If music is the universe, then Jack White gets his own planet. With the Raconteurs, White forms an all-star band of Detroit indie rock and roll, sharing vocals, guitar and songwriting with buddy Brendan Benson, while backed on bass and drums by Greenhornes' Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler, who also played on Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose." Their website uses an early-1980's computer aesthetic, perfect for their sound - timeless and impossible to place. With "Steady, as She Goes" and "Store Bought Bones" (streaming at their website), White goes far beyond the garage/blues/country sound of his full-time gig, yet breezes through without hesitation."Steady..." builds up with drums, bass, and guitar entering separately. When White's vocals enter, it first seems like a mellowed-out version of "Blue Orchid," but he continues to defy expectations over the course of the song. I won't even try some convoluted "it's 70's meets new wave meets . . ." because that will fail to do it justice. It is simply unlike anything I have heard in a very long time.
"Store Bought Bones" is pure, dance floor psychedelia . . . . whatever the fuck that means.
The Raconteurs could be the sound of 15 years ago, but they could also be the sound of 15 years from now. With this 7" White continues his mind-blowing streak of making the past sound like the future.
4 STARS (out of 5)
::MP3s at::
1•Stereogum
2 comments:
Hey Will,
I hadn't heard of these. I'll look out for them now, considering that Benson's album, and the White stripes album were both in my top 20 albums of last year.
I like how Jack gives a helping hand to his mates. He did the same with The Electric Six with mixed results.
"Danger! High Voltage" - that was a fun song.
Jack is great about sharing the spotlight with his friends and heroes.
I haven't listened to Benson's entire album, but I like what I've heard.
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