A more full palette of sound for the mainstream band
December 2, 2008
When I say mainstream, I don't mean streamlined, because this is anything but that. This album has many elements that are surprising for those accustomed to the bluesy and power pop elements of the two main songwriters. The tracks are filled with diverse genre bending all without sounding alternative, or even commercial, and I have to give them credit for that. This album is a definite step up from Broken Boy Soldiers which was clearly an overly simplified introduction to the dabbling sensibilities each songwriter brought to the table, on this album the entire band feels adequately showcased throughout and they stretch out. Perhaps they were going outside their comfort zone, or maybe they would be comfortable doing this already and just decided to let us in on it. However you crack it the egg is mighty tasty if you eat it and impressive if you let it hatch and grow. Honestly, I think it was gutsy for the Racs to let loose on their love of classic boogie, southern, and all other forms of popular rock they crank out here. No one is creating music of this quality and verve on the scene right. This music is alive as opposed to being studied even when they're doing a cover (rich kid blues). It certainly has its groundings in familiar sounds, but it's a great way to inject so much more energy into it. I find it inspirational to say it's ok to be popular just don't make carbon copies and rob people thinking they were buying a new album. While not the best album in the world it holds its own on every song, and nearly every song is a piece unto itself. That is a feat and if this sounds interesting to you, then I encourage you to get this album.
one of the better albums for 2008
November 18, 2008
I bought this album, thinking that i do like raconteurs, but i thought that their first album had a few dud songs on it. This one really hits the spot after (for me) a year of searching for an album i can just put on and listen to the whole thing with out being tempted to fast forward through a song or two or three. I really like the first and last songs, and songs 7 & 8. These are four songs that could anchor an album on their own. Overall, my best purchase (of music) of the year.
AWSOME! JACK WHITE DOES IT AGAIN!
October 30, 2008
I just love this cd! It's versatile, there is so much talent. I have been a big fan of Jack White for a long time and this band is great! The first couple of songs rock and have some White Stripe type influence; I love the 3rd song, piano, harmony in the chorus-beatlesque. There's some blues and country type influence-it is NOT a boring album! BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT!
A Pretty Big Step Down from Broken Boy Soldiers
October 18, 2008
Jack White is kind of an up-and-down fellow: he can put together some absolutely brilliant songs that really put you in the mood to rock, no matter how off-kilter it is, or he can end up in a rut. As an example of this, I would posit that his most brilliant work (Meg of course is a creative non-factor) would be Elephant, Icky Thump, De Stijl, and Broken Boy Soldiers; all great albums that range from the super-catchy (Elephant) to the rather dissonant (Icky Thump), or the classically influenced, yet fresh (Broken Boy Soldiers). Sometimes, though, it just doesn't work; the White Stripes self-titled debut album, Get Behind Me Satan, and this album.
After the home-run of BBS, I was eagerly awaiting Consolers and picked it up on the enthusiastic recommendations of many friends. However, it just doesn't hit the same nerves as BBS; instead of the slow, rambling charm of BBS' best songs, it keeps rhythms we're much more accustomed to in classic rock, and the lyrics change from their unfocused, simple subject matter to more conventional themes, which are clearly Jack's weak spot. Where BBS could make a beautiful song about nothing more than hands, or the phase of the moon, Consolers tries to capture relationship blues almost exclusively. One can see why he's stuck to nonsensical, free-association lyrics for so long: when he tries to tell a story it crumbles.
As for the instrumental sound of this album, it is more structured than we are accustomed to from either the Raconteurs or White Stripes, with less of the solos and riffing that we all love to hear from Jack. The addition of horns are well-done, and fit with the bluesy composition. Unfortunately, all the songs blend together with both their theme and musical sound, and you'll be hard pressed to distinguish one from the other after you're done listening.
Overall, this album is unremarkable and weak in comparison to the majority of Mr. White's impressive aural resume. It lacks the catchiness, incredible solos, and silly charm of other album's songwriting. If you'd like to hear an album by Jack White that will appear more familiar and bluesy than his other work, buy this one, otherwise stick to the rest.
consolers of the lonely
October 9, 2008
i love this music! this is truly a great night when i vibrate to this...oh that didn't sound good or did it ;)
anything i am doing this makes a great backdrop ;)
thank you raconteurs!
love, carol
