Music Review: 'Plano' (1998) Chicago brothers John and Frank Navin must have listened to a lot of Carpenters records in their youth. The duo — with a little help… The Aluminum Group Indie Rock
EW's GRADE
A-

Details Lead Performance: The Aluminum Group; Genre: Indie Rock

Chicago brothers John and Frank Navin must have listened to a lot of Carpenters records in their youth. The duo — with a little help from indie-rock friends Sally Timms of the Mekons and the Pulsars' Trumfio brothers — creates peppy synth-pop melodies so sweet and alluring they're instant heartstring tuggers with lyrics that break that heart. Enough pop pathos to keep mopers melancholy for hours. A-

Originally posted Aug 21, 1998 Published in issue #446-447 Aug 21, 1998 Order article reprints