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Music Criticism

"Come on Feel the Illinoise," by Sufjan Stevens (Album - Highly Recommended - Spiritual Themes) When Sufjan Stevens broke onto the music scene in 2000 with his independently-released debut, “A Sun Came,” his arrival went unnoticed by all but the most devoted of indie music fans. Over the next few years, Sufjan was busy, releasing the experimental “Enjoy Your Rabbit” in 2001, “Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State” in 2003, and “Seven Swans” in 2004. But it wasn’t until the second album in his 50 States project, “Come on Feel the Illinoise,” that Sufjan’s music began to reach his widest audience yet. “Illinoise” made countless critics’ top ten lists for albums of the year, including the top album of the year for Entertainment Weekly’s Chris Willman. Snow Patrol mentions him on their latest album. His music has begun to show up on film and television soundtracks. What is perhaps most surprising is the fact that Stevens is a Christian and sings about his faith and spiritual matters openly and honestly. (Posted 07/19/2006)