[7][8] It was recorded over five weeks in northwestern Indiana, in a house along Lake Michigan; the title refers to weather conditions that trapped the band in the studio.

[14] The River Cities' Reader wrote that "Chesley's cello is frequently the band's lead instrument, and it's employed in very unusual ways, squealing and soloing on standout tracks like 'New History', 'I'll Never Live by My Father's Dreams', and 'Happy to Be Away'"; the paper listed the album as one of the best of 2000.

"[18] The Daily Herald called White Out "a richly melodic rock album that is louder and more sonically textured than most records that capitalize on heavily layered guitars...

"[11] Newsday concluded that "the rich sound of Verbow's second album-high-pitched vocals, fast-strummed acoustic guitars, heavy drumbeats and that persistent cello in criss-crossing tug-of-war games-never gets around to imitating anybody in particular.

"[20] The Chicago Sun-Times noted that "Verbow too often finds itself mired in the same mid-tempo rhythm, and too often obsessed with songs' subtle filigrees at the expense of solid foundations.