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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WillANov 6, 2005it's a great cd. really creative. i don't think there's one bad song
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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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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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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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CiaranCNov 2, 2005
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ACriticOct 31, 2005
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matOct 26, 2005He 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!
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EddieTOct 24, 2005
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AdamOct 18, 2005innovative
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DanB.Oct 16, 2005Maybe 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.
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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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PSellrsOct 13, 2005Melodically interesting, lyrically rhythmic, and pure genius!
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PhilipBOct 13, 2005I 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!).
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GregSOct 11, 2005Freakin LOVE this cd
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DonNOct 10, 2005I'm getting a post-christian, after school lunch special feeling when listening to this. Yes it's voicings are fresh, lyrics are MFA without the pretension but, this is not pop music. You get the sense that the insular small town white boy is just getting his rocks off on some hyper-orchestration.
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BrianKOct 10, 2005Melodic to the point of perfection. Some of the most beautiful music you will ever hear. Album of the year.
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Brendan"EagleEye"WOct 8, 2005I love this album. I guess that it is great, beautiful music for the type of music that it is and what it does. For music that flows like wind and is full of emotion this is it. But its not hard rocking. Rather its beautiful, almost contempary classical music (in a way), and I guess listening to it just sends me to another place. Cool eh?
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FredKOct 8, 2005I 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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AdelaidaSOct 7, 2005Best album of 2005. Don't let the first listen fool you, it takes a couple of listens to grasp the intricacy and masterful musicianship of this album. You'll probably learn something, too.
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HeyOct 6, 2005To 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.
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AustinLOct 4, 2005What oftern gets ignored about this album is how well the songs can hold up alone, let alone on the album
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ArendvanEOct 4, 2005Just beautiful (like his other albums, exept maybe that "enjoy yr rabbit" album).
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rudiwOct 4, 2005One of the best albums of 2005! (so far)
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MWOct 4, 2005There's so much there to marvel at that it's rarely left my player since it came out.
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JenniferJOct 3, 2005This album, like "Say Yes! to Michigan," is addictive and infectious. The more you listen to it, the better it is.
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StevenLOct 2, 2005Come on feel the ILLINOISE is overrated, but it's a very good album.
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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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JeffMSep 27, 2005The 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.
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MikeP.Sep 26, 2005
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JosiahRoeSep 26, 2005Glory!
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JohnScottSep 24, 2005fantastic
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SoupSSep 23, 2005I liked it mostly but it's way too long and needs to change up more. It would've been a lot better if it had a lot less fluff.
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BradMSep 22, 2005
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ErlingOSep 21, 2005My favourite of the year. Just fantastic.
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annetteSep 21, 2005an 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.
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ScottMSep 19, 2005Though not the best Sufjan album, it is the best release of this year. By far.
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KamilMSep 18, 2005inspired, infectious and warm, only sometimes incoherent
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mcSep 16, 2005Absolutely fantastic, one of the few originals in today's musical landscape, Sufjan is brilliant.
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BenDSep 16, 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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SansBSep 15, 2005This album is pure bliss
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TiagoCSep 14, 2005Great record. Probalby the best of 2005.
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chriscSep 14, 2005unlike anything i have ever heard - something that is rare in music today!
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BlairCSep 13, 2005Simply elegant...believe the hype.
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FakeNameSep 12, 2005most refreshing album this side of the century. amazing!
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FilipeASep 12, 2005I'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...
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PETERSSep 11, 2005Wow. He captures the feelingof Illinois is 21 songs. Wow.
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JLDSep 10, 2005a musical experience...so great!!
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KakvoxSep 10, 2005Best album of the year in any genre - hands down.
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hotface.Sep 8, 2005This is the best album I've ever owned. &i have about 5,000, not including vinyl. So, that right there is saying something.
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MarkRSep 6, 2005This has been a hauntingly good album - even the parts that might be questionable stays with me.
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ChrisHSep 6, 2005The best album of 2005 isn't an understatement.
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ZacharyMSep 4, 2005The best album I have heard in years. Life changing.
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S.GoldSep 3, 2005I'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!
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EmilyBSep 2, 2005This cd owns your life.
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JohnFSep 1, 2005Eclectic, heartfelt, but not sappy. No crying-in-your-beer Paul Simon schmaltz here...Mellow, but digs deep into your psyche.
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MikeAug 30, 2005One of the best CDs I heard in a long long time!!!
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WoodyW.Aug 29, 2005I haven't been so moved in so many different ways by an album in a long time. A ridiculously ambitious album, ranging easily from the intimate to the glorious, that matches its ambitions.
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timmAug 26, 2005One of the best albums of this decade. Truly great music. The kind of music that would be top of the charts if the media were not controlled by giant media conglomerates.
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AlexMAug 26, 2005
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IanBAug 26, 2005The most inspirational music that I have heard since the Dylan and folk era of the 60s/70's. Soulfull, haunting, with lyrics and harmonies that cut across generations. Cant wait for the next state.
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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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DavisWAug 25, 2005Very Strong effort, beautiful arangements very "crafty" musicians.
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PhilipGAug 24, 2005This album is simply brilliant
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TristanAug 24, 2005I've never heard more masterful music. Blew me away on first listen.
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BrandonRAug 23, 2005A home run, if not a grand-slam, if not a pinch-hit grand-slam onto Waveland Ave. in the bottom of the ninth.
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christopherwAug 21, 2005Best album of 2005 so far by a mile, would recommend this to anyone who knows what music is and should be all about.Well done Sufjan on an excellent recording!!
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AlanWAug 18, 2005This album gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. The Phillip Glass inspired bridges are amazing. I can't wait for the next 48 albums!
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DavidMAug 16, 2005
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ScottSAug 16, 2005
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PoloPAug 16, 2005This album is amazing. Brilliant.
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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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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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joshmAug 13, 2005this guy has God given creativity and he uses it more than any other musical artist in history
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BenAug 10, 2005It's simple Philip Buchan must die.
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seantAug 9, 2005so far (and barring any unforseeable events) this is the best album of 2005, perhaps the best of this young millenium. stevens somehow writes music that is both immensly universal and intensely personal at the same time. this album is simply unbelievable.
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IanSAug 8, 2005magical!
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CosmoPrelogAug 5, 2005Only a notorious jerk could dislike this record. An amazing achievement. Insanely good.
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KeithAug 5, 2005
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AmandaPAug 4, 2005Very nice, but the more expansive it gets, the more I miss the quiet intimacy of Seven Swans, which I still consider his most personal, and best, work.
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MarceloMAug 3, 2005Instant classic that gives musical independence hope.
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AliCAug 3, 2005This record justifies metacritic's existence. I doubt very much that I would have even heard of, let alone bought this phenomenal record if I hadn't seen it at the top of metacritic's lists for this year. In fact it's the first record I've bought on the basis of a metacritic rating. And so should you. Wow.
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AlexBAug 1, 2005Great album, almost no complaints, but I think it could have been tighter. Also, too much flute. Still one of the best albums this year though.
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JohnnyG5Aug 1, 2005I'm blown away by the emotion of this album. The lyrics, the arrangements, the melodies, absolutely f'n brilliant. I know there are some songs that cover taboo topics, but I've never been so moved by an album since ... since never. Bravo. Bravo Stevens. Crap. Shite;s unbelievable.
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AramisGAug 1, 2005Plenty of people have given Sufjan Stevens favorable reviews I totally agree with. He is very talented and even if you agree with what I have to say you should still listen to his albums if you haven
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SerialSloanJul 29, 2005As of July 29th, Sufjan Steven's Illinois is my choice for album of the year, with Andrew Bird's Mysterious Production of Eggs inches behind. This album is a masterpiece. The music is thick and intense, and filled with haunting and interesting historical references.
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JohnSJul 28, 2005It's that good. Wow.
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BainyJul 26, 2005Superb
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BryanSJul 24, 2005
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RazaJul 21, 2005not only album of the year but easily one of the 10 best albums of the decade so far
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AceKabobJul 19, 2005
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BenDogJul 18, 2005Sufjan spent his money from SEVEN SWANS and MICHIGAN on orchestration. The result is similar to the aforementioned albums except more lush and ultimately more beautiful. Wow.
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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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TaylorZJul 16, 2005
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JoeBriefcaseJul 16, 2005Incredible. Album of the year? Quite probably. Album of the still young 21st century? Very possible.
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SeanWJul 15, 2005This is my first exposure to Sufjan's music, and all I have to say is that this is probably the most immersive album I've ever listened to.
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JeffWJul 15, 2005This album is great. It makes me feel good to listen to it and it does not make me think that I am being sucked into a cult..... sort of. The only reason I gave it a 6 was to add a little color to the "Rate this album" board... Green can get old and that red looked alone. Can't wait for Whyoming on my mind.
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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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BrianMJul 15, 2005Incredible CD focusing on the 21st state. Stevens seems to improve on every release, making his 50 states project even more awesome.
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NoahPJul 15, 2005If you don't love this album, you have no taste and you have no soul.
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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.