Click here for QRO's interview with Chris Archibald
Click here for QRO's review of Illinois as part of Central Park Summerstage on September 10th, 2008
Pennsylvania’s ambitious Illinois are now entering the back half of their massive six EPs in six months effort with The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, Chapter 4. The first three Chapters each showcased a different, single side of The Land of Lincoln: Chapter 1 (QRO review) brought out their tech-heavy side, while Chapter 2 (QRO review) saw them go backwoods, and Chapter 3 (QRO review) put their heart on their sleeve. Chapter 4 semi-continues the sad song of Chapter 3, but throws in a great bit of Chapters 1 & 2 as well.
Click here for photos of Illinois at Webster Hall in New York, NY on November 11th, 2007 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Click here for photos of Illinois at CMJ 2007 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Click here for QRO's review of Illinois at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn, NY on July 1st, 2007
On their seven-song What the Hell Do I Know? EP (QRO review), Illinois stretched from sadness to white-boy hip-hop, and while they’ve continued to change, Chapter-to-Chapter, each EP has had to largely stick to one vein in its three songs. Chapter 4 seems to break that mold by staying with the sad ways of Chapter 3 on leadoff track “Missing Piece”. The grand heartbreak to “Missing” comes from a stripped piano, but choral vocals, making it remarkable and effective. EP finisher “Swimsuit” also brings the ache, similar to “Missing” (maybe a bit too similar), though with some more harmonic folk.
But in between, Chapter 4 stops the other pattern by varying up within the EP, thanks to “Big Country”. A great mix of beat and clank, singer/songwriter Chris Archibald’s (QRO interview) teched-out vocals are laid back but unusual. Archibald also jumps in on the fourth video from him and Los Angeles’ People-Food, the funny but also surprisingly touching story of a boy and fish, ‘Arch Goes To the Fish Store’:
Click here for photos of Illinois' 2nd EP release party at Rehab in New York, NY on December 4th, 2008 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Click here for all of Illinois' upcoming dates in QRO's 'Spotlight On : Illinois'
Just as how they have kept the Chapters going, Illinois have kept their EP release parties going as well, hitting the East Coast each month, but March will find them heading west for South-by-Southwest in Austin and then even further west with friend Kenan Bell. The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, meanwhile, will get a full, deluxe edition release on May 5th. But currently, we’ve reached the sweet heart of the journey.
