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. 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
  2. BlayzeH
    Apr 4, 2006
    10
    Best album ever made.
  3. stefanp
    Mar 15, 2006
    10
    awesome
  4. 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!
  5. LeslieP
    Mar 6, 2006
    10
    This is a haunting, intensely personal piece of work that gets under your skin. Great music, combined with incredible lyrics. It's one not to be missed.
  6. 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.
  7. PaulF
    Feb 27, 2006
    9
    An absolutely BEAUTIFUL (and this is a word that I use very sparingly with modern music) record that is experimental without being weird. Very listenable, deep, intricate, and fun. Even the song for John Wayne Gacey is blissfully constructed, so gorgeous that you forget it is about a serial rapist/killer. I can't wait to explore more of Sufjan's music...Illinois is the first An absolutely BEAUTIFUL (and this is a word that I use very sparingly with modern music) record that is experimental without being weird. Very listenable, deep, intricate, and fun. Even the song for John Wayne Gacey is blissfully constructed, so gorgeous that you forget it is about a serial rapist/killer. I can't wait to explore more of Sufjan's music...Illinois is the first album I've heard of his, and now I can't wait to find out what the rest of his discography has to offer. A lot of people have mentioned 'pretentious' as a descriptor for this music. Hell no. Even though it is 'arty' and 'intricate' it is far from 'pretentious'. It is not self-fulfilling in any way. It is just damned good music. Give it a listen and form your own opinion. Don't trust us!… Expand
  8. DonF
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    Have to disagree, Brian K! I'm well over 30, have heard a LOT of music, and this work is far from pretentious or annoying. The ambitious nature of it is part of the beauty.
  9. TimM
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Awesome. Absolutely awesome.
  10. 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!
  11. RyanG
    Feb 8, 2006
    10
    Sufjan Stevens gets better with each album
  12. jackorff
    Feb 6, 2006
    8
    So, it's nice. You ca't say it's not nice. It deserves an 8. I guess. I don't know. I never listened to it after about two weeks. it's nIce. makes you feel like the stick cotton-candy gets wrapped around. Like filling a hot-tub with kool-aid, and splashing around with your very best chums. More thrilling than a good deed, and more than enough to hold over So, it's nice. You ca't say it's not nice. It deserves an 8. I guess. I don't know. I never listened to it after about two weeks. it's nIce. makes you feel like the stick cotton-candy gets wrapped around. Like filling a hot-tub with kool-aid, and splashing around with your very best chums. More thrilling than a good deed, and more than enough to hold over accountants until the next Dave Matthews album drops. "One Sweet World" you guys! I don't know. It is technically good. That's not really debateable, Patrick Argh. It's just a little too good, something I suspect it knows, and that - for some reason - is irritating. Cloying, precious, joyful. Give me distortion and scratches. This could pass as a recruiting tool for Vatican 3. I'm really not sure why I gave it an eight. That I know it probably deserves it just makes me resent it even more. It doesn't care if you listen. It needs no reassurance. It is a series of saccharine song-cycles subsumed within a strange sense of self-satisfaction. Sssssssso. decide for yourself: if you read bulk fowards from your aunts about the importance of living today like it was your last, most beautiful day, this may be what you're looking for. Otherwise, Hypermagic Mountain awaits. Let's go there now...… Expand
  13. peteb
    Feb 4, 2006
    10
    utterly brillant!
  14. 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.
  15. TakaN
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    Amazing, completely original taking a full journey throughout illinois.
  16. billybob
    Feb 2, 2006
    10
    Absolutely inspired. So beautiful, it can hardly be stood. Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?
  17. JimD
    Feb 1, 2006
    10
    This is the most interesting CD that I've heard this millenium. The layering and interplay of melodies and rhythm along with the transitions within many of the songs are just fantastic. There has not been a perfect CD/album, so there are some bumps in the road, such as portions tunes that are overly-repetitive, but these bumps are far and few between. A unique aspect of this CD is This is the most interesting CD that I've heard this millenium. The layering and interplay of melodies and rhythm along with the transitions within many of the songs are just fantastic. There has not been a perfect CD/album, so there are some bumps in the road, such as portions tunes that are overly-repetitive, but these bumps are far and few between. A unique aspect of this CD is how entertaining and interesting and humorous the titles and liner notes are. The theme of the CD and the heavily-researched and often heartfelt lyrics are another impessive component of this CD that make it a treasure, and one of the few that makes the "stuck on a desert island" lists.… Expand
  18. SteveC
    Jan 31, 2006
    10
    May be the best album I have ever heard. I hear something new everytime. Every album seems to get better.
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. JeffP
    Jan 25, 2006
    10
    I have listened to Illinois for 2 months now. Can anybody help me get this out of my CD player. Blood,Sweat & Tears, John Sebastion, Paul Simon, and Elton John on stage being directed by Stravinsky's ghost this is how I try to relate the sound of this Indie aldum to my friends. If your tear ducts don't start twitching during the choral arrangement at the end of Predatory Wasp I have listened to Illinois for 2 months now. Can anybody help me get this out of my CD player. Blood,Sweat & Tears, John Sebastion, Paul Simon, and Elton John on stage being directed by Stravinsky's ghost this is how I try to relate the sound of this Indie aldum to my friends. If your tear ducts don't start twitching during the choral arrangement at the end of Predatory Wasp you are not human. But don't worry the zombie cheerleaders in the next cut will take care of you.… Expand
  22. 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.
  23. PaulRocks
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    This is the album of the year. Mr Stevens your a genius. Can't wait for the Alaska album!!
  24. JGrahm
    Jan 16, 2006
    10
    Sufjan is so original, his music is amazing
  25. AlexD.T.
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    The songwriting's inspired, the musical arrangements are great. One of my favourite albums.
  26. GlennD
    Jan 11, 2006
    8
    Exhilerating!
  27. KennyJ
    Jan 11, 2006
    9
    Awesome album. Ecclectic and creative with some of the best lyrics I've heard in years. Sufjan has put out a unique and wonderful album.
  28. JonL
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    beautiful album
  29. fattakinskywalker
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    Without a doubt the best album i have heard in a year!! Sounds fresh, exciting and intelligent.
  30. MikeM
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    A gorgeous album...one of the few that has changed my life
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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 »