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. willo
    May 3, 2006
    10
    Just a masterpiece.
  2. dudeguy
    Apr 25, 2006
    0
    I don't get it. Does nobody else find the whole albums-about-states bit a little cheap? To be honest, I was relieved to find that the music was equally unthoughtful. Other comments: extra instruments don't make your music profound, the songs are repetitive, depressive does not imply touching ... aaeh, it just makes me squirm. This album was unnecessary.
  3. JohnD
    Apr 23, 2006
    10
    Great to listen and play around a campfire
  4. jaeroplane
    Apr 22, 2006
    10
    After first glance, the buyer must do a double take to make sure he read all of the song titles correctly. In much the same way, the listener has to keep the CD on repeat for several days just to make sure that he heard everything correctly. There is so much depth to the musical and lyrical qualities of this album that one's CD collection will need to be dusted off after finally After first glance, the buyer must do a double take to make sure he read all of the song titles correctly. In much the same way, the listener has to keep the CD on repeat for several days just to make sure that he heard everything correctly. There is so much depth to the musical and lyrical qualities of this album that one's CD collection will need to be dusted off after finally finishing the thorough listening this album requires. For long-time Sufjan fans, you'll find much of the stuff we've come to expect and love: there are much of the same multi-meter and multi-layered pop songs found on Michigan (Come On!, Chicago), many soul-stirring ballads of Seven Swans (John Wayne Gacy, Jr, Casimir Pulaski Day), and the pleasant melodic folk (Decatur). There are plenty of surprises, too: the funky R&B stylings of Jacksonville and They are Night Zombies! and the Wilco-esque rock of Man of Metropolis. It's a wonderfully beautiful, touching, entertaining, and awe-inspiring album that will always be within arms reach of this listener!… Expand
  5. TylerA
    Apr 21, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums I've ever heard, Highly recommended!
  6. JasonE
    Apr 12, 2006
    10
    This is a fantastic album, I don't really understand why he has been given a folk tag, well maybe because he plays a banjo; anyway everyone who loves music should buy this album. Actually no, don't, he needs an incentive to finish off his Album per state project. If everyone buys this album, he'll be too rich to bother. Find a friend who has it and get them to copy it for This is a fantastic album, I don't really understand why he has been given a folk tag, well maybe because he plays a banjo; anyway everyone who loves music should buy this album. Actually no, don't, he needs an incentive to finish off his Album per state project. If everyone buys this album, he'll be too rich to bother. Find a friend who has it and get them to copy it for you; it's wonderful.… Expand
  7. ErikH
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    this is a masterpiece.
  8. WrenL
    Apr 9, 2006
    10
    Sufjan Stevens has bewitched me. His music holds such gentle strength; my heart bleeds and rejoices with his word.
  9. DavidP
    Apr 8, 2006
    10
    An ambitious approach, and an astounding result. It's hard to imagine a better folk/rock/pop album; they come along about once per decade.
  10. 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
  11. BlayzeH
    Apr 4, 2006
    10
    Best album ever made.
  12. JackL
    Apr 4, 2006
    6
    From the first time I listened to this record, something was bothering me about it, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Sure, it is, musically a very solid album; perhaps more than a little pretentious, but that wasn't what was bothering me. When I listened to it again this morning, it hit me; it was the emotion of this album that was getting to me. I have nothing against From the first time I listened to this record, something was bothering me about it, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Sure, it is, musically a very solid album; perhaps more than a little pretentious, but that wasn't what was bothering me. When I listened to it again this morning, it hit me; it was the emotion of this album that was getting to me. I have nothing against melancholy music, but the emotion of Illinois strikes me as incredibly inauthentic in an extremely annoying way. Allow me to explain- When I listen to something like an Elliott Smith album, or a John Lennon album (Plastic Ono Band, specifically), I feel like the singer actually MEANS it; really pouring their soul into their work. When I listen to Sufjan, it's like he's phoning it in, never expressing anything beyond a vague, indifferent sadness with his kitschy lullabies about fictional people, or at least people he doesn't know "crying themselves to sleep" (A lyric that appears at least twice in the album... how cliche). Am I tearing this album apart over a completely superficial quality? Well, I suppose that is your call. This is a forum of public opinion after all. I really do want to love this album, and I feel it is quite well composed, but I find that the whole tone of the album bothers me to a point where it's hard to enjoy.… Expand
  13. stefanp
    Mar 15, 2006
    10
    awesome
  14. 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!
  15. 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.
  16. BrianC
    Mar 5, 2006
    6
    Ambitious recording that lacks two important qualities. One, cohesiveness of the music & two, addiction to melody after the second listening. To be sure, there are other shortcomings. Not the "must die for" record of the year by any means.
  17. 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.
  18. 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
  19. 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.
  20. TimM
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Awesome. Absolutely awesome.
  21. 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!
  22. RyanG
    Feb 8, 2006
    10
    Sufjan Stevens gets better with each album
  23. 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
  24. peteb
    Feb 4, 2006
    10
    utterly brillant!
  25. 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.
  26. TakaN
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    Amazing, completely original taking a full journey throughout illinois.
  27. 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?
  28. PatrickR
    Feb 2, 2006
    2
    banal, pretentious, obscure (intentional or the result of lack of talent?), musically simplistic - overall very irritating
  29. 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
  30. 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.
  31. 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
  32. 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
  33. 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
  34. 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.
  35. PaulRocks
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    This is the album of the year. Mr Stevens your a genius. Can't wait for the Alaska album!!
  36. JGrahm
    Jan 16, 2006
    10
    Sufjan is so original, his music is amazing
  37. ScottY
    Jan 15, 2006
    6
    I'm not sure if I'd actually buy this album, but it is pretty clever and an enjoyable listen. In fact, I've request Michigan from my local library so that I can listen to that, too. I'm not sure if you'd say the album is about Illinois so much as it is about the American landscape in general. Chicago is my favorite song on the album.
  38. AlexD.T.
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    The songwriting's inspired, the musical arrangements are great. One of my favourite albums.
  39. GlennD
    Jan 11, 2006
    8
    Exhilerating!
  40. 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.
  41. JonL
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    beautiful album
  42. fattakinskywalker
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    Without a doubt the best album i have heard in a year!! Sounds fresh, exciting and intelligent.
  43. 42MinuteMan
    Jan 9, 2006
    4
    I find a few of the songs on this album absolutely brilliant and infectious. Then, I listed to all the lousy filler around the moments of brilliance, and I can't help but think this album is barely mediocre. I agree with the comments on the repetitiveness of the sound. This album doesn't go anywhere. It's cerianly worth a listen, but I doubt we'll be discussing the I find a few of the songs on this album absolutely brilliant and infectious. Then, I listed to all the lousy filler around the moments of brilliance, and I can't help but think this album is barely mediocre. I agree with the comments on the repetitiveness of the sound. This album doesn't go anywhere. It's cerianly worth a listen, but I doubt we'll be discussing the influence or brilliance of this album five years from now... especially since Sufjan will have released another record or two with the exact same sounds by that point.… Expand
  44. MikeM
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    A gorgeous album...one of the few that has changed my life
  45. HuyN
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    Wow. This album is amazing. I don't know if the comparison has been made, but the sounds on this album is definitely in the spirit SMILE and in many respects is superior. Pick it up with an open mind, listen to it a few times and odds are you will find nothing ill about the noise on this album.
  46. sophiep
    Jan 6, 2006
    0
    it is poo
  47. Fletcherb
    Jan 5, 2006
    8
    It's a long, long, long, long, long breath of fresh air that ultimately leaves you out of breath. "C'MON..." being the standout
  48. EllenN
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Magical, splendid, gourgeous
  49. ja
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Ambitious yet enjoyable. Some instrumental filler, but the songs are all varied and full of wonderful arrangements. The best of 2005 this is.
  50. johnp
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Sufjan Stevens is an intelligent songwriter, one of my favorites.
  51. laurag
    Jan 4, 2006
    9
    one of the best this year.
  52. SWyn
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    Best album I've heard in years. Caught me from the first second.
  53. JonathanV
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    This is by far the best album of 2005, in my humble opinion! I can only say, just listen to this entire record with your headphones on and then you can only agree! Unbelievable!
  54. SeanH
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    This collection of songs is so intensely poetic --- and wrought with such unambiguous sincerity and love --- that crusty cynics might well have a field day. The rest of us have only gratitude.
  55. KateL
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    A beautiful masterpiece. I get lost in thought whenever I turn it on.
  56. DanielS
    Dec 29, 2005
    10
    A breath of fresh air by an extremely talented artist.
  57. garyz
    Dec 29, 2005
    0
    crap
  58. NickT
    Dec 26, 2005
    10
    Perfect. Every song is stunning and is completely necessary. Not since OK Computer have I had such hope for, well anything. Sufjan Stevens deserves all the accolade in the world for this album. It is completely baffling that a single person created such an elegant, poignant, and affecting piece of work. Sufjan, you make me want to be a better person and I thank you for that. Now, go make Perfect. Every song is stunning and is completely necessary. Not since OK Computer have I had such hope for, well anything. Sufjan Stevens deserves all the accolade in the world for this album. It is completely baffling that a single person created such an elegant, poignant, and affecting piece of work. Sufjan, you make me want to be a better person and I thank you for that. Now, go make more music.… Expand
  59. marshalls
    Dec 24, 2005
    10
    the predatory wasp of the palisades is out to get us! amazing album. i keep coming back to it.
  60. BenU
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    One of my favorite albums ever. I cried the first time I listened to it.
  61. marck
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    This is beautiful. Without doubt the most acomplshed album of the year by far. I was dubious about buying this album after reading all the reviews. Believe . . . it's even better.
  62. RoarkL
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    Hands down album of the year.
  63. JohnScott
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    fantastic
  64. alanh
    Dec 16, 2005
    10
    top of the heap.....by some distance
  65. jimcu
    Dec 15, 2005
    10
    fandabadozzi
  66. stth
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    hypnotizing. i put in another album in my car and then put this one back in after a few minutes
  67. C.B.
    Dec 13, 2005
    9
    beautiful...
  68. rajk
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    believe the hype- this one is great. for those who´ve heard SS over the years it is no great departure in style - just more mature, well rounded and amazingly executed. this album feels sad, yet hopeful. it is a repetitive album, but remember it is an album not an long playing assortment of stand alone songs (of which we´ve become so used to in this day and age).
  69. AronC
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    Easily the best album of the year, even beating my favourites:Arcade and Rufus. The hints were there in previous outings, but nobody could ahve predicted this! Choirs, folk, funky dance-able pop! and even a trippy ending song. Creative writing song certainly paid off. 1- 2 - 3 ' IN THE MORNING............'
  70. IrvG
    Dec 12, 2005
    9
    The two best songs of the year -- one about a mass murderer, the other about a cancer victim -- headline a near masterpiece. The album is too abmitious and therefore contains a few songs that should have been left out. Still, the best album of the year.
  71. Harry
    Dec 12, 2005
    10
    I blindingly brilliant achievement. Ranks among the top 3 albums of the year and is as engrossing as it is ambitious.
  72. SeanT
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    great record! this man deserves some kind of reward immediately
  73. PerspicaciousCritic
    Dec 10, 2005
    7
    So I kept ignoring this Sufjan Stevens dude even though Illinois received the highest Metacritic score, but I finally broke down and decided to visit his Web site, www.sufjan.com, where I checked out samples of Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State (Samples of Illinois weren
  74. KristelM
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    Definitely one of the best albums ever, really. It's not everyday you run across something you've been meaning to listen to for years and suddenly realize you have a new favorite band.
  75. Helene
    Dec 8, 2005
    10
    There's nothing more to say about SS than that they`re one of the biggest things which has happened to music in the last decade,along with anthony & the johnsons and a couple of other
  76. JamesM
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    There is only one way I can describe this album: a masterpiece. It astounds me that this whole album was made by one person: it should take an army of people to produce this glorious noise.
  77. Ken
    Dec 7, 2005
    8
    Michigan was better
  78. DanO
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    Believe the critics this is truly a remarkable achievement. I can not get enough of this CD and I reccomend any music fan to add this to your collection.
  79. byrond
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    Great album! Come on feel the illinoise! is one of the most shake yer rump best pop songs in ages!
  80. John
    Dec 5, 2005
    5
    I agree with Louis L. This album is ridiculously pedantic and is extremely repetitive with its use of styles, especially given the lengthy running time. I like a few of the songs a lot, but a great heap of them offer little, if anything, exciting or refreshing at all. This is one of the more overrated albums of the year. It's ambitious, sure, but not very engaging.
  81. TonyI
    Dec 5, 2005
    10
    Spectacular. Sufjan is brilliant, talented, and humble. What more can you ask for?
  82. StigK
    Dec 2, 2005
    10
    My only problem about giving this album a 10, is that Sufjan might be capebable of makeing an even better album about NY - that is, when he finally leaves the place... Illinois is both intimate and grand in a way no other album I´ve ever heard.
  83. KopieKat
    Dec 1, 2005
    10
    I believe this might be one of the best, maybe the single best record of the year. It struck me, anyway. Oh, and don't mind the whining people down here. I doubt they even heard this record.
  84. RHCa
    Nov 30, 2005
    0
    The first hint is the 100+ word titles -- how clever; the second hint is the relentless keyboards; the third is the sophmoric lyrics -- this album is garbage. The critics pulled one over on the hipsters again....thekid.
  85. Jacob
    Nov 25, 2005
    5
    I love Sufjan, but this album is HUGELY overrated. Precious, overly ambitious, and ultimately irritating, there are only a few songs that I can stomach now after a few rotations of the disc. Seven Swans is my favorite of his, by a LONG SHOT.
  86. othos
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    Note to LF: It may not be your cup of tea, but it is, decidely, NOT crap. If every artist put this much thought and craftsmanship into records, the airwaves would not be filled with such dreck.
  87. louisl
    Nov 22, 2005
    2
    nice subject matter but the music is pendantic.the themes tend to sound similar and there's no development within.
  88. GeoffS
    Nov 22, 2005
    9
    Easily one of the best albums I've bought this year. It takes two listens to catch on to most songs, yet some songs (i.e. Chicago, Come on Feel the Illinoise!) grab you at first listen. It is fundamentally subtle and mostly brilliant.
  89. RebekahH
    Nov 20, 2005
    10
    Literally the best Album I have ever feard. This is what real craftmaship is. I am completely obsessed with Sufjan Stevens thanks to this album. If you enjoy music that is not a huge pile of over processed crap, you should appreciate Sufjan.
  90. cg
    Nov 19, 2005
    10
    love this cd, I can't stop listenening to chicago
  91. LF
    Nov 17, 2005
    0
    aaaaaaaaaaargh!! this is crap.
  92. Nick
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    I'm willing to add another 10 to this album along with all the other "hipsters" because I, along with them, actually listened to it more than three times and am not tone deaf and like wonderfully wonderful music with smart lyrics and beautiful melodies. I like you Sufjan Stevens, I like you a lot.
  93. jimm
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    best of the year no doubt. the depth of the music and its catchiness is like nothing i've ever heard. Have been listening to reapetedly. beautiful
  94. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    10
    To sum this album up in one word: Godsend
  95. JeffD
    Nov 11, 2005
    1
    What would happen if somebody took the Dream Academy, Nick Drake, the Flaming Lips, the local high school swing jazz band and the church choir from the local church and mixed them all together? You'd get Illinois. If that sounds like a good thing to you, they go right ahead. I've tried to listen to this album many, many times, as usually certain critical publications can give me What would happen if somebody took the Dream Academy, Nick Drake, the Flaming Lips, the local high school swing jazz band and the church choir from the local church and mixed them all together? You'd get Illinois. If that sounds like a good thing to you, they go right ahead. I've tried to listen to this album many, many times, as usually certain critical publications can give me a tip on something new that I might like. This time, though, I just don't get it. There's nothing that grabs me, and nothing that rewards repeated close listens. I find myself in "cringe" moments frequently; preciousness for preciousness sake apparently. He's no Stuart Murdoch, that's for sure. If you like this album, great. Enjoy. Personally, I find it tedious and annoying to listen to wish I would have spent my money elsewhere.… Expand
  96. AustinS
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    predatory wasp of the palisades! - the best thing to write a song about ever
  97. MuffinMan
    Nov 9, 2005
    9
    Oddly the same quirkiness, which entices one to be almost giddy, exists similarly in the The Go! Team release. Do these two know one another?
  98. JohnB
    Nov 8, 2005
    10
    Amazing man and album!
  99. JoaoL
    Nov 7, 2005
    9
    An extraordinary mixture of feelings, landscapes, persons. Sung by that fantastic voice, both sad an dazzled. Great folk songs remembering Neil Young or Dylan, with arrangements that bring their immortal songs to thepresent time
  100. DaveF
    Nov 7, 2005
    9
    Simply superb.
Page:

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.
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  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.
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