Illinois
Sufjan Stevens · 2005 · 10 tracks
A balanced album — rises and falls. 2 safe anchors, 8 moderate, 0 intense.
Across the 10 Illinois songs we've measured, intensity averages 37/100 — calmer than the typical song we measure (46/100).
They run from John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (the calmest here, 11) to Chicago (the most charged, 55), with layered textures most common and a mix of the expected and the surprising. Most of it lands around 2005.
The widest dynamic swing belongs to Casimir Pulaski Day.
Sensory Arc
Bar height = dynamic range. Color = sensory level. Hover or tap to identify each track.
Tracklist
Frequently asked about Illinois
Answered from our measurements of every track above.
What is the most intense Illinois track?
Of the 10 Illinois tracks we've measured, “Chicago” scores highest at 55/100 for intensity — computed from its dynamic range, texture, sudden changes and tempo.
What is the calmest Illinois track?
“John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” measures gentlest at 11/100. It runs 70 BPM. The tracks here span 11–55 on our 0–100 intensity scale.
How intense is Illinois overall?
Illinois averages 37/100 intensity across 10 measured tracks — calmer than the 46/100 catalog average.
What is the average tempo of Illinois?
The Illinois tracks we've measured average about 106 BPM — midtempo.
Which Illinois tracks are calm enough for background listening?
These measure in our gentlest band (steady level, no sudden shifts): “Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!”, “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us”.
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