Baby_M wrote: 
Doesn't matter. He's planning on living until 142
 

Great talent on display here

At one time he was planning to record one album for every state—of which he'd completed two, this one on Illinois and one on Michigan.  Did he give up on the idea?

 idiot_wind wrote: 
Pardon my pedantry, but https://www.dictionary.com/browse/milquetoast

But anyway, I'd swap this for Dylan's 'Idiot Wind' any day. In fact, I'm going to to just that.

His vocals on this one are Belle and Sebatianish, eh?

This certainly caught my attention

Another sufjan gem one of the true greats

 davlon wrote: 
 Cleverly put. BTW, IMHO Sufjan is a stone genius.

 peter_james_bond wrote: 
I agree! >9 Hands down

What's not to like? So they brought in a producer and added a few layers to a clever melody - I like the result.

Indie Purists are the leather shoe wearing vegans of music...

 horstman wrote: 
I disagree with the cactus comment but it made me laugh!

 titanium667 wrote: 
Is maiming considered bashing?

They have there own sound... like it!

 sirdroseph wrote: 
Agreed!  I can't believe how relatively old this album is now   Getting older bites lol

 vandal wrote: 
Eat Thai much?

I like this one.

 titanium667 wrote: 
Yes, throwing a bash in his honor is unlikely if he keeps putting out this dreck. Too long, too slow, waay too boring.

I hear he has been working in The Nationals studio on an actual new album.  I cannot wait to hear me some new Sufjan!

Sufjan bashing is prohibited.

Before dumping on this incessantly, check out the Austin City Limits take.  Truly inspired!

https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4221164594405566437#

 peter_james_bond wrote: 
Please don't feed the troll. He makes the same stupid comment re virtually every song on RP.
Remember physicsgenius? He could at least be witty on occasion. No such luck with this clown.

 copymonkey wrote: 
No, all you need is to co-opt a few "indie music critics" to fluff your bland, formulaic cookie-cutter gimmick into an ironically commercial iTunes success.  Then wait for the money to roll in from the brain-dead iPod Nation.

I hear alcohol works best with the "critics".

Significantly less irritating than a lot of his other music. 

Sorry.  That's as kind as I can be.  I tried. 

If this doesn't end pretty soon, I'll have to retract the above.

EDIT: Interesting that Bill has omitted the "e" in the album title.  Nice try, Bill. 

 copymonkey wrote: 
Hmmm. . . where in my comment was the implication that his was a successful marketing strategy? 

 AdyMiles wrote: 
What's boring to some may be interesting to others. Without some repetition, music would be much less accessible and enjoyable. One person's trash is another person's treasure.

boring repetitive trash

Yeah, yeah. Well, say what you like about the man's ethics, he's a balls-to-the-wall businessman. Beat ya any way he can. Straight for the jugular. Very effective.

 copymonkey wrote: 

 vandal wrote: 

Yeah—GREAT marketing. Get yourself a quirky, artsy, weirdo who makes the music HE wants to make on the banjo!! You'll make hundreds!!
By the way—Love the Sufjan.

vandal wrote:

I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. 

 jedley wrote:  

That he did.  I think he has anal-retentive issues.

 vandal wrote: 
Didn't you just vow to shit a flaming cactus a coupla songs back?

Kid's a stone genius.

I was just wondering over the last few days if he would ever tour again, but found out he was spending a lot of time in Japan, which makes me think that the whole "50 records/50 states" idea might not fly so well.

Every time I hear this song, I love it.  Actually, that's true for all of his songs.  I'm not religious at all, but some of his religious songs (The Transfiguration) are amazing.  So much emotion, and belief just for the sake of belief, not to try and push an ideal onto others in a forceful way..

Anyway, glad this song came on again.  Hope there's another few Sufjan plays to hit RP :)

Excelsior and Vandal need to have their meds adjusted methinks...  Always so negative kids, it's painful to see your poison spewing everywhere on this site.

Beautiful!  I was stunned the first time I heard this and it's still a treat to hear it.  My favorite S.S. song.

vandal wrote:

Wow, a Sufjan song people actually like! I'm a big fan. Try reading some of the comments on his other songs. Quite a polarizing artist here on RP. Ditto more Sufjan please!

I'm not afraid of the black man running He's got it right he's got a better life coming I don't care what the captain said I fold it right at the top of my head I lost my sight and the state packs in I follow my heart and it leads me right to Jackson Oh Keller oh oh oh She gave us a medal she gave us a map Oh Canner Row, oh oh oh If seeing is right, then look where you're at I'm not afraid of Nichol's Park I ride the train and I ride it after dark I'm not afraid to get it right I turn around and I give it one more try I said things that I meant to say The bandstand chairs and the Dewey Day parade I go out to the golden age The spirit is right and the spirit doesn't change Oh Keller oh oh oh She gave us mirror she gave us a map Oh Canner Row, oh oh oh If seeing is right then look where you're at Andrew Jackson, all I'm asking Show us the wheel and give us the wine Woohoo! Woohoo! Raise the banner, Jackson hammer Everyone goes to the capitol line Woohoo! woohoo! Colored preacher, nice to meet you! The spirit is here and the spirit is fine! Woohoo! Woohoo! Education, ask the nation You gave us our sight and the hearing is fine Woohoo! woohoo! Andrew Jackson all I'm asking Give us the wheel and give us the wine

I was stunned the first time I heard this a couple of years ago. He was on Austin City limits a while back and opened with this song. What a talent!

" i'm not afraid of the black man runnin" play that at the goddamned convention!

More Sufjan please.

have not heard this in awhile. forgot how good it is.

catchy! :)

betterdaze wrote: Perfect comment betterdaze, total agreement.

It's been a couple of years since Illinois--so when's the next one coming out? At this rate he'll be 150 before he finishes all 50 states...

I love the sound of this. So much to listen to in it, and the more I hear it the more I like it.

Wow, this singer and song and totally new to me; this is the very first time I've heard this. I like! An 8 straight away!

I wonder what Kate Bush makes of this?

I love this album: he's one of my favorites singers, I hope maybe one day he'll come in Italy... Eels do it, so... why not?

Why does he always have to make the production so smooth and sleepy-sounding? It works with songs like "John Wayne Gacy" and the UFO song, but kind of drags down stuff like this.

keep 'em comin' SufYawn uno mas uno......

Do people get the reason for initially putting Superman on the album cover? On the southern tip of Illinois is Massac County. Their county seat is called Metropolis, and their big tourist draw is a huge Superman statue in front of their city hall, and a little museum with tons of Superman memorabilia across the street, donated to the city by an avid individual collector (I happen to have a Metropolis, IL magnet from the museum on my refrigerator, complete with Superman logo). As an Illinoisan, thought I would make that my perhaps meaningless information tidbit of the day. pianocomposer wrote:

Sufjan is the man. Thanks Bill for opening my eyes to Sufjan. Good stuff.

Much better than the rest of this set. Finally a good song!

... The spirit is here and the spirit is fine! ... ...

This song about Jacksonville is from the Illinoise album--duh! Therefore, it is about Jacksonville, IL, not FL, not TN. Nichols Park and the School for the Blind are in Jacksonville, IL. Ferris wheels are made in Jacksonville, IL.

does he really plans to do one album for each state? I guess I'll be dead by the time he reaches North Carolina.

SchoepTone wrote: My wife went to school in Jacksonville, IL. I know most of the references (Nichols park, for instance). We went to Champaign/Urbana and saw sufjan's band support this album. it was great. they all dressed up as fighting illini cheerleaders and did cheers (seriously). and they are all great musicians. he's a freakin genius. I love this album...this whole thing. I got lucky and have a copy with superman on the cover before DC comics forced them to pull that image off due to copyright infringements (assholes!). This particular song is one of the top 5 on the album, out of 23. The entire album is way off the charts. check out metacritic if you don't believe me.

The more I hear it, the more I like it. Upped from 8 to 9.

ajlept wrote: I gott say... When someone actually says... ROTFLMAO! ... i just wanna smash something. Who honestly says... Roll on the floor lauphing my ass off? Haha, whatever, great tune though!

SCJoniguy wrote: Funny, my wife likes this music. Hmmmm . . .

Violins & banjo fer crissakes! Too cute and pretentious. Vocals nothing special either. Bleh! So sue me...

Posted 18 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]

playful sound

Old man, look at my life...

jmwspg wrote: ROTFLMAO! Don't fear....bang, bang, bang.....the Reaper.... Oh yeah, I'm starting to like the banjo and SS. Cowbell, well.......

MLavender wrote: bingo- that's exactly what I'm talking about- the success of which he is a victim. The hype naturally leads new listeners to approach his music with an air of cynicism. (at least that's how it seems to me)

Yeah, it's a shame he doesn't get any recognition -- Illinoise is only the editors pick on Amazon for best album of 2005. Poor Sufjan. (Personally, while I think it's a good album, I also think that if it's the BEST 2005 can come up with, it's a weak year...of course, I thought the same thing about Green Day's last album too. Not a bad album, but THE BEST?!)

sipsey wrote: I hear you - what's up with that? I have to listen to Sufjan on the sly or else my wife goes nuts. Is there subliminal anti-wife mojo in the audio or something? Brilliant CD this, by the way.

river_man wrote: Well - unsurprisingly I agree!!

Poor old Sufjan. I just can't help feeling that he is, in many ways, a victim of his own success. This same music from a unknown artist would, doubtless, be hailed by all as a masterwork. Call me narrow-minded, but I really struggle to see how anyone, having listened to illinois, could deem the music uninteresting or lacklustre. When listening, I'm always amazed by the lush complexity of the orchestral arrangements built around those simple, (and in my eyes) universally appealing melodies. Some major-league lyrical skill as well.

I saw him and his band accidentally last year touring the album Michagan in a small church-like room called the Philadelphia Ethical Society. I was there to see Nicolai Dunger (an incredible singer-songwriter whom I have uploaded and had accepted by LRC yet it's never been payed. Anyway, Sufjan and his troop came marching out in boy scout uniforms. It was a fun interactive show. He loves what he's doing and he's good at it.

Love it. Love it. Love it!

Sufjan is not for everyone, that's for sure He bugs the crap outta my wife!

jmwspg wrote: Word! That's what I think every time I hear this song.

I'm always intrigued by the music -- the intros are especially nice -- but then he starts singing, and I start to listen to him. That's right where he loses me.

"I'm not afraid of the black man running He's got it right he's got a better life coming " I've been on a serious Sufjan jag lately. "Come On, Feel The Illinoise" is simply one of the finest songs I've ever heard.

Man I heard this on BBC 6 Music a long time ago...like 3 weeks before it came out, and woven into their format....it dropped me to the floor, I had to have it....put the album down until New Years and then played it in an open forum party....so strange to watch the different reactions and all the pretty colors!!!!....naw just grinnin.....he is inspirational at times...hope RP stays with him there are a lot of states to go........

I think my fascination with Sufjan Stevens's music is due in part to the difficulty I had obtaining this album. It's great to hear this song, "Jacksonville," get some play. It's right up there with some of the other more popular tracks from the album. I enjoy Stevens's music because it's consistently surprising, unusual, and yet often has great rhythm. I hope he completes his 50-state project. Can't wait to hear Massachusetts!

There just isn't enough banjo in modern music. Or cowbell.

Oh yes - we like this! Funky, original & I can't stop singing along (with the whole album!)

dtb wrote: I think I need to buy this!

One of the best albums of 2005. Particularly impressive since he played most everything himself.

I love this song: haunting and melodic.

randomprime wrote: I think they Both deserve One Capital letter, onlY.

pianocomposer wrote: Love the song and Sufjan's work - great stuff. But those are colleges in jacksonville, not Universities like they have in Chicago.

Bizzarefall wrote: Haven't heard them, or of them. But if they're more irritating than this Sufjan, I guess that's a good thing. Thanks for the warning!

steeler wrote: I think he's talented and ambitious, and I respect him for both, but he's not doing anything that I find especially interesting.

dolfan wrote: Jacksonville, Illinois is 45 minutes from where I live. It's my favorite city in the state...a school for the deaf, two universities, a major role in the underground railroad, the Amtrack runs to chicago, and a small-town friendly atmosphere.

Vogelfrei wrote:

Vogelfrei wrote: Until I looked at the playlist, I thought it was Belle and Sebastian, too. And if this is for Jacksonville, FL the song is far, far better than the city. There are good people there, but that city was planned out after careful consideration, a few bottles of Jack, and a bowlful of peyote.

I have a lot of respect for this guy's ambitious project. I'd respect him still, even if he only gets to 5 or 6 states.

I really like this song. Just makes you feel good listening to the tune.

Know he's popular, but he doesn't do much for me. Clever, but somewhat plodding.

very very nice. Deserves at least 8.

Raise your hand if you thought this was Stuart Murdoch (Belle & Sebastian). ...which is to say, I find it pretty enjoyable, in the same way as Fold Your Hands, Child.

meloman wrote: Yes the ditty bops song...

Sufjan gets gets the "most lackluster, yet entirely overhyped artist of the year" award.

Nonsense! Get some numbers behind your assertions if you're gonna say anything. Otherwise, keep on playing. huebdoo wrote:

Is there a more irritating song on RP's playlist? I think not. And he's so witty. Just check out his website for the best in junior-high humor.

rgrace wrote: https://www.jacksonvilleil.com/ 180 years and still kickin'

physicsgenius wrote: Holy crap! For once I agree with physicsgenius.

I have heard this song quite a bit on Radio Paradise... it does get plaid I thing a little too much (there is alot out there that is better) Music programming isnt easy it can be repetative... but I think this song can be put back in the sleeve and put back on the shelf for a while

Glockman45 wrote: Yet another victim of the American educational system, methinks.

physicsgenius wrote: jacksonville, florida duh? jacksonville, texas hello? there is more than one jacksonville mr. know it all.

Al_Koholic wrote: ah me too!

Bill pulls a super-fakeout Jedi mind trick on us: Upon hearing the previous song I checked to see if it was Sufjan Stevens. So who follows ...?

Talk about piling irony on irony. Good song, tho. kazuma wrote:

The more I hear this, the less I like it.

physicsgenius wrote: jakeinprogress wrote: jake, your generosity in this case has taken benefit of the doubt to new levels! I admire that.

Um, actually there is a Jacksonville, IL. There's also one in Florida and several other states (remember Andrew Jackson?). Off-kilter irony works best when it's grounded in fact.

I liked this guy when I first started hearing him on RP, but after a few hundred go rounds of his songs, I have to say: He's a whiner. Go whine somewhere else...please

fine_citizen wrote: Definitely has a little hint of Dead.

physicsgenius wrote: I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you're just operating at a level of irony behind my comprehension. https://www.jacksonvilleil.com/

OK, first of all, Jacksonville is in Tennessee, not Illinois. Second of all, ENOUGH OF THIS CD!

Sorry - I just don't get it. Not my thing, but I'm not going to bash it.

Really liking everything I hear off this album. The main riff reminds me a bit of the Grateful Dead - Jack Straw.

smilestoomuch wrote: Well this is what is written on his website.... www.sufjan.com wrote: If true that would mean he has been in Michigan. Maybe it was his first time on the west side of the state....nope he went to Hope College in Holland, MI. I think he has probably even been in Grand Rapids before. :)