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Amazon.co.uk Review
Rush-released in secrecy, the story goes that The Raconteurs wanted their album to appear in shops without any fanfare, as if it had always been there. It didn't work that way, but Consolers of the Lonely can certainly lay claim to being an album that is at once familiar and accessible--indeed, it won't be long before it'll seem like an indispensable part of your collection. The two opening songs lay out the sonic blueprint with a loose, rocking feel exemplified by overloaded lead guitar lines, fuzz bass and huge drums, with plenty of dynamic interplay between the vocals. Like Lennon & McCartney at their best, it's often hard to tell who is singing until one or the other takes the lead, while their dual guitar playing approach is similarly twinned, all ably supported by a rhythm section that's both nimble and powerful. Despite the strong offerings throughout, the best is saved until last with "Carolina Drama", a Jack White-led murder story-song that threatens to collapse under its own weight until the singalong ending breaks the tension. In short then, a huge improvement over the slightly underwhelming debut, and as good as anything else produced by the band's individual components. --Thom Allot
Review
Who'd have thought it? We already know that Jack White and his pals' 'side project' amounted to far more than a spot of indie dilettantism when Broken Boy Soldiers turned out to be such an ace proposition. But would you have bet money that the follow up - sprung on critic and public simultaneously - would better it? Because it does. Oh yes. Jack's back. And Brendan too..
Forged in the heat of Summer 2005 in Detroit, the mixture of White's blues rock and Brendan Benson's more lush Beatlisms was intriguing from the off. But while the rushed quality of the first album was tempered by the democracy of giving both writers equal space, Consolers...is more considered and balanced fare. Witness a song like Old Enough. It's a jugband romp, full of fiddle 'n' fuzz that resurrects the ghost of clever '70s pop rock and still finds room for White's lo-fi squeal. And whereas Broken Boy Soldiers ultimately belonged to White, Benson's superb You Don't Understand Me may well be the best thing on offer here. The production also benefits from the proper studio setting of Nashville's Blackbird studio.
Some songs cover so many bases they leave you dizzy. These Stones Will Shout goes from folk rock to Yardbirds stomp while barely pausing to draw breath. More often thsn not it can recall the vertiginous rush of The Small Faces' finest moments.
There's still a mighty gulf between White and Benson, but here they seem to have pulled off the near-alchemical trick of combining the two strands into a coherent whole. The Switch And The Spur vacillates between Mariachi fever dream and '60s slink. And lest we forget, this isn't just some vanity project, the Raconteurs, at all times, come across as a very tight BAND. Patrick Keeler's drums' swagger and precision makes quite a contrast to the garage thrash of Meg White, that's for sure.
Consolers... oozes confidence. Hardcore Stripes fans may bemoan the 'uncool' sheen of professionalism that coats this album, but this beats Icky Thump by a country mile. And they still find time for the dirty romp of tracks like Hold Up or the almost Thin Lizzy-ish Attention (both of which which boast the same weird wiggy keyboard). It has 'classic' stamped all over it. If the parent bands represented here split tomorrow, who'd care? It stands on its own, and then some... --Dennis O'Dell
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first saw the Raconteurs at Reading two years ago and was completely blown away by their set. I liked White Stripes before that, but this was much, much richer and more varied. It seemed as if JW had really found had found the perfect context for his mercurial talent...
So I bought Broken Boy Soldiers on the strength of the concert and was mildly disappointed. Sure, Steady As She Goes is catchy and Intimate Secretary or Store Boght Bones are terrific tracks but they kind of paled in comparison to the live performance.
So when Consolers of the Lonely came out, I wasn't entirely sure whether I really needed another Raconteurs studio album. However, the love of my life bought it for me and I will be forever grateful that she did!
The album is an absolute gem from start to finish. It is more varied and confident than SBB and it doesn't have a weak track on it. There are some standout tracks such as You Don't Understand Me, Rich Kid Blues and These Stones Will Shout, but really you'll want to listen to all of this over and over again.
One of the albums of the year without a doubt!
So I bought Broken Boy Soldiers on the strength of the concert and was mildly disappointed. Sure, Steady As She Goes is catchy and Intimate Secretary or Store Boght Bones are terrific tracks but they kind of paled in comparison to the live performance.
So when Consolers of the Lonely came out, I wasn't entirely sure whether I really needed another Raconteurs studio album. However, the love of my life bought it for me and I will be forever grateful that she did!
The album is an absolute gem from start to finish. It is more varied and confident than SBB and it doesn't have a weak track on it. There are some standout tracks such as You Don't Understand Me, Rich Kid Blues and These Stones Will Shout, but really you'll want to listen to all of this over and over again.
One of the albums of the year without a doubt!
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am a bloke in his mid forties who grew up in the seventies on a diet of music ranging from Cream to Joni Mitchell,Led Zeppelin to Nick Drake and David Bowie to Free.
I own 1000 vinyl albums and about 600 CD's. Do not write reviews on here very often as find most are written by people only interested in a particular genre rather than a love of complete range of music.
And now to the point. This is a truly astonihing record. The best thing i have heard in years. White and Benson have combined to create a mini masterpiece. Raw powerful blues based rock n roll.
People moan about it being derivative, but heh what isn't or ever has been?
From the kickass rock of Attention to the blues/soul of Many Shades of Black this has it all.
Come on Britich bands. We made the best rock and roll in the sixties and seventies. We can do again. Am i the only one bored with a string of mediorce post punk wannabees? Rather than listening to The Velvets,Gang of Four and Joy Division....put on some Cream,Stones, Zeppelin and this and make our music more interesting again.
BUY BUY BUY. You wont be disappointed.
I own 1000 vinyl albums and about 600 CD's. Do not write reviews on here very often as find most are written by people only interested in a particular genre rather than a love of complete range of music.
And now to the point. This is a truly astonihing record. The best thing i have heard in years. White and Benson have combined to create a mini masterpiece. Raw powerful blues based rock n roll.
People moan about it being derivative, but heh what isn't or ever has been?
From the kickass rock of Attention to the blues/soul of Many Shades of Black this has it all.
Come on Britich bands. We made the best rock and roll in the sixties and seventies. We can do again. Am i the only one bored with a string of mediorce post punk wannabees? Rather than listening to The Velvets,Gang of Four and Joy Division....put on some Cream,Stones, Zeppelin and this and make our music more interesting again.
BUY BUY BUY. You wont be disappointed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of those albums I put on if someone complains that music 'is not what it used to be'. It is a rare moment where brilliant musicians and song writers find themselves in the studio at the top of their game. No pretensions. Pure, honest Rock and Roll. All the influences are there. Townsend, Page etc....
It's a shame the first single was 'I salute..' because this is the weakest on the album in my opinion.
It's a shame the first single was 'I salute..' because this is the weakest on the album in my opinion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I keep going back....
I really enjoy this album. It was actually given to me as a gift from a friend who thought I'd like it. Well...he was right..I do like it...a lot. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Fazool
Consolers of the Lonely- The Raconteurs. Listen and you'll love
Background
Up until a couple of months ago, I had never heard of the Raconteurs. The band are a four piece arrancement fronted by former White Stripes vocalist Jack... Read more
Up until a couple of months ago, I had never heard of the Raconteurs. The band are a four piece arrancement fronted by former White Stripes vocalist Jack... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by C. Buck
Possibly the best sounding album ever.
The vinyl edition of this album sounds amazing, with everything sounding realistic and natural (except Jack White's distorted guitar of course). Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2009 by Rock 'N' Roll fan
It's not Whie Stripes
If you bought this because your a Jack Black fan you maybe disappointed buy Icky Thump instead if you don't already have it
It is a good album but I found I had to listen to... Read more
It is a good album but I found I had to listen to... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Mr. Blue
Jack White can do no wrong and is a music genius!
I have all the White Stripes albums and the first Raconters ablum. Overall Consolers Of The Lonely is a stronger ablum then Broken Boy Soldiers and, has many different styles of... Read more
Published on 27 May 2009 by Dragonlord
Breathtakingly Diverse
Well done guys. A very special album that manages to have so much of what is great about Jack White without sounding like more of the same. Read more
Published on 12 April 2009 by Ahashaker
Great music - abysmal sound quality
From a musical point of view I really like this album. Broken Boy Soldier was already very good and a tough act to follow. This is a superb follow up! Read more
Published on 3 April 2009 by Chris
Better Live
Great Album but does not come anywhere near their live performances. 2008 Pyramid Stage at Glasto they were just awsome, saw some of the best guitar switches between Jack and... Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2009 by C. THOMPSON
Lonely no more
Should get six stars when I can only give it five! A powerful mix to appeal to those with a taste for a spendid blend of rock/country/folk.... Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2008 by J.J.
Rock on Benson and White
Jack White is a talent, no doubt about that. But so is Brendan Benson, it was always going to be fascinating to see how these two managed to combine their main product with this... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2008 by M. Speller
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