Mission Control

The Whigs

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: January 22, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ato Records / Red
• ASIN: B00110K5XK
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,456 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Whigs are proud to announce the release of their ATO Records debut album, MISSION CONTROL. Set for a January 22, 2008 release, this confident collection of songs follows up the band's self-released / self-financed album, GIVE `EM ALL A BIG FAT LIP, which caught the attention of many, including Rolling Stone Magazine who declared the Athens GA three-piece "the best unsigned band in America." The Whigs spent most of 2006 and 2007 on the road winning over fans and critics with their full throttle alternative pop / rock which NPR hailed as a perfect combination of "the gravelly rock of The Replacements with the off-kilter pop of Guided By Voices." Eager to record their ATO debut, The Whigs entered the legendary Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, CA with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith). Sonically superior to anything the band has recorded to date, MISSION CONTROL is an album jam-packed with infectious melodies and dynamic rhythms. The urgency of opening track "Like A Vibration" knocks over the listener with a roaring attack of guitars, while "Production City" combines a dancing bass line over machine gun tight rhythms. Julian Dorio is a staple throughout, but on the soon to be anthem "Right Hand on My Heart," Dorio's playing makes it evident why Esquire Magazine named him "Drummer of the Year" in 2007. The Whigs will spend the rest of 2007 on the road gearing up for the release of MISSION CONTROL.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rousing album, February 6, 2008

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Let me state upfront that I had never heard of the Whigs (not to be confused obviously with the now defunct Afghan Whigs) until I heard one of their songs recently on WOXY, the indie-rock internet-only station ("BAM!! The Future of Rock and Roll!"), and really liked what I heard, so I decided to check them out. The Athens, GA band is fronted by singer-guitarist-song writer Parker Gispert, with Julian Dorio on drums, and supplemented by a number of hired guns for bass and other instruments. This is the band's second album.

"Mission Control" (11 tracks, 37 min.) starts off with a blazing "Like a Vibration", a short take-no-prisoners track that immediately grabs your attention. The sound of the band immistakebly reminds you of the Replacements. The first half of the album is superb, with gems like "Production City" and the best track of the album "Right Hand On My Heart", with a hard charging drum beat evetually joined by crashing electric guitars. The middle of the album brings a few pensive tunes, including a beautiful "1000 Wives". The second half of the album falters a bit, but "I Got Ideas" and the title track, which closes the album, are quite nice.

These guys are a breath of fresh air on the indie-rock scene. "Mission Control" is a rousing album, pure and simple. Looking forward to catch the Whigs in concert at some point. Meanwhile, this album is highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An early contender for best rock album of 2008, February 4, 2008

By	Rick Smith "A Man of Taste" (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

i stumbled on this cd by reading a rave review. I am amazed at the scope of this 37 minute masterpiece. I hear The Who, Green day, Radiohead, Replacements, yet it is all Whigs. By the third listen you are singing along and once again remember the joy of truly great rock music. They will be talked about much more in the coming year and beyond. Grab it now and Whig Out!

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophomore album, December 23, 2009

By	Richard (MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I found these guys in the credits of the movie,"The Assassination of a Class President," and then looked them up on MySpace and then bought both of their Cd's. Music is a personal choice but, I do like their sound. For a Sophomore release, well...I think it's better than "Fat Lip" in many ways. But, I don't want to disrespect that album, which is very good!