Album Review: Blunderbuss

Jack White himself busts out the Rhodes piano scale that so startlingly launches us into opener Missing Pieces. “I was in the shower so I could not tell my nose was bleeding.” This is the first phrase White croons on his debut solo outing and it serves as a reminder that to miss a single lyric would be considered a serious blunder. Sixteen Saltines incorporates an urgent intro as memorable as that of Beds Are Burning by the Oils. Love Interruption was love at first listen and each subsequent airing further romances your lobes – it's lascivious enough to leave a hickey. There's something visceral about White's vocal affectations and imitators are destined to fail. Hypocritical Kiss is perfectly complemented by Brooke Waggoner's lilting piano – bewitchingly deadly. Piano is the instrumental thread that resounds throughout this release, luring you into the saloon for some moonshine during Prohibition. Little Willie John cover I'm Shakin' sounds like Little Richard's ghost visited White in the studio to embody this tremblin' tune that's simultaneously nostalgic and new: White's is a more up-tempo take, but the female BVs retain authenticity. The way he pronounces “noivous” is bound to bring you to your knees. Acerbic jam Trash Tongue Talker follows to continue the brilliance.

“Who's jealous, who's jealous, who's jealous, who's jealous of who?” Every musician who's ever existed (or is yet to exist) is jealous of you, sir! Who else could get away with dressing up like a mourning widow for their album cover and still look universally doable? Blunderbuss wrestles with Elephant (The White Stripes) for supremacy within White's astonishing body of work.