Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Description
It's a marvel, a record of today that couldn't care less about today. It's called, somewhat stupidly, "Come On Feel the Illinoise", and it was produced by a North American named Sufjan Stevens. Not alone in his corner, but not far off, despite the gaggle of musicians who came to lend him a hand (although the expression couldn't be more poorly chosen, given the delicacy of the whole).
Supposed to be part of a series on the fifty states of North America, with the slightly crazy idea of dedicating an album to each state (the record opens with a very beautiful piece in minor, which is quickly followed by a shimmering mini-symphony, in which Steve Reich gets together with Van Dyke Parks, who is rubbing shoulders with Stereolab, under the vocal patronage of Elliott Smith.