Cowboy Junkies - Whites Off Earth Now!!

The Junkies' shimmering 1986 debut immediately catches your attention simply because of the unique concept: a lethargic, languid, country-tinged band interpreting an emotionally intense art form--the blues--with utter detachment. Seven of the nine cuts are blues covers (including three from John Lee Hooker and two from Robert Johnson), with one original and one stark Springsteen cover tossed in for good measure. The formula succeeds magically, thanks to Margo Timmins's drowsy, pristine vocals, Michael Timmins's gently snapping guitar, Alan Anton's quietly rumbling bass, and Peter Timmins's soft percussion palette. Whites not only serves as a perfect introduction to the doleful Junkie aesthetic, it somehow makes apathy sound compelling. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com

An accidental but amazing find!!! you'll love it....

I was in upstate NY with some friends when I accidentally found this AUDIO Casette in a used music store for ONE DOLLAR.....something about the cover struck me and I thought "hey it's a buck, why not?" so I picked it up and I literally STILL LISTEN to the tape...that's how much I absolutely LOVE THIS ALBUM.....it's my all time favorite CJ album and pretty much one of my favorite albums to turn on when I want to be romantic or feel relaxed and destressed after a long day. It is smooth, amazing and you will sincerely love it. I think of it as a rare jewel that I stumbled upon on a fall day in upstate NY about 11 years ago.....and have been trying to find the CD since to no avail. So glad that it's being sold on Amazon b/c now i can purchase.....go get it...it's worth the money! RVF November 13, 2008

A masterpiece

This is probably some of the best music released by the Cowboy Junkies. Sparse, haunting blues at its best. The song selection and delivery make this a true masterpiece! February 19, 2008

You must know

I've been a CJ fan for a long time and I have to tell the truth about this album (which some others, even those giving five stars, seemed to allude to): it is awful.
I heard from other CJ fans that this was a stinker but I had to listen for myself. I wish I hadn't. I can't believe they put this thing out. It is just really bad.
I can't believe this is the same band that put out Trinity Sessions next.

I hate that the amount of stars this album has gotten in reviews might make a new fan think this is a good place to start. It isn't. Start with Caution Horses or TS.
People who give this thing five stars out of some loyalty to the band are really doing more harm than good: this is not representative of their work. January 2, 2008

The Blues Alternative

Forget the silly title,"Whites Off Earth Now" is the benchmark in the Blues Alternative catagory. It's not to be compared with the British Isles Rock of the 1960's or Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas shuffle of the 1980's. The Cowboy Junkies brand is slow Blues a la John Lee Hooker in Rock form. Margo Timmins haunting vocals and brother Michael's hypnotic guitar licks make it all work. The whole album is as dark and depressing as the Cowboy Junkies would ever get laying the groundwork for their future albums. The CD closes with a six minute version of "Crossroads" leaving sounds bouncing off the walls in dramatic type fashion. Modern Rock enthusiasts trying to grasp slow Blues should best begin here. It will make any easy transistion to the real creators of this album: Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Lightnin' Hopkins. April 14, 2007

Goosebumps

On a good stereo capable of handling the bass and closely miked guitar, it's chilling. March 11, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...