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. FilipeA
    Sep 12, 2005
    10
    I'm portuguese and i'm absolutly thrilled to have a chance to meet music like this. We import many junk music from USA, but this is what we call GOOD MUSIC. "Come On! Feel The Illinoise!" is a masterpiece. It remebers me Genesis in Gabriel years. Well, i'll be waiting for the last 48 states...
  2. BlairC
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    Simply elegant...believe the hype.
  3. KamilM
    Sep 18, 2005
    8
    inspired, infectious and warm, only sometimes incoherent
  4. ScottM
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    Though not the best Sufjan album, it is the best release of this year. By far.
  5. annette
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    an exquisite piece of work. it works on so many levels, like a great piece of fiction. i can't get it out of my mind.
  6. MikeP.
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Could music and innovation blend in so perfectly as 'Illinoise' easily demonstrates? Each song in this album is a complement to the others, perfectly edited with songs so touching, so exhilarating, so complete that really puts it in a league all onto itself. To say this album is anything short of a contemporary masterpiece would be false. So far, Sufjan Stevens has brought us 2 Could music and innovation blend in so perfectly as 'Illinoise' easily demonstrates? Each song in this album is a complement to the others, perfectly edited with songs so touching, so exhilarating, so complete that really puts it in a league all onto itself. To say this album is anything short of a contemporary masterpiece would be false. So far, Sufjan Stevens has brought us 2 albums concerning the union. Guessing on what he's demonstarted to the musical demography, I have 48 albums to look forward to.… Expand
  7. JeffM
    Sep 27, 2005
    10
    The most impressed I've been with an album since "Parachutes" and "OK Computer". Must be listened to as art, not just another album. It's a masterpiece of melodies, rhythms, poetry, and all around unconventional beautiful song writing.
  8. S.Gold
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    I've been listening to this album for months and I love it, I'm not getting tired of it and it's probably the best album of the year so far. See him live, he's great!
  9. ZacharyM
    Sep 4, 2005
    10
    The best album I have heard in years. Life changing.
  10. ChrisH
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    The best album of 2005 isn't an understatement.
  11. MarkR
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    This has been a hauntingly good album - even the parts that might be questionable stays with me.
  12. amyd
    Nov 10, 2006
    10
    it's suprising how Sufjan Stevens seems to reach out as he himself were the state of Illinois. this is truly one of the most remarkable and moving albums i have ever experienced.
  13. ScottY
    Jan 15, 2006
    6
    I'm not sure if I'd actually buy this album, but it is pretty clever and an enjoyable listen. In fact, I've request Michigan from my local library so that I can listen to that, too. I'm not sure if you'd say the album is about Illinois so much as it is about the American landscape in general. Chicago is my favorite song on the album.
  14. jacobr
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    Great albulm, my favorite of many years...even if the rest of this state series is terrible, this one is worth the whole enterprise. I put it up there with Highway 61 revisited, or Blood on the Tracks.
  15. KeriT
    Dec 31, 2006
    10
    Sufjan is a musical genius. The songwrititng is poetry in its most beautiful form. His instrumental compostions are simply breathtaking and exquisite. Absolutely one of my favorite albums of the year. Thank you Sufjan!
  16. FearghalL
    Jan 29, 2006
    9
    a breath of fresh air for the singer songwriter ganre beautiful songs and in my opinion the best album of 2005 a must have for any music fan
  17. frantastic
    Jan 30, 2006
    10
    It feels wrong to give a 10 to an album I started listening to only within the last two weeks. I held out for a while - I wasn't a fan of the cover art and the hype scared me off, as well. But I take back all my skepticism... This is a beautiful album in its entirety. (Instrumental does not always = filler!) Although I admit the standout tracks are those where the lyrics are It feels wrong to give a 10 to an album I started listening to only within the last two weeks. I held out for a while - I wasn't a fan of the cover art and the hype scared me off, as well. But I take back all my skepticism... This is a beautiful album in its entirety. (Instrumental does not always = filler!) Although I admit the standout tracks are those where the lyrics are forefronted, for good reason. Decatur and the steel man song are so toe-tapping... and then for an instant tearjerker along comes Casimir Pulaski Day. I don't really understand the nay-sayers on this one...but then again I still can't stand Pinback.… Expand
  18. carriea
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    i love this cd. ts so beautiful...so...SUFJAN :)
  19. EllenN
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Magical, splendid, gourgeous
  20. Fletcherb
    Jan 5, 2006
    8
    It's a long, long, long, long, long breath of fresh air that ultimately leaves you out of breath. "C'MON..." being the standout
  21. TimM
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Awesome. Absolutely awesome.
  22. CraigF
    Feb 28, 2006
    9
    Something really different but yet vaguely familar. Some how makes yoe feel all warm inside! Really good album and artist.
  23. playpen
    Feb 3, 2006
    7
    Listen to a Half-Handed Cloud album and you basically get the same thing.. and a bit more fun to listen to in my opinion. This is an above average album, nothing earth shattering, it is pretty music but I don't think it was the best album released this year. And it would be better if it were about 15 minutes shorter.
  24. RyanG
    Feb 8, 2006
    10
    Sufjan Stevens gets better with each album
  25. AndreaC
    Feb 9, 2006
    10
    Definately the most intelligent and beautiful album I've purchased in recent years. Sufjan has blown me away once again. Bravo!
  26. bolisj
    Mar 11, 2006
    10
    The 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!
  27. jaeroplane
    Apr 22, 2006
    10
    After first glance, the buyer must do a double take to make sure he read all of the song titles correctly. In much the same way, the listener has to keep the CD on repeat for several days just to make sure that he heard everything correctly. There is so much depth to the musical and lyrical qualities of this album that one's CD collection will need to be dusted off after finally After first glance, the buyer must do a double take to make sure he read all of the song titles correctly. In much the same way, the listener has to keep the CD on repeat for several days just to make sure that he heard everything correctly. There is so much depth to the musical and lyrical qualities of this album that one's CD collection will need to be dusted off after finally finishing the thorough listening this album requires. For long-time Sufjan fans, you'll find much of the stuff we've come to expect and love: there are much of the same multi-meter and multi-layered pop songs found on Michigan (Come On!, Chicago), many soul-stirring ballads of Seven Swans (John Wayne Gacy, Jr, Casimir Pulaski Day), and the pleasant melodic folk (Decatur). There are plenty of surprises, too: the funky R&B stylings of Jacksonville and They are Night Zombies! and the Wilco-esque rock of Man of Metropolis. It's a wonderfully beautiful, touching, entertaining, and awe-inspiring album that will always be within arms reach of this listener!… Expand
  28. JohnD
    Apr 23, 2006
    10
    Great to listen and play around a campfire
  29. BlayzeH
    Apr 4, 2006
    10
    Best album ever made.
  30. mr.hankey
    Apr 7, 2006
    10
    I known since it's release that this album was the best of 2005 because of it's emotion and feeling and the feeling of this record is the music that is lively and sad but the most of the part entertaining. With beautiful vocals and ingenius instrumentals you cannot go wrong with this album. Unfortunately it is not going to get the best album of the year by everybody and trust me I known since it's release that this album was the best of 2005 because of it's emotion and feeling and the feeling of this record is the music that is lively and sad but the most of the part entertaining. With beautiful vocals and ingenius instrumentals you cannot go wrong with this album. Unfortunately it is not going to get the best album of the year by everybody and trust me it didn't but thanks to Amazon and Pitchfork Sufjan Stevens can have an amazing year.… Expand
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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 »