So, new Raconteurs out today. Wait, I mean - NEW RACONTEURS OUT TODAY!!!

Whew, there we go. You’re all aware of my affinity for Jack White’s music (in all of its forms), and the edition of pop hook master Brendan Benson to White’s off-kilter genius on the first Racs record (2006’s Broken Boy Soldiers) was like some sort of aural-gasm for this Bird. I don’t mean to be fawning, but Consolers of the Lonely is even better.

Jack’s clearly at the helm here, but Benson’s stable-pony-to-high-strung-racehorse calming effect on White’s antics is evident on the pure piano pop sweetness of “You Don’t Understand Me” and the chunky balladry of “Pull the Blanket Off.” Perhaps Benson’s finest moment, the fiddle-laden singalong of “Old Enough” is the kind of classic pop songsmithing that’s endeared him to White and other modern talents from the beginning, but it’s the collaborative addition of White’s distinctive, plaintive wail in the chorus that reminds the listen of just what a perfect marriage this is.

But back to the rocking.

“The Switch and The Spur” marks the return of White’s playtime with brass instruments, the likes of which he used to create soaring drama on Icky Thump’s “Conquest” last year. “Hold Up” is reminiscent of both 70’s stomp punk and the fat blues riffing made popular in recent memory by Kings of Leon and Wax Fang. Must be that Nashville vibe smoothing over some of the Detroit gravel ‘n’ grime.

“Five on the Five” is powered full steam ahead by a chunky, glammy barre chord progression and an infectious “oh oh” chorus, but all of White’s evil genius is on display as the bridge degenerates into a squalling guitar solo and the crash of half-time stomping.

The long and short of it is that this is a fine fucking frenzy of a rock record, displaying the myriad talents of both songwriters in a manner that’s most complimentary to both. This is the record that makes you forget the size of Jack White’s ego and concentrate instead on the agitated genius both he and Benson display in seemingly endless supply. There’s a ticking time bomb quality to this record - a perilous balance between two volatile personalities and vastly different songwriting styles that seems destined to explode any moment. But what the fuck, let’s enjoy it while we can.
Hit up The Raconteurs Myspace page to stream Consolers of the Lonely in its entirety.

Share This