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Consolers Of The Lonely | 
| Manufacturer: Warner Bros.
Buy New: $8.99
Rating:  88 reviews
Sales Rank: 97
Genre: alternative-music
Media: Music Download
Running Time: 0 Minutes
ASIN: B0016CQCMQ
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 83 more reviews...
 Simply one of the best albums of 2008 and new directions for the Racs March 25, 2008
BluesFan (High desert Arizona)
85 out of 90 found this review helpful
First of all, forget whatever you thought you knew about The Raconteurs. This album would be hard-pressed to be much more different from "Broken Boy Soldiers," their 2006 debut. From Jack's first searing guitar notes of the title track, which opens the album, through the quirky Dylan-esque "Carolina Drama" that closes it, this album shows that the Racs did not just drive up to the stop light and then continue on after the light changed. They hung a right and buried the gas.
What's different from "Broken Boy Soldiers"? The energy level is higher, for one thing. While there is a mix of different paced songs on the album, overall they've taken the energy to a new level. The first album had a "sound" that extended throughout the entire album; this does not. It's also not as polished an album as their first (and that's a good thing, not a bad thing - nor is it a criticism of "Broken Boy Soldiers"). While Brendan's pop-meister sensibilities and skills are evident (their cover of Terry Reid's "Rich Kid Blues" is a good example), they are not as pronounced as on "Broken Boy Soldiers". There are some rough edges to the sound that add to the energy and a dark edginess that lurks in the background ("Top Yourself" is an excellent example). Some of their influences, such as country, are more obvious (Dirk Powell's fiddling is lovely). And Jack III's love of the blues is much more evident. The use of the Memphis Horns on some tracks raised my eyebrows until I heard them; the use is sparing and fits beautifully (I can't begin to count how many rock songs have been ruined by the addition of horns - Jackie Bollweevil and Brendan Boy knew exactly what they were doing here). And some of Jack's slide work will positively make your skin crawl!
It's premature for me to add any detailed commentary on the individual songs (I've only given the album three careful [translate: headphones] listens, although it's been playing constantly since I got it), but "Carolina Drama" is definitely my fave so far - it's killer good. Side note: "Five On The Five" has evolved considerably since it was played in concerts on the 2006 tour.
What I can say is, even though it's only March, this is easily one of the best albums of 2008, and it's going to be very heavily played at this house for a long time to come. My advice is to buy this album, put it in your car stereo, turn it up all the way, and drive around town with all the windows down (even if it's snowing, and definitely in the rain) - that is what rock `n' roll was intended for, and this is most definitely rock `n' roll of the first order.
While this album is very different from "Broken Boy Soldiers", it is absolutely outstanding in every way. This is grand stuff, indeed. So much for the sophomore album jinx.
The Racs are back,
Pickin' up the slack.
"...white milk dripped down with the blood..." March 26, 2008
Laurie Eckhout (Juneau, AK USA)
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
Drama. (My one-word review)
This is not a continuation of Broken Boy Soldier. It is the Raconteurs creating a complete package of material that is in a whole 'nother building from BBS.
This release feels more collaborative and polished. Some songs do seem to have a bit too much going on with extended instrumentals and even some of the chorus/harmonizing might have been pared down because it comes off as a bit 'indulgent.' This is really my only complaint and it is minor. I gave it 5 not 4 stars.
A couple songs sound like what used to be called 'acid-rock' in the early 70's and would have fit in nicely between my Grand Funk Railroad lps and The Who. Specifically, Hold Up & These Stones...fit this description. They are 'reminiscent' not carbon copies.
"Old Enough" has an almost bluegrass flavour to it. Brendan and Jack harmonize as well as CSNY here.
"Top Yourself" is a lyrically fun, risque piece that probably could have been sub-titled: 'master of your own domain.' Nothing here the kiddies can't listen to. Subtlety abounds.
"Many Shades of Black" is uber-dramatic. The singing is sublime. The lyrics, melody and horns make it an atmospheric piece that makes me think of a small dark (aren't they all) nightclub featuring a band too good to be there. I don't know why....
"Carolina Drama" My review title uses a line from this song. It is a song with a driving beat, driving lyrics and a melody that you can't help but fall into. It is my favorite on the record and should become a classic, much like Eminem's, "Stan" or even "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." Have a listen, you'll understand. It is brilliant and perfectly sung.
"Jack's Voice." Okay, it's not a song title but I have to comment. I think he is one of the most underrated singers out there. He pulls off a brilliant punk-like warble (in this and all his endeavors). He can sing sweetly. There is an 'unpredictable' aspect to his voice that is endlessly fascinating to listen to; random cracks that may or may not be intentional. Brendan is a fantastic singer. But for me, Jack is infinately more interesting.
cheers,
Laurie
 FRIVOLOUS SOFT ROCK, TRY HARDER March 25, 2008
Frank O'Hara (UK)
21 out of 50 found this review helpful
First of all I have no beef with Jack White, second of all I am not an obsessed fan like the rest of the reviewers appear to be. This record is not a good record, still this record will sell because of the White Stripes huge fan-base who will buy anything and everything Jack White produces. I thought the first Raconteurs album mediocre and was hoping for some progression/improvement with this one, I am disappointed on both counts. What made the Raconteurs different from the White Stripes is the equal division of labour between Benson and White, this gave the Band hope of being something other than a WS spin-off. Sadly White dominates this second album, which for all those in love with him with or obsessed with his 'rock-God' status will make it a good album.
The truth is it is weak, extremely unoriginal, filled with cringing cliches, it is the kind of music that back in the 70s initiated the punk movement, and I know this will be unpopular with the Jack White adoring masses but there is nothing alternative, indie, original, progressive about this album, it is frivolous soft rock, with ridiculous posturing guitar solos. What's more it appears to have been thrown together in a hurry to capitalise on the Raconteurs popularity before it evaporates with the passage of time. The same goes for the Salute Video from this album, thrown together from a photo-shoot - TRY HARDER RACONTEURS.
I note with interest that the reviewer who gave one star has received several offensive comments, this is not in the spirit of reviewing a record. EVERYONE is entitled to say what they think and it is quite amusing to me that the 5 star supporters are so defensive that this album might receive criticism, it makes me wonder whether they aren't taking it all a bit too personally. OBJECTIVITY RULES!
Rushed to get released, but you can't tell in the quality! Great Record! April 1, 2008
JR Media Freak (Wisconsin)
16 out of 19 found this review helpful
Jack White is so influential and popular right now that when he tells the record company that he wants this album released on a certain date or else he is going elsewhere...it happens!
Sometimes a rushed release date has its drawbacks such as mistakes in the packaging or poor sound quality. However, this album is superb in every way! The album artwork is cool with the retro photograph, the sound quality is great (the opening guitar sounds massive), and the songs are all well written and recorded.
I cannot top the other reviews here going into a whole lot of detail on the songs etc, but I have listened to the album all the way through at least 4 times. It is a little more rockin' than the first release. The guitars sound great (probably recorded really raw with an old tube amp and a microphone). It is a great album! If you like The White Stripes or The Raconteurs 1st album, then pick this one up...you won't be disappointed!
Jamming with Jack and the boys! April 19, 2008
Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria)
14 out of 17 found this review helpful
"Consolers of the lonely" is the sophomore album by White Stripes' Jack White's side group Raconteurs, and while I prefer "Broken boy soldiers" (with its crawling title track and the awesome "Steady as she goes") this is just as good as a whole. As is the case with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs are experimental and the album is musically diverse, you can tell they had a great time recording it.
The sound this time around is crunchier and more fractured, though the mood is mellow, with just a few rockers like lead-off single "Salute your solution" and the title track "Consoler of the lonely", the latter with jagged guitars, tempo shifts from upbeat verses to a sombre chorus and a squealing guitar outro.
"You don't understand me" is a lovely piano-sprinkled ballad with lovely harmonies. "The switch and the spur" has dramatic darting horns and a faint Ska feel. It wouldn't go amiss on the soundtrack to some Western movie.
"Many shades of black" is a retro sounding horn sprinkled pop ballad. The rocker "Five on the five" has a squealing horn/guitar intro, a chugging riff in the verses, squealing vocals, and a punk feel. "Top yourself" is a nice ballad with bursts of guitar for a chorus.
"Carolina drama" is a Western-style ballad with storytelling lyrics about some bloke named Billy, and lovely ethereal vocal breaks. Simply outstanding! "Pull this blanket off" is a slow piano/guitar ballad with an almost hymnal feel, while the similar Blues-tinged "Rich kid blues" eventually picks up speed.
I've loved everything Jack White has done since I fell in love with "White blood cells", and he's been pretty busy the last four years, releasing a White Stripes or Raconteurs album every other year. If you love your rock edgy and experimental, this should be right up your alley.
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