REVIEWSThe Whigs, ‘Mission Control ’

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• SPIN Rating:7 of 10

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    Spotify

Label: ATO

It's a long, uphill battle for straight-up, fundamentally solid rock bands like the Whigs, who attempt to uncover new hooks in well-worn territory, rather than resort to studio gimmicks, haircuts, or Nickelback-trademarked mmrrryeahhh vocals. Mission Control would've been a lock in early-'90s Minneapolis: It swaggers like prime Replacements, though with far greater polish. A better analog: Foo Fighters, whose everyman stamp -- along with Nevermind-booming drums -- is all over Mission, particularly the lingering title track and the brawny "I Never Want to Come Home."

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