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. 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.
  2. StevenL
    Oct 2, 2005
    8
    Come on feel the ILLINOISE is overrated, but it's a very good album.
  3. ChrisFromCalifornia
    Sep 29, 2005
    10
    Ever 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. JosiahRoe
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Glory!
  7. JohnScott
    Sep 24, 2005
    10
    fantastic
  8. SoupS
    Sep 23, 2005
    7
    I 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.
  9. BradM
    Sep 22, 2005
    10
    Illinois is a triumph - Possibly one of the most outstanding records of the last two years. If Sufjan's music is ever to reach the masses, this could be the album to mark his arrival. Steven's songs are bigger than life, digging into the memories of simple innocence, big dreams, and heartbreaking coming of age. Illinois transends Michigan and Swans and will be on everyone's Illinois is a triumph - Possibly one of the most outstanding records of the last two years. If Sufjan's music is ever to reach the masses, this could be the album to mark his arrival. Steven's songs are bigger than life, digging into the memories of simple innocence, big dreams, and heartbreaking coming of age. Illinois transends Michigan and Swans and will be on everyone's 'best of 2005' lists.… Expand
  10. ErlingO
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    My favourite of the year. Just fantastic.
  11. 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.
  12. ScottM
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    Though not the best Sufjan album, it is the best release of this year. By far.
  13. KamilM
    Sep 18, 2005
    8
    inspired, infectious and warm, only sometimes incoherent
  14. mc
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Absolutely fantastic, one of the few originals in today's musical landscape, Sufjan is brilliant.
  15. BenD
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    It takes a couple of listens to fully appreciate this album. However, once you have warmed up to its abstract concepts, you won't want to listen to anything else for quite some time. It's incredibly lush in sound while somehow remaining intimate at the same time. It also gets bonus points for having some of the best song titles ever. I swear, some of these titles take a longer It takes a couple of listens to fully appreciate this album. However, once you have warmed up to its abstract concepts, you won't want to listen to anything else for quite some time. It's incredibly lush in sound while somehow remaining intimate at the same time. It also gets bonus points for having some of the best song titles ever. I swear, some of these titles take a longer time to read than it does to listen to the songs themselves.… Expand
  16. JoshuaJE
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    Incredible. Just say Sufjan at the Majestic in Detroit, he and his band were amazing and this album expresses it all.
  17. SansB
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    This album is pure bliss
  18. TiagoC
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    Great record. Probalby the best of 2005.
  19. chrisc
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    unlike anything i have ever heard - something that is rare in music today!
  20. BlairC
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    Simply elegant...believe the hype.
  21. FakeName
    Sep 12, 2005
    10
    most refreshing album this side of the century. amazing!
  22. 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...
  23. PETERS
    Sep 11, 2005
    10
    Wow. He captures the feelingof Illinois is 21 songs. Wow.
  24. JLD
    Sep 10, 2005
    10
    a musical experience...so great!!
  25. Kakvox
    Sep 10, 2005
    10
    Best album of the year in any genre - hands down.
  26. hotface.
    Sep 8, 2005
    10
    This is the best album I've ever owned. &i have about 5,000, not including vinyl. So, that right there is saying something.
  27. MarkR
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    This has been a hauntingly good album - even the parts that might be questionable stays with me.
  28. ChrisH
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    The best album of 2005 isn't an understatement.
  29. ZacharyM
    Sep 4, 2005
    10
    The best album I have heard in years. Life changing.
  30. 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!
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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 »