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Compared to 2004's Seven Swans, Illinois offers thicker textured harmonies and instrumentations, which further proves the point that everyone and I mean EVERYONE is listening to (and stealing from) Brian Wilson's Smile. Instead of the roughly biblical allegories of some of Steven's previous work, the lyrics focus on the struggles of the working class. They are transformative and far reaching, invoking UFO's, children, Black Hawk Helicopters, John Wayne Gacy, and Casmir Pulaski Day a celebration of the Polish-American Revolutionary War hero by Chicagoans. Sufjan is a smart songwriter, effortlessly blending melodies and phrasing in such a way that most people would agree is 'crafted'-they are complex and interesting. For me, the majority of his music seems thoroughly engaging upon the first few listens and after that I find myself wanting to return to it less and less. And while I find his commitment to religious theology and Biblical solace admirable, some of the lyrics seem downright hokey:
Oh the glory that the lord has made
Tuesday night at the bible study It is really difficult to argue against the things he does well. He has an outstanding ear and a knack for writing transformative and even transfiguring music with a breadth and depth of character and tonalities in composition. However, sometimes, no matter how technically achieved his music is, if it does not change the listener or inspire them to change themselves, it ultimately fails. Reviewed by: Chris Bock |
