Verbow's second record, White Out continues the band's penchant for delivering sensible pop tunes with intelligent instrumentation and lyrics. Verbow backed pop star Bob Mould on tour for a time, and he loved them, helped them find a record deal with Epic/550, and produced their first record — ensuring that the band would gain attention in pop music circles. Since that time, Verbow have stepped out on their own, touring with Ben Folds Five, Morrissey, and other notables, and recording their newest record with Brad Wood.
Verbow is, for all intents and purposes Jason Narducy and Alison Chesley. Narducy contributes lead and backing vocals, guitars, percussion, programming, and ebow, while Chesley fills the sound out with stellar cello lines. Despite the fact that the cello has been incredibly over-worked in alternative rock circles the last few years, Verbow provides an interesting and innovative take on the concept by actually using the cello as something more than background noise. Overall, the band sounds sort of like a more mellow, stripped-down Radiohead. Narducy has a high-pitched voice with incredible range, at times reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, without as much vibrato. Verbow's melodies and pop sensibilities make them ear candy, but do so in an intelligent and modest fashion. Verbow's two major assets are Narducy's voice and Chesley's cello, and they blend together in such a way as to give them a unique sound.
White Out begins with "Dying Sun," which sets the tone for the album with its driving beat and upfront vocals. Half a minute into the song, the cello breaks in and provides Narducy with the backing that he needs to carry the song. But the best song on the record is also the first single — "New History" — a powerful, rambling number that fully explores the vocal talents of Narducy, as well as Chesley's beautiful and passionate cello-work.
Fans of cheerful, intelligent pop music will find much to celebrate with Verbow's newest record…one that pleases on first listen, and challenges every time after that.
