Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois

I know I linked to Pitchfork’s article on Sufjan Stevens’ upcoming album, but it bears repeating, especially this part:

Described as Sufjan’s most ambitious record yet, the album implements more than 30 instruments and musicians, from the usual guitar and banjo to horns, string quartets, and a small choir. The album will feature several guests, such as James McAlister of Ester Drang, Shara Worden of AwRY and My Brightest Diamond, Craig Monturo of Volcano, I’m Still Excited!, and some production help from old cohort Daniel Smith of the Danielson Famile. However, the record was mostly self-produced in a Queens, N.Y. studio. Stevens will also more than likely continue his string of quality visual design by enlisting the assistance of Waking Life illustrator Divya Srinivasan.

As for the sound of the album, PR man Daniel Gill reports that, “One person I’ve talked to said, ‘It’s like the music at the Hall of Presidents at Disneyland, like really big and kind of patriotic sounding.‘ Sufjan really wanted to make it sound a little bit more polished and professional, but it’s definitely more in the vein of Michigan than anything else.“

I just got an e-mail from Fanatic Promotion and sure enough, Illinois is in the “Coming Soon” section.  Interestingly enough, so is a new Denison Witmer album and a 16 Horsepower DVD (which is due out in mid-March and will have two discs—click here for more info).

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• Mar 10, 2005, 12:00am