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90 of 95 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply one of the best albums of 2008 and new directions for the Racs, March 25, 2008
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.
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"...white milk dripped down with the blood...", March 26, 2008
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
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Album with a great release strategy., March 25, 2008
Considering the time it takes to fully digest an album before giving a well thought out review (and considering that this album just came out yesterday) This probably equalizes every other review of this album released today on Amazon.
First and foremost, I detect what could be a backlash from music journalists who feel snubbed by Jack and company because they weren't given the influential leverage they used to get from a typical album promotional cycle. Their influence is officially reduced to the typical review you'd see on an Amazon album page. I'd venture to say that a lot of music journalists will probably feel this way. Contrary to what any glib review here may say, there is no indication that album was rushed, it was merely rushed to the stores after its completion. For people are familiar with the Jack's traditional recording cycles, they know that rushed isn't a bad word, rather it is a snapshot of a band at its most candid and unrehearsed.
Like most other Jack White albums, listeners are rewarded with repeat listens. Discovering new things they didn't catch the first few times; metaphors, innuendo, themes and motifs. That said, i wouldn't take any review seen here seriously until about a week or two after its release. Arguably their best album, Get Behind Me Satan, was largely ignored by some of their old fans because it wasn't as instantly gratifying as their previous albums (A strong indicator that a band is growing and maturing as well.)
While the Raconteurs aren't as avant garde or unconventional as the white stripes, there are some interesting things going on in this album, some new ground being explored, some rekindled rock and roll traditions that i welcome with open arms.
If their debut, Broken Boy Soldier, was an experiment in merging the dual songwriter/guitarist dynamic of the Beatles with the raw power of Led Zeppelin, then this album takes the same idea while transplanting the sound deeper into the American south. The most interesting thing about their previous album, Broken Boy Soldier, is how inferior the studio songs became after they tweaked and refined the songs live. Songs like blue veins became epic monsters that dwarfed the original composition. Even if you didn't like their debut album, you couldn't deny how powerful the songs became live. That said, I'm excited about seeing what they do with the songs on this album in a live setting.
Now, It seems like Jack wanted to give their fans the opportunity to review the album themselves before music journalists had a chance to sway their preconceptions with album reviews. Do yourself a favor and take him up on that opportunity. Rarely do we get to have an opinion on something before someone else planted preconceptions in our minds. I suppose my opinion doesn't matter (yet). What will you think of it once fully digested?
A week after hearing it, the album is almost perfect, the only hiccups are "Hold Up" and "Many Shades of Black". I found that my favorite
songs kept changing everytime i listened. The standout song 'Carolina Drama' lives up to their band name. Songs like "Top Yourself", "Attention" "Old Enough" and "You Don't Understand Me" make this one of the best albums of the year. If you're listening to this album fresh after absorbing Icky Thump for a whole year, you might be taken aback, but once you switch gears and remember its not The White Stripes, it becomes an album that lives up to the promise of its predecessor.
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by The Raconteurs 
