The Whipsaws – The Whipsaws
Pop/Rock, Country Rock, Southern Rock | 2013 | Germany | Blue Rose Records
Alright, let’s get this straight: The Whipsaws ain’t your average cookie-cutter rock album. This thing’s got grit, soul, and a few surprises that’ll make you hit repeat like crazy. Released back in 2013 under Blue Rose Records, it smashes together Pop/Rock vibes with a healthy dose of Country Rock swagger and Southern Rock twang. And yeah, they’re from Germany—don’t ask me how Texans would feel about that—but these guys nail the sound so hard, geography doesn’t matter anymore.
First off, let’s talk tracks. You’ve got "Shutdown Checklist," which kicks off the record like a punch to the gut. It’s raw, unfiltered energy with Aaron Benolkin shredding on electric guitar while James Dommek Jr.’s drumming pounds away like an overcaffeinated beast. The vocals? Evan Phillips brings this raspy charm that sticks to you like gum on a hot summer day. There’s something about the mix of pedal steel guitar (courtesy of Benolkin again) and Marcus Bently’s sneaky organ work that just screams “road trip through dusty backroads.” If you don’t crank this one up loud enough to piss off your neighbors, did you even listen?
Then there’s "Tried Not True." Holy hell, this track is where the band really lets loose. Bonnie Whitmore steps up for backing vocals, adding layers of heartbreak and sass that cut deeper than a rusty knife. Between Ivan Molesky’s basslines thumping like a heartbeat and Scott Caddell’s tenor saxophone wailing outta nowhere, this song feels alive—it breathes, it fights, it bleeds. When the slide guitar slides into play midway through, you better believe I lost my damn mind. These guys aren’t just playing music; they’re telling stories, and this one hits harder than most.
Now, here’s the kicker—the credits. This ain’t some lazy studio job where everyone phones it in. Sean Kelly engineered this monster, and John Agnello mixed it, so every note pops right where it should. From Evan Phillips strumming acoustic on quieter moments to James Dommek Jr. throwing down insane drum fills, every track has its own personality. Hell, even the layout by John T. Cripps Jr. looks cooler than half the crap cluttering up Spotify playlists today.
So what’s the verdict? Is The Whipsaws perfect? Nah, but who cares? What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in pure, untamed passion. Listening to this album feels like walking into a bar fight—you know you might walk away bruised, but damn if it won’t be worth it.
And hey, here’s the twist: despite all the chaos and noise, the last thing you’ll remember isn’t the riffs or solos—it’s the silence after the final track ends. That quiet moment when you realize… damn, they left everything on the table. Now go press play again.
