Note: Despite their name, the band is from Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Sound: A ramshackle hodgepodge of hazy, slacker rock (that falls anywhere between Pavement, The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr.), rootsy, electro/hip hop (think Beck), fuzzy alt country (somewhere in the realm of Wilco and The Jayhawks) and twangy, off-kilter indie punk (think Modest Mouse). But that’s only the music. The vocals take on a life of their own with bright, dreamy and hummable harmonies or megaphone-distorted rants.
Heavy Rotation track: “Screendoor”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Nosebleed”; “One On One”; “Alone Again”
Recommended: On their debut EP, Illinois show they can make loose, rowdy, and melodic music that boasts an impressive, hard-to-categorize range. My only complaint is that the songs feel a little short and underdeveloped. Other than that, these Pennsylvanians sound like they have limitless potential.
Grade: A-

Hear Illinois in rotation on 3wk.com

Download/Stream “Screendoor” MP3

Listen to Tracks/Buy Music:
On iTunes
On barnesandnoble.com