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Garage rockers add a serious dose
The Raconteurs - Live at Montreux 2008 |
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Review by Andy Argyrakis By now, the story of The Raconteurs is known all the world over, but up until 2012, the indie rock super group has yet to turn in a concert DVD/Blu-ray. The fact that it's taken the band this long is somewhat surprising considering it burst onto the blogosphere in 2005 and has since sold out tours all the world over, even popping up at all the major festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza (to name a mere handful).Considering the group's ability to command major crowds yet somehow evoke the intimacy of a sweaty garage, it's only fitting to find this visual document coming from the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. The 16-track set filmed in high definition is split pretty evenly between 2006's breakthrough "Broken Boy Soldiers" and the new-at-the-time "Consolers of the Lonely," along with a couple of bluesy covers. From the distortion-drenched opener "Consoler of the Lonely" to the even more electrifying closer "Carolina Drama," The Raconteurs seamlessly blend the best of blues, garage, alternative, indie and even folk rock. Co-front men Brendan Benson and Jack White also turn in a no-holds-barred duel throughout the 100 minute night, continuously pushing each other towards vocal fury as their growling guitars escalate with every breath. Hits like "Steady, As She Goes" and "Salute Your Solution" expand into full-throttled jam sessions in the live setting, though the group is just as compelling with obscure hat tips to Charley Jordan's "Keep It Clean" and Terry Reid's "Rich Kid Blues" spun in its own sputtering tradition. Outside of being an ideal portal into The Raconteurs' concert chemistry, "Live at Montreux 2008" only adds fuel to the fire of fans clamoring for the next studio chapter. |