Jack White – Lazaretto

Releasedate: 10-06-2014; Label: Third Man Records/XL Recordings/Columbia Records
By: Basak Günel

The multi-talented musician, record producer, actor, designer and writer (yes, he is multi-talented indeed!) Jack White is back with his second full-length solo album “Lazaretto”. Most of you probably know him from The White Stripes, which disbanded in 2011. However, his solo career is quite different; with the two solo albums “Blunderbuss” (2012) and “Lazaretto”, we get to experience Jack White in his most simple and artistic ways. Sure, he had a distinctive style with each band that he was active in but with his solo project, everyone will hear the essence of a typical Jack White sound. The interesting and amazing fact is that this essence and root is clearer in the latest record “Lazaretto”.

If you ask me what’s different with this record, I can tell you that it’s more progressive but also more rock’n’roll with elements from soul and funk. The listener can hear that in the first song “Three Women” and also in “Lazaretto” and “Would You Fight for My Love”. Besides, the album has generally a ‘slow’ approach; “Entitlement” and “Temporary Ground” show us that calm and typical American soul/rock’n’roll form in Jack White’s own style! I personally loved the female vocals in “Temporary Ground”; this is surely one of the highlights of this album. Let’s not forget the (kind-of) instrumental song “High Ball Stepper”, which shows just how diverse a classic Jack White album can get with the e-guitar riffs and catchy melodies! In contrary to the previous record, “Lazaretto” is not all about the dynamic e-guitars and the vocals though ; the listener will get to feel the diversity through some instruments like violin (“Temporary Ground”) or piano (“Alone in My Home”).

“Lazaretto” may not be as dynamic as Jack White’s previous record “Blunderbuss” but it’s surely more progressive – which is a good sign- and mature with the authentic Jack White sound. With the second album, the listeners are shown a different and a calmer side of Mr. White mixed with oldies and the new sound. “Lazaretto” is a record to listen to after a long and tiring day and it’s also great for the ones craving for some old rock’n’roll!

Tracklist: 01. Three Women 02. Lazaretto 03. Temporary Ground 04. Would You Fight For My Love? 05. High Ball Stepper 06. Just One Drink 07. Alone In My Home 08. Entitlement 09. That Black Bat Licorice 10. I Think I Found The Culprit 11. Want and Able

Links:
Jack White Official