Sufjan Stevens - Illinois | Group Reaction & Discussion

[@bulletfastspeed]

Predatory Wasp is a top 3 Sufjan song, easy. So beautiful sheesh

[@jacvic0790]

I love track 2 (I'm not typing the title) because of how it sounds like a great thunderstorm

[@patrickmoney1894]

Awesome! I ended up here by searching for a reaction to this album. I can't wait to watch the video. Also I would love to see you guy's react to a Syd Matters album, or Kings of Convenience album (especially Syd Matters). I don't think there are any reactions to these artists albums on KZbin.

[@jacobchapman890]

This video was such a fun find! It was so fun to see you experience this album together. Sharing experiences and talking about art with friends is the best. Subscribed!

[@zankara]

Nice reaction. You guys will probably like Seven Swans.

[@lucilliastreusvogel]

Sufjan is my savior in these dark times

[@mattjohn4731]

I'm from Decatur. It's between Springfield and Champaign/Urbana. Decatur was the setting for the Matt Damon film The Informant

[@hummersd]

I know this is from two years ago, but coming this Spring/Summer to Broadway is Justin Peck's Illinoise, using Sufjan's music (they're frequent collaborators), and it's phenomenal. Saw it in Chicago the last couple of performances, and it's incredibly moving. The arrangements and vocalists are awesome, they used as much of the album as they could (in different order), and the visuals through dance tell an incredible story. Only plays 16 weeks as another show is coming to the St. James theater, so gotta go see it while you can!

[@ostsillyator]

"This is like the opposite of carrie & lowell." lol

[@baTonkaTruck]

Damn man I forgot how strong Jacksonville is. Great reaction guys, I dig your vibe.

[@gustavodefariaesouza]

What a joy it was to listen to this album for the first time.

[@frankiemartinez505]

This is my second favorite album of all time.

[@KD-oy8qt]

What’s your 1st?

[@frankiemartinez505]

@@KD-oy8qt To Pimp a Butterfly.

[@KD-oy8qt]

@@frankiemartinez505 based

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, He seems to have a deep seated sadness …

[@xcvsumextra]

Such an incredible album from an incredible artist. I thank God that I know this music.

[@lethiapage4767]

"I thank God that I know this music." Exactly which is such a strange thing to say about an isolated album or artist but I totally feel this. I feel like Sufjan is what I never knew I always needed. And that's saying something. I'm 54. No limits to what I will try musically. I don't know how this stayed completely out of my scope. I would have loved it all along. My only complaint about Sufjan is he doesn't have a very good publicist. Everyone should know him. Everyone should hear him.

[@lethiapage4767]

And I feel blessed that I found him.

[@lethiapage4767]

I enjoyed this video a lot since I'm new to Sufjan myself and I'm still processing the music. What you didn't mention is how Sufjan is telling personal stories in context of the history of Illinois. My favs are the cancer song. The wasp song. And the Gacy song....Gacy is an exploration of how we all can be likeable but with enough digging you find we all need God. He confesses his own imperfection and shows empathy to another sinner. I'm in a listening group on discord and someone suggested this album. I didn't know how to like it at first but I knew the quality was there so I kept coming back. And from sheer diligence and wrestling and gaining familiarity...i grew to love it, and Sufjan himself. Then about a month later the group explored the Ascension and they couldn't be more different! Ascension is electronic. It is all about the afterlife but he has a mostly joyous take on it. I have lots of fav tracks on it depending on the day. For now I'm really blown away by goodbye to all that. It is just glorious...I picture a space ship that is actually a convertible... top down...bouncing through the universe on the way to start the afterlife. It is joyful and carefree and anticipatory. Did I say joyful? Ascension has eclipsed Illinois for me. I love them both for real but Ascension while it might not be as strong musically it is def more cohesive. The transitions aren't so necessary because the songs flow without being all alike. I would love to hear your thoughts on that one.

[@icewings_intotheclouds]

you geniuses skipped a song at the end lmao

[@jacvic0790]

Impossible soul is the best!!!

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, He’s such a poet !

[@supertavio2]

O Sufjan é maravilhoso!!

[@theyef3479]

Loved the commentary!

[@Ploist]

I liked this one

[@drewdavis3547]

Yeah

[@lanej9325]

chin.