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. BenU
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    One of my favorite albums ever. I cried the first time I listened to it.
  2. KateL
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    A beautiful masterpiece. I get lost in thought whenever I turn it on.
  3. SWyn
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    Best album I've heard in years. Caught me from the first second.
  4. TonyI
    Dec 5, 2005
    10
    Spectacular. Sufjan is brilliant, talented, and humble. What more can you ask for?
  5. mat
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    He pushes his lyrics a bit too far in some cases, either by being overly sentimental or rhyming for the sake of rhyming in some cases, the album is overwhelmingly heart-warming and insightful. You can tell that this music comes from very real places, the composition is quite rich and it gets better after mulitiple listens. Can't wait for the next installation!
  6. 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.
  7. FredK
    Oct 8, 2005
    10
    I love this album so much. Sometimes I find myself disliking people just because they don't like Sufjan. "Seven Swans" is even more amazing than "Illinoise." Hedk, even "Enjoy Your Rabbit" is genius, even if it's not exactly all that listenable. Sufjan is Amaaazing.
  8. Brendan"EagleEye"W
    Oct 8, 2005
    10
    I love this album. I guess that it is great, beautiful music for the type of music that it is and what it does. For music that flows like wind and is full of emotion this is it. But its not hard rocking. Rather its beautiful, almost contempary classical music (in a way), and I guess listening to it just sends me to another place. Cool eh?
  9. ScottT
    Jul 11, 2005
    10
    One of the most affecting albums that I've heard in the last few years. Tends to grab on to you and not let go. Gorgeous album, pick it up.
  10. Doogin25
    Jul 11, 2005
    10
    It's hard for me to say that I like this album more than Michigan, but, OK I'll say it: I Do. God. Every song is an epiphany. ESPECIALLY 12-16!!!! Oh yeah....and also 1-11and 17-22!!! !
  11. PeterB
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    Bump. World hunger would end if we all listened to Sufjan's music more. No Transfiguration on this album, but a few very nice songs indeed.
  12. BradP
    Jul 13, 2005
    10
    Do yourself a favor and listen to "Illinois" on good headphones all the way through; the details will amaze you. This is a remarkable achievement - homespun and epic at the same time. It will take many focused listenings to take it all in. A near perfect example of the power of great pop craft.
  13. EthanH
    Jul 13, 2005
    10
    This album is amazing.
  14. BrianM
    Jul 15, 2005
    10
    Incredible CD focusing on the 21st state. Stevens seems to improve on every release, making his 50 states project even more awesome.
  15. SeanW
    Jul 15, 2005
    10
    This is my first exposure to Sufjan's music, and all I have to say is that this is probably the most immersive album I've ever listened to.
  16. NoahP
    Jul 15, 2005
    10
    If you don't love this album, you have no taste and you have no soul.
  17. JoeBriefcase
    Jul 16, 2005
    10
    Incredible. Album of the year? Quite probably. Album of the still young 21st century? Very possible.
  18. TaylorZ
    Jul 16, 2005
    10
    stevens deserves nothing less than a 10 of 10 and anyone out there who gives him less is a fool. Stevens one awards for prose and poetry in college and it shows the man is a lyrical genius...i dont even have the words to describe the instrumental arrangements...stevens really does make you "feel the illinoise"...feel the room chill as a serial killer walks in (John Wayne Gacy, Jr.)...feel stevens deserves nothing less than a 10 of 10 and anyone out there who gives him less is a fool. Stevens one awards for prose and poetry in college and it shows the man is a lyrical genius...i dont even have the words to describe the instrumental arrangements...stevens really does make you "feel the illinoise"...feel the room chill as a serial killer walks in (John Wayne Gacy, Jr.)...feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things...feel a greater creator...the man is simply a genius...… Expand
  19. BenDog
    Jul 18, 2005
    10
    Sufjan spent his money from SEVEN SWANS and MICHIGAN on orchestration. The result is similar to the aforementioned albums except more lush and ultimately more beautiful. Wow.
  20. Raza
    Jul 21, 2005
    10
    not only album of the year but easily one of the 10 best albums of the decade so far
  21. Bainy
    Jul 26, 2005
    10
    Superb
  22. JohnS
    Jul 28, 2005
    10
    It's that good. Wow.
  23. SerialSloan
    Jul 29, 2005
    10
    As of July 29th, Sufjan Steven's Illinois is my choice for album of the year, with Andrew Bird's Mysterious Production of Eggs inches behind. This album is a masterpiece. The music is thick and intense, and filled with haunting and interesting historical references.
  24. BenA
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    Oh my goodness! The music on this disc is astoundingly beautiful and fun to listen to! I can't stop playing it. It really is the best thing to come out this year, and the best thing Sufjan Stevens has ever done. Bravo! A+
  25. MagicSam
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    I think ratings of 10 should be reserved for truely great albums, those that merit the term 'classic' i.e. "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" or "What's Goin' On", by Marvin Gaye for example. So I've given this album a 10. An album with tremendous social and historical awareness, forays into the musical inknown, and melodically gutwrenching, Illinois demands close I think ratings of 10 should be reserved for truely great albums, those that merit the term 'classic' i.e. "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" or "What's Goin' On", by Marvin Gaye for example. So I've given this album a 10. An album with tremendous social and historical awareness, forays into the musical inknown, and melodically gutwrenching, Illinois demands close listening and appreciation of this music as a real art form. Illinois is a painfully beautiful conception of an artist's vision.… Expand
  26. JohnM
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    Album of the year.
  27. HT
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    This is utterly beautiful, epic, and touching album. Strings, choir, horns, guitar, and banjo are included. But, not in a "Look!!! We have horns and strings!!!!" like the Polyphonic Spree (I still like the Spree). Enjoy. I sure hope we have 48 more of these.
  28. ChelseaD
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    Album of the year, hands down.
  29. ChrisH.
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    Best album I've heard in forever. It is a masterpiece. Epic. Lovely. Poignant.
  30. WillO
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    I thought Michigan was amazing, and somehow he topped that. Even going back and listening to Michigan again, as much as I loved it throughout 2003 and 2004, Illinois completely defeats it. Illinois merely expands on his skills as a songwriter and ability to take almost any emotion and make it work for him.
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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 »