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Expectations for a project featuring members of the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, the Kills, and Queens of the Stone Age would almost have to run high. After all, these are all bands that find ways to draw on the classic tenets of rock without sounding completely indebted to the past. Yet the Dead Weather -- which combines the talents of Jack White, Jack Lawrence, Alison Mosshart, and Dean Fertita -- aren't so much concerned with living up to expectations as they are about defying them. There's a different kind of alchemy on Horehound than on any of the bandmembers' other projects. Not only does White returns to his first instrument, the drums, he also trades in the high-pitched yelp he uses with the Stripes and Raconteurs for a deeper, at-times unrecognizable, voice on "I Cut Like a Buffalo," the lone Horehound track he wrote by himself. The Dead Weather's sound isn't so much heavy as it is thick with a tense atmosphere that's sustained throughout most of the album, and the group shuns the tighter structures of their other bands for a bluesy, jammy grind. Horehound's opening track, "60 Feet Tall," shows just how explosive this sound can be, from the teasing guitars and percussion that begin it to its lunging climax. Sexual tension is one of the few constants between the Dead Weather and White and Mosshart's other bands, and they use it particularly well on "Hang You from the Heavens" and "Treat Me Like Your Mother," where their vocals and the lyrics "left, right, left, right" suggest a dance, or a fight, or something in between. Despite all the star power in this project, Mosshart's vocals are the main attraction: she snarls, croons, and sighs, displaying all the charisma she has in the Kills plus more nuance. She takes her voice to places she hasn't explored with her main project: "So Far from Your Weapon," which she wrote on her own, boasts an hypnotic groove and an oddly jazzy undercurrent, thanks to her smoky singing and White's rolling drums. Indeed, her voice and White's are usually the loudest elements on the album, with Fertita and Lawrence ably filling in the gaps between the pair's towering presences. Horehound's loose-limbed immediacy often feels like a particularly inspired rehearsal, especially on the cover of Bob Dylan's "New Pony," which gets amped up with huge grungy riffs and shouted backing vocals. This looseness also allows the band to indulge flights of fancy like the instrumental "3 Birds" and "Rocking Horse"'s menacing surf-jazz. However, the Dead Weather's chemistry fizzles on the more unfocused tracks, and as gripping as their sound is, it can get claustrophobic. The songs that break from the pack are among the best. "Bone House" layers programmed and live drums with creepy falsetto vocals and some great guitar work from Fertita, and "Will There Be Enough Water?"'s drifting acoustic blues provides the calm after Horehound's storm. Given the fact that the Dead Weather formed on a whim and recorded these songs in a matter of weeks, Horehound is a compelling album, and one that shows that the band's members bring out the best in each other, albeit in unexpected ways. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
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- Hang You From The Heavens/Are Friends Electric?
- Released 2009
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- Treat Me Like Your Mother (Single)
- Released 2009
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- Treat Me Like Your Mother (Diplo Remix)
- Released 2009
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listener reviews
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Has alot of potential
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- By PJungTheGreat
- 9/9/2009 01:11:56
- This album overall is very good, im very glad all the members of this band of decided rather to change people expectations other than meet them, this is a very interesting prospect. The only thing i have to say is I did come away feeling slightly unfuffilled, but this is there first album so i think going into the future this will be a very inspirational band
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Unsurprisingly Awesome
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- By OG Phenix
- 9/7/2009 00:27:58
- While most people have probably never heard of this band, the pedigree that the members have from previous endeavors make this seem impossible. Take proven vocalist Alison Mosshart, with backup from members of The Raconteurs and Queens of the Stone Age? Add to that the talent of Jack White and you've got a band that sounds every bit as great as it should.
Mosshart expands her range going from coy and playful to forceful and antagonistic. Jack White on drums is equally impressinve, and these two dominate most of the songs, which is no knock against the other members, simply a nod to their talent.
Easily one of the most exciting projects in recent memory. Those looking for proof that there is still room in modern music for unique and great music should look no further. - 3 out of 3 people
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Renewed inspiration.
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- By ATHF
- 7/24/2009 03:11:15
- I've been listening to The Stripes for a while and had recently moved into Queens of the stone age and the Raconteurs when I heard about The Dead Weather. After getting familiar with Qotsa and the Raconteurs I decided to check these guys out. Its an amazing mix of ingenuity, simply put. Each member can be heard bringing they're own unique ideas and takes on each song. If I was describing the album in a few words, I would use words such as Confidence, Liquid, Coy, Loose, and nothing short of Beautiful. I love this band, and I look forward to enjoying anything else they're willing to throw at me.
- 1 out of 1 people
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