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Review: Let's face it, Jack White has never really stood still, with the stream of solo projects put out since The White Stripes days proof of just how relentless his creative spark is. However, as many have pointed out in reviews of Fear of the Dawn, there's not been that much of a stylistic shift since his joint venture with Meg. As such prepare to be blown away with this latest effort. Although we're not going to say whether that's in a good or bad way.

To call the tracks here obscure is nothing short of horribly reductive. A strange, at time obnoxious and jarring fusion of blues, theatrical rock, prog, and plain weird, it's nothing if not consistently unexpected, and wholly unique. Often huge in sound, but then occasionally minimalistic, it's the noise made by a man who has always threatened to throw the kitchen sink at fans, and has finally found the muscle to do it.

Review: Raincoats' bassist Gina Birch may have delivered the alternative rock 'n' roll song of the year in 'I Play My Bass Loud', title track on this, her debut album, and the record's opener to boot. There's always something to be said for saving the best for a little into an LP track list, but when you're making such bold and unforgettable statements of intent we also appreciate the need to dive right in. A low slung - and fittingly bass heavy - downtempo plodder that oozes cool, swagger, pithy observations and witticisms, it almost feels out of time with today's world, invoking the stoned end of 1990s garage heroes in all the best ways. From thereon in, it's hard to fault anything here, with songs ranging from the weird, jerky 'I Will Never Wear Stilettos' to the ultra-minimalist experimental offering 'I Am Rage', dub wise 'Digging Down' and tortured soul grit of 'Wish I Was With You'. A phenomenal release you need in your life.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface mark on the record but otherwise in good working order***


Ever the king of the DIY approach, the inimitable Jack White recorded this one at his own Third Man Studio last year, then mastered it and released it himself on his own label. It's his fifth solo album - the second of the year - and is something of a therapy session for the cult singer-songwriter, with highlights galore. There is a real confessional quality to the songs here, especially on the likes of 'Please God, Don't Tell Anyone' which is about his regret for the way he lived certain parts of his life. He also professes his love for his new wife Olivia Jean, with plenty of fluid melodies and understated grooves also featuring throughout a fine album.