quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

i think i just puked a little bit

I think I just puked at the thought of you puking!

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

quote:

Originally posted by hudson the pumpkin king:
I listened to 'illinoise' at work today. It was beautiful, just like it is everytime I listen to it. In my mind it far surpasses 'in rainbows' in originality, warmth, and emotion.

i think i just puked a little bit

I would say that Sufjan definitely has more warmth than Radiohead. This is probably their warmest album in a while and it's still akin to a winter night.

Pwah, you don't think "Videotape" is warm?

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Pwah, you don't think "Videotape" is warm?

It's about dying. No.

if sufjan is warm and emotional, and radiohead is cold and depressed, then shouldn't this thread be Sufjan vs. Tim McGraw vs. Sesame Street, with a radiohead vs. anti-depressants thread somewhere else?

Just doesn't seem right to me.

quote:

Originally posted by EricG75:

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Pwah, you don't think "Videotape" is warm?

It's about dying. No.

It’s about passing away gracefully and being grateful and thankful for what you had. It’s about rejoicing for the “good ol’ days” and imagining all of those great memories. Oh well, I thought it was warmer than say a guy who dresses up as a clown to abuse and molest children—again, how silly of me.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
I thought it was warmer than say a guy who dresses up as a clown to abuse and molest children—again, how silly of me.

When you put it that way, it is quite warm and fuzzy.

I've never thought that Radiohead were that great at the whole song writing thing. Whereas Sufjan is amazing with it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hudson the pumpkin king:
I'll admit, this thread came too soon. I should've waited a year, then posted it. Right now it seems there's just too much widespread infatuation with 'in Rainbows'. That's to be expected though. Once it wears off, people will vote with a bit more perspective.

Wow so I guess since the results aren't matching what you thought they would or think they should be that now means posting the poll at this time was wrong? The fact that radiohead has just now passed sufjan LATER in the polls existence (the album has set in more so voters have more perspective) doesn't exactly fit taht theory.

I do think that 'videotape' is the warmest song on the 'in rainbows'. But one song doesn't paint the mood for the entire album. Just as 'Gacy' doesn't paint the entire mood on 'illinoise'.

'illinoise' draws listeners in. It's a very personal record. Sufjan sings about real life, real people, real places. And he does it in a very organic way, by using brass, acoustic guitars, harps, violins, banjos, choirs. And the arraingements work so well and fulfill their purpose.

Sufjan paints a picture, a scene in each of his songs. And he does it masterfully. The music fits his message. When listening to 'illinoise' it's natural to picture lakes, cities, houses, the faces of people, everything he sings about. Sufjan created an album that people can wholly experience, not just listen to.

'in rainbows' is great album, but it's not the glorious, original work of art that 'illinoise' is. Imho.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick85:

quote:

Originally posted by hudson the pumpkin king:
I'll admit, this thread came too soon. I should've waited a year, then posted it. Right now it seems there's just too much widespread infatuation with 'in Rainbows'. That's to be expected though. Once it wears off, people will vote with a bit more perspective.

Wow so I guess since the results aren't matching what you thought they would or think they should be that now means posting the poll at this time was wrong? The fact that radiohead has just now passed sufjan LATER in the polls existence (the album has set in more so voters have more perspective) doesn't exactly fit taht theory.

No, I agree with him. Radiohead is still fresh in everyone's minds, people may have sort of forgotten about Sufjan. Right now, it's definitely skewed towards Radiohead because it's what everyone is listening to right now. Some people may still have Illinois in their regular rotation, but not most. Radiohead may win this if asked again in another year, who knows, but I think it would be closer.

Also, since In Rainbows was just released, there are a lot of people that are really excited about it, and very likely searching for discussions about it or information surrounding it. It's not surprising that some of them would stumble across this poll, and since they only really care about Radiohead that is where their vote is cast.

However, I don't think it's embarrassing at all that Sufjan is loseing to Radiohead, of all people, by a single digit percentage, when Sufjan hasn't released a proper album in two years, and Radiohead is just weeks away from their last bomb shell. Sufjan is just a guy that recorded an album in his friend's studio and released to the world with no expectations. If I were Sufjan, and people were still liking my album better than the latest Radiohead album, I would die from the weight of the compliment.

I voted for Illinoise.

More songs, more immediately catchy.
Although I think RH is the greatest group of all time, just one listen to Illinoise will get those fanboys heads out their asses.

Just registered so I could vote (for Illinois).

Huge fan of Radiohead - they have to be one of the greatests bands on earth in terms of creativity, musicianship, just pure genius. In Rainbows is a very good album, right up there with the rest in the great canon of Radiohead albums... The thing is, take it out of that context, and it feels like one is listening to a lesser album - not in terms of musicality, but some meaning is lost.

Illinois on the other hand, may not be as technically accomplished or ground-breaking as the best of Radiohead's albums... But it certainly has the ingredients that make a truly great album - originality, songs that contribute to the concept/cohesiveness of the album, and importantly too, engaging its audience.

Personally, I find it interesting that Illinois stands on its own and gains stature on the points above (on what makes an album) when considered apart from the rest of Sufjan's works; whereas In Rainbows loses some intangible part of itself when not considered in context with the rest of Radiohead's previous works. I would rate Illinois as the more significant album

Absolutely muso. You described perfectly how I feel about Rainbows.

Hey, I guess now that you are registered, you might as well join us in the other conversations too. You seem to have a good analytical mind on your shoulders.

While I enjoyed In Rainbows, and i enjoy Radiohead, i love Sufjan Stevens and Illinois is my favorite Sufjan album, so my vote will be for [I]Illinois[/I

Sufjan just isn't half the songwriter Thom Yorke is. I listened to Illinois all day today and I was struck by how little melodic variation there is. Sufjan doesn't hold a candle to Thom Yorke lyrically either. For example: "I made a lot of mistakes in my mind, in my mind."

Really?

"Everything, everything, everything, everything
in it's right place
in it's right place
in it's right place
in it's right place
Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon
Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon
Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon
Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon"

Bob Dylan can't write for shit either! Just look at this:

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.

quote:

Originally posted by thetreesgetwheeledaway:
Sufjan just isn't half the songwriter Thom Yorke is.

This statement is just absurd. If you want to see the kind of songs Thom Yorke(not Radiohead) writes, just listen to 'Eraser'. If you think that 'Eraser' is superior to 'illinoise', I'll be very surprised.