Sufjan Stevens - "Illinois"

- Released: 2005
- Format: standard album (CD or download)

- Songwriting: 4
- Performance: 7
- Recording: 8
- First Impression: 6
- Staying Power: 4

This is a perfect example of what is wrong with music reviews.  A complicated, pompous, meandering, prevaricating, self-flagellating album gives fodder for many complicated, pompous, meandering, prevaricating, self-flagellating reviews.  The young, white hipsters then have a massive verbal wank-fest over it, declaring it to be the second coming of "Pet Sounds".

The simple question that the rest of us want answered: does it rock?  The simple answer: no!

The first listening is difficult because of the clashing "progressive folk" style.  Subsequent listenings are even more difficult, because the seemingly complex arrangements become repetitive and tiring.  The not-so-subtle, preachy tone of the lyrics puts the final nail in the coffin.

Suggested sample track: "Chicago"

Recommendation: Unless you are a semi-religious, white, trendy, twenty-something (who cries with friends, in a van), this one is not worth more than a cursory glance on Grooveshark.