Monday, December 01, 2008

2008 Tracks: Whigs, Weller & Wild Sweet Orange

The Whigs are a scorching three-piece formed at the University of Georgia. Their album Mission Control possesses an ominous sound and a sinister purpose, with all the right punk and post-punk touchstones represented: Husker Du, Gang of Four, Replacements, Nirvana. Turn it up.

The Whigs, "I Got Ideas"

Paul Weller is himself a walking rock and roll touchstone, thirty-plus years into a stellar career. His 2008 release, 22 Dreams, is a meandering, pastoral song-suite that shows off his broad range and a strong sense of restraint.

Paul Weller, "All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You)"

Birmingham, Alabama's Wild Sweet Orange comes off like a southern Buffalo Tom, with gentle country colorings tempering their full-bore American rock and roll. Their album We Have Cause to Be Uneasy is one of my favorite indie releases of the year.

Wild Sweet Orange, "Either/Or"

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