Inspired by Jeep’s “Reunited States of America” Super Bowl ad, this is my peek into America through a handful of songs. Each track is dedicated to one of the states. Here’s Part 3.

I can’t have a state theme on Mental Jukebox without Sufjan Stevens. And his unfinished state project is best represented by his Illinois album. What Illinois did more so than any other Sufjan Stevens record was showcase his ability to create both stripped down moments of solitude as well as orchestrated Broadway-like anthems. What I love about “Come On! Feel the Illinoise” the most is how it displays the instrumentation, storytelling and scale of a Broadway musical and delivers it in Sufjan’s unmistakeable style.

“Typically terrific, busy and prolific. Classical devotion, architect promotion, lacking in emotion. Think about it now.”