It’s a surprise to no one by now that Jack White digs that country groove. But what may not be as obvious is that White, along with Allison Mosshart (The Kills) et al, share an affinity for PJ Harvey – or so it would seem if your audiophile ears can be trusted while listening to Horehound, the debut album by The Dead Weather.

The Dead Weather are definitely progressive rock, playing with pedals, voice-distorters, frequent changes in percussion rhythms, yet this particular collection of songs seems to still be in the development stage. Tracks are hit-and-miss, the list acting as a 1:1 scale for good songs versus those that are so-so (ie. I liked tracks 1, 5, 6, 7 9, and 11, but not 2, 3, 4, 8, or 10)

Listening to the axe work, I had the distinct feeling I might have been hearing a B-track from one of Josh Homme’s pet project, The Desert Sessions – and I wasn’t too far off. Dean Fertita is also guitarist for Queens of the Stone Age as well as TDW. He may well be my favourite part of this group. Besides White’s excellent drumming, Fertita’s guitars are one of the elements that seem to change and get better with each successive listen.

My greatest beef with Horehound is that they sound like six more months in the jam space would have done them good. “I Cut Like A Buffalo,” for example, is sprinkled with keyboard and drums accompanying the jarring male-female voices. However, the various sound effects (clicking, whirling, etc.) tossed in, almost haphazardly, might have turned into a melodious third instrument if more time was allotted to that exploration.

The Dead Weather may be comprised of four veteran musicians, but as a group they still sound in their sophomore stage. The fact I can listen to Horehound several times without being sick of it, however, is a very good sign. Despite the feeling that some songs lack development, there are enough ideas being explored in them that they merit a second chance. Not a knock-out effort, but the start of something promising.

Track Listing:

1. 60 Feet Tall
2. Hang You From The Heavens
3. I Cut Like A Buffalo
4. So Far From Your Weapon
5. Treat Me Like Your Mother
6. Rocking Horse
7. New Pony
8. Bone House
9. 3 Birds
10. No Hassle Night
11. Will There Be Enough Water?