Link: The Raconteurs
The Inside Pulse:
Jack White and pop uber-producer Brendan Benson start a new band, release an album, and render the White Stripes useless. White and Benson teamed up with the rest of White’s crew from the Loretta Lynn record to start a new band, and recorded the entire album in Benson’s attic using only analog gear. They’re also talking tour and another album, and Jack White seems to be putting more and more distance between himself and The White Stripes with every passing interview.
Positives:
– Everyone knows Jack White is one of the best guitarists alive today, but it’s refreshing to hear him actually fitting into the context of a real band with The Raconteurs. He’s still wildly creative, but it sounds even better when combined with full band instrumentation.
– Brendan Benson is one bad mofo songwrite, and his stuff on this record is totally awesome. He’s got a great gift for melodies that are so simple, you’ll punch yourself for not thinking of them before.
Negatives:
– This band should be fronted exclusively by Benson. He’s worlds better than White as a vocalist, and they should just stick with what they do best. Benson isn’t in White’s league as a guitarist, and Jack can’t really sing, so they should make a permanent switch and just have Brendan sing everything.
– I understand that White has an analog fetish, but let’s be real here for a second. Using reel-to-reel doesn’t make you cool, it just makes your record sound bad. Everything is eventually going to get upconverted to CD anyway, so why not start off in the digital realm? You can still get that analog sound by using high-end tube preamps on everything and avoid the lo-fi quality that permeates this record and every record by the Stripes. Move into the new millenium, Jack — my ears are begging you.
Cross-breed:
White Stripes mixed with a bass guitar, more electric guitars, and a real drummer. Oh, and more consistency.
Reason To Buy:
If, like me, you’re simply a fan of Jack White, then you should get this record. If you’re on the edge and kinda like the White Stripes, then you’ll probably like this one as well.
This one’s in the vein of The Strokes, The White Stripes, and bunches of other bands, but Jack White’s guitar skills and Brendan Benson’s way with melodies sets it apart from the usual pap you hear these days. A good first record, even though you can’t really call it that, since everyone involved is pretty awesome at what they do already.
