Illinois cover

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens · 2005

74 min · 22 tracks · alternative rock · classical · electronic

A whimsical orchestral tapestry intertwines with deeply personal narratives, painting a vivid portrait of Illinois.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • whimsical storytelling through sound
  • short tracks with vivid imagery
  • playful exploration of history
  • cathartic emotional reflections
  • urban landscapes and personal tales

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • want instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
By the time 'Illinois' was released in July 2005, Sufjan Stevens had already garnered attention with his previous album 'Seven Swans' (2004). This record marked a significant artistic leap, showcasing Stevens' ambition to create a series of state-themed albums, beginning with Illinois. His blend of folk, classical arrangements, and intricate storytelling positioned him as a unique voice in the indie music scene.
Stylistic neighbors
Iron & Wine· Andrew Bird· Fleet Foxes

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois 2:08
  • 2 The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience but You’re Going to Have to Leave Now, or, “I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Them Until They Are Off Our Lands!” 2:14
  • 3 Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition, Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream 6:45
  • 4 John Wayne Gacy, Jr. 3:19
  • 5 Jacksonville 5:24
  • 6 A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Very Good Reasons 0:47
  • 7 Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother! 3:03
  • 8 One Last “Whoo‐Hoo!” for the Pullman 0:06
  • 9 Chicago 6:04
  • 10 Casimir Pulaski Day 5:53
  • 11 To the Workers of the Rockford River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament 1:40
  • 12 The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts 6:17
  • 13 Prairie Fire That Wanders About 2:11
  • 14 A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has an Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze 0:19
  • 15 The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us! 5:23
  • 16 They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh! 5:09
  • 17 Let’s Hear That String Part Again, Because I Don’t Think They Heard It All the Way Out in Bushnell 0:40
  • 18 In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth 0:35
  • 19 The Seer’s Tower 3:53
  • 20 The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders, Part I: The Great Frontier, Part II: Come to Me Only With Playthings Now 7:02
  • 21 Riffs and Variations on a Single Note for Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, and the King of Swing, to Name a Few 0:46
  • 22 Out of Egypt, Into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt From My Sandals as I Run 4:21

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata