The Whip - X Marks Destination
Even with stand out tracks as good as 'Divebomb' and 'Blackout', the album feels somehow lacking.
Manchester's The Whip finally release their long awaited debut album. Last year filled under nu-rave and now happily filled under the electro banner, The Whip certainly wear their influences not just on their sleeves, but on their entire neon wardrobe.
If New Order had a penny from every band who stole from them, they'd be able to build at least two new Haciendas. Unfortunately for them everyone seems to prefer rip-off bands than the real deal and New Order seem to be on the skids. So it's down to acts like The Whip to prove that they can step up to the plate and judging by 'X Marks Destination' they fall way below the mark. Even with stand out tracks as good as 'Divebomb' and 'Blackout', the album feels somehow lacking. Even with production by Jim Abbiss they find it hard to sound like a real rock band and more like a band not sure which clique to hang on to - electro, indie, new wave? Though on the up side, at least the album is less one dimensional as say a Fray album.
Lyrically it's very uninspiring. Tracks like 'Siren' and 'Frustration' would gain from a chorus that wasn't Bruce Carter just repeating the same phrase over and over. It seems The Whip are more intent on concentrating on the overall sound rather than stripped down songsmanship.
For those who are naive enough to have never listened to the great Manchester bands of the 80s and early 90s this album will be truly brilliant; for the rest of us a frustrating trip into nostalgia. The dancier tracks on 'X Marks Destination' are the highlights, and they will do well to stick to these for future possibilities. Not a bad album - just not exciting.
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