Can you feel the 'Illinoise'

When I was young, I drove from California to Kentucky five times with my family. We took the southern route through Texas, and the northern route to see Mount Rushmore and the glaciers in Montana. I can still close my eyes and picture our old, tan Cadillac passing the icy tops of the Rockies. My dad usually drove non-stop through the night, so I was left to imagine what each state offered. Every state had its own personality setting it apart from what lied next door. Fortunately, there is one man that is exploring their stories until I get control of the wheel. \nSufjan Stevens, Michigan born singer-songwriter is working on a conquest consisting of epic proportions. What began with Greetings from Michigan, an intimate album that took listeners up north, Come on Feel the Illinoise is the second stop for the artist's lofty quest. Come on Feel the Illinois is part of a goal to create an album for all fifty states. Imagine visiting a state but in preparation for the trip you read up on history and local news to fully understand all of its secrets, and then leave with 22 tracks to share. \nFor Come on Feel the Illinois, Stevens takes listeners on an audible road trip. Piano and flutes gracefully begin the album and carry Stevens' lyrics about alien encounters, young stories of John Wayne and rejoicing stepmothers in Decatur. Come on Feel the Illinois definitely sounds much more grand than previous albums, so much that it sets its course with trumpets and chorus voices rising. However, through hums of string ensembles and thoughtful percussion, there still lies a boy from Michigan sharing poetic thoughts over wholesome banjo strumming. \nBefore entering "Chicago," a joyous track that recaps memories of trips to the windy city, Stevens inserts instrumental interludes. This theme repeats itself throughout the album easing listeners from one part of the state to another. Each song has a distinct feeling and mood, just like each town has its own identifiable character. Stevens explores his harder side with "The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts," with stronger drums and electric guitar intertwined with the same calming vocals. Then there are tear-worthy songs like "The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us!" that sing of tragic loss, but their sweetness allows for hope.\nStevens is definitely taking on a lot, fifty to be exact, but already on his way to state three he has created an album that should reach well beyond natives of Illinois. It is an album that touches much further than main roads, and still never forgets its roots. So I say take his advice, and no time to be shy, Come On And Feel The Illinoise.