With bands like Tapes n’ Tapes that fizzled out almost as quickly as they caught ear last year, it’s difficult to be indie, ironic and straightforward at the same these days (unless you’re Art Brut). What The Hell Do I Know? is another EP ready to join this alt/indie pool, but it doesn’t mean Sufjan Stevens has to be the only one bringing the Illinois(e). Hailing from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the four-piece that calls itself Illinois delivers an EP nothing short of a handful of seven three-minute splendors.
“Alone Again” starts out honestly enough, a simple “ba-ba-ba-ba-bam-bum-bum” intro followed by even simpler lyrics. (“I was alone again on the weekend” is conceivably trite even for the most eager college freshman…especially after the Grizzly Bearification of campuses.) But lead singer Chris “Arch” Archibald keeps ears interested with a variety of vocal static effects he uses throughout the album.
After a confusing but feel-good country number is the charming piano of Illinois’ wistful goodbye song, “What Can I Do For You.” The song form itself is an elongated chorus, also adopted by their single “One on One,” which differs only in its anthemic drum and power chord pulses. “Headphones” is an explosive result of their idea of an indie rock anthem, alternating between a careful verse and rushing instrumental passages.
What The Hell Do I Know? plays like a promo for how far Illinois can stretch out to other genres, but the band fails to deliver the notion of a niche within their chosen route, alt/indie epics and mumblings aside (see last track, “Bad Day”). Between the short length counts per song, the decidedly aloof title, and the anomaly of the last track, this could be a pretend-punk album in theory—if it weren’t for those sweeping moments. Moments that prove that there is just enough undeveloped conflict here that could make for a stunning LP.
What The Hell Do I Know? is out now on Ace Fu Records
