Illinois, true to its title, starts with a confusing collision of sounds. But by the third song in, Sufjan is revisiting old ideas, chord progressions and sounds recognizable from his previous work, although more peppy and upbeat than the past. Half way through, Sufjan Stevens charms again with his sincerely honest lyrics, a sweet whispery voice, and female backing vocals.
Each song has an eclectic orchestration, including horns, bells, piano, flute, clarinet, strings, banjo, guitar, organ/synths, and for the first time drums and electric guitar. Sufjan adds rock elements to this album along with his characteristic folk style, which is continuing to evolve. The whole album has such a beautiful flow that as a listener you hardly notice one song switching to the next.
Sufjan Stevens' music is truly a pearl with broad appeal. With Illinoise, he achieves sounds he has not yet explored making this a pleasantly eclectic mix of goodies. Highly recommended. A symphonic success!
Wyoming label Asthmatic Kitty are donating $5 to the local animal shelter for every copy of Illinoise sold.
- Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois
- Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Fe
- Come on! Feel the Illinoise!: Pt. 1: The World's Columbian Exposition/P
- John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
- Jacksonville
- Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, But for Very Good Reasons
- Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!
- One Last "Whoo-Hoo! " for the Pullman
- Chicago
- Casimir Pulaski Day
- To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerni
- Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
- Prairie Fire That Wanders About
- Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has an
- Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
- They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from
- Let's Hear That String Part Again, Because I Don't Think They Heard It
- In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth
- Seer's Tower
- Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders: Pt. 1: The Great Frontier/Pt. 2: C
- Riffs and Variations on a Single Note for Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis
- Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt fro
