User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 792 Ratings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 721 out of 792
-
Mixed: 16 out of 792
-
Negative: 55 out of 792
Review this album
-
-
Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.
-
-
Submit
-
Check Spelling
- User score
- By date
- Most helpful
-
DanielleJul 10, 2005I LOVE THIS ALBUM. I cannot stop playing it. Sufjan is one of my favorite artists.
-
-
KeithRJul 9, 2005
-
-
JoshBJul 7, 2005Wow wow wow. Nothing says it better. This is an amazing album from start to finish. Beautiful music, beautiful songwriting. Sufjan is a true wonder.
-
-
SansBSep 15, 2005This album is pure bliss
-
-
TJTJan 30, 2007I love this CD. It is by far one of my absolute favorites. The whole CD flows and half the time songs progress into oneanother without you even realizing it. GENIUS is not strong enough but it will have to do. Great CD, everyone should have a copy.
-
-
AustinSNov 10, 2005predatory wasp of the palisades! - the best thing to write a song about ever
-
-
DaveFNov 7, 2005Simply superb.
-
-
JamesCJul 12, 2005Best album of the year, by a mile.
-
-
TorMJul 12, 2005Just magical. Hard to believe that 'Michigan' could be matched or bettered but this album would seem to do that. The arrangements are staggering, the harmonies are heart-breaking and the lyrics are inspired. Stunning.
-
-
THJul 6, 2005Absolute best album of the year. Everybody, regardless of personal taste or interests, should be made to listen to this album at least once, but preferably until they love it -- which will probably only take one listen, anyway.
-
-
LeahTJul 6, 2005
-
-
mkfJul 6, 2005stunning!
-
-
mattaJul 6, 2005
-
-
TynanDJul 7, 2005The finest album of the year, clasped-hands down.
-
-
DavidWJul 7, 2005
-
-
MarioT.K.Jul 8, 2005This is utterly huge and reminds me of nothing because I haven't heard anything like e.g. "Chicago" before. Just give it a listen to "Casimir Pulaski Day" and have a good time.
-
-
peterdJul 8, 2005unbeleiveable.
-
-
RJJul 8, 2005Amazing music that just keeps going and going. Best I've hear this year.
-
-
vincentxJul 9, 2005At the moment there are only 2 names that matter in music: Rufus Wainwright and Sufjan Stevens. With this albums Sufjan is a notch more genius than Rufus. What a perfect album, what gracious music, what splendour! 48 more "States" albums to go...if he keeps this up, the future is bright indeed....
-
-
JoshHJul 9, 2005This album is astounding. It's the musical equivalent of movies like Magnolia, Short Cuts and Crash -- it's all over the place, but makes sense when taken in context of the entire work. Highlights include Casimir Pulaski Day; John Wayne Gacy, Jr.; Chicago; and everything else. Well worth whatever you pay for it.
-
-
JeffRJul 9, 2005Brilliant. While similar in tone to his Michigan album, Illinois represents a leap forward in both songwriting and arrangement. This year's best.
-
-
PoloPAug 16, 2005This album is amazing. Brilliant.
-
-
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.
-
-
CosmoPrelogAug 5, 2005Only a notorious jerk could dislike this record. An amazing achievement. Insanely good.
-
-
IanSAug 8, 2005magical!
-
-
JohnFSep 1, 2005Eclectic, heartfelt, but not sappy. No crying-in-your-beer Paul Simon schmaltz here...Mellow, but digs deep into your psyche.
-
-
KakvoxSep 10, 2005Best album of the year in any genre - hands down.
-
-
EmilyBSep 2, 2005This cd owns your life.
-
-
fattakinskywalkerJan 10, 2006Without a doubt the best album i have heard in a year!! Sounds fresh, exciting and intelligent.
-
-
TaylorLOct 20, 2006Sufjan Stevens has made great albums in the past, but nothing this epic. Never before have I heard an album with such intellectual lyrics, amazing songwriting, and spot on instrumentals. Music in its purist form.
-
Awards & Rankings
-
There's a distinct community theater vibe to the whole affair... but the majority of Illinois is alarmingly earnest.
-
Stevens is simply one of the most talented artists creating music right now, period.
-
Exhausting, enthralling, disorientating, celebratory, and contemplative, Sufjan Stevens has delivered another album that will keep us listening and educated till Christmas.