The Raconteurs: Consolers of The Lonely Review
The Rock Superband's Second Studio Released Album.
Mar 3, 2009
The Raconteurs (also known as, The Saboteurs) are considered to be a “Super Band” in alternative music. The eccentric band is comprised of four previously established musicians that have each achieved mainstream success through other musical endeavors; Jack White, Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler, and Jack Lawrence.
The band has achieved a great amount of success in the short time that they have been together; including, two Grammy Award nominations for their debut album, “Broken Boy Soldier”, and seven charts topping hit singles.
On March 25th 2008, the alternative/blues rock band unconventionally released their second album to the public, within only a few weeks of its completion. Here is a review of The Raconteurs' latest album, “Consolers of the Lonely”:
Album Information
The Raconteurs’ second album, “Consolers of the Lonely”, was named after a Charles William Eliot quote, which states,” Messenger of sympathy and love, servant of parted friends, consoler of the lonely, bond of the scattered family, enlarger of the common life”. ((March 18, 2008), "Raconteurs: Who are the 'Consolers Of The Lonely'?" NME.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-02). The bands co-founder and singer, Jack White, is said to have discovered the quote, inscribed on the side of a postal office wall in Washington D.C.
The band began recording their second album in early February of 2008 at Blackbird Recording Studio D in Nashville, Tennessee. The album was self produced by the band’s founding members, Jack White and Brendan Benson, and was rapidly completed in only a little over a month from the date that the eccentric rockers first started recording.
Even more extraordinary than the band’s superhuman speed in recording their latest album was its completely unorthodox release. A mere three weeks after the band finished the recording for the album, “Consolers of the Lonely”; The Raconteurs unconventionally rush-released their second album to the public on March 25th 2008, with absolutely no prior promotion. A writer for The Observer, dubbed the release, “One of the most exciting musical events of 2008”. (Empire, Kitty (30 March 2008), "Review: Critics: Releases: CD OF THE WEEK: The Raconteurs want to tell you a story: The Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely". The Observer. :20)
Immediately after the off-beat band’s surprise release, speculation of the band’s true motives behind the hasty album release began to stir among the press. Some viewed the rush-release as clever publicity stunt, because it allowed the album to obtain a large amount of media attention, while completely evading any critical response.
Review "Consolers of the Lonely"
The Raconteurs have successfully exceeded all of their listener’s hopes and expectations for their second album. “Consolers of the Lonely” more closely resembles an epilogue to the band’s first album, “Broken Boy Soldier”, than a follow up; immaculately picking right back up where the band last left off on their 2005 debut.
“Consolers of the Lonely” is filled with inventive songs that flawlessly deliver the band’s imitable musical style of eccentric classic rock and blues rhythms. The album contains 14 fan-pleasing tracks, with an exceptional mix of radio-friendly songs, such as the album’s first single release, “Salute Your Solution”; and Lo-Fi blues inspired ballads, such as “Carolina Drama” and “You Don’t Understand Me”.
The Raconteurs second album, “Consolers of the Lonely”, is rated a 10 out of 10, for its brilliant blend of classic rock and blues inspired tracks that perfectly captures the “Super Band’s” unique musical style.
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