Lazaretto

1. MaxToombes

   Jun 11, 2014

   10

   I am a fan of Jack White, have been for years, however this is the least engaging album of his career thus far, there are few hooks and notI am a fan of Jack White, have been for years, however this is the least engaging album of his career thus far, there are few hooks and not really any good solo's there's not even any lyrics that I remebered after the initial listen, however this is possibly the most interesting thing he's ever done in my books, and the song Black Bat Liquorice is certainly my favourite song of his career so far, it takes the manic freedom of The White Stripes and the heavy sound and metaphor laden singing style of The Dead Weather and blends them into something extremely enjoyable. every song sounds like a single and thats both a plus and a minus, there is little cohesion but every track is masterful in its own way and could easily pass for a 'best of' album for any of Whites contemporaries. I'm not a fan of country music really but once I let the album sink in I got fully on board with it, this is a parade through the bizarre musical mind of Jack White, its sporadic, childish, angry, humorous and egotistical and I use all of those things in the best possible way. The album is mad but is fascinating and benefits from repeat listens.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
2. macuisle

   Jun 16, 2014

   10

   Jack White's Lazaretto encompasses the angst, anger, lust and glory of defeat, loneliness and hope with this "second" album. I downloaded itJack White's Lazaretto encompasses the angst, anger, lust and glory of defeat, loneliness and hope with this "second" album. I downloaded it immediately, listened to it, then drove around the desert valley of California trying to understand every nuance of it's power at full volume. I felt It is not his opus but it is bloody well close to it. The bold masculinity of the title tract made me blush but the first track, Three Women, made me very happy. There is a raw sexuality in the blues, of course, but Jack makes it seem not only beautiful but accessible, as if the situations he divulges in his most intimate songs seem familiar to all of us. They aren't to me but he makes me feel as if they are. Which is what the art in music is supposed to be. A forgotten memory. I love this album so much so I ordered the vinyl from Third Man. I look forward to dancing with the angel.… Expand

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4. WadeVS

   Jun 17, 2014

   9

   Jack has FINALLY managed to collate all of his inspirations into one album with it being disjointed or messy. He effortlessly swings fromJack has FINALLY managed to collate all of his inspirations into one album with it being disjointed or messy. He effortlessly swings from gothic blues, to quirky storytelling, to bluegrass rock to folk and country. It all holds well together and takes you on the strange and kickass journey it should be with White as your pilot. His best work to date.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
5. justachair

   Mar 2, 2015

   8

   With "Lazaretto", White's Second Solo Album, the singer leaves his White Stripes days way behind to make something completely different in aWith "Lazaretto", White's Second Solo Album, the singer leaves his White Stripes days way behind to make something completely different in a multi-layered, almost poppy album that is neither risk-taking nor safe but something otherwordly. Typical White thing to do.
   "THREE WOMEN": The Album opens with a chilly blues-rock, inspired by Blind Willie McTell's "Three Women Blues". While the lyrics are mostly a revamped version of McTell's, White manages to string some of his zing into them: 'Yeah, I know what you're thinking, what gives me the right? Well, these women must be getting something cause they come see me every night'. The song is as cool as Jack White can be.
   "LAZARETTO": Intensely eclectic and addictive, Lazaretto is the ultimate alternative rock acid trip. Constantly playing with different tempos. With sick guitar solos and electric shrieks, Lazaretto couldn't be a more perfect title track, and its lyrical historical undertones couldn't be more out of place (Which is great)
   "TEMPORARY GROUND": A poetically heavy but also historically influenced song that slows down the adrenaline from Lazaretto with a soothing southern violin right from the beginning, White plays his Nashville card in this calm track that is also, as many tracks in the album, catchy.
   "WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR MY LOVE?": A high-end cinematic thrill ride, it even has a build-up to begin with. It is not White in his songwriting best, but it is at his most accessible, making this easy-listening track remarkably pleasing, as well as having enough White distortion throughout the track to please long-time fans.
   "HIGH BALL STEEPER": White does not give an F, and he proves it in this instrumental track that while it sounds off-putting at first, it then turns into full on Rock Riff feet-stomping fun. You will be high-pitching along sooner than you know.
   "JUST ONE DRINK": Getting the Blues influence on yet again, White fins himself in a too-ordinary song. Nothing remarkable jumps out of this song, not its quirky lyrics nor its upbeat rhythm.
   "ALONE IN MY HOME": Have we ever seen White this uplifting? Right from the beginning, a piano cue seems to put us in the spot for a light track about being alone, which differs a little bit from the song's rhythm ('I'm becoming a ghost...so nobody can know me' is a gloomy line) but ultimately celebrates solitude more than anything else.
   "ENTITLEMENT": Back to the nashville comfort, Entitlement is the perfect Jack White cruise song. The lyrics are rebellious, but the rhythm is so smooth it is a definite ear-pleaser.
   "THAT BLACK BAT LICORICE": Opening with what resembles an awful lot to the "Mine" seagulls of Finding Nemo, That Black Bat Licorice is the return to the Title Track's Uniqueness after the album's middle uplifting detour. Lyrically heavy and never-for-one-second dull, the song constantly innovates itself like a playful gimmick instead of a track. A definite highlight.
   "I THINK I FOUND THE CULPRIT": White's divorce to Karen Elson is a theme throughout the album, but this song seems to be the most clearly influenced yet. With finger-pointing lyrics filled with austere metaphors, the song is pretty straight-to-the-point and simple, with again that Nashville background over it.
   "WANT AND ABLE": The rebellious lyrics with the cool-down tempo is back in a campfire narrative song about two beings ("Want" and "Able") that seem to differ in intentions. As he perfectly sums up in the line 'One is desire, the other one is means', the album finishes with the anger seemingly neutralized and the break-up theme chilled.
   In conclusion, the album is very satisfying to listen to, even though the highlights are White's more punky tracks instead of the huge portion in which he indulges in Country comfort.… Expand

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6. ydnar4

   Aug 27, 2014

   7

   Jack White has given the world another great record as they have expected from him ever since the White Stripes broke out. White has managedJack White has given the world another great record as they have expected from him ever since the White Stripes broke out. White has managed to create a very good follow up to a very good album. Lazaretto showcases a broad spectrum of music. We get the hard rock that we all what to hear from White but there is also some bluegrass and country heavily in the mix as well. Even though I may not really be a huge fan of the country tracks it still ties the album together very well and there are a few of these tracks that caught me off guard and became some of my favorites. Its very difficult to decide if Lazaretto is better than Blunderbuss or not but I would say it displays a wider range of style. Jack White has continued to exceed expectations with Lazaretto, an album that should be an easy commercial and critical success. I would highlight the tracks Three Women, Lazaretto, Would You Fight For My Love?, I Think I Found The Culprit and the albums only instrumental High Ball Stepper.… Expand

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7. buzzlight

   Jun 21, 2014

   7

   This album is pretty good, but not quite as good as phenomenal Blunderbuss. I thought he goes back into White Stripes territory with thisThis album is pretty good, but not quite as good as phenomenal Blunderbuss. I thought he goes back into White Stripes territory with this album. BTW, I just realized after all these years that Jack White should't be complaining about Dan Aurbach. What Dan is to Jack; Jack White is to Led Zeppelin - using American blues to amp up their own riffs and lyrics - so none of it is 100% original.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Alskiz

   Jun 20, 2014

   1

   Jack White is a bizarre character. Other than his freaky obsession with the old; feuds, restraining orders and physical violence have come toJack White is a bizarre character. Other than his freaky obsession with the old; feuds, restraining orders and physical violence have come to define this man. Lazaretto, like White is littered with nostalgic ideals, every 1950s, rock n' roll cliche possible. The problem is with this, that is all the songs are. 'Three Women', the age-old theme of the 'devil woman'. ''Just one Drink' is an ode to honky tonk, but again, that is all it is. The album is nothing new, but because Jack White is such an awful person I'm inclined to rank this a bit lower.… Expand

   • 1 of 8 users found this helpful

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