The Raconteurs
Broken Boy Soldiers
Third Man/ V2
Jack White has joined forces with his best bud Brendan Benson and the rhythm section of The Greenhornes (Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence) to dominate the music world once again, this time as The Raconteurs (pronounced: rak’on-turs). If The White Stripes were spawn from the union of punk and blues, then The Racs are an amalgamation of ’60s-era British Invasion and Led Zeppelin at their finest (but, really, weren’t they always at their finest!).
Opening with the leadoff single – and the first ditty White and Benson wrote together – “Steady, As She Goes,” the band’s debut is a classic right out of the gate. Song by song, a timeless production of such good taste that I must once more bow to the genius of the man who has found a way to channel both Jimmy Page and Robert Plant simultaneously.
While Jack’s influences are all over this album, let’s not forget the pop persuasion of Benson, whose subtle vocals are in perfect contrast to White’s wail. Songs soar on the chemistry of this supergroup that appears to display no hierarchy. From psychadelic stomp (“Broken Boy Soldiers”) to classic soul (“Blue Veins”), The Raconteurs have been established.
Even with a string of strong, big hype albums within the past month (Pearl Jam, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Broken Boy Soldiers is the first piece of plastic, vinyl or digital bits you should purchase with your next paycheck.
Is it too soon to say, “Album of the Year?!!!”
The Raconteurs: http://www.theraconteurs.com
