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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Sep 30, 2022An album that is too beautiful, and that treats its sound very well, too harmonic
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Apr 22, 2022This album blew my mind when I first heard it. It felt like the style of music I had been waiting for my entire life. Definitely one of the best albums of the 2000s and a milestone for alternative folk music.
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Apr 20, 2022This album lives on a very special list for me, albums that other folks suggested that made me go "why have I not had this in my life before today".
A remarkable album even 17 years later -
Aug 5, 2021A flawless, captivating, and creative album that sounds simultaneously beautiful and cool at the same time. A must-listen for indie fans.
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Jan 31, 2021
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Dec 23, 2020This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Dec 12, 2020The second best album of all time, has the best production of any album, no doubt. Beautiful orchestration with soaring trumpets and enchanting strings. This album is so good at telling a story. I love it so much.
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Jul 3, 2020I rode a bike on a nature path for a couple of miles while listening to this album and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
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May 14, 2020years and years of listening to this album and I'm still in love with it. Stands the test of time, stands my ever changing musical taste from when i was in my 20s to now being in my 30s.
guess you can say i'm in love with this entire album -
Mar 1, 2020I tried to write a review for this album, but the sheer majesty of this masterpiece refuses to be put into words. Just know that this is the absolute pinnacle of hundreds of years of musical progression; a sweeping, poetic tapestry of places, people, and things belonging to the titular state, stopped from ever becoming a pointless farce by Sufjan's personal, confessional lyricism.
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Dec 26, 2019Absolutely incredible folk masterpiece. Sufjan incorporates Illinois history along with personal trials and dark examinations of human nature using brass, acoustic guitar, banjo, choir, brilliant melody writing and some of the most masterful vocal layering of Sufjan's entire discography.
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Oct 31, 2018Disappointing. Those who chose to listen intelligently to Sufjan's music will recognise that failure to deliver a high quality product to his viewers. This has ruined my day.
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Nov 2, 2017
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Apr 20, 2017
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Apr 5, 2017This is some of Stevens' best work and a staple for his music career. This would be the first album I would direct someone to if they had never previously listened to his work. The melodies, orchestral elements, and dense lyrics are something you will not find with any other artist in the music world. Sufjan delivers remarkably on an album that will stand the test of time for years.
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Aug 26, 2015
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Jan 7, 2015Nice acoustic music, well arranged with some good female voice choruses. Doesn't have that "bite" I require from really great music, but it has high musical qualities, nevertheless.
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Nov 24, 2012Illinois is Sufjan Steven's best work so far. From the disturbing ballad John Wayne Gacy, Jr to catchy tune of Chicago, Sufjan fully exemplifies his extraordinary musical talent. It contains a multitude of instruments all playing beautifully together. This album exhibits Stevens best traits and is well worth a listen.
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Nov 18, 2012
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Jul 31, 2012The arrengements in this album are beautiful. Sufjan's voice blends with the folk/pop he sings. The lyrics honoring the state of Illinois makes justice as compliments. The melodies he created, for example, in a song like "Chicago"- far best of the album- has an orchestra sound that reminds us how good music can be. Sufjan's hardest, but best work.
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Mar 20, 2012
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Feb 7, 2012Obviously a gifted multi instrumentalist who has written some of the most wonderful songs. Soothing and creative this will last a lifetime. Get a good sound system and listen to beauty in sonic form.
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Jan 21, 2012
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Nov 19, 2011A fun playful album. Sufjan has achieved another success. It blends nice melodies and fun subject matter. He even slides his own religion into his music nearly undetected.Sufjan can make everyone and anyone smile.
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Sep 13, 2011
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Aug 6, 2011The perfect record.. and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Michigan was fantastic and so was Seven Swans, but this just wasn't expected. I don't know. Sufjan can be a master at music and this is probably the best example of that.
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Jul 26, 2011
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Jul 10, 2011Rich, expansive, deep, just a really really good record through and through.
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Jul 1, 2011One of the best albums of all time. This is a work that will be treasured by many for decades and centuries to come. If you disagree with this statement, I recommend listening more closely.
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May 25, 2011
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May 12, 2011i liked this album very much. good music. great music. the lyricism is great and touching. what more can i say....................................................................................................
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Jan 28, 2011
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Jan 5, 2011One of my favorite albums at all time - catchy, beautiful and haunting (especially for someone who's actually from Illinois). Many of the tracks stand out on their own, but as an album the whole thing flows perfectly. Lov it.
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Sep 7, 2010Sufjan Stevens finds his stride and then some with his second state-dedicated album. Illinois is fun and sad, catchy and haunting, seemingly simple yet undeniably brilliant. Chicago will be stuck in your head for days, The Predatory Wasp is heartbreaking and beautiful. Phenomenal stuff.
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Aug 16, 2010I just listened to this again ... for maybe the 100th time. It just grows in depth and beauty. Steven's voice is haunting, delicate. The lyrics are touching, horrific, lifting. The arrangements are glorious, inspiring. Does it ever become unlistenable?
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hal9000Jan 25, 2010Sufjan Stevens Illinois is truely a special album. This is proof that Steven's is one of the most gifted songwriters and musicians working today. All 22 of the tracks on this album are hauntingly brilliant, and this is the best album of the decade.
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PeterP.Dec 20, 2009Astonishing, ambitious, addictive, highly original, sublime. Truly exceptional, once in a lifetime kind of album.
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PJZ.Jun 6, 2009This album has been a favorite of mine and will be for years to come. It is so universal in its lyrics and musical content, but it's so personal to Stevens, it's amazing. Illinois truly deserves all of the praise it receives.
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AdamAMay 30, 2009Simply the best album ever created. From start to finish, each piece is a beautifully composed masterpiece which will leave shivers running down your spine. Given the fact that it is 100% original (written, performed, and produced by Stevens himself), and the hauntingly amazing songs, Sufjan Stevens should be ranked among the classical composers in brilliance.
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AyshL.Aug 9, 2008Amazing.
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ChrisM.Jul 17, 2008An amazing expansive album. You will be impressed by its rich production on first listen, and then a stupid grin on your face while enjoying the beauty on the following listens.
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MattM.Jun 21, 2008Easily the greatest album I've ever listened to. An bonafide masterpiece and an album that deserves to be put in a time capsule or museum. A true piece of American history.
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ZacC.May 17, 2008The greatest musical work since the turn of the century and I think that it will stay that way for a time...
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AyshL.May 1, 2008Amazing.
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Joni-M.Apr 21, 2008Perfect. Nothing less than a masterpiece.
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EddM.Apr 2, 2008No doubt in my mind: 10/10. Incredible.
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MichaelM.Mar 7, 2008
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RyanK.Feb 29, 2008A masterpiece. 'Nuff said.
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PeterS.Feb 24, 2008Never has a more perfect album been produced. The fragility of his voice, as demonstrated in John Wayne Gacy Jr., and the whole production behind his songs (Chicago, Jacksonville, They Are The Night Zombies... etc) makes this an album that shall only ever be dated if the state of Illinois ceases to exist in the near future. Sublime.
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AdamP.Dec 21, 2007Easily the best album of 2005, and one of the best of the decade (so far)!
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ChadK.Nov 30, 2007Magical, disarming, earnest, and potent. A masterpiece.
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JustinB.Sep 25, 2007I will never know how this didn't get all 100s, it is one of the most complete and amazing albums ever created. the brilliance of sufjan stevens is evident the moment you hear this album even if you never heard of him before.
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JamieO.Sep 19, 2007Anybody who doesn't like this has problems.
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D.MacSep 14, 2007best album I've heard in years!
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alexfJul 25, 2007I love this album so much! Every single song is great.
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JohnJJul 17, 2007The only reason this album did not recieve a perfect 10 from Sufjan's fans is because of one low, outlying score. Every other person has given this album a 10. Come on, man. Don't tell me this isn't one of the most beautiful albums ever recorded. Please develop some taste in music before reviewing and rating albums.
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BennyMJul 8, 2007It's hard to describe how much I love this album. I could listen to it every single day and not get tired of it.
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DanF.Jun 25, 2007One of my favorite all-time albums. I could listen to it anytime.
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GregBJun 25, 2007It will only appeal to those misunderstood kids, who are the ones rate albums like this "masterpiece".
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AyshL.Jun 13, 2007Amazing.
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LennyCJun 2, 2007
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christianfMar 6, 2007it's really good and Casimir Pulaski Day is the best song ever
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DanKFeb 24, 2007Minimalistic like Phillip Glass, but more melodic, really great higher state of conciousness....:-)
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NickyBFeb 18, 2007Impressive, dense, moving. Beautiful writing. Took me a while to warm up to it as I found it all a bit precious at first, but I now consider it one of my favorite albums.
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RobertCJan 31, 2007Extremely original.
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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.
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LizMJan 24, 2007To me, it's one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard. In the end, it all depends on your taste in music. This is right up my alley. I might not believe in God, but I do believe in Sufjan Stevens.
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RichardKJan 8, 2007Sample this album before you buy it. Its considered a masterpiece by many but honestly no matter how many times I played it I didn't enjoy it. While a very highly rated by Metacritic, many people will find it boring.
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ErikaLJan 7, 2007Wonderfull!
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KeriTDec 31, 2006Sufjan 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!
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LucusGDec 6, 2006It's not bad...but not great. There are some good tunes beneath all the overdone production, which not only gets in the way but annoys as well. He screwed up by being too prententious, should've just recorded the songs minimally and cut half a dozen useless filler tracks, and its a decent album.
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DanielGNov 19, 2006This is an amazing album, it is one of those extremely influential albums that makes people who say "I hate that kind of music" start to say, "Oh wait, I guess I do like that kind of music". Who knows what gaps this CD bridges, I can only wait for him to do my homestate, Wisconsin.
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amydNov 10, 2006it'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.
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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.
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carrieaOct 5, 2006i love this cd. ts so beautiful...so...SUFJAN :)
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DavidSep 30, 2006I love the album, its beautiful, breathtaking and moving.
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AndreaOSep 29, 2006His artistic vision is so complete. He reflects such an innocent joy and such a deep knowledge of sorrow. Who is this man and how did this happen?
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PhilWSep 24, 2006If you ever wondered who the character Max in Rushmore would grow up to be, it would be Sufjan Stevens. I've traveled to just about every county in Illinois and all I can say is Stevens hit a home run with this album!
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johnnycSep 22, 2006has some of the most breathtaking songs i have ever heard
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MihaiVSep 17, 2006While he is capable of delivering brilliant songs, the album as a hole feels dissapointing. It's to long with little varity. There's no fire in this album.
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DORELLWSep 15, 2006This is a great album. It gets better and better the more you listen to it.
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briannavSep 5, 2006one of my favorite albums, although no his best cd.
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KevinKAug 27, 2006Best Album of 2005. Best Songwriter right now. You gotta love Sufjan's ambition It's so exciting to see in a time where the spotlight is usually put on unoriginal and unartistic music.
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HollayRAug 23, 2006This album is "the shit." I loves pretty mcuh every minute of it. I encourage everyone to go out and buy it and i am so pumbed to be going to this concert in Sept.
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RandyKAug 21, 2006Maybe the person who gave this a "3" will send his copy to me! We play Illinois whenever we have company over or when women stop by to shop for my wife's paintings. It always get positive results!
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barthAug 14, 2006My first contact with an artist that keeps surprising. Fun, musical inspiration, great lyrics.
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anonymousAug 8, 2006Smooth and exceedingly different, the lyrics catch the listener and pull. The music sounds homespun, giving it a truly fresh feel.
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TheCriticJul 19, 2006A great album. The only thing holding it back is the consistentsy and the annoying female back up singers.
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annaJul 17, 2006stunning from begining to end. a modern day musical achievement.
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adriCJul 13, 2006hyped
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GiuseppeRJul 7, 2006
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ArikKJul 6, 2006Amazing album. It flows perfectly and even feels like a plot, what with a climax in Chicago and Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts.
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DavidOJul 4, 2006
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stefanpJun 19, 2006awesome
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JoeGJun 14, 2006
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AshPJun 14, 2006definately his best album so far. so personal and meaningful, utterly absorbing and so incredibly detailed. every few seconds contains a few treats.
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RodMay 31, 2006Stunningly beautiful, provocative work. I'm constantly amazed at the emotion he is able to draw from me. Vocal performances are pure and real.
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GabrielSMay 25, 2006It's incredible.
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LukeMMay 19, 2006Just spectacular, emotional, smooth, and astonishing.
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SydMay 17, 2006Easily one of favourite post millenium albums. Up there with Michigan.
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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.