The Raconteurs

Old time music just like they didn't make in the old days

Consolers of the Lonely

In 2006 with the release of Broken Boy Soldier, The Raconteurs were desperate to convince us they weren't just White Stripes Mark II, although Jack White repeatedly saying they weren't, just added fuel to the fire.

But time plays out and Broken Boy holds tight as a blunt and bluesy triumph.

So what happens next?

Well first of, it's not a good start to annoy the industry and Consolers of the Lonely has rubbed some up the wrong way.

The Raconteurs are so sure/confident/arrogant/nervous (delete as appropriate) of their work, they didn't release advance copies for review. Some critics take this as an admission that it's going to be awful while the artist suggests write-ups are meaningless and let's just let the fans decide.

The fans will decide and the fans will like it.

But the band's insecurity/persecution complex (delete as appropriate!) means this album is unlikely to reach out to a wider audience. And the truth is it probably doesn't deserve to either.

This patchy offering has its highlights like You Don’t Understand Me and Many Shades of Black, but the dramatic shift in speed, style and emotionally-draining drum beat make this a messy affair.

At times, the album doesn’t seem to have a coherent strand holding it together and then it offers up some excellent lyrics and talented musicianship.

We're left with an empty feeling, rather like a big, fat cream desert on meringue with no filling.

Consolers of the Lonely is probably what will be needed for the few fans that will really love this album.

They say: 'Apparent belief that if you write a decent guitar riff, you don't have to bother with a chorus.' Sunday Times

We say: Cream puffs? Show us the fruit, boys.

Best Track: You Don't Understand Me – floaty and full

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