Jack White has just released his 3rd solo album, Boarding House Reach. The musician delivers here a somewhat incongruous album that displeases many. But is Boarding House Reach that bad?
It is still difficult as an artist to renew yourself while trying to please your community of fans. It is even harder to experiment, because if the result is not affordable at first, the criticism is harsh. Several listens to Boarding House Reach are necessary to appreciate all the subtleties. At first glance, one wonders what Jack White wanted to do. Fans of the first hour were looking forward to a CD that would offer several hits, as was the case for Lazaretto (2014) or Blunderbuss (2012). Boarding House Reach is not at all in the same situation: we are far from the emblematic songs of previous albums that made us press "repeat" at each end.
We were warned anyway:
Some basics before experimentation
Well, we're still in a Jack White album. The first single Connected By Love made us feel it. Beyond the weird sounds and songs that do not respect a "normal" musical structure, there is still a lot of classic Jack White. For example, the piano and keyboards of What's Done is Done (the title that seems to address all haters) are very reminiscent of songs from Blunderbuss, his first solo album. Humorous, the last track of the album is also in the same line, although with a very jazzy piano at the end that changes blues grids.
We find his voice and his edgy guitar in Over and Over and Over, even if the general look is more rock, and that the female choirs change from the ordinary. Why Walk A Dog is a clean ballad, embellished with electronic sounds that contrast with the very blues tempo of the song.
Boarding House Reach tries new things
Like rap, hip-hop and jazz sounds and very electronic sounds. Sounds that seem more or less successful: Hypermisophoniac has the gift of annoying. Not by its theme or its very jazz piano flights rather nice but by the electronic sound effects present throughout the piece. Corporation has some lengths but the beginning bass line and main riff remain heady. The percussion is also interesting.
Boarding House Reach contains two interludes worthy of movie scenes: Abulia and Akrasia is reminiscent of the western setting of the Westworld series (yes, why not) and Ezmeralda Steals the Show is a monologue accompanied by classical guitar. Everything You've Ever Learned is quite weird at first, Jack White is in the middle of the science fiction delirium. But the song ends in a very rock vein.
Respect Commander is a song with multiple atmospheres and it's quite successful. The construction is interesting: at the beginning, we find a rhythm a little jungle on drums and percussion, with electronic sounds that will take over later, to access a hovering atmosphere and hip-hop drums. Finally follows a totally blues moment where Jack White begins to sing and then plays with his guitar garish notes that we are used to.
Get In the Mind Shaft also feels a little weird at first glance, but the "chorus" is pretty epic. The voices blend well with the somewhat conceptual sounds of the song. Ice Station Zebra has caused a lot of ink to flow. Some criticize Jack White's rapped passage for a lack of conviction and latent ridicule.
"Yo, you paint like Caravaggio" is certainly unexpected… But the piece remains nice.
Jack White does as he pleases
Boarding House Reach is therefore a rather strange album: we did not expect Jack White to experiment like this. Rather accustomed to songs that go to the essentials, the first listening surprises.
The album is difficult to grasp. However, under the experimental aspect and the doctored sounds of the album, we find the blues / rock touch of the musician! The slightly dirty riffs coming out of the distortion pedals are still very present, despite the desire to hide them somewhat under the new influences and musical experiments.
Truth be told, even the cover is a bit weird but cool anyway:
Boarding House Reach is an album that requires several listens, you have to get into it. But if you like Jack White go for it, you'll appreciate the boldness.
Rating: 6.5/10
