THE REVIEW of - The Raconteurs - Consoler Of The Lonely

The Raconteurs have followed up their 2006 album 'Broken Boy Soldiers' with their new album ‘Consoler of the Lonely’. This ‘super’ band, formed by Jack White (The White Stripes) and Brendan Benson (The Greenhornes) finished the album during the first week of march and yet it released worldwide on all formats four weeks later. They didn’t want to announce the release and wanted the album to suddenly appear in the shops.! A tricky task for their record label indeed.!!

'Consoler Of The Lonely' - A powercord riff kicks off the album as Benson accompanied with bass and tamborine wails about being ‘bored to tears’. The track is broken up with electric slash-style riffs which also bring the opener to an end.
A raw Raconteur opener to the album.

'Salute Your Solution' - Tipped to be the first single off the album, this face-paced number is a rocking tune with some strong Jack white guitaring and vocals to boot. The dampened bass riff gives the track a psychedelic twinge as Mr White sings: "I did what I did just to spite you"in his trademark high pitched voice.
Rocky (not Stallone), powerful, pacey.

'You Don't Understand Me' - A much slower track brings a different direction to the album. Some harmonising piano playing, mixed with explosive licks and crashing cymbols complement the tune as White continues in his rising and falling vocals.
A likable melody with WhiteStripe style mayhem.

'Old Enough' - This jingly jangly country tune kicks off with an intro full of fiddles, in a barn dance-esq style. This quickish tempo’d song, sung by both Benson and White has a hum-a-long feel with quirky lyrics "You look pretty in your fancy dress, but I detect unhappiness", and drawn out verse endingssssssssss.
Very Raconteur, with a fiddle thrown in.

'The Switch And The Spur' - This dynamic lively story-telling track begins with atmospheric ivory tickling followed by a small brass section before Jack White tells a story about sweat, blood, poison. This track has a constant change of pace mixed with piano, brass and drums intwinded with heavy guitar and Bass riffs.
An atmospheric number with a story – Once upon a time.

'Hold Up' - Hold Up, Hold Up, Hold Up” is screamed by the band to make sure you don’t forget what you’re listening to as the album takes another turn in direction. An awesome, almost chilling riff fires off this definite rock song and continues as it hurtles along with Benson taking the lead in the vocal department.
More rock then roll, and keeps you interested.

'Top Yourself' - How you gonna top yourself when there is nobody else? How you gonna do it by yourself, 'cos I'm not gonna be here to help you" White sings in this country, hillbilly-style tune that grows into a melee of acoustic guitar, cymbals and banjo plucking. A mid-paced song with a dark content.
A Jack White influence tune, sombre but catchy.

'Many Shades Of Black' - The brass is back as this un- raconteur like tune changes the flow of the album entirely. That is until Jack White pops up at the end with a thrusting guitar riff which accompanies Bensons tones.
Very pop/rock, almost Queen like, makes you want to sway from side to side.

'Five On The Five' - The tempo is upped again as this fast-paced number throws the albums focus once more. Jack Whites sublime guitar playing and his screeching vocals provide this track with a punk-like feel. No wonder this was a crowd pleaser when performed during their first tour in 06.
My choice as first single, upbeat and hard hitting.

'Attention' - Heavy drum and basslines relent to a quick paced guitar riff as Jack White sings about ‘having his attention, petty excuses and disease’. The tune ends oddly with a organ and fiery guitar.
Not polished, not pop, not pretty, but interesting.

'Pull This Blanket Off' - A very short dramatic piano-led number, with White singing "I wanna believe in you". Very White Stripes like with heavy bursts of guitar.
One of the album's shortest songs, clocking in at just over a minute.

'Rich Kid Blues' - Things slow down again as Benson moans of having the "Rich kid blues" before the song builds dramatically, with showy drum stabs and hypnotic guitar twangs, things suddenly cut out and White is singing over acoustic piano. The song then swells again before another crescendo. A optimistic song that, unlike the rest of the album so far, doesn't place emphasis on huge riffs and guitar lines... until the end, when a big punchy-riff kicks in.
Classy song with the whole band combining stylishly. Favorite song on the album..

'These Stones Will Shout' - Acoustic-led number, with White singing over campfire guitars followed by deft percussion. Then suddenly thudding drums and a lightning riff signal the second half of the song, which is almost unrecognisable to the first.
Peaking and troughing with a cosmic type effect until the song peaks with a crescendo of hammering drums.
A song of two halves, different but both equally enjoyable.

'Carolina Drama' - A slower, almost blues like tune closes the album, as White tells a story about a troubled boy with "blue tattoos" named Billy. This colorful imaginative song, full of dancing guitar and undulating violin ends the album with a chorus lalala’s and the need of a confession off the milkman.
Another different tune from band, but with a White Stripe overtone.

CONCLUSION: - The switching tempo and style of the tunes keep your attention as Whites screeching vocals, complimented by Bensons more mellow tones allow the album to flow well. The mixture of random instruments add to the diversity of the album which in turn throws up a few surprises.

Don’t get me wrong it still sounds very Raconteur like, and is as, if not more enjoyable as their first album. They have simply added a few more strings to their bow, or guitar if you pardon the pun.
A energy filled album from the quartet with plenty of massive riffs and songs to be enjoyed at the summer festival.

FACT: ‘Consolers of the lonely’ inspired by the inscription which can be found on the southwest corner of Washington DC’s main post office is available to buy and in shops now.
The Shado