When it comes to music, I will give just about anything a chance. However, my favored genres tend to be rock-based. That being the case, it’s kind of odd that I’ve never listened to much of Jack White’s music before this album.
But it’s not because I didn’t like it, because I loved the work he did with previous projects such as The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.
I also have a lot respect for artists who are willing to take chances with their work. I remember back in 2007 when the band Radiohead put out its seventh studio album, “In Rainbows.” They sold the album off their website and allowed fans to download it paying whatever price they wanted. The album was widely successful, selling 1.2 million copies online. Jack White has done something similar.
Although the album cannot be purchased for whatever price one may choose, there is the option to stream it for free for a limited time through iTunes.
“After spending years reworking the rock n’ roll foundation, with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, White has crafted his first statement as a solo artist,” iTunes stated. “And yes, it rocks.”
Because this is Jack White’s first solo album, there’s a lot he needed to say through his lyrics.
The album seems to have an underlying theme about love and what it does to you. It’s quite clear his inspiration came from failed relationships and perhaps even the recent divorce from his wife of nearly six years, Karen Elson.
The first track on the album is enough to draw you in. “Missing Pieces” is about believing in something then having it taken away from you. The last verse of the song seems to stand out more than the others. “Sometimes someone controls everything about you/And when they tell you that they just can’t live without you/They ain’t lyin’, they’ll take pieces of you/And they’ll stand above you and walk away/That’s right, and take a part of you with them.”
White gives next track, “Sixteen Saltines,” a garage rock vibe that still fits in with the theme of the album, that all women are out to get him. While the lyrics are sometimes silly, “Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat,” they still get the point across.
Another track worth mentioning is the first single and the forth track from the album “Love Interruption.” For the first time on the album White slows things down a bit but doesn’t let up on the theme by using some brutal lyrics. “I want love to roll me over slowly/Stick a knife inside me/And twist it all around.”
Of course, there’s the title track, “Blunderbuss,” a soulful look into just what White can produce.
White experiments with different genres such as classic and garage rock, folk, country and even blues in this album.
The eighth track on the album, “I’m Shakin’” experiments with the latter which is actually a cover of an old R&B song by Little Willie John from the 1960s.
From what I’ve heard from others about White’s work, this was a good album, but it wasn’t his best work he has ever released. However, not knowing much of his previous work and judging solely on this album alone, I say it’s one to add to your collection.