The sound that emits from this release is one of classical rock overtones and bluesy minimalism. The effort to create this to be of some kind of revival, not only in sound but also in Jack White's seemingly faltering career, is enough to keep it as a piece of novelty. The assembly isn't quite as timeless as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young but you get the idea. The band consists of former White Stripes front-man Jack White, pop folkie Brendan Benson, and The Greenhornes rhythm section: Jack Lawrence on bass and Patrick Keeler on drums. The team is formidable, but what comes out of the record is less than one might expect.



Maybe their not going far back enough. Maybe their not digging into the past traditions to make something that will not only sound as timeless, but also be as timeless, as what inspired these folks to make music in the first place. There wasn't formulas to success but their were structures, it can't just come out of thin air. Jack White was one who created a seemingly endless supply of simplicity which transferred itself well into bare-bones rock and roll. He was able to formulate his own chemicals to concoct formulas to successful rock-blues-pop. His past catalogue is as close as being timeless as any of these guys have come, and The Raconteurs just doesn't even edge on brilliance.



With songs like the single "Steady, As She Goes", the heartfelt "Together", and the playful bluesy "Blue Veins" the band comes off sounding like they have something to give. It's not just another sound that you might dismiss, it's been carefully culled from a steeping stew of tradition; and it works.



"Steady As She Goes" is a simple and plain pop rocker. It not only has that famous Jack White guitar rip, it's got a whole torn open chorus which becomes as deep as a well. The lyrics are nothing to marvel at, but they keep the whole thing moving.



"Together" showcases Benson's compassionate yet soulful voice and some clever chord changes which give the song a catchy pop feel as well as an air of class. The organ and guitar mix is a proven gem and lets this track sail.



"Blue Veins" is as close to Blues as the group gets and they play it like classic session musicians. Although it all sounds very nice, it comes off a bit superficial. The composition is a sound blues, but Jack White doesn't seem to have inherited the blood that his inspirational fore fathers had. The sound is very polished and refined, which may take away from it's allure, but it's a fine tune.



It's a step in the right direction in my opinion. I'm a sucker for tradition and for always going back as far as you can to find what real worth is. The past holds a lot of answers to questions we have nowadays. The Raconteurs are looking down the right hallway but seem to have opened the wrong door. It all sounds nice enough but when it comes to holding it's own, it just doesn't (clocking in at just over half an hour doesn't help much either).



Track Listing

1 Steady, As She Goes

2 Hands

3 Broken Boy Soldier

4 Intimate Secretary

5 Together

6 Level

7 Store Bought Bones

8 Yellow Sun

9 Call It a Day

10 Blue Veins