Frankly, the music of Sufjan Stevens is a bit too twee and precious for my everyday tastes, but I'll be the first to admit that he comes close to touching something that exists in all of us -- that innate and intangible sense of "place" and "home" the likes of which famed authors John Steinbeck and Thomas Wolfe respectively attempted to dispel and recapture. This is more than simple reportage and anecdote; it's nothing less than a youthful attempt to get one's arms around the unifying spirit of, what seems obvious to Stevens, this "nation under God" -- something for both believers and agnostics to appropriately ponder.

I would like to commend Sufjan Stevens here. This has to be one of the most creative albums I have ever heard, not only the 50 states project, but the vast scope of music he represents, throwing styles from folk to big band to electronica into the melting pot. The end result, (Come on Feel The) Illinoise, is a gorgeous banquet of indie/folk that appeals to all with its relaxing vibe. Illinoise covers, in only 25 or so songs, the state of Illinois and its history. This includes Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln, John Wayne Gacy Jr., Superman, The Jazz Age, The Black Hawk War, and yes, of course, Chicago. If this could sound any more eclectic, you let me know.

The album is lovingly rendered all the way through. Sufjan comes across as not only a musician but a symphonist, and, personally, I would love to hear him do an album with more orchestral and choral arrangements. Lyrically he shines as well, especially in the album's high point "John Wayne Gacy Jr.", where he depicts a brutal serial killer also as a human being. Other standouts include "Chicago", "Come On Feel The Illinoise!", "Concerning the UFO Sighting...", and "Casimir Pulaski Day". It's a tender, poignant, vulnerable, and yet warm listen that never sounds redundant or gets old. Stevens puts the melody first, and his melodies are unbelievably beautiful.

It may sound pretentious to begin with, but it isn't. Any guy who is out to make a concept album for each and every state either has megalomania or doesn't know how many states there are. But after one listen to the chorus and trumpet solo in "Chicago", the alt/country stylings of "Decatur", or the soft, almost crying strain of "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades...", I would believe that if anyone could make an album for each state, that guy would be Sufjan Stevens.

I could provide a lengthy description here, talking about this and that song, style and technique and all that, but why bother? There's just one thing you need to know: this CD is extraordinary. "Jacksonville" is my favorite.
Glad I'm from Michigan, too.

As you may have heard, Sufjan Stevens wishes to come out with an album for each state and tailor the songs on each album to that particular state. I love the creativity of his songwriting, I love his voice and I love most of the songs on this album. "Chicago" has already gotten some play on the airwaves although the best track, in my opinion, is "Concerning a UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL".

Matt Zarnstorff

You won't take this out of your cd player for days. Good quality Sufjan at his best. This would be good for newer fans as well; it's a good album to get acquainted with his sound and discover why so many love his music. This has the famous "John Wayne Gacy" song that has gained popularity.