Boarding House Reach — Jack White Review
White’s album is getting tongues wagging, but I don’t get the hype.
⅖ Stars
Last week Jack White released his third solo album, Boarding House Reach. Now, I have to admit, I have never been a fan of White’s solo music, and much preferred the White Stripes work, however having heard a fair bit of buzz about this album thought I would have a listen and write a review.
Boarding House Reach is a fairly average length for a rock album, with 13 tracks amassing to some 44 minutes. The striking album art is a real standout part for me, and the lightning blue “cloud-hair” sits perfectly against the black background below in a beautifully mysterious way.
As far as the music goes, I have to say I was disappointed. The opening track Connected By Love suggests a dark tone for the album, but it doesn’t really continue for the next 40 minutes. There are weird avant-garde moments, like Abulia and Akrasia and Ezmerelda Steals the Show wedged between semi-cool neo-noir bluesy rock tracks, but it doesn’t quite flow. White talked openly about writing the album in a single room by himself, and it kind of shows to me in the final product. Credit must be given to tracks like Get in the Mind Shaft and Respect Commander for being truly original, creative and funky in a progressive way as far as Respect Commander is concerned. The gems hidden on Boarding House Reach don’t stand out enough though through the semi-pretentious muck. You are left wondering if rock staples like the acoustic-esque What’s Done is Done are the real sound that White wants, or if it’s cool progressive things like Respect Commander that he wants to be remembered for.
Humoresque, the final track of the album is in some ways one of the highlights. This Gershwin-does-piano-rock track is a really interesting diversion from the rest of the material, and you almost wish that this cool loungy harmonic exploration was what he had gone for with the whole album. Strong production value sits alongside some parts that sound half finished, and whilst White will continue to be praised by rock journalists, you can’t help but feel that a sense of direction and purpose would be nice.
Sam Marshall is a freelance musician, writer and reviewer based in SW UK.
