Lazaretto
by Jack White
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 135 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 135
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 135
  3. Negative: 6 out of 135
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  1. Andremax
    Jul 16, 2018
    8
    Heterogeneity marks Lazaretto. The always blues mixed with R&B, classical, punk, folk and even rap rhymes and reggae. And it proves that Jack White is one of the best person to make songs by himself.
  2. ScotchRobbins
    Dec 3, 2015
    8
    It's not perfect, it's not completely consistent, it's not terribly experimental, but simplified, it is just a good album. The opening track lacks spirit, but it still holds the blistering highs (High Ball Stepper), the somber lows (Want and Able), the varied middles (Just One Drink), and a kick-ass title track. The instrumentation on this album is a high point, featuring fiddle and dobroIt's not perfect, it's not completely consistent, it's not terribly experimental, but simplified, it is just a good album. The opening track lacks spirit, but it still holds the blistering highs (High Ball Stepper), the somber lows (Want and Able), the varied middles (Just One Drink), and a kick-ass title track. The instrumentation on this album is a high point, featuring fiddle and dobro and organ in places without feeling turned over to country. It's bluesy, and it's alright.… Expand
  3. Ricko
    Jul 27, 2015
    8
    The modern day godfather of rock and roll blues returns here with the follow up to debut, 2012's excellent "Blunderbuss". Solo album number 2, "Lazeretto", continues on in equally fine fashion. One of the most prolific rock writers in modern times nails it again with this. Musically, its a logical follow up to "Blunderbuss". Again we have a record with more texture and layers than any ofThe modern day godfather of rock and roll blues returns here with the follow up to debut, 2012's excellent "Blunderbuss". Solo album number 2, "Lazeretto", continues on in equally fine fashion. One of the most prolific rock writers in modern times nails it again with this. Musically, its a logical follow up to "Blunderbuss". Again we have a record with more texture and layers than any of the White Stripes records and in many ways White has really honed his craft since moving on from the band for which he is famous. He is going from strength to strength in terms of songwriting and continues to prove that you don't need to go all electro and experimental to stay fresh in the music business. Tracks that should be mentioned as highlights include opening pair of "Three Women" and "Lazeretto" as well as "I Think I Found The Culprit".… Expand
  4. 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 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    With "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
  5. 676gamer
    Nov 26, 2014
    10
    its Jack White for crying out loud!!!!if you're a fan of him just buy the album....you wont be disappointed....i mean the guy starts off strong with three women(a cover by the way....original by Blind Willie McTell) and has a song that im pretty sure has some reggae influence(black bat licorice).....this album varies a lot which is a good thing and shows Jack White's true craft as aits Jack White for crying out loud!!!!if you're a fan of him just buy the album....you wont be disappointed....i mean the guy starts off strong with three women(a cover by the way....original by Blind Willie McTell) and has a song that im pretty sure has some reggae influence(black bat licorice).....this album varies a lot which is a good thing and shows Jack White's true craft as a musician....i had to come show support however insignificant it might be to show that this album is a must have....cheers!!!… Expand
  6. alecvl08
    Oct 10, 2014
    5
    I just don't get Jack White. He has a few good ideas some times, but he just doesn't seem to know how to write songs that are captivating enough. Just some more standard Black Keys blues rock for you here. Favorite track: Would You Fight for My Love?
  7. 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 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 mayJack 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
  8. Custom_Concerns
    Aug 3, 2014
    6
    I absolutely love the rest of White's work, including 2012's Blunderbuss, but I feel this album lacks the songwriting style that made the rest of his records so alluring. Generally just not as entertaining as his previous releases. Still, kudos for the man for continuing to popularize this type of music for this generation.
  9. adhamhany
    Jul 30, 2014
    6
    I expected music similar to that of the White Stripes, but rarely found it. I'm not a very huge fan of country music, so i didn't enjoy the tracks that were influenced by it.

    The lyrics were nothing really special, and sometimes they were even corny. The vocal performance on the Stripe-esque songs were great, though. And they were also good on the country ones. Overall, i only    I expected music similar to that of the White Stripes, but rarely found it. I'm not a very huge fan of country music, so i didn't enjoy the tracks that were influenced by it.

    The lyrics were nothing really special, and sometimes they were even corny. The vocal performance on the Stripe-esque songs were great, though. And they were also good on the country ones.

    Overall, i only enjoyed the tracks that have the spirit of his older work. That Black Bat Licorice, Would You Fight for My Love?, and maybe two or three more. The others, while not awful, were nothing remarkable to me.    … Expand
  10. PavanPratury
    Jun 27, 2014
    7
    The Album starts with a smash hit number Three Women. It got attractive lyrics with prodigious music.
    The title song Lazaretto was released as a single and this song will serve as an exemplary for a rock song and rock performance. Expect Jack White getting nominated for Grammys for this song. Jack White says “every single bone in my brain is Electric” and that is true as he delivers    The Album starts with a smash hit number Three Women. It got attractive lyrics with prodigious music.
    The title song Lazaretto was released as a single and this song will serve as an exemplary for a rock song and rock performance. Expect Jack White getting nominated for Grammys for this song. Jack White says “every single bone in my brain is Electric” and that is true as he delivers magical score with his Electric Guitar. The song is dominated by dazzling music from Guitar and powerful beating on drums.Temporary Ground is like Love Interruption song. The tune is not the same but got the feel of that song. It’s got a wonderful tune with soulful music and makes you groove to lilting music.Would you fight for my Love is a great composition. It looks like Jack White used this song to express his feelings about his divorce with his estranged wife.
    High Ball Stepper: What a number this is? Instrumental track with Rock material. This got the sound of Rock and makes you dazzle in powerful and blasting rock music. The astounding guitar work in this track makes you maniac.The rest of songs are okay but not that great as the ones I mentioned. I expected a better album it is not like I am not satisfied with this product but this album somehow did not give that exhilarating feel. Yet it got the conventional sound of Blues Rock and got the elements of Rock Music that fans expect.    … Expand
  11. 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 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.
  12. 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 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 anJack 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
  13. 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 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.
  14. 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 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 madeJack 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
  15. TSAR
    Jun 13, 2014
    10
    Jack white continues the musical journey he started us with "BLUNDERBUSS" a couple of years ago. Mixing it all up (country, folk, hard rock, blues, soul… etc.) in the most unconventional way and the same time given the most unique twist, this album can go either way. It has so much swagger and attitude, it is most likely for people to either love it or hated. Not playing it safe, thisJack white continues the musical journey he started us with "BLUNDERBUSS" a couple of years ago. Mixing it all up (country, folk, hard rock, blues, soul… etc.) in the most unconventional way and the same time given the most unique twist, this album can go either way. It has so much swagger and attitude, it is most likely for people to either love it or hated. Not playing it safe, this album is strictly for music lovers. Two thumbs up for our beloved crazy electro-cowboy!!!… Expand
  16. Muddsjr
    Jun 12, 2014
    8
    Its a good album, great at times, with the odd exception. For one, the production feels a little messy, and for second, the lyrics simply aren't as good.
    Like I said, good, but simply for Jack White, not good enough.
  17. 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 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 careerI 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
  18. cnally13
    Jun 11, 2014
    4
    Jack White gets so many free passes. Obviously the musicianship on this album is excellent, and the standard issue Jack White energy is there. But there are no hooks, no memorable songs, and certainly nothing that reaches the cultural impact of his early songwriting. If you want to have a guitar geek out moment, you could do a lot worse. But if you're looking for something you'll beJack White gets so many free passes. Obviously the musicianship on this album is excellent, and the standard issue Jack White energy is there. But there are no hooks, no memorable songs, and certainly nothing that reaches the cultural impact of his early songwriting. If you want to have a guitar geek out moment, you could do a lot worse. But if you're looking for something you'll be listening to years from now...this isn't it.… Expand
  19. 008Fox
    Jun 10, 2014
    8
    As stated in the press release of the album, each song is a standalone. There are no overarching concepts to be gleaned, or themes to be extracted. Much more divisive and parsed than the preceding (and better) Blunderbuss. Get this on vinyl for the ultimate experience. The vinyl version is better because the mastering and mixing process is altogether different, and it sounds better.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2014
63
#63 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 18, 2014
    60
    An eclectic work, Lazaretto shows off White's multi-instrumental, seasoned-producer lineage with some charismatic flashes. As a complete exercise in songcraft, however, it's a little thin. [Summer 2014, p.88]
  2. Kerrang!
    Aug 5, 2014
    80
    It's vibrant and soulful, but undercut with a darkness that's hinted just enough to haunt these songs. [28 Jun 2014, p.54]
  3. Magnet
    Jul 18, 2014
    90
    White's aesthetic, as always, is grounded in the immediate and the visceral, and Lazaretto rocks. [No. 111, p.60]
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