The Raconteurs
Broken Boy Soldier

THE REVIEW

THE RACONTEURS - Broken Boy Soldiers (Xl Recordings/Self)

For about a year, there has been talk of the new side project born from the artistic affinity of two heavyweights of "stars and stripes" Indie: Jack White of the famous "White Stripes" and Brendan Benson, a cult figure in the overseas independent music scene.

Some friendly recording sessions had generated the single "Steady, as she goes," an example of almost garage-rock very catchy, in which Jack's riff combines with Brendan's melodic abilities... indeed, there was much fun to be had.
Thus recruiting two good-for-nothings who knew their stuff on bass and behind the skins, namely Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler, the rhythm section of Detroit's "Greenhornes," our boys, having set aside promotional tours and various commitments, decided to lock themselves in the studio and get to work, releasing this "Broken Boy Soldiers."

The rock blues of the White Stripes merges with Benson's power pop, finally allowing Jack not to be burdened with the task of singing and caring for Meg, supported by "serious" musicians who unleash his explosive energy, tempered in some splendid episodes by the sweet bridges of the blonde Brendan. Here and there in the LP, there is an echo of 60's nostalgia... Led Zeppelin around the corner in "Hands" and "Store Bought Bones" and Deep Purple well-etched in memory in the title track "Broken Boy Soldiers" where Jack's voice much resembles the Plant of the golden age.
But Einstein claimed that "Imagination surpasses knowledge," and in these Raconteurs, a strong psychedelic soul emerges, evident in "Level" and the Crimson-esque "Intimate Secretary," an almost obligatory passage to then retrace one's steps and discover that the rock encyclopedia states that a good "rock and roll" album needs the presence of a ballad, which arrives punctually ("Together"); the quartet's effort concludes with the notes of a very heartfelt blues, like that of "Blue Veins," able to highlight the qualities of the individual band members.

The expectations have been almost entirely met. Personally, I consider Brendan Benson a small genius of powerpop (his LP, "Alternative to Love" was a gem), even though these Raconteurs don't invent anything new, their debut is old-school rock, sincere, passionate, with lots of sweat...

few overdubs, and four stars....