Sufjan Stevens

This guy is great, he spends a year in each U.S. state, reaserches the state, and writes an album about historical events, towns, people, etc. He writes ballad type stuff.

I've only heard his one album Illinois and it's really good. My favorites are Sears Tower, John Wayne Gacy Jr. and Chicago. I don't know how many states he plans on doing in his life, but this is his third, I beleive. He has also done Michigan and one other, which escapes me write now.

What do you all think of him?

Boy, I couldn't disagree more, Useful, I don't think this guy is overrated at all. Illinois is, for me, the best album of the year, and that is in a year with some pretty good stuff. 7 Swans is very gorgeous, Michigan is also very, very good. A Sun Came is good too, but with a little more experimentation involved.

I'd agree that Illinois fits in quite well with a lot of symphonic prog, and
would certainly recommend it to fans of the genre (which essentially
means all of us). Believe the hype, I say, it's one of the best albums of
this decade so far.

Edited by Hector Gilbert

I just read in the latest Uncut Magazine:

He'll be out with a new album next month. 21 more tracks about Illinois! If its not a joke, I look very much forward to it. 

Edited by Rocktopus - July 07 2006 at 08:22

I agree, the man's so overrated I can barely listen to him without being sickened. Illinois was a good album but wouldn't crack my top 25 of 2005.

Equality 7-2521 wrote:   His compositions are interesting but lacking depth.

What does that mean? His music, singing, lyrics and concept has depth, and his compositions sounds right in every way too me.