Five shows this weekend

The Whigs (photo by Jordan Noel)

Friday, April 23

- The Whigs at Bottom Lounge with Empires and Old Fake - In March, Athens garage rockers The Whigs released their third album, In the Dark, marking a shift to a bigger, broader sound. For details, click here to read Colleen O'Neill's record review on WCR. 8 p.m., $15, 17 and over. More info and tickets.

- Carbon Leaf at Lincoln Hall with Alex Band of The Calling - This long-running rootsy rock act released their eighth LP, Nothing Rhymes With Woman, last Spring. 9 p.m., $15, 18 and over. More info and tickets.

Saturday, April 24

- The Styrenes at The Empty Bottle with Daily Void and John Bellows - Since forming in 1975 the Styrene's sound has been tough to summarize, though Rolling Stone once referred to it as "post-punk before punk ever happened." Find out for yourself at the Bottle, which is sure to be an excellent setting for the band. 9:30 p.m., $5 advance, $9 at door, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

-Camera at Schubas with makeshiftprodigy - Chicago's Camera will take over Saturday night at Schubas for The Mary Onettes, who were originally scheduled to play, but had to cancel because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. The band's live energy and experimental, post-punk-inspired sound are well worth heading out for. 10:30 p.m., $5, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

Sunday, April 25

- White Rabbits at Metro with Here We Go Magic and Pet Lions - This show promises a night of great NYC indie rock in the form of White Rabbits and Here We Go Magic, and get there early because Chicago's own Pet Lions always bring a good time (check out their excellent EP, Soft Right). Doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., $12 advance, $15 at door, 18 and over. More info and tickets.

Record review: The Whigs - 'In the Dark'

By Colleen O'Neill

The third full length album from Athens, GA-based trio The Whigs is, from the ground up, a work of straightforward lyrics and edgy beats likely to please fans of recent musical trends blending elements of alternative, stadium rock and country. While less derived from punk than previous efforts, the record continues to emphasize a loud, fast, ear-catching sound.

The album opens with arguably its best and most interesting track, "Hundred/Million," in which lead singer Parker Gispert quips, “There’s a hundred million people in my mind/which is me and which is not?” The song kicks off strong with a talented effort from drummer Julian Dorio and Gispert's rock-twang delivery. From here the album stays relatively consistent, creating an atmosphere likely to draw in fans of early 90s rock, with heavy guitar and vocals and simple-yet-poetic lyrics.

In the Dark makes it clear that the band has shifted its focus to a bigger sound. After a tour with Kings of Leon, the impact of large scale venues has seemingly broadened the Whigs' horizons. With the help of Ben H. Allen, the producer behind Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere and Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, The Whigs have crafted a sound more suited to fill arenas and entertain music festival crowds.

Is this sound the record label wants, or the true sound of The Whigs? That's not entirely clear, as the line between a marketable sound and genuine musical development can be very thin. While In The Dark is overall a quality effort to expand on their underlying style, the band might still have to work out a few kinks in order to reach a broader audience while coming off as completely sincere to their existing fans.

The Whigs will come to Chicago on their tour supporting the record for a show at Bottom Lounge on Friday, April 23 ($15, 8 p.m., 17 and over). Click here for tickets.

Win free tickets to see the Whigs at Bottom Lounge

Heads up! Citysearch Chicago will kick off a contest this Friday morning, October 30, giving readers the chance to win a pair of free tickets to see The Whigs, The Features and The Dead Trees at Bottom Lounge on November 6. The contest will go live on the Citysearch Chicago Facebook page, so head over there for details and a chance to score the tix. Citysearch plans to give away freebies through the page every week, so be sure to keep an eye out.