The Whigs – In the Dark
Next week one of my very favorite bands, The Whigs, will release their third album “In the Dark.” I’ve been so excited for their latest offering and my expectations were pretty goshdarn high for this record. After my first listen, I absolutely hated it. The band spent a lot of dates with mega-stars Kings of Leon the past few years and much of “In the Dark” was influenced by these tours. The Whigs are going for a “bigger” sound and I’ll be honest, it took a few listens getting used to. At one point, I even texted Keith saying that “I hated it” and he responded that he couldn’t get through it as it was too “KROQ” for him. (Modern Rock station in Los Angeles that plays a lot of Foo Fighters, Phoenix, etc.) However, I’m really glad that I (and Keith) gave this another listen. After dismissing “In the Dark” it has become one of my favorite releases of the year. Frontman Parker Gispert writes a batch of songs that show some real growth from the simple pop of “Give ‘em All a Big Fat Lip” and the garage punk-rock of “Mission Control”, and I think “In the Dark” has the potential to help the band achieve some more commercial success.
The album opens with The KOL-esque “Hundred / Million” which features some sick drumming by the ridiculous Julian Dorio behind a throbbing bass line by Tim Deaux. The soaring track feels like the perfect concert opener and I can see them opening with it tomorrow night at Slims here in San Francisco to whip the crowd up into a frenzy. A few big pop gems follow with “Black Lotus” and “Kill Me Carolyne”, two songs that would fit nicely on many playlists throughout rock radio. ”Black Lotus” is currently one of my favorite songs from the record, and the drumming combined with Parker’s infectious chorus is a hyperactive version of their hit “Right Hand on My Heart” in my opinion. ”Kill Me Carolyne” is a bit too “Sex on Fire” for me, but the there is no denying the radio potential and the tendancy to turn the volume up REAL loud when you hear it. I think that is a pretty good sign that you’ve got a hit on your hands, right?
My favorite track is the dark, “I Am for Real”. Highlighted by a prodding bass line with lyrics like “I don’t need to kill anyone to let ‘em know I am for real / I don’t need to walk in your backyard to let you know just where I stand” and the the song reminds me a bit of another Athens act, R.E.M. Elsewhere you find a lot of what has made The Whigs so much fun. ”I Don’t Even Care About the One I Love” and “Someone’s Daughter” would have fit nicely on 2008′s “Mission Control”, and the closing “Naked” feels like a b-side from their “…Big Fat Lip” debut.
All-in-all, this is a very solid record and it has been a lot of fun diving into this one. If you are a big Whigs fan, you may need a listen or two to adjust to this one but trust me, it is worth it. And hell, if you’re not a Whigs fan yet, “In the Dark” is a good way to get introduced. This is a very strong release from a band that is really hitting their stride.
See them on tour in a town near you as they are touring the nation right now in support. And pre-order their vinyl at www.thewhigs.com and get the deluxe package because it looks really sweet.
See ya,
Skeeter
Stream some tracks!
“Black Lotus”
“Kill Me Carolyne”
“I Am For Real”
See them on tour!
Mar 9 2010 8:00P
Slim’s w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club San Francisco, California
Mar 10 2010 8:00P
Slim’s w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club San Francisco, California
Mar 11 2010 8:00P
Echoplex w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Los Angeles, California
Mar 12 2010 8:00P
Echoplex w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Los Angeles, California
Mar 13 2010 8:00P
House of Blues w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club San Diego, California
Mar 17 2010 4:15P
SXSW – Lambert’s (QuinnStorm/C3 Party) Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 1:45P
SXSW – Clive Bar (Sony Music Shindig) Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 9:00P
SXSW – Beauty Bar at the Palm Door (Rolling Stone Showcase) Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2010 8:00P
SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2010 6:30P
SXSW – The Side Bar (40 Watt Party) Austin, Texas
Mar 31 2010 7:30P
Bowery Ballroom w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (18+) New York, New York
Apr 1 2010 8:00P
Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (18+) New York, New York
Apr 1 2010 11:30P
The Late Show with David Letterman New York, New York
Apr 2 2010 8:00P
North Star Bar w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (ALL AGES) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 3 2010 9:00P
Harper’s Ferry w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (18+) Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 4 2010 8:00P
Ottobar w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (ALL AGES) Baltimore, Maryland
Apr 6 2010 8:00P
Cosmic Charlie’s w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (21+) Lexington, Kentucky
Apr 7 2010 8:00P
Exit/In w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (18+) Nashville, Tennessee
Apr 8 2010 9:00P
40 Watt w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (18+) Athens, Georgia
Apr 10 2010 8:00P
WorkPlay Theatre w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (ALL AGES) Birmingham, Alabama
Apr 12 2010 8:00P
Riot Room w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (21+) Kansas City, Missouri
Apr 13 2010 8:00P
Boulder Theater w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (ALL AGES) Boulder, Colorado
Apr 15 2010 8:00P
Martini Ranch w/ Band of Skulls and 22-20s (ALL AGES) Phoenix, Arizona
Apr 18 2010 8:00P
Cain’s 2nd Stage (ALL AGES) Tulsa, Oklahoma
Apr 20 2010 8:00P
Mill Creek Bar (21+) Appleton, Wisconsin
Apr 23 2010 8:00P
Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois
Apr 27 2010 12:30A
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon New York, New York
May 14 2010 12:00P
Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores, Alabama
Jun 5 2010 12:00P
Mountain Jam Hunter, New York
