Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

Genre rock Publisher Asthmatic Kitty External Links Official Website Asthmatic Kitty

"Sufjan Stevens is planning to release a theme album for every one of the fifty states."

"Sufjan Stevens likes to sing songs about faith, God, and Christianity."

"Sufjan Stevens has put out an album that may prove to be among the best released in all of 2005."

If you pay any sort of attention to the independent music scene, or if you are a regular reader of one of a thousand music related blogs or message boards, chances are you've read some sort of variant of any and/or all three of the above statements. And, truth be told, you are probably tired of seeing all of them.

The thing is, all three of them are completely accurate points - at least for right now. Sufjan may someday choose to focus less on his faith and will probably never complete the fifty state project, but he will still have left us with Illinois and twenty-two tracks of fantastic music that will far outlast any of the other hype being thrown his way.

Comprised of a dizzying array of musical instruments and influences, Illinois combines all of the strengths that Stevens has exhibited in the past to create an epic reflection on both the state of Illinois and the ongoing process of defining one's self. Sound like some pretty lofty themes for a pop album? Most definitely, but by the end of your first listen Sufjan will have you convinced that not only can he pull both off at once - he can do so with more talent than the average songwriter displays in an entire career. From the joyous celebratory strains of "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!" to the achingly beautiful narration of "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us", Stevens takes the listener on a journey through the history of the Land of Lincoln and through his own conflicted past.

This personal conflict is best illustrated in the track "Casimir Pulaski Day", which details the struggles of watching a friend suffer through cancer. Throughout the song Sufjan seems to hold on to his faith, knowing that a higher power will pull him through even as he admits "we lift our hands and pray over your body / but nothing ever happens." He is neither denouncing his faith nor proclaiming the infallibility of God, but simply reacting honestly to a situation that has no easy answers or remedies. It is exactly these kind of touches that demonstrate how gifted Sufjan is as a songwriter. You can strip away the flavor and additional instrumentation, but what is left at the heart of it all are resoundingly human songs and emotions. Another example is the album's high point, a haunting eponymous ballad about infamous Chicago serial killer John Wayne Gacy Jr., at the close of which Sufjan conjures up the spirits of hidden regrets and admits that "in my best behavior / I am really just like him." It isn't an admission of murder, but rather an admission of supressed memories that are buried under his floorboards - one that is made all the more poignant by his delicate falsetto.

But don't get the impression that Illinois is one huge downer full of reflections on God, death, murder, and regret - most of the album is far from it. Songs such as "They Are Night Zombies!", "Jacksonville", and "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts" all serve as upbeat odes to the state; while name checking such Illinois related luminaries as Ronald Reagan and Superman. Upon first listen these may sound little more than well arranged tourism ads for the state, but repeated spins will begin to unfold more subtle layers that all reveal a little more about Sufjan's journey through self discovery and faith. As he sings in "Night Zombies", "I know, I know my time has passed / I'm not so young, I'm not so fast / I tremble with the nervous thought / Of having been, at last, forgot."

There are so many reasons why this album could have been a disaster, but the fact that it isn't speaks volumes about Stevens' talents. Not only does Illinois display his wonderful skills as a lyricist, instrumentalist, and producer - but it also shows off his marvelous ability to convey the joy and sorrow of the human spirit. Don't worry about how much of a Christian the guy is or is not. Don't waste your time speculating on whether Rhode Island or Arkansas will be the next state to be honored. Instead put aside all of your preconceptions, ignore the truckloads of hype, and simply enjoy one of the best albums of 2005.