Whitehouse

It's a bit odd when a new group is billed as "a supergroup," partly because it seems pre-mature. But one shouldn't let hype get in the way of enjoying White House's self-titled debut. One doesn't need to judge the group against Bill Monroe or Flatt and Scruggs, for instance, to enjoy the jaunty "Rock Bottom," a fun, upbeat song about moseying down to the local watering hole to forget the gal who walked out the door. Then there's the haunting "Searching for Yesterday," a song with a bluesy feel and sweet harmony that reaches back to the Osborne Brothers. The lead vocal even recalls Bobby Osborne. In fact, a number of these songs are lesser-known gems from the classic song cannons of Jim and Jesse, the Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, and Carter Stanley. These songs, the close harmony, and straightforward arrangements, let the listener know that White House specializes in traditional bluegrass. The band even dusts off an old warhorse like "Cotton Eyed Joe," and deliver a fine take on the instrumental "Uptown Blues." Whether White House lives up to its "supergroup" status will be left up to music historians. For now, a solid album with a dozen good songs/instrumentals will be enough for fans. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi