Jack White

Lazaretto

Third Man, 2014 

Jack White likes to keep busy and this release was much ballyhooed from the start. There’s a full band here, nothing new to be sure, but the robust line-up can often feel like it’s competing for attention on songs.

With opening track “Three Women,” White shares writing credit with Blind Willie McTell. Propelled forward with piano and organ, like all of his best songwriting, White leaves room for the song to breathe. This is a sexy bluster of a number, staggering with furitive spasms and is also notable for using the forgotten phrase of “hauled ashes.” One could only hope the expression returns to our collective vernacular.

Title track “Lazaretto” feels like a seven piece garage band band barely kept in check. The production almost seems too rich for the song to handle.

The instrumental, “High Ball Stepper” feels like “Icky Thump Part 2,” which is fine. The world needs more such rambunctious squalling. “Just One Drink” consciously refers (or not) to Howlin’ Wolf’s “I asked for Water, She gave me Gasoline,” and sounds like any number of late 60’s Bay area band roiling away with too many instruments to make it truly burn. This a great song where White’s minimalist instincts would have better served him.

Jack White is always, always true to himself and the visions his muses bring. More on than not,there are songs here for people who loved his earliest work, and everything in between. White could draw comparisons to other manic artists like Neil Young, who always have something coming out. If you love this record great. If not, there’ll be another in six months.