The Raconteurs' Raw Ingredients

Jack White and Brendan Benson, both hailing from Detroit and now residing in Nashville, both the masterminds behind the raucous Raconteurs, both released solo albums this week on their own self-run record labels. 

Blunderbuss

Raptor-pet enthusiast, Jack White, has shed the superlatives and self-titled his current project. Blunderbuss is a collection of songs that would not necessarily feel out of place on a White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather, or whatever ever other musical whim that might be associated the Third Man, and that should come as a surprise to no one. What is a surprise is how personal an open the material addressed in these songs seems to be. Jack's music, while lyrically unique, usually seem to describe a fantasy world- a world that can only be  seen through carefully refurbished, vintage-framed lenses. While he may attempt to distract the listener with bizarre imagery and and carefully choreographed stylizing, these songs will open a door into the real Jack White. Also, I'm pretty sure he built the guitar he is playing out of junk in you grandpa's backyard.

What Kind of World

Brendan Benson has his own brand of pop-style yet soul-filled song writing. He manages to indulges in catchy melodies without sounding counterfeit. His lyrics are usually cyclical and predicable, but never hollow. Every track runs its course, bringing nothing more or less than what is needed. There is a timeless air about it all. Despite the endless ebb and flow of style and genre, this is a straightforward kind of rock that will always live on. 




It would be interesting to know what has drawn these two together, and what the connection is between these albums. It probably isn't that important, but Jack and Brendan have been pushing each other forward for the past several years, and on this course, this collaboration will continue to produce music that you will want to make sure your grand-kids know about.