Mar 4, 2010 2:29 PM, By Sarah Benzuly

Decidedly taking a turn toward a more percussive-oriented groove, The Whigs’ third album, a raucously fun In the Dark, bursts through your speaks with opener “Hundred/Million,” which finds vocalist Parker Gispert flipping through the many “people” in his mind (which is me/ and which is not?) to decipher what is his true voice. Synthed out and warm all around, this is a great opening track to set the train rolling. Electronica pops and gurgles throughout—a definite trademark of producer Ben H. Allen (a longtime friend of the band and the mastermind behind the board for such hits as Gnarls Barkley’s “St. Elsewhere” and Animal Collective’s “Merriweather Post Pavilion”). Adding to the stew pot are The Whigs’ trademark punk-rock leanings. While the cavalcade of different musical stylings would seem to make the album a confusing affair, In the Dark flows easily from track to track, thanks to Gispert’s warm vocals and jaunty guitar playing, a thumping bass line from Tim Deaux and pounding drums via Julian Dorio. While the album doesn’t hit the streets until March 2, the band is currently out on tour, playing in small venues, where their fuzzed-out amp sound will surely reverberate across the room. And if you’re going to SXSW, I highly recommend checking out this three-piece.

Producers: Allen, Angelo Petraglia, Jay Joyce. Mixers: Allen, Vance Powell. Recording: Tom Lewis, Drew Vandenberg, Kyle Spence, Powell, Joyce, Jason Hall. Mix assistant/additional engineering: Robert Gardner, Joshua V. Smith, Matt Wheeler, Joyce. Studio: Chase Park Transduction (recording; Athens, Ga.), Aimeeland (recording; Nashville), Maze Studios (mixing; Atlanta), Blackbird Studios (mixing, Nashville), Tragedy/Tragedy (recording and mixing, Nashville). Mastering: Paul Logus at Taloowa Mastering (NYC).

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