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Boarding House Reach
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Boarding House Reach Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 129 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length solo release for The White Stripes/The Raconteurs artist features contributions from C.W. Stoneking, Esther Rose and Ann & Regina McCrary of The McCrary Sisters.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 22, 2018
    100
    That he’s produced such a full, lush sounding thing packed with personality and life is impressive--but not surprising.
  2. Boston Globe
    Mar 21, 2018
    90
    White does pretty much everything except what fans have learned to expect from him. It’s an ambitious, dizzying, and sometimes challenging listen, but overall makes for one of the most maniacally creative albums of the year.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 26, 2018
    80
    It’s esoteric and unsettling, because he’s done trying to reason with us.
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 13, 2018
    70
    Boarding House Reach's overall flow--conceptually and creatively--is at times unsure and brilliant at once. This is no album of the year contender, nor will it rank too highly on White's saggish discography. Instead, it's thirteen songs of creative madness.
  5. AllMusic
    Mar 23, 2018
    70
    "Corporation" and "Ice Station Zebra," the two funkiest numbers here, illustrate this with their precise grooves, but even the self-consciously weird interludes show this same level of exactitude. While that keeps Boarding House Reach somewhat in a straitjacket, it also makes it a fascinating listen, because it's a document of a control freak anxious to get loose.
  6. NOW Magazine
    Mar 23, 2018
    60
    White’s yelps and screams, reverb, synth and jittery guitar riffs could be more pleasant or cohesive, but that’s not White’s style, especially not on this record. Piling it all on seems to be the point he’s trying to make--this sense of being overwhelmed, constantly, at the hands of technology.
  7. Under The Radar
    Mar 22, 2018
    45
    Despite all the bluster, there's not a lot actually happening on this album. Its songs are collages of ideas that sound great in 10-second chunks but refuse to settle, shifting from fiery riffs to spoken word passages to jazz piano detours. At first, this restlessness has a mad-scientist charm to it but it quickly becomes tiresome.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
  1. DavidCall360
    Mar 23, 2018
    10
    Pure creativity. This album is all over the place, if you like your music simple you'll probably hate this album. I personally think that itPure creativity. This album is all over the place, if you like your music simple you'll probably hate this album. I personally think that it is incredible. At least give it a chance. Also it may be my favorite solo Jack White album.… Expand
  2. crixalis
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    It might not be everyone's cup of tea. While many might find this a bit confusing and all over the place, I think that's exactly what makes itIt might not be everyone's cup of tea. While many might find this a bit confusing and all over the place, I think that's exactly what makes it an excellent album. It's definitely not "safe" or predictable, but it shows a lot more personality and will to experiment new sounds and directions that most of the rock albums out there won't even get close… Expand
  4. DrBlahBlah
    Mar 28, 2018
    9
    One of the most interesting albums in recent memory, it's funky, rappy, bluesy, jazzy, and rocky. It's a manic blend of satire andOne of the most interesting albums in recent memory, it's funky, rappy, bluesy, jazzy, and rocky. It's a manic blend of satire and seriousness, conflicting styles and thrashing instrumentation.… Expand
  5. css
    Apr 11, 2018
    8
    First, where I'm coming from - big fan of White in White Stripes (except Get Behind Me Satan), Raconteurs were OK, big fan of Death Weather'sFirst, where I'm coming from - big fan of White in White Stripes (except Get Behind Me Satan), Raconteurs were OK, big fan of Death Weather's first two albums, and hated White's first two solo albums. I prefer the heavier, guitar riff White (Black Math, Ball n Biscuit) over the sing songy White (insert sing songy songs), which is probably why I couldn't get into his first two solo albums. This album isn't the heavier guitar riff White that I miss but something new (with some familiar sounds here and there). If you've liked any of his work it is definitely worth a listen.… Expand
  6. sguy157
    Jul 26, 2019
    8
    I find more and more to like with this album with each new listen. This is an album that you'll need to sink you're teeth into a little bit toI find more and more to like with this album with each new listen. This is an album that you'll need to sink you're teeth into a little bit to really appreciate it. It is a departure from Jack White's usual sound from previous records, which I think is fantastic. Not only does this feel like a breath of fresh air for Jack White, it feels like a breath of fresh air for rock music itself. This album is pretty experimental, fusing elements of funk, soul, electronic music, and more. But at the end of the day, each track still feels like a rock song at its core. A truly fascinating listen.

    I'll be honest, I wasn't really feeling this album after the first listen, and thought it was okay at best. Even after my second listen, I still wasn't wowed by it. But now, more and more things are finally clicking, and I'm impressed with how good this thing is. I was surprised when I saw that several critics had panned this record. It makes me wonder how many of them actually sat down and fully gave this album a listen, and how many just listened to it just once or twice before trying to put out a review as quickly as possible. Regardless, I really enjoy this album. As time goes on, my rating for it will likely continue to increase.    … Expand
  7. erolsabadosh
    Mar 23, 2018
    6
    Not bad but the lack of actual songs is disappointing, it's very jam/interlude heavy. The most traditional ones on here are Connected by LoveNot bad but the lack of actual songs is disappointing, it's very jam/interlude heavy. The most traditional ones on here are Connected by Love (easily the best track on here) and What's Done is Done, the former showcasing some of White's best vocal delivery and the latter tapping into acoustic White Stripes vibes but mixed with a very flat sounding vintage drum machine, every other effort on here is quite experimental but in ways that I find counteractive to White's best tendencies; namely his knack for simple songwriting and catchy guitar riff hooks.… Expand
  8. Fruitus
    Apr 9, 2018
    0
    My god what happened to you Jack White? This is the least adventurous, unlistenable boring album i've heard in a very long time.

See all 33 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2018
88
#88 Most Shared Album of 2018

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