This review refers to
Consolers Of The Lonely (CD version).
If the Raconteurs first album was a fine introduction, then 'Consoler's of the Lonely' is certainly an emphatic confirmation of the band's quality and potential.
Opening with a couple of crushing slices of hard-edged blues-rock ('Consoler of the Lonely', 'Salute Your Solution') the album matures, twist and turns through its 14 varied, and more importantly, excellent tracks.
Brendan Benson's skills shine through on 'You Don't Understand Me' beautifully complimented by soaring 'storytelling' vocals from Jack White.
The influence of The White Stripes is more evident on this album than the first ('Five on the Five', 'Attention') but the vibe switches from garage-rock ('Hold Up') to epic blues-folk ('Many Shades of Black') at ease.
There's elements of The Who in the latter stages ('Rich Kid Blues', 'These Stones Will Shout') which give the album a classic-rock, maybe even progressive feel, which they do superbly. Patrick Keeler does his best Keith Moon impression on the fomer and White's crunching guitars throughout keep things rocking until 'Carolina Drama's beautiuful finale.
Even at 14 tracks it never feels too long and with a good pace, ecletic nature and a great combination of styles and musicianship, this is one of the albums of the year so far.