Album:

Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise

Sufjan Stevens hopes to write an album for every state in the Union. Daunting? Yes. Original? Probably not. Worth a listen? Absolutely. His first state album, Michigan, received more critical acclaim than it did album sales. With his second state album about Illinois, Sufjan is hoping to get his own name on the map (sorry). Sufjan has a legit orchestral sound unheard of in pop music and he makes the sound his own. His lyrics are also something to be admired. While the lyrics "And in my best behavior/I am really just like him" may be read as tacky in a song titled "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." hearing Sufjan sing them, makes them sound disturbingly sincere. Many of his song title seem unnecessarily long, like "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!" or "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Run For Your Lives!! AHHHHH!," they actually show Stevens' incredible knowledge of the states history. This album seems experimental or incomplete because most tracks are either under one or over four minutes long. But this just allows more understanding of Sufjan's personality and writing style. While Illinois may not be the best album of the year, it is the best album you havn't listened to.