The Boston Phoenix Thinks It Knows Illinois Music

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 2, 2008 9:54PM

The Boston Phoenix is tackling an ambitious music project: naming each state's best bands with its 50 Bands, 50 States feature. The criteria: for Best Band, it must have been formed in the state; for solo artist, he/she must have been born in the state; and for best new band, they must count as "undiscovered" by the Phoenix. For Illinois, their choices were:

All-Time Best Band: Big Black
All-Time Best Solo Artist: Miles Davis
Best New Band: Chandeliers

Well then. We find it hard to argue with the Miles Davis selection, but we're not so sure about the Best Band category. We're sure there are some Smashing Pumpkin and Wilco fans scratching their heads. Us? We're wondering where the hell's the love for Styx. [Ed. note: Or Cheap Trick?] And for Best New Band, there are too many talented bands in the area to count, so we'll leave it to our readers to shout out their suggestions.

And here's some Wednesday Miles & Coltrane for your listening/viewing pleasure.