An old dog’s new tricks

Although they split in 2011, The White Stripes left their mark on the rock world during their 14-year career. The success of the band left many opportunities for Jack White to pursue a solo career. Over the years, this has included acting, founding his own record label (Third Man Records), producing and collaborating with other artists and, most recently, his third solo album, Boarding House Reach. The album is a piece of art in one sense, somehow held together by creative lyricism and interesting and brave experimentation. In another sense, it’s a piece of work, a rough draft that needs to be fine-tuned.

White clearly was not afraid to try something new with this album, but although his musical eccentricity is daring and brave, it may go a little overboard. His first two albums, Blunderbuss and Lazaretto, have warranted an extensive and impressive list of awards including multiple Grammys and White being named one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” However, while Blunderbuss and Lazaretto were pure rock albums with some gentler tracks sprinkled throughout, it is impossible to pin down one specific genre for Boarding House Reach. The tracks vary from rock to pop, to even White’s version of hip-hop as he does what can only be described as rap on “Ice Station Zebra.”

“Over and Over and Over” is a track that was originally written as a song for The White Stripes which is clear upon listening. The thrashing guitar makes it feel like a The White Stripes’ song while the modernized chanting of “over and over” helps it fit well into this album. This track as well as “Connected By Love” and “Respect Commander” are some of the more rock-centric tracks that will leave listeners reminiscing about White’s past albums. Yet even these tracks have a modern synthesized sound rather than White’s traditionally organic feel. Another rock-leaning track, “Corporation,” features heavy guitar with minimal lyrics and occasional interludes of bongo.

When listening to the rest of the album, it may take listeners by surprise that this album is by one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Many tracks feature White doing what seems to be his own rendition of spoken word to some quirky background music. “Abulia and Akrasia” showcases White speaking nonsensical rhymes to a background of violin, piano and flute. In “Ezmerelda Steals the Show,” White tells a story to nothing more than a simple repeating guitar tune.

Jack White is undeniably a rock ‘n roll star, and with this album, he is undeniably a risk-taker. Although not all of his risks pay off, the album is an exciting listen throughout each track. White’s solo career most likely is not stopping here as this album proves he has many ideas to explore. Sadly, he was just not able to rope all of them together into one cohesive album with Boarding House Reach.