Reviewed by: Justin Cober-Lake
Reviewed on: 2005-07-05

Posted 07/05/2005 - 07:40:42 AM by vsvsvs:
	Bad review. What about the deep emotional stories involved here, like that of "Casimir Pulaski Day" for example? Did you listen to the album but once before reviewing it? Yes, its a different album from "Michigan", but how is that a bad thing? The fact that Sufjan can put pen to paper and fingers to banjo and create something uplifting and deeply moving in equal measure just shows us what great composer he is. Dismayed that this isn't the album of the week as well.
Posted 07/05/2005 - 08:30:28 AM by KlausFraktal:
	He should have hired some producer to make a kitschy dance album for him. That's art, baby!
Posted 07/05/2005 - 11:24:37 AM by RavingLunatic:
	I agree with vsvsvs. There are a number of deeply moving songs on this album. To be honest, from reading this review, I'm not sure if the reviewer listened to any of the songs other that "Zombies." This review could have been written a year ago. And what's the big deal about the song titles? Who cares? They are not a part of the song. They're just a label used to refer to each song. Why waste two paragraphs on that kind of non-analysis, especially when the album in question is so long and wide-ranging?
Posted 07/05/2005 - 04:52:37 PM by MEKsLP:
	I don't want to be an ass here but did it ever dawn on you that may the reason it is so much more "in your face" than Michigan is to convey a different feeling as is associated with the state? This is the state which Chicago in it for christ sake. Likewise I would expect an album about Nebraska to be much more subdue and minimal and an album about New York to be more loud and overbearing. All of these conveyed emotions though sound and production would be in vein if the actual songs sucked but Sufjan has kept the bar raised and illinoise is a testimate to that.
Posted 07/05/2005 - 09:28:04 PM by IanMathers:
	vsvsvs, did you read the review but once before complaining about it? Although Justin doesn't mention the other songs by name, he does talk about how moving parts of this are and about what a great composer Stevens is.
Posted 07/05/2005 - 11:20:55 PM by grinder:
	Forget about discussing the merits of this album--the disc with the original artwork is soon to be banned. Collector scum, rejoice!
Posted 07/06/2005 - 12:10:05 PM by mbarthel:
	Good review, but a) I'm still confused why everyone gets so persnickity about the titles--they're funny! They're self-deprecating! They're in the Columbian style that Chris Ware also used! b) Is "over a year" really that long a wait for an album now? c) I agree with the indeed kinda ass-like MEK that Illinois is a much more triumphal state than Michigan--even outside of Chicago you've got the well-tended suburbs and nice college towns and like that. Although I disagree with MEK in that an album about New York would necessarily be triumphal; I could show you some towns upstate pal that etc. etc.
Posted 07/06/2005 - 05:35:42 PM by mikell:
	we're reviewing reviews these days?
Posted 07/06/2005 - 06:23:25 PM by salami-nipples:
	horrendously awesome?
Posted 07/06/2005 - 07:30:50 PM by mikell:
	finally saw the tracklistings...wondering if mr. stevens is trying to thwart p2p users, or at the very least make life difficult for rippers.
Posted 07/07/2005 - 03:45:23 PM by hoboghost:
	Forget album of the week, Illinoise is the best album of the year.
Posted 07/08/2005 - 02:44:16 PM by erklie:
	"horrendously awesome" indeed. what a negative positive review.
Posted 07/11/2005 - 12:36:57 AM by Travis_Parker:
	I love this album. I personally agree with Pitchfork's review best. I read Stylus, Tinymixtapes, Youaintnopicasso and Pitchfork daily. Sufjan is coming to my town, $10 show, and I've been questing for his albums. So far I've found Seven Swans and Michigan, and even though I've had to listen to this from some German site, I've loved it. Chicago, John Wayne Gacy Jr. and Casimir Pulaski Day are my favorite actual tracks, and I love all of the transitions. And the titles? I love them. I don't agree with the review in every aspect, but that happens. Pitchfork sucks at reviewing the Mars Volta, so there you have it. Favorite album of the year thus far.
Posted 07/21/2005 - 11:31:41 AM by ckramer:
	what a shame that an album with such depth was reviewed so shallowly. this writer's goal seems to be to show us how clever he is rather than discuss the music on illinois.