The Whigs, 'Mission Control' (ATO)

The next big bastards of young or just no-frills men out of time?

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."

Now Hear This:
The Whigs - "Right Hand on My Heart"

More on the Whigs:
Breaking Out: The Whigs