THE RACONTEURS, or “Racoon Turds”? This is the question on everyone’s lips. Or maybe not. So what happened to the emergence of the Rock n Roll Lords of the Naughties (2000-onwards)? The merging of great musical minds? The “We’re Not A Super-Group, We’re Just Proper Good Mates All Doing What We’ve Wanted To Do For Ages Honest Guv”?
Well, since the release of “Broken Boy Soldiers”, which went straight into the charts at No. 2 (probably riding the wave of expectation), they caused a quiver of excitement, most due to a highly energized pre-album gig at the London Astoria, complete with Jude Law and Kate Moss in the VIP section, and that.
Fair enough, the performance was so testosterone-fuelled it made one feel as though they had just been shagged bandy, but the question remained - was it a blinding one night stand, or would onlookers want to engage in something more long term and commit to buying the album?
As it happened, "Broken Boy Soldiers" received mixed responses from the music press, largely positive. Although, personally, this writer thought it was a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes, and found the album slightly irritating. More run-of-the-mill than the Long Lankins of Rock n Roll.
A “Raconteur” = someone who can tell interesting anecdotes at dinner parties. I’m sure they’ve got a load of interesting celeb goss, and some nice tales from back in the day, but it doesn’t seem to filter down into their music, which is self-indulgent at best, and at worst, a bit boring.
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Rather than being a full on mesh of musical genii, it’s a direct 50/50 split between Jack White and Brendon Benson songs. No mushing of influence, no compromise, its just two blokes with very distinctive styles, and their mates, pratting about. Although it must be said, that Jack White’s efforts are, by and large, the stand out tracks on this album, but that is a matter
of preference. It really is a case of ‘Either/Or' though. That's not a reference to the Elliot Smith album by the way.
There’s one word to describe this album: Psychedelia-lite. Ok maybe two words. Point is, if they want some proper full on hard-core Psych rock, then take a look at Vanilla Fudge (there’s a particularly amazing performance on U-Tube), or maybe even dig out an old Led Zeppelin album, that should do it.
The Raconteurs are bound to always do well commercially, because Jack White is in it. And they'll forever have their hub of devoted fans to keep them going. But to the larger population, they're just a band that make OK music.
So nice try guys, but no cigar.
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