Rascal

Opening with the homemade title tune, the album takes drastic turns in both crafting and tone for the second song, "Heartbeat of Heaven." Though the basis for this non-fiction piece is destructive and upsetting, the song borne of it is full and oddly uplifting, thanks in part to the backing of a cappella group Vox One. Spirituality it appears to be a major source of inspiration for White and one that works well with his comedy, in that both give White the distance to look and laugh at life. As he says in a spoken track at the end of the album, when writing "Heartbeat," White found the need to retreat to his "prayer place," an internal haven in which he can recoup from times of emotional turmoil. In the same way, comedy can often provide respite from pain. White is able to use both to the fullest advantage for himself and his listeners. Though life may occasionally drive him into hiding, White is able to capture the comedy in painful situations. In such songs as "Great Day" (which follows the theme of Monty Python's "Bright Side of Life") and the spoken word piece "The Quarterly Meeting" (a cynical stab at Big Business tycoons), White is able to find the light and humorous in even the darkest situations (such as that of unfortunates like John Wayne Bobbit). However, White also has a keen eye for the darker elements of life, which, together with his mix of spiritual and comedic background, make for a sharp and pleasant mix of music and message. White's lyrics and his diction are both a bit excessive at times, but they are balanced with a simple delicacy and tenderness that makes them fit in a collection of songs by a "funny" songwriter. An undeniable crowd-pleaser, White is also very popular among his peers, as demonstrated by the guest appearances of Vox One, Jon Svetky, and Chrsitine Lavin who help make Rascal smile when it cannot laugh.