Culture Blues

Music: “Horehound” – The Dead Weather

I am starting to believe that I understand Jack White's modus operandi. Find some people you like and (I can only assume) respect, then get together and make some records. That philosophy makes itself evident before even hearing the first second of the clatter/tuning that opens The Dead Weather's debut record Horehound. A quick peek at the liner notes shows that the musicians White has tapped to support him on his newest side project are (outside of the show stealing Alison Mosshart) the same players who supported his last side project The Raconteurs. Unfortunately for fans of the prolific Mr. White, his last side project made a much stronger first impression.

From the very beginning of the record (after the gratuitous din that I assume is meant to establish atmosphere) it is apparent that this is going to be a very bluesy trip through Jack White's newest interpretation of his "women issues." The first voice you hear on the album is that of Mosshart (best known as frontwoman of The Kills), who brings a seduction and fierceness not heard in any of White's other works. The first track (60 Feet Tall) is a reverb-drenched, empowered echo of female confidence that is punctuated wonderfully by some of White's best recorded guitar playing. The next track (Hang You From The Heavens) was predictably the first single released from the record because it sounds most like The White Stripes (you know, Jack's successful band). The most glaring flaw in this overly contrived promotional move is that the B-side to the single (Treat Me Like Your Mother) is the only track that is fresh and promising and NEW.

All of that being said, the biggest problem I have is the overall disingenuous feeling that seems to permeate the tunes, especially when anyone not named White or Mosshart chimes in with some backing vocals. It never sounds like there is a band making a record. What it more closely resembles is some white boys getting ripped and playing with the blues.