Blues rock legend Jack White’s latest release, No Name, is a powerful and familiar album that calls back to his time in The White Stripes.
Two years since his double album release of Fear Of The Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive, No Name is a surprise release that’s been teased for a long time.
No Name is less experimental compared to White’s other solo releases, but it makes up for that in its catchiness.
Lacking singles and a name, No Name is a peculiar release that begs its listener to get lost in its heavy soundscapes.
“If Gods too busy then I bless myself”
Old Scratch Blues opens the album, slowly picking up in tempo as it races towards a furious conclusion.
Bless Yourself keeps the fury of the opener as Jack White sings like he’s delivering a sermon. His grandiose claims are paired perfectly with the heavy sounding guitars.
That’s How I’m Feeling sounds like it was ripped right out of The White Stripes’ playbook. Catchy, repetitive and simple, it’s a great sounding rock song.
It’s Rough On Rats(If You’re Asking) is another banger of a tune, mixing soft tones throughout the verses only to break them with the pedal heavy choruses.
Archbishop Harold Holmes sees White embody a crazy pastor, proclaiming he’s here to “tear down the institution” and asking everyone not to eat shellfish.
Bombing Out is a garage punk song. White sings through a distorted microphone as the guitars muffle everything he says. It’s unlike any other song on the album.
What’s The Rumpus is a bass guitar driven song that has some of No Name’s catchiest lines and greatest hooks.
“It only matters what you know”
Tonight(Was A Long Time Ago) sounds the closest to White’s first solo album Blunderbuss. It’s got a roaring guitar solo that only Jack White could make work and a head bang worthy chorus.
Underground is one of the weaker songs on the album. It’s not got as many memorable elements as the rest of the album, but the bridge is fantastic.
Number One With A Bullet sees White sing quietly before screaming the catchy chorus, the instrumental breakdown half way helps to define it.
Morning At Midnight brings back the dirty rock sound, thumping drums and reverb heavy guitars help make the song one of No Name’s gems.
Missionary has White embrace his witty lyrics, laughing during the line “I’m back seat driving when you’re driving me crazy, but I can’t drive a stick”. Comparing himself to a Missionary, only further emphasising the preacher like delivery of the album.
Terminal Archenemy Ending wraps the album on a high note. It’s grand sound comes crashing down in the last minute, allowing White to send No Name off in peace.
“What can we hear at the break of dawn girl?”
No Name is like a roller coaster you want to keep riding, its fun, catchy and sounds incredible.
With every release it only becomes more clear why Jack White is one of this centuries greatest muscians.
From his beginnings in The White Stripes, to his work with The Raconteurs and Dead Weather. Jack White is one of the most adaptable muscians.
No Name doesn’t reach the heights of Fear Of The Dawn or the weirdness of Boarding House Reach, but it does cement itself as one of White’s most consistant albums.
No Name can be streamed here.
Featured image credit: Third Man Records
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