unartistic music.
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DORELLWSep 15, 2006This is a great album. It gets better and better the more you listen to it.
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PhilWSep 24, 2006If you ever wondered who the character Max in Rushmore would grow up to be, it would be Sufjan Stevens. I've traveled to just about every county in Illinois and all I can say is Stevens hit a home run with this album!
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AndreaOSep 29, 2006His artistic vision is so complete. He reflects such an innocent joy and such a deep knowledge of sorrow. Who is this man and how did this happen?
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LizMJan 24, 2007To me, it's one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard. In the end, it all depends on your taste in music. This is right up my alley. I might not believe in God, but I do believe in Sufjan Stevens.
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RobertCJan 31, 2007Extremely original.
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JohnJJul 17, 2007The only reason this album did not recieve a perfect 10 from Sufjan's fans is because of one low, outlying score. Every other person has given this album a 10. Come on, man. Don't tell me this isn't one of the most beautiful albums ever recorded. Please develop some taste in music before reviewing and rating albums.
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alexfJul 25, 2007I love this album so much! Every single song is great.
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D.MacSep 14, 2007best album I've heard in years!
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JustinB.Sep 25, 2007I will never know how this didn't get all 100s, it is one of the most complete and amazing albums ever created. the brilliance of sufjan stevens is evident the moment you hear this album even if you never heard of him before.
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RyanK.Feb 29, 2008A masterpiece. 'Nuff said.
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ZacC.May 17, 2008The greatest musical work since the turn of the century and I think that it will stay that way for a time...
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MattM.Jun 21, 2008Easily the greatest album I've ever listened to. An bonafide masterpiece and an album that deserves to be put in a time capsule or museum. A true piece of American history.
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ChrisM.Jul 17, 2008An amazing expansive album. You will be impressed by its rich production on first listen, and then a stupid grin on your face while enjoying the beauty on the following listens.
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cgNov 19, 2005love this cd, I can't stop listenening to chicago
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GeoffSNov 22, 2005Easily one of the best albums I've bought this year. It takes two listens to catch on to most songs, yet some songs (i.e. Chicago, Come on Feel the Illinoise!) grab you at first listen. It is fundamentally subtle and mostly brilliant.
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othosNov 24, 2005Note to LF: It may not be your cup of tea, but it is, decidely, NOT crap. If every artist put this much thought and craftsmanship into records, the airwaves would not be filled with such dreck.
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SeanTDec 11, 2005great record! this man deserves some kind of reward immediately
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HarryDec 12, 2005I blindingly brilliant achievement. Ranks among the top 3 albums of the year and is as engrossing as it is ambitious.
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C.B.Dec 13, 2005beautiful...
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Awards & Rankings
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There's a distinct community theater vibe to the whole affair... but the majority of Illinois is alarmingly earnest.
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Stevens is simply one of the most talented artists creating music right now, period.
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Exhausting, enthralling, disorientating, celebratory, and contemplative, Sufjan Stevens has delivered another album that will keep us listening and educated till Christmas.