Jack White
Boarding House Reach

Reaching his third solo endeavor, the good Jack White leaves everyone stunned and frees himself from the chains in which he had trapped himself until now.

“Boarding House Reach”, produced by White himself and recorded between Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, is the sound of an artist who no longer has to prove anything and finally feels free to experiment, cut and sew far and wide. The only track in the thirteen-song tracklist with an actual chorus and a classic melodic structure is the single “Connected By Love”, a gospel soul track featuring the McCrary Sisters; it's no coincidence that it was chosen as the lead and opener of the work, as it serves as a “landing cushion,” a sort of peaceful oasis useful for replenishing oneself before embarking on a journey that will prove to be very adventurous.

The adventure continues with “Why Walk A Dog?”, a very Lynchian piece built on an acidic guitar and a prominent synthesizer; “Corporation” is more classic, essentially a wild jam unfolding between organ, congas, and a bass that outlines a supremely funk track. “Abulia And Akrasia” is the first of three crazy interludes that briefly break the bizarre and schizophrenic sound flow outlined by White.

The only concession to the blues rock that characterized the first, crucial part of the American artist's career is the wild and heavy “Over And Over And Over”, a complete rock piece that not coincidentally dates back to the White Stripes sessions for “Get Behind Me Satan” in 2005.

Also “Respect Commander” is dominated by raw sounds but aligns with the deconstruction executed by White in most of the tracks. “What’s Done Is Done” veers towards country and offers us a ballad of rare beauty, before a breathtaking conclusion with a predominantly acoustic version of “Humoresque,” a classic piece based on the work of Antonín Dvořák.

A sensational album, created by an artist at the peak of his creativity and versatility who wants to prove not to be just an excellent traditionalist, recording first in analog and then making extensive use of Pro Tools. To be discovered listen after listen.

Best track: Corporation