American Britrock and Power Pop

Strengths: Melodic combination of power pop and modern rock.

Weaknesses: Short running time.

Summary: You'd expect a band from Pennsylvania calling itself "Illinois" to be ironic. But even when they leaven their power pop and Britrock with Casio-styled synthesizers and the strum of a banjo, the result is more happy good-time than tongue-in-cheek clowning. "Nosebleed" suggests a twangy hootenanny until its menacing bass and distorted vocal turn more towards Jon Spencer and Jane's Addiction reinterpreting Daddy Dewdrop. "Screendoor" is uplifting in the manner of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime" (and Ray Davies first flush of originality with the Kinks) but wedded to '70s UK glam rather than '60s rock. There are modern production notes here that evoke bands like The Shins, but with power-pop melodies ala Weezer and Fountains of Wayne. Seven tracks clocking in at less than twenty minutes makes for a good introduction; look for more great things to come! [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

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