Misfit’s Jubilee
Fluff & Gravy, 2020
8/10
You never know what to expect from Jim White, but you can always rest assured that it will be unorthodox, iconoclastic and ultra creative. This time, he draws from original songs penned across several decades as longtime drummer Marlon Patton, banjo/guitarist Geert Hellings and bassist/keyboardist Nicolas Rombouts accompany him on the blue collar journey.
“Monkey In A Silo” starts the album percussively strong as a very atypical version of Americana unfolds with psychedelic moments amid bright horns, organ fills and a bit of mystery, and “Wonders Never Cease” follows with some well timed banjo as melodic pop ideas enter the unpredictable setting that even touches on jazz.
In the middle, “Smart-Ass Reply”, one of the album’s best, then roars loud with a firm alt-rock execution that soars high and bristles with a timeless energy, while “The Mystery Of You” moves with an initially calmer, darker approach that builds into anthemic burst of classic rock inspired song craft. “Highway Of Lost Hats”, another stand out track, then utilizes acoustic guitar and playful drumming in an lively display of Lou Reed like song craft.
“My Life’s A Stolen Picture” and “The Divided States Of America” exit the listen, where the former recruits hand clapping, banjo amid talk/singing to the vivid storytelling, while the latter offers soothing backing vocals in the powerful commentary about life in America today.
Though White certainly has plenty of Americana spirit, he’s also a bit quirky and oddly poetic and this appropriately titled 8th studio album is one unpredictable gem after another that might go along well with a Jack Kerouac novel.
Travels well with: David Dondero- The Filter Bubble Blues; Whim- Abuzz In The Abyss