Whip, The - X Marks Destination (Album)
The Whip have been declared by British alternative bible NME as “the best thing to happen to dance music since LCD Soundsystem’s delusions of time travel”. While this is a massive compliment, it also establishes high expectations about X Marks Destination, The Whip’s first record, is by no means a poor effort, but rather one that falls into the common trap of taking itself too seriously when it shouldn’t. Opening track Trash is a particular standout, incorporating bleeping synths, a rolling bassline and a particularly catchy guitar rhythm into a fast-paced cut that may not get the room dancing, but will certainly get the indie-kids’ head’s bopping, which is a feat in itself.
As the album progresses, the potential evidenced in the opening track starts to waver. None of the ten tracks on X Marks Destination are particularly bad, but do not differ greatly from the last. And therein lies the problem – for an album that gives clear indication that The Whip are a highly talented group of musicians, there is very little definition between each song, giving the impression that the listener has been exposed to a fifty-minute alt-dance opus. People who like their dance music trendy, not trashy, will revel in this album, everyone else may be impartial to the whole affair.
