Just when indie rock starts to seem a little stale in all its head-bobbing, overdone fashion and trendy snobbery, a band decides to clean it up and make it unpretentious and new again.
What The Whigs have accomplished with their second release Mission Control is no easy feat. The album may not necessarily provide a groundbreaking voice for a new generation, but the band creates an innovative but familiar sound that is sure to be a new favorite among music fans.
Listening to the album is like going on vacation to somewhere you’ve never been, but feeling as if you grew up there. It’s not dull, boring or predictable. It’s just nice. By the time you get to "Sleep Sunshine," the fourth track, you feel comfortable enough to follow the band’s lead and ride with them to wherever they take you. The song softly takes the reins via a melodic swaying waltz, as if singing you a lullaby.
Mission Control seamlessly switches gears from beginning to end, from the rock-out sound of distorted guitars reminiscent of the ’89 Cubs; to melodic clean leads seemingly influenced by Modest Mouse; to layered vocals pulsating with the energy of Weezer or The Foo Fighters.
Fun, playful keys are interspersed with solo – supporting bass lines, and might even for some bring back nostalgic memories of the days of Rilo Kiley’s "My Slumbering Heart."
The band members hail from The University of Georgia in Athens, which though a college town is no stranger to good old-fashioned amazing American rock ‘n’ roll.
Athens has proven itself a furtive musical ground for predecessors such as REM, as well as smaller, well-loved indie acts like Azure Ray and Now It’s Overhead. In such an environment, it is no surprise that it is the birthplace of yet another act on the way to making it big.
The Whigs should be admired as a determined, ambitious group, having met several setbacks, including losing member Hank Sullivant, who played bass, guitar, piano and sang on the band’s heavily praised debut, Give ‘Em All a Big Fat Lip.
Recording the debut was challenging. The band bought $4,000 of equipment on eBay and took five different sessions to record, scrapping the first four, after touring relentlessly for two full years. The DIY album was produced in an un-air conditioned frat house that was said to have reached temperatures of 110 degrees.
Luckily, the hard work paid off. The band reportedly sold back the equipment on eBay, and even made a little money, singer-guitarist Parker Gispert said.
Garnering widespread attention from Rolling Stone. Spin and Esquire, the debut marked a fiery beginning to the act, and scored them a deal with Dave Matthews label ATO, as well as the opportunity to work with producer Rob Schnapf, who is known for his work with Elliott Smith and Beck.
"One of the things we liked about Rob is that he brings out the style of whomever he’s working with," Gispert said.
But whether paying credit to the performance or production, it can be said that Mission Control is as seamless, driving and compelling as it stylistically unites polar opposites without breaking the mood or missing a single beat. This album is soft and loud, heavy as well as gentle, authoritative yet sensitive in its delivery, outspoken yet optimistic, and above all, worth checking out.
For more information, go to www.thewhigs.com or www.myspace.com/thewhigs.
