Sufjan Stevens | Illinois | Vinyl

Sufjan Stevens' Illinois is one of the defining albums of 2000s indie music. Combining folk, orchestral pop, and minimalist influences, it tells stories of the state's history and people. “Chicago,” “Casimir Pulaski Day,” and “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” are among its many highlights, and the album later inspired a Tony-winning stage production.

Track List

Side A

1. Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois
2. The Black Hawk War, Or, How To Demolish An Entire Civilization And Still Feel Good About Yourself In The Morning, Or, We Apologize For The Inconvenience But You’re Going To Have To Leave Now, Or, “I Have Fought The Big Knives And Will Continue To Fight Them Until They Are Off Our Lands!”
3. Come On! Feel The Illinoise! Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream
4. John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
5. Jacksonville
6. A Short Reprise For Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, But For Very Good Reasons

Side B

1. Decatur, Or, Round Of Applause For Your Stepmother!
2. One Last “Whoo-Hoo!” For The Pullman
3. Chicago
4. Casimir Pulaski Day
5. To The Workers Of The Rock River Valley Region, I Have An Idea Concerning Your Predicament

Side C

1. The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
2. Prairie Fire That Wanders About
3. A Conjunction Of Drones Simulating The Way In Which Sufjan Stevens Has An Existential Crisis In The Great Godfrey Maze
4. The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us!
5. They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!
6. Let’s Hear That String Part Again, Because I Don’t Think They Heard It All The Way Out In Bushnell
7. In This Temple As In The Hearts Of Man For Whom He Saved The Earth

Side D

1. The Seer’s Tower
2. The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders Part I: The Great Frontier Part II: Come To Me Only With Playthings Now
3. Riffs And Variations On A Single Note For Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, And The King Of Swing, To Name A Few
4. Out Of Egypt, Into The Great Laugh Of Mankind, And I Shake The Dirt From My Sandals As I Run
5. The Avalanche

Release Details

• UPC: 0656605892610
• Label: Asthmatic Kitty
• Format: LP Vinyl
• Genre: Indie
• Release Date: 11/22/05