Let's just say it up front -- I've never been a huge White Stripes fan. Even "Seven Nation Army," the duo's biggest hit, was an annoying ditty that had about two notes, and everyone complained that it suffered from a severe lack of bass. While I respect the couple's musical talents -- they are obviously good at what they do -- I have never felt that personal connection that leads you to push "repeat" after finishing one of their albums. With this in mind, I was hesitant to pop in Consolers of the Lonely, the sophomore release from Jack White's side project, The Raconteurs.
The Raconteurs have been hailed as one of the most talented "supergroups" to emerge in recent memory. The brainchild of White and his pal Brendan Benson, the group began with a one-off collaboration that proved to be the seed of the larger project. The Raconteurs came full circle with the addition of Jack Lawrence (Greenhorns, Blanche) and Patrick Keeler (Greenhorns). Ever the publicity strategist, White let Consolers of the Lonely speak for itself as the band announced the album a mere week before its release -- leaving no time for critics to review it and taint any public opinion of the music.
This strategy has proved a winning one for Consolers. The album's unexpected emergence garnered much speculation, and the early release of the track list did little to help fans discern the album's overall direction. Even now, after the album's official release, it's hard to tie the music to a specific genre. The Raconteurs delve into any and every whim that catches their fancy, kicking off their exploration with the title track. "Consolers of the Lonely" is a bluesy rocker that segues nicely into the ballad-esque "Pull This Blanket Off" -- conjuring up an Eagles-esque image before falling into a The Doors/The Who rival with "Rich Kid Blues." Track five, "The Switch and the Spur," is a classic (read: unpredictable) White take on Western music -- with lyrics reminiscent of a Johnny Cash ballad and a Tex-Mex trumpet cameo, one could almost envision a showdown happening as White croons along, "In the heat of the desert sun / on the blistering trail / an appaloosa and / a wanted man sprung from jail."
The entire album is full of delightful surprises. For a fan of everything but the White Stripes, Jack White found a way to make me double-take and find myself grooving along. My personal favorites -- "Attention" and "Many Shades of Black" -- are the icing on an otherwise praiseworthy cake. While "Attention" follows more stereotypical indie rock conventions, "Many Shades of Black" is the epic, emotional centerpiece of Consolers. By incorporating trumpets and piano, "Many Shades of Black" achieves a jazzy vibe as it rises and falls in intensity. Benson and White exchange lead vocals --while some White Stripes fans might stand behind their man, I was much more impressed by Benson's voice.
Regardless of any feelings one has toward the White Stripes and Jack White's ever-changing persona (is he Jack White III still?), listening to Consoler's with an open mind will blow away even the most adamant White Stripes detractors. 3
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