Customer Reviews

Consolers of the Lonely

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First of all, forget whatever you thought you knew about The Raconteurs. This album would be hard-pressed to be much more different from "Broken Boy Soldiers," their 2006 debut. From Jack's first searing guitar notes of the title track, which opens the album, through the quirky Dylan-esque "Carolina Drama" that closes it, this album shows that the Racs did not just drive up to the stop light and then continue on after the light changed. They hung a right and buried the gas.

What's different from "Broken Boy Soldiers"? The energy level is higher, for one thing. While there is a mix of different paced songs on the album, overall they've taken the energy to a new level. The first album had a "sound" that extended throughout the entire album; this does not. It's also not as polished an album as their first (and that's a good thing, not a bad thing - nor is it a criticism of "Broken Boy Soldiers"). While Brendan's pop-meister sensibilities and skills are evident (their cover of Terry Reid's "Rich Kid Blues" is a good example), they are not as pronounced as on "Broken Boy Soldiers". There are some rough edges to the sound that add to the energy and a dark edginess that lurks in the background ("Top Yourself" is an excellent example). Some of their influences, such as country, are more obvious (Dirk Powell's fiddling is lovely). And Jack III's love of the blues is much more evident. The use of the Memphis Horns on some tracks raised my eyebrows until I heard them; the use is sparing and fits beautifully (I can't begin to count how many rock songs have been ruined by the addition of horns - Jackie Bollweevil and Brendan Boy knew exactly what they were doing here). And some of Jack's slide work will positively make your skin crawl!

It's premature for me to add any detailed commentary on the individual songs (I've only given the album three careful [translate: headphones] listens, although it's been playing constantly since I got it), but "Carolina Drama" is definitely my fave so far - it's killer good. Side note: "Five On The Five" has evolved considerably since it was played in concerts on the 2006 tour.

What I can say is, even though it's only March, this is easily one of the best albums of 2008, and it's going to be very heavily played at this house for a long time to come. My advice is to buy this album, put it in your car stereo, turn it up all the way, and drive around town with all the windows down (even if it's snowing, and definitely in the rain) - that is what rock `n' roll was intended for, and this is most definitely rock `n' roll of the first order.

While this album is very different from "Broken Boy Soldiers", it is absolutely outstanding in every way. This is grand stuff, indeed. So much for the sophomore album jinx.

The Racs are back,
Pickin' up the slack.

Drama. (My one-word review)

This is not a continuation of Broken Boy Soldier. It is the Raconteurs creating a complete package of material that is in a whole 'nother building from BBS.

This release feels more collaborative and polished. Some songs do seem to have a bit too much going on with extended instrumentals and even some of the chorus/harmonizing might have been pared down because it comes off as a bit 'indulgent.' This is really my only complaint and it is minor. I gave it 5 not 4 stars.

A couple songs sound like what used to be called 'acid-rock' in the early 70's and would have fit in nicely between my Grand Funk Railroad lps and The Who. Specifically, Hold Up & These Stones...fit this description. They are 'reminiscent' not carbon copies.

"Old Enough" has an almost bluegrass flavour to it. Brendan and Jack harmonize as well as CSNY here.

"Top Yourself" is a lyrically fun, risque piece that probably could have been sub-titled: 'master of your own domain.' Nothing here the kiddies can't listen to. Subtlety abounds.

"Many Shades of Black" is uber-dramatic. The singing is sublime. The lyrics, melody and horns make it an atmospheric piece that makes me think of a small dark (aren't they all) nightclub featuring a band too good to be there. I don't know why....

"Carolina Drama" My review title uses a line from this song. It is a song with a driving beat, driving lyrics and a melody that you can't help but fall into. It is my favorite on the record and should become a classic, much like Eminem's, "Stan" or even "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." Have a listen, you'll understand. It is brilliant and perfectly sung.

"Jack's Voice." Okay, it's not a song title but I have to comment. I think he is one of the most underrated singers out there. He pulls off a brilliant punk-like warble (in this and all his endeavors). He can sing sweetly. There is an 'unpredictable' aspect to his voice that is endlessly fascinating to listen to; random cracks that may or may not be intentional. Brendan is a fantastic singer. But for me, Jack is infinately more interesting.

cheers,
Laurie

Jack White is so influential and popular right now that when he tells the record company that he wants this album released on a certain date or else he is going elsewhere...it happens!

Sometimes a rushed release date has its drawbacks such as mistakes in the packaging or poor sound quality. However, this album is superb in every way! The album artwork is cool with the retro photograph, the sound quality is great (the opening guitar sounds massive), and the songs are all well written and recorded.

I cannot top the other reviews here going into a whole lot of detail on the songs etc, but I have listened to the album all the way through at least 4 times. It is a little more rockin' than the first release. The guitars sound great (probably recorded really raw with an old tube amp and a microphone). It is a great album! If you like The White Stripes or The Raconteurs 1st album, then pick this one up...you won't be disappointed!

Somewhere between Broken Boy Soldiers and "Consolers of The Lonely," Jack White and Brendan Benson decided to toss the pop out the window and turn up the guitars. The distortedly wonderful result totally smacks down anyone who claimed the first album was a White Stripes Side Project or White helping out an old friend. "Consolers" makes the statement loud and clear from the first crashing chord and ringing snare drum on: The Raconteurs are a rock band.

And like the Led Zep fixation that appeared on The Stripes' Icky Thump, so goes this album. There are also more than a little salacious Stones jonesers banging ("Hold Up" being the prime love letter candidate for White's new friendship with Jagger and Richards, see his cameo on Shine a Light). But there's also a sense that The Raconteurs wanted to expand wildly and delve into their classic rock collections, down to the old timey cover art's shades of The Band or Bob Dylan, who are also echoed in the country cool of "Old Enough."

Both White and Benson sound enthusiastic about these songs, something the more refined "Soldiers" was missing. Where BBS was all about the craft, "Consolers" is more about the feel. You even get to hear someone give directions ("double track this") during the title track, amping up the wall of sound until it pile-drives you into submission. This is an album that gets off on its power, and band seems more than eager to show off their chops and the new chemistry. Benson and White are often indistinguishable from each other as they trade vocal leads, that's how in-synch they've become and just how eager to play this album sounds.

To that end, the rock may still be classic, but the detours are very cool and in context. The Spaghetti Western "Switch and The Spur" weaves a desert tale that seems derived from "Thump's" cover of "Conquest," and the closing "Carolina Drama" is positively Dylanesque. The continual referencing the blues - Terry Reid's "Rich Kid Blues" cover in particular - give "Consolers" its gravity, all while incessantly driving from song to stylized song. It may be derivative, but it's my kind of derivative, and so far, it is one of this year's best.

If you have read any of the reviews on other sites bashing this album, don't be fooled. Of course it doesn't sound like the 1st Raconteur album..that would be boring....if you have followed Jack White's career you know that he always changes it up with each album, White Stripes, Raconteurs or any other project that he's involved with. I think the bands songwriting/arranging on this album is supperior to the 1st. Great effort!!! I've been a fan of Jack White since seeing him on a whim at a Detroit bar back in the early Stripe days....this album has now become one of my favorites.....buy it!

I bought their first album and liked it a lot, so when I heard that they were going to release another album I was pretty excited. This album has totally blown me away. I had pretty high expectations for this album and it just blew right through those expectations and beyond. Its like they sat down and said "alright everyone, the last album was good, but this time we are going to go for the most awesome bluesy sound we can get" and this album does not disappoint. It has been a long time since I've heard an album that just made me smile all the way through it. I enjoy every song so much. I would probably need a new pair of pants if they decided to make another album.

Just completing this album in the first week of March the band surprisingly unleashes it without any foreknowledge so that nobody, "the fans, the press, radio, etc., has an upperhand on anyone else regarding it's availability, reception, or perception," said Jack White, in Rolling Stone.

"Consolers of the Lonely" kicks of the album with the title song "Consoler of the Lonely." This songs tambourine shakes and shuddering bass adding to a carefree and high-spirited kick off comes off well as the first song on the new album.

"Salute Your Solution," the first single for the album is a fast-paced stomper starting with a strong Jack White guitar riff before a muffled bass riff kicks in halfway through, adding a psychedelic twinge. The album then breaks into a mixture of 4 stars and five star songs. Those I consider to be 5 star songs in the first half of the album, including the two just mentioned, are "Old Enough", "The Switch and the Spur", and "Top Yourself."

For the second half of the album the songs I gave 5 stars to included: "Rich Kid Blues", "These Stones Will Shout", and "Carolina Drama", which is a slower, blusier song as White tells the story of a troubled boy with "blue tatoos" named Billy, is one of my favorites.

Overall, this is an astonishing follow-up for White and his second band.
The songs show this band as having or showing their ability or achievement in the rock music genre, although the band is clearly influenced by a number of different genres that come out in their music.

The Raconteurs album definitely shows the effective and forceful, but not forced music the band is capable of producing. Each song stands strongly by itself, but, the combination is a contour of a body constructed so as to offer minimum resistance to a fluid flow. It all comes together perfectly.

This is an album that will stay in my music rotation for a long time to come. I look forward to the album growing on me as well, as I listen to it even more. Job very well done.

The Raconteurs 1st effort was a fun, quality pop record and yielded one big hit. With Consolers of the Lonely, the band goes to a whole new level. There is not a single throwaway on the whole disc and the first track just might be the most smokin single of the year -- this is a truly great record and like most White Stripes discs, it bobs and weaves around many different styles from hard rockers to pop to more folksy stuff -- it all works well -- no surprise given who the heart of the band is. In certain ways (I can't believe I'm writing this), this disc may be in fact more balanced and an overall more well rounded recording than several of the White Stripes CDs (which are all damn close to flawless in my opinion). This Racs disc is very much a homage to great 70s rock with clear influences showing -- Zep, Queen, Stones. I should be shot for a) putting any band in the same sentence as Zep and b) for writing the next statement, but Consolers of the Lonely could qualify as a minor Zep success (listen to it -- you'll see what I mean). I just saw them live at Terminal 5 in NYC last Sunday night (June 1st) and they rocked. It was refreshing to see a band not simply play through the songs on their album note for note. They turned many songs inside out with fusion-like segueways. Always great to hear the material live hit much harder than the recorded stuff. Jack is a commanding presence, but this is very much a group effort and Brendan Benson's classic rock vocals also carried the day. The whole band is seriously tight. Special treat was a 10 minute tripped-out version of "Steady As She Goes". Kudos to these guys. Catch 'em on this tour in smallish venues, because the next time around, I can all but bet that the shows won't be so intimate. Fairly amazing Mr. White -- you've successfully been the centerpiece of two killer co-existent rock bands in the same decade....Buy the CD, see them live. Now.

The Raconteurs' second album takes it up a notch (and I loved their debut disc)--the songwriting is a step up, and band is extremely tight and the album is the best rock record of the year so far. I haven't stopped listening to it since I bought it and my CD player shows no signs of abating. Buy this CD, you'll be glad you did.

Who would ever thought a new Racontuers album would have come out so quickly.So glad it did and enjoyed this one greatly.As a big fan of The White Stripes as well,looked forward to this one.With Consoler of The Lonely,You Don't Understand Me,Many Shades of Black,Five on The Five and Attention highlighting this strong album from start to finish.If you like The White Stripes,The Racontuers and Jack White for that matter,go get this one now.It won't disapoint at all.You will love it. It does have some different sounds,which I love. I always like to see groups grow and not stay with the same formula.Even though The Racontuers only had one other album.
We can get spoiled by these fast releases.Next week maybe we'll have a new White Sripes.LOL!!!!! Anyway, check this one out .It will amaze!!!!
A solid 4.7 for strong rock record!!!!!