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. 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
  2. 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
  3. RichardK
    Jan 8, 2007
    6
    Sample 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.
  4. EddieT
    Oct 24, 2005
    5
    Gosh, don't get me wrong, I like Sufjan a lot, I've been on the wagon for a few years now. But isn't "Illinois" kind of boring? Doesn't it fail to have a singular knockout like "Vito" or "For the Widows in Paradise" or "Size Too Small"? Don't most of the songs sound the same, even after 5 months of listening plus a concert? I'm not giving up hope on him, but Gosh, don't get me wrong, I like Sufjan a lot, I've been on the wagon for a few years now. But isn't "Illinois" kind of boring? Doesn't it fail to have a singular knockout like "Vito" or "For the Widows in Paradise" or "Size Too Small"? Don't most of the songs sound the same, even after 5 months of listening plus a concert? I'm not giving up hope on him, but I don't understand what all the fuss for this album is about.… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. GregB
    Jun 25, 2007
    4
    It will only appeal to those misunderstood kids, who are the ones rate albums like this "masterpiece".
  8. 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.
  9. LucusG
    Dec 6, 2006
    6
    It'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.
  10. 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.
  11. JeffW
    Jul 15, 2005
    6
    This album is great. It makes me feel good to listen to it and it does not make me think that I am being sucked into a cult..... sort of. The only reason I gave it a 6 was to add a little color to the "Rate this album" board... Green can get old and that red looked alone. Can't wait for Whyoming on my mind.

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
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