Broken Boy Soldiers
by The Raconteurs
  • Record Label: V2 / XL
  • Release Date: May 16, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 96
  3. Negative: 4 out of 96

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  1. KevinR
    Jul 7, 2006
    5
    For all of the hype, this album really isn't good at all.
  2. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    6
    A couple of great tracks mxed in witha couple of not-so-great tracks. Sounds like 10-tracks you'd hear on your classic rock station.
  3. Al
    May 17, 2006
    4
    Wow, really disappointing. The creativity and quality of Jack's writing with the Stripes is nowhere to be found here (perhaps aside from the track Store Bought Bones). I read a raving review of a Brendan Benson solo album that compared it to Rubber Soul/Revolver era Beatles. The thing is, that's not gonna work unless you've got some good melodies. There's nothing Wow, really disappointing. The creativity and quality of Jack's writing with the Stripes is nowhere to be found here (perhaps aside from the track Store Bought Bones). I read a raving review of a Brendan Benson solo album that compared it to Rubber Soul/Revolver era Beatles. The thing is, that's not gonna work unless you've got some good melodies. There's nothing memorable here. I spared it a point or so because I've only listened to the whole thing once so far, but I really don't expect it to be a grower.… Expand
  4. ElliottR
    Jun 1, 2006
    6
    "Store Bought Bones" is a terrific song. The rest is decent, but definitely lacking what one would expect would be the result of Jack White finding a real band.
  5. PieroD
    May 26, 2006
    4
    boring
  6. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    6
    Not sure whether Jack White has made a good move, abandoning the White Stripes to form the Raconteurs. While it was perhaps time to retire the White Stripes, as they were beginning to reach the limits of what can be done with a two-piece outfit, and while the Greenhornes' sound in theory complements Jack White, his distinctive voice is largely lost here. I also prefer his work with Not sure whether Jack White has made a good move, abandoning the White Stripes to form the Raconteurs. While it was perhaps time to retire the White Stripes, as they were beginning to reach the limits of what can be done with a two-piece outfit, and while the Greenhornes' sound in theory complements Jack White, his distinctive voice is largely lost here. I also prefer his work with Loretta Lynn on 2004's 'Van Lear Rose', though on that album White was also barely there as a presence. Hopefully next album, White will re-emerge as a strong and original voice and regain the inspiration that hasn't been seen since the White Stripe's 2003 LP 'Elephant'.… Collapse
  7. ScotchRobbins
    Dec 3, 2015
    6
    It's a top-heavy album. It starts very strong, the first three tracks being some real A+ four-piece old-school rock music, but the album sits on a bit of a downhill incline and gets less interesting as it goes. on. Still worth a listen through though!

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed Album of 2006
67
#67 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. AllMusic
    70
    It's brief and even a little slight, but it's almost as much fun to listen to as it must have been to make.
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  2. Amazon.com
    70
    Like so many all-star bands before them, The Raconteurs could be one and done. But don't place the blame on this fertile and genuine debut.
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  3. cokemachineglow
    59
    Nothing is really very exciting here, or very interesting.
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