Sufjan Stevens, suddenly a folk icon among indie patrons, has returned to his big sound after last year's minimalist, intimate Seven Swans. Deeply baroque, Illinois commanders a small army of musicians and instruments, but at its core is a folk record that delights itself in the sounds of Americana and the history and culture of the Abe Lincoln's old stomping grounds.
The second in Stevens's ambitious endeavor to capture the heart of each U.S. state, Illinois is a mature extension of 2003's Michigan. It is a joyous work, rich with harmony and wit. Each song is playfully and lengthily titled, and even the most mundane actions are celebrated. No one but Sufjan could make a road trip out east so uplifting, as he does in the album's first single, "Chicago," and no other artist could manage to be so religious and yet so widely accessible. He makes no secret of his devout Christianity; but while this label tends to undermine most artists' work, Stevens' piety is part of what makes his music so successful. On tracks like "Casimir Pulaski Day" and "The Seer's Tower" he is at his best, mingling biblical references with snippets of Illini life to create pop paradise. Elevating choruses, festive trumpet work and soft banjos all contribute to a lush, intelligent and unforgettable album.
