Broken Boy Soldiers

The Raconteurs

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: V2 Records/Third Man
• ASIN: B000F48CD8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,070 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #23 in	Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Styles > Rock > Garage Rock
  #38 in	Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro > Garage Bands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Smothered by the indulgence of his rock star ranking, Jack White steps into the eccentricities of the supergroup, and at first glance, this seems to be a band where White's imposing presence could overshadow the rest. Not the case with these Raconteurs. Teaming with fellow Detroit songwriter Brendan Benson and Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler, the rhythm section from Cincinnati band the Greenhornes, White exhales a bit, deferring enough to his mates to make Broken Boy Soldiers play like a team effort. Following the Benson blueprint, "Steady as She Goes," which opens as a slice of 1960's radio pop, the record steers away from pigeonholing the rest of the way. White's in a Middle Eastern mood for the title track as he pulls off a wicked Robert Plant howl, while Lawrence and Keeler excel on the chorus-strong "Intimate Secretary" and the optimistic acoustic rocker "Yellow Sun." Like so many all-star bands before them, The Raconteurs could be one and done. But don't place the blame on this fertile and genuine debut. --Scott Holter

Leading up to The Raconteurs...

The Alternative to Love Brendan Benson	Get Behind Me Satan The White Stripes	Sewed Soles The Greenhornes
The Greenhornes	One Mississippi/Wellfed Boy Brendan Benson	De Stijl The White Stripes

Product Description
The Raconteurs are a new band made up of old friends, consisting of Jack Lawrence (bass), Patrick Keeler (drums), Brendan Benson (guitars, vocals, keys) and Jack White(guitars, vocals, keys). The seed was sewn in an attic in the middle of a hot summer when friends Jack White and Brendan Benson got together and wrote a song that truly inspired them. This song was "Steady, As She Goes" and the inspiration led to the creation of a full band with the addition of Lawrence and Keeler. While each of these four individuals have had successful careers with their own bands, the culmination of all of their talents is what truly makes The Raconteurs a force to be reckoned with.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't you kids just have fun sometimes?, June 2, 2006

By	Justin N. Voorhees "lymphnode" (Austin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD may not change your life. It may not be the greatest thing your ears have ever happened upon. But, it's a lot of fun. And sometimes I think we forget that one of the best things about music is the smile it puts on our faces. I really enjoy listening to this CD. Period. No comparisons needed, no deep, profound thoughts about whether or not it is better, same or worse than anything . . . it's fun. These people make good music. So stop the internal dialogue right there. Remember that it's okay to enjoy yourselves sometimes. Really.

38 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There are decent bands...then there's Jack White, May 22, 2006

By	David Kenner (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album clocks in at just under 34 minutes but when the half hour is this good, it's hard to complain.
The versatility that Jack White continues to show year after year is almost mind boggling. From the early White Stripes albums to "Candy Cane Children" to Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose" to the music from COLD MOUNTAIN to "Get Behind Me Satan" to The Raconteurs, you just never know what he's going to do next. You can count on two things though: it will not be a copy of what he's done before and it will be quality music.
I believe he's the best composer and best musician in rock music today (and will be tomorrow).
The Raconteurs debut album is 10 infectious tracks that have a timeless quality. Sometimes it sounds as if this album could have been made in 1973, or 1979, or 1982, or 1990, yet it sounds very contemporary too. Instead of fronting the band, Jack's style is incorporated into a group of incredibly talented performers. The last track "Blue Veins" is one of the best songs from any of White's projects.
When there's so much insignificant music being made these days, it's good to know you can put your trust in Jack.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I stand corrected., September 14, 2007

By	William J. Perkins "ugirecords" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I never thought much of Jack White and was prepared to write this off as hipster hype, but you just can't deny the pure unadulterated Zeppelinesque rock on this disc. Maybe it helps having a drummer who knows that there's more on the kit than a kick drum? Anyways, I stand corrected. Icky Thump isn't that bad either, now that I think about it.