Comments on: Decade :: Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise (2005)

By: Aquarium Drunkard » Decade :: Sufjan Stevens, Michigan (2003)

Aquarium Drunkard » Decade :: Sufjan Stevens, Michigan (2003) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:56:47 +0000

[...] follow-up, 2005’s Illinoise, may have garnered more attention and praise upon its release, but it was here, on Michigan, that [...]

By: oz Sal

oz Sal — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:53:14 +0000

sorry, did someone say vectimest? I’m not a sufjan fan but Illinois is one of the records i keep in the car permanently. Grizzly bear are ok but vecktimest has just got no direction, at least sufjans stuff is entertaining. Funeral is good, no strong feelings on AC.
Vectamist…

By: Evan

Evan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:47:41 +0000

Sorry, Evil Dan. Sorry, Tom.
Sufjan can write a better song than any songs on “Feels”, “Funeral” or “Veckatimest” in his sleep. He is just a better song writer, hands down. The lyrics are stronger, more powerful. Everything is more focused.
Of course, this is coming from someone who thinks that both Grizzly Bears and Animal Collective are actually bad.

By: dave

dave — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:37:11 +0000

the guy is singularly talented. i cannot vouch whether he lives up to his hype, anyone that can wear wings on stage while surrounded by a group of asthmatic kitty cheerleaders is either crazy off his rocker or someone worth further examination. when you look at the breadth of what he has accomplished- a worthy ambient album, 2 sprawling but gorgeous messes that weaves personal narratives into historical events, and seven swans- my favourite- a quiet and simple meditation on the role of faith. i love the grizzlies but i don’t think they have yet achieved something as universally beautiful as seven swans. but, damn they have come close. damn close.

besides- me and sufjan are both from the mitten state- i knew 90% of the places from the michigan album.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:35:53 +0000

I agree, evil dan. Never felt like Sufjan’s product matched the hype

By: evil dan

evil dan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:57:02 +0000

feel like sufjan has been the artist of the oughts that the music critic bros never fail to love, but that when you get into his music it isn’t nearly powerful enough to overcome the hype. that could be part of the point of albums like illinoise and greetings from michigan, but they still pale next to true pop masterworks like feels, funeral, or veckatimest. when i hear sufjan it just seems like ‘eh’.

By: julio

julio — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:08:15 +0000

It’s so tough to choose which one of Sufjan’s albums I have as #1. I played Seven Swans on repeat when a long term relationship has run it’s course. Great writeup….keep up the good work!