The Raconteurs is the hobby project of Jack White (The White Stripes) and Brendan Benson that got out of hand. Together they write the songs, supplemented by drummer Patrick Keeler and bass player Jack Lawrence, the band is complete. Both preferences of the frontmen (White's primary rock and Benson's power pop) come together nicely in fourteen artisanal songs, which are given enough urgency to
… convince, especially through White's inspired vocals. In essence, The Raconteurs is a rock band in the tradition of the great bands of the sixties and seventies (The Who, The Stones, The Kinks), who also enthusiastically brought back to life styles from the past. The basic instruments are regularly supplemented with keys and wind instruments. On Consolers Of The Lonely, The Raconteurs sound elated like boys let loose in a toy store. At the same time, music is played with a lot of dedication and discipline, making the record far from without obligation. (MS)more
