Boys and Girls, I have a very strong suspicion that this is going to win Album of the Year at the Grammy's next year...
When I heard about the album earlier in the year, my friend Ted sent me link to a youtube video - that talked about all the gimmicks Third Man Records baked into the album for people willing to spring for the ULTRA vinyl edition.
It worked on me... I picked mine up on release day. On gimmicks alone, this album would have cracked the top 20. It just so happened to be one of the most rewarding listens of the year.
I can't think of a better mainstream release in 2014 and I'm not saying that because I spent a good part of my 20's in the Motor City - loving all things White Stripes. If you listen to this record repeatedly, I think this album captures a sound that Jack has been trying to find for a very, very long time. As a longtime fan, I often found the constructs around his musical output to be obstacles.
- The color schemes of red & white, the defined box of guitar and drum only.
- Being one fourth of a full band that featured Brendan Benson
- Finally striking out on his own, moving to Nashville - forming two backing bands of sorts, one that was made up of all women and another that had incredible session musicians of all races... new colors- blue, black and white.
He's reached some rarified air on this record... if you haven't given it a proper listen, you're genuinely cheating yourself from an amazing experience.
Recommended tracks:
