The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers (CD 2006)

The Raconteurs is a side-project; a break from the day job for four established musicians, most notably Jack White. These guys are not trying to change the world with ‘Broken Boy Soldiers’, they are merely enjoying themselves and this point seems to have been lost on some.

The album should not be judged in the context of other releases by White or Benson but be viewed for what it is; a great rock album – no more no less.

In just over 33 minutes the band rip through a dizzying range of styles. It almost feels like a potted history of rock. ‘Steady As She Goes’s loping bassline and quiet-loud guitar dynamic instantly recalls Pixies; ‘Hands’ is a grand guitar-pop number reminiscent of ‘Bends’-era Radiohead and the title track is mutant 70s blues-rock a la Led Zeppelin.

‘Intimate Secretary’ is a great indie-thrash track with superbly eccentric lyrics: ‘I gotta rabbit it likes to hop/I gotta girl and she likes to shop’ which make you smile until the band come out with: ‘I had an uncle but he got shot’. The smooth sound of ‘Together’ reminded me weirdly of ‘Easy’ by the Commodores, but that might be just me.

‘Store Bought Bones’ features a blast of squally guitars which would be quite at home on a Butthole Surfers track whilst the album closes with the bar-room blues of ‘Call It a Day’ and ‘Blue Veins’, the latter quite creepy and experimental.

The songwriting and musicianship are is of a very high standard throughout, all of the tracks are so different to each other but memorable in their own way. Love it, great fun.