Great list, we have several in common. Have you listened to Sufjan Stevens Michigan? When I met my wife we listened to that album a LOT. I may even prefer it to Illinois. sounds_sound, I think you'd dig this list too. Also, I'm curious what your list would look like. Get in on this brotha
Yeah, Michigan is a great one too but I felt like Illinois expanded on all of the songwriting and stories told in Michigan to make an even bigger, bolder record. If it's a rainy day I'll always pick Michigan over Illinois, though. I had a really big Age of Adz phase too but I've never really felt like going back to listen to it since. It's almost too overpowering of a record
Michigan seemed way more personal in a specific way. Sufjan grew up in Michigan so that makes sense. Illinois was more of a walk-through history. Still very personal and emotive, but not specific to him. -With the enormous exception of Casimir Polanski Day -one of my favorite songs ever.
I could see why you'd pick Seven Swans it's bad ass. I remember Sufjan saying that he wanted to make an album for each state. Here's a review for Illinois written by a friend. Not sure he'll get to all 50.
I often forget how important a first line of an album is, that's a good one. They always say how important first impressions are in life, why should music be any different? That'd make a good post "best first lyric". I've always been a fan of Put your hand on the wheel, let the golden age begin
For best first lyric I'd probably go with Van Morrison - If I ventured in the slipstream / Between the viaducts of your dream / Where immobile steel rims crack / And the ditch in the back roads stop / Could you find me?
It's a good one. Was it you that mentioned this album a couple weeks ago in a comment? It's a good one.