New Wax
My introduction to southern-gothic troubadour Jim White came in the form of a mesmerizing documentary entitled Searching For The Wrong-Eyed Jesus, which portrayed southern fringe society in a way that rivaled the surreality of a Luis Bunuel film. Jim White's music seemed custom-made for the gritty film that journeyed into a land of religious fanaticism, convicts, truckstops, and motorcycle bars. While White's previous material embodied an uncanny artistic individuality, it was at times challenging and dense. With his latest release Transnormal Skiperoo, White tones down the experimentalism a bit and offers a more straightforward, albeit just as lyrically rich, listening experience. Skiperoo seems more rooted in good old-fashioned alt. country sensibilities while adding touches of bluesy guitar and r&b-inspired vocal touches (check out the smooth background vocals on "Blindly We Go"). "Jailboard," which is built on a slow-as-molasses bass riff and slide guitar, has White waxing poetic in a voice slightly reminiscent of Tom Petty: "I wanna be a jailbird from the prison of my own damn mind/ Gonna get me a fast car, set out and see what I can find/ Brick up the well of tears and disappear, leave myself behind." With an effortless southern lull, White is a songwriter deserving of more attention, and with Transnormal Skiperoo, he's created his most accessible and instantly likable release. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Jim White - Blindly We Go
MP3: Jim White - Jailbird
1 comments:
Awesome music and great post as always. Actually, the background instrumentals reminded me a bit of JJ Grey & Mofro.
Post a Comment