There are some great songs on this record, no doubt: "Steady as She Goes" is a wonderful single which appeals more and more with every turn, "Together" is the most straight-forward power pop song a la Badfinger, "Store Bought Bones" is deliciously creepy, loveworn (although a bit in the video game sense) and danceable, and "Yellow Sun" sounds as if the boys are enjoying their copies of the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle as well. All of these songs are wonderful entries into the much underlooked power pop canon, and they should be celebrated. In fact, if these tracks are any indication of the potential that the Raconteurs have together as a unit, then imagine what a second album would be like.
But the problems of the album are found within tracks such as "Intimate Secretary" and "Level"; "Level" sounds occasionally as if a demented man who can occasionally sound like a woman has taken control of a power pop band. The guitars are pretty awesome, but White's voice just sounds vaguely out of place. In fact, perhaps the biggest problem with this album is the appearance of Jack White. This is not to say that he hurts the Raconteurs - in fact, some of the best songs on this record feature a patented White guitar solo or those high, shrill bluesman from hell vocals. The problem, however, is that with the exception of "Store Bought Bones," none of that defining Jack White energy sneaks through the cracks.
The most thrilling aspect of Jack White as a musician is his combustibility; you never know whether or not he's going to fall into a song, destroy it, and make it something better. And that's why the White Stripes succeed so well: Meg White's untrained drumming clearly allows him the free range that a band of very well-honed musicians just doesn't give him room to exhibit.
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