Hard on the comeback trail after a three-year absence, Athens indie-rock outfit The Whigs has bid a fond adieu to one-third of their collective strength — bassist Hank Sullivant has gone on to a solo career performing as Kuroma. Welcoming new arrival Tim Deaux with open arms, the newly reformed trio travelled to L.A. to record their latest effort, the ear-catching Mission Control.
Pairing frenetic energy with intuitive melodies, founding members Parker Gispert (vocals and guitars) and drummer Julian Doro valiantly embrace their nostalgia for old-school rock ’n’ roll. Busting with good vibrations that invite you to “shake it” out in the backyard, Mission Control packs in more hooks than your local bait ’n’ tackle shop. Parker channels Jon Spencer, his grievous lyrics bringing a distinctly bluesy feel to free-wheelin’ cuts like “Production City,” and settles into a self-satisfied state on “I Never Want to Go Home.” Shoring up his end like a champion, Julian’s decisive beats give a solid backbone in the midst of all this transience. Mission Control provides a well-tempered mixture of forthright riffing and melancholy musings.
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