The Whigs sophomore album Mission Control could easily be assumed the bastard spawn of The Clash and The Refreshments, conceived one drunken spring break evening. However, unlike most spring break decisions, The Whigs are defiantly no mistake. In fact, they could quickly become one of the most vital bands of this generation.
Packed full of flowing guitar solos and catchy bass riffs from Parker Gisper and Tim Deaux, Mission Control features the finest samples from the songwriting of past music. The albums also features some of the finest percussion I have heard via drummer Julian Doro, who manages to focus his beats on spacing his structures rather than speed. The hooks are addicting, the lyrics are astounding, and the songs are fucking great. I found tributes to Dinosaur Jr. (I Never Want to Go Home), Buffalo Tom (Mission Control), The Eels (Sleep Sunshine), Ass Ponys (Right Hand on My Heart), and the above stated The Clash (Production City) and The Refreshments (Like A Vibration) hidden throughout the album, like a symphonic scavenger hunt through the history of music. I was like a kid on Christmas morning on first listen. This could easily become the best overlooked album of 2008.
Don’t let that happen.
Look for The Whigs’ Mission Control on ATO Records January 22nd, 2008.
Links:
The Whigs’ Homepage
The Whigs’ Myspace
ATO Records
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