What's not cool about Sufjan Stevens?
His Turkish first name is so cool that it's the only part of his moniker needed for his website's URL. He's an alum of one of the trippiest bands ever, the Danielson Famile. With Illinoise, he's 1/25 done with his 50 States album project (his Michigan homeland came first).
If his 2004's non-geographically thematic Seven Swans gave him household recognition in the indieground, Illinois crowns him the scene's man of the hour. And if most arbiters of hip could give a toss for Stevens' Christianity, they're respecting his artistry.
Some of his brilliance comes from morphing his old Fam's idiosyncrasies for broader consumption. The Danielson clan (Daniel Smith and wife Elin sing back-up and clap on "Decatur") has mastered a sound that defies sell-out, but Stevens has built upon it considerably to nigh orchestral proportions. I count at least 19 different instruments Stevens plays himself. Then there's the string quartet playing on six of the album's 22 pieces.
That instrumental and compositional sophistication melds multiple genres until it becomes a singular thing. It's as much about as the gossamer melancholy of the saddest singer-songwriters, the string jabs of the fiercest blaxploitation movie soundtrack, classical systems music at its most mesmeric, and Americana incapable of getting any more rustic.
Though Stevens poured research into his study of Lincoln State history, a deeply theological mindset pervades his songwriting. That said, the album hits an early emotional high mark with "John Wayne Gacy, Jr."
With tender melody and sympathetically biographical lyrics, Stevens finds it in him to relate to the late pedophile-murderer by declaring that he has secrets under his floorboards, too. The heart is evil above all things, yes?
Other character studies ("Casimir Pulaski Day," "The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders") and vignettes ("Chicago," "The Seer's Tower") give the impression that Stevens' work would translate easily to stage or screen. Maybe something could be staged at Illinois' Cornerstone festival, as he seems to be giving it an elliptical namecheck by titling one of the set's short instrumentals "Let's hear that string part again, because I don't think they heard it all the way out in Bushnell."
As a multi-instrumentalist-arranger, Stevens' senses of texture and layering Phil Spector and Brian Wilson's Beach Boys prime. His songwriting rivals the insight of Larry Norman or Mark Heard. Swarthy good looks as boyish as his singing voice is sincere complete the picture. What chance does he stand among his kin in faith on Christian radio? Don't turn blue holding your breath on that hope. Stevens' literacy and manifold complexities would nonetheless befuddle a CCM public accustomed to, and likely ever seeking, simplicity in sentiments and sounds. Never mind his penchant for delightful choral harmonies and instantaneously indelible melodies.
That leaves Stevens more in a culturally prophetic role. People with no use for Jesus are enjoying how he uses the talents Christ has given him. Without preaching, his songs subtly, or more boldly, sermonize. Stevens is more than sharp enough to get away with it.
5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis July 2005Reviewed by Peter VenessTwo down, 48 to go. On Illinois, Stevens steps firmly to the mark he created with his first state, Michigan, and goes much further into his own awkwardly beautiful, naïve sonic wonderland. While on Michigan we were taken through the trailer parks, dying relationships and Kmarts Stevens knew so well, on Illinois we are giving the tourist radio guide to a state populated by superheroes, serial…Opus 2005Reviewed by Jason MoreheadLet's get a few things out of the way first. Yes, I realize that the title of Sufjan Stevens' latest is actually Sufjan Stevens Invites You To: Come On Feel The Illinoise. And yes, I realize that the full song titles include such gems as "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!" and "Out Of Egypt, Into The Great Laugh Of Mankind, And I Shake The…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Jonathan AvantsAs unimaginable as it is that I could eventually own 50+ recordings from a single artist, if Sufjan Stevens has his way (i.e. lives long enough), and if each of his state records manage to be at least as good as his newest one here, Sufjan Stevens could eventually dominate a great portion of my musical library. Jiminy! So here's the scoop with Illinois--or, Sufjan Stevens invites you to: Come on…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Steve StockmanThe first time you hear Sufjan Stevens it might bring to mind a Bob Dylan phrase that I am sure was in no way directed to Third Way's editor, "Something is happening but you don't know what it is, do you Mr. Jones." Stevens belongs to a little triumvirate of artists, the others being the Danielson Famile and Half Handed Cloud; avant-garde performing songwriters who bring a slapstick musical humor…Similar sounding releases
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