Advanced Warning: The Whigs

This isn't much of an advanced copy since the album dropped two days ago. Instead, let this be an advanced warning — a heads up so to speak — for a band that you're going to be hearing a lot from this year: The Whigs. Perhaps you have heard of The Whigs.

Their 2008 album, "Mission Control," was loved by fans and critics alike, thanks to its relentless enthusiasm, wall-to-wall layers of guitars and incessant drumming.

It was hard to ignore an album like that, but in case you missed them the first time around, The Whigs are back with their new album, "In The Dark." "In The Dark" is an insanely catchy album.

The Whigs' pop-rock sound provides candy for the ears without the added fluff that's usually associated with the genre.

For those people who were disappointed with Kings of Leon's last album, "In The Dark" is sure to satisfy. Each song is filled with hooks that'll reel you in and never let you go, like the driving opener, "Hundred Million."

Here, like in the rest of the album, not only do the guitar, bass and drum lines buzz and rattle, but the vocal delivery of Parker Gispert creates a riff entirely of its own.

For Gispert, the more you don't understand the lyrics, the better; it's where the lyrics are placed in the song that makes it sound great.

The Whigs' last album received a few comparisons to a Dave Grohl-style zest, but 2010's "In The Dark" evokes less Foo Fighters and more honest rock ‘n' roll like the Gaslight Anthem or Dead Confederate.

"Kill Me Carolyne" sounds a lot like Gaslight with Gispert's raspy delivery and driving guitar lick, but the chorus here soars to another level, no doubt providing the highlight of the album. This song sets the tone for the rest of the album, which really is a grab bag of upbeat rolling melodies that contain radio friendly choruses without sounding bland.

Songs like "In The Dark," "So Lonely" and "Automatic" fit right into that category.

Not every song on this album is upbeat, however, for songs like "Dying" and "I Am For Real" revolve around ping-ponging bass riffs and stir up darker moods while keeping to their conservative formula.

It's going to be interesting to see how the public handles this album. With the great success of bands like Phoenix, who seemed to have no problem dabbling both in the indie and the mainstream worlds, it's only logical to assume that with "In The Dark," The Whigs can do the same.

Keep an eye out for these guys, because this trio can make a lot of noise, and the attractive and enjoyable tunes on this album are sure to catch the attention of radio stations. everywhere.