The group's debut oozed with chemistry, and that musical empathy has just grown stronger and tighter here. And both in songwriting and musical execution--the operative word throughout here--the Dead Weather has crafted the equivalent of a taut, expertly directed movie thriller.
On the Dead Weather's second album, they harness this icy alpha-dog tension into a distorted call-and-response aggression that's now greater than its parts, a rudely heavy swath of rock'n'roll authority.
Technically, these 11 tracks are songs, with titles and hooks. The effect, though, is more like a precisely arranged parade of spasms, blasted at you in a kind of aural IMAX.
But as with “Horehound,” “Sea of Cowards” is all about the volatile vibe rather than songs. When the vibe works, it’s a decent approximation of the band’s top-shelf live show. But beneath all the “Hustle and Cuss,” the tunes just aren’t there.
The good thing about The Dead Weather is that they're loud, just really loud, both live and on record, you can just hear, yet they rarely loseThe good thing about The Dead Weather is that they're loud, just really loud, both live and on record, you can just hear, yet they rarely lose melody or venture into metal ( as the queens of the stone age, who are the only other loud 'Rock' band nowadays sometimes do) Sea of Cowards is a sonic assault recorded on the back of their first tour, the iron was still hot, if thats the fraise, This is the real deal, its dark, swampy, grungy....whatever else the press said about it, but its also beefheartian, its experimental, its retro, its brand new, it finds you a job, it is a job...(waits) and its not as somber or serious as there first outing, it sounds like less of a dust bowl driving album than Horehound and more like a Witching hour voodoo ritual, calling up and almost matching the ghost of Jeffrey Lee Pierce (of the gun club) in high pitched squeals and punk blues freakout.…Expand
The Dead Weather has a sound that no other alternative band can re-create. With sounds that can remind anyone of Joan Jett and lyrics that areThe Dead Weather has a sound that no other alternative band can re-create. With sounds that can remind anyone of Joan Jett and lyrics that are intelligent and entertaining as the memorable rhythms on every track, you would be a "coward" not to like it.…Expand
I would rank this as one of Jack whites best albums, it is far removed from the white stripes but that is to its advantage, the band here seemI would rank this as one of Jack whites best albums, it is far removed from the white stripes but that is to its advantage, the band here seem to work as one, it is impossible to tell who is playing guitar on each track and often hard to distinguish Mosshart and White's vocals, the album has a distinctive tinny flavor and sound that won't appeal to everyone often riffing for a long time on repeated verse or a single hook, however the pace and tension that is built by this makes for an exciting album. And it very much is an album rather than a collection of singles, it all forms a cohesive world you are invited to join, my only negatives about the album probalby coem down to taste, I find the lyrics lacking some what, save for Blue Blood Blues which is lyrically compelling the album too often falls back on catchy riffs and abandons lyrical content, also there is a strange quality to the mastering that means songs never feel as full or heavy as a band like Queens of the stone age for example, the songs come of sometimes much more like 'Raw Power' by the stooges, with songs sounding sharp and thin, this could easily be intentional but again, as a personal preference I think the lack of rounded sound makes the album seem rushed and unfinished, detracting from it slightly. All that said I think the concept behind the album, the overall texture and the songs themselves are as strong as any rock and roll outfit has released and I thoroughly enjoy every song. stand out tracks to me include Blue Blood Blues, I'm Mad and Old Mary.…Expand
The White Stripes were Jack White in his prime and at his best. Same can be said of Alison Mosshart and The Kills. However, as side projectsThe White Stripes were Jack White in his prime and at his best. Same can be said of Alison Mosshart and The Kills. However, as side projects go, The Dead Weather knocks most others out of the water. A fine fusion of blues and rock, "Sea of Cowards" is more focused and more committed to The Dead Weather concept than debut "Horehound". It's as good as anything either The White Stripes or The Kills have released in the last decade and is an effort all involved in should be proud of. The opening suite of "Blue Blood Blues", "Hustle and Cuss" and "The Difference Between Us" sets the fire off nicely and are 3 tunes I'd recommend to any fan of blues rock. The rest of the album does a decent job of maintaining the standards.…Expand
If you are looking for The White Stripes redux or even The Raconteurs redux, this will NOT be the album for you. This album is very denseIf you are looking for The White Stripes redux or even The Raconteurs redux, this will NOT be the album for you. This album is very dense sonically... the songs almost flow together. These songs are NOT designed to be catchy. That being said the album lacks diversity in spots, a little bit too much with the wailing vocals and trashy guitars. This album may be better as a whole than their debut but there are fewer outstanding individual tracks. Worth having and worth listening to.…Expand
Love Jack White, love The White Stripes, like the Raconteurs, only partially like The Dead Weather, but I think this is album is not onlyLove Jack White, love The White Stripes, like the Raconteurs, only partially like The Dead Weather, but I think this is album is not only worse than the previous one - I literally can't stand listening to some of it.…Collapse
"Sea of Cowards," the latest album from Jack White's side project The Dead Weather, is out this week. How does it compare to White's other albums, including output from The White Stripes and The Raconteurs?
Published: May 11, 2010"Sea of Cowards," the latest album from Jack White's side project The Dead Weather, is out this week. How does it compare to White's other albums, including output from The White Stripes and The Raconteurs?