By Eric Poe/sports editor
From Jack White’s own label Third Man Records comes his first solo album, Blunderbuss.
It comes just under five years since the release of Icky Thump, the last album from The White Stripes, the duo he formed with his ex-wife.
White, also of The Raconteurs fame, had complete control over this record, producing, recording and writing all of the songs.
The album will yield a familiar sound to listeners familiar with his past work with his distinct vocals on full display.
While there is no “Seven Nation Army” on this album, a classic song from his White Stripes days, songs such as “Sixteen Saltines” and “Freedom at 21” fully epitomize what White has brought to music. The tracks both come in at under three minutes but are full of the funky guitar work that made The White Stripes so unique.
The title track is strangely subdued with basically nothing going on but starts a more relaxed journey throughout the rest of the album. This portion of the CD would go best with a glass of wine and a good book, only being interrupted by the rollicking ’50s blues style song “I’m Shakin’,” something we haven’t heard from White, which preaches to his ability to experiment and his ability to pull it off.
The last half of the final song “Take Me With You When You Go” sends the album off with aplomb as two minutes in, it turns from a seemingly somber jog to the end into a guitar riff, upbeat choir-filled sprint to the finish line.
Blunderbuss, coming in at 41 minutes, is perfect for a car ride.
However, some songs may put you to sleep or bring tears to your eyes because they are so beautifully crafted. Hats off to White for keeping with his roots while branching out when the opportunity arose with great success.
