The Whip X Marks Destination

• Words: Jennifer Marston
• Label: Razor and Tie
• XLR8R Rating: 7/10

The Whip had a world of expectation on its shoulders upon releasing this album, and, cutting straight to the marrow of the matter, the Manchester, U.K.-based foursome more than delivers with X Marks Destination. More importantly, they’ve given us an album that, while steeped in New Order-esque influences and hybrids of the dance/rock variety, bubbles with its own personality and endless energy. Between the tenebrous synths, relentlessly hard-hitting drums, and lead man Bruce Carter’s lyrical hysterics (which are often times quite poignant), the 10 tracks here make for a very solid debut album.