Jim White

'Transnormal Skiperoo'

Adding a bright new Florida room to the gilded palace of sin.

Spin Rating7 of 10

Pensacola -- a panhandle Gulf town best known for hosting hurricanes, evangelicals, and post-hardcore bands -- is a tough home base for a surreally gothic alt-country crooner with a Gram Parsons bent. But Jim White's Joe Pernice–produced fourth record (whose title White claims is shorthand for a sensation of total giddiness and gratitude) deftly melds Southern-flavored soul with California twang. Stompers like "Turquoise House" and "Crash Into the Sun" are unusually buoyant for White, full of backing vocals, Dobro, and electric guitar. Much like his hometown, Transnormal Skiperoo is sunny and dark at the same time.

Now Hear This: Transnormal Skiperoo radio

By Amanda Petrusich

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