Blunderbuss: A Completely Biased Pre-Review...

Blunderbuss: A Completely Biased Pre-Review of an Album I Haven't Heard in its Entirety.



Asking me to write an unbiased review of Jack White’s new album "Blunderbuss" is like asking an 8 year old to write an objective review on Disney World. There is just no way I won’t love this album. Jack could put out an album of instrumental accordion work and I would probably be first in line to buy it. This is not to say that I think Jack can do no wrong. Remember that whole ICP 7” thing? Yeah, still not loving that one.

It is just that Jack is continually evolving, as he should. He is not the kind of artist that is going to rehash his successes over and over again. This is not a White Stripes album, nor is it intended to be. If you are expecting a repeat of what you have heard in the past, you will probably be disappointed.

I can’t help but remember back to when the White Stripes "Elephant" CD came out. Remember way back then when people still listened to CD's? This is almost embarrassing to admit now, but after the very first listen back in 2003 I thought, “What the heck is this crap?” Yes, I thought that (blushing). Shortly after, I woke up and realized that "Elephant" is pretty epic, but it wasn't "White Blood Cells." At that time, I wanted another "White Blood Cells." Jack and Meg were evolving. I didn’t get it, at first. I listen to it today and try to remember what it was that I didn’t like at first and of course, I have no idea.

The first song the world heard off Jack's new album "Blunderbuss" was "Love Interruption," a sweet sounding but lyrically bitter acoustic duet with Ruby Amanfu. It gave us our first hint into the excitement that would be Jack’s first ever solo album, but Jack was quick to point out that this song was not representative of the tone of the album. Which only led to more wonder and excitement about what to expect.

Then on 03-03, a date that was fitting for Jack White, we heard a second song from his album during his performance on Saturday Night Live. “Sixteen Saltines” made me thirsty for more. This is the kind of stuff I was hoping for, Jack doing what Jack does best on guitar. In response to a comment that the album was 90% piano, Jack said in a vault chat that “There's more guitar solos by me on this record than any I’ve made since Icky Thump.” I took that comment as sort of tongue in cheek. (Jack, sarcastic? No.) After all, Jack has put out three albums since Icky Thump in 2006, but on two of those albums (the Dead Weather), he was the drummer. He wasn't doing many guitar solos at all.

"Freedom at 21" was the third song released ahead of the album. On April 1st, TMR released a limited edition Flexi Disc of this vinyl single by attaching them to helium balloons and letting them fall from the sky into lucky fans hands. While I had hoped for some strong winds to blow a balloon from Nashville to Fort Worth, it seems a bunch got tangled together and one very lucky family ended up with several copies. Of course, they ultimately landed on E-bay, and it sold for over $4000. Lucky bastards. Note to self: Work on convincing hubby to move to Nashville. Oh yeah, the song, I almost forgot. Love it. Seriously. I think my favorite of what I have heard so far. I am growing more excited.

Now it was time to just sit back and wait (not so) patiently for the April 24th release date. Then I heard over the week-end that the album leaked. I struggled with whether to download the torrent. I have already pre-ordered the vinyl (so therefore already a paying customer) and I have a strong aversion to paying for the same album twice (i.e. vinyl & iTunes), I even wrote a blog about that once. Downloading the torrent didn’t present a moral issue. It was more about waiting and letting the excitement build and hearing it as (and when) it was intended. Almost as soon as I decided that I would wait for the official release, Jack went ahead and made it available to stream on iTunes for free a week before the album officially came out. Free, Legal, Now.

So what is a girl to do? My very favorite ways to listen to a album for the first time is to put it on the record player or put on my headphones and go for a long run. Both of these methods allow me to focus on the music with no distractions.

I caved. I am listening to the album for the first time via on the iTunes stream as I type this blog. Well, I thought I caved. iTunes kept buffering every time it would start to play a song I haven't heard yet. How does iTunes know how to annoy me so effectively? I don't usually have buffering issues on my computer so I can only assume it the universe telling me to wait for the vinyl. Or as a friend posted on my blog Facebook page, when I complained about my iTunes issues, "Careful...your computer may not be able to handle such awesomeness!"

So, here it is, My pre-review of an album that I haven't actually heard in its entirety:

I love it y'all. Of course I do.

This might be the first time I ever typed the (not really a) word y'all in the 14 years that I have lived in Texas. It seems appropriate this time.

Jack on SNL

Did you guys watch Jack on SNL last night? It is very rare that I stay up late enough to watch all of Saturday Night Live (wow, I sound old), but last night I made an exception because my Jack was performing two songs from his upcoming solo album. I suffered through unfunny Lindsay Lohan sketches to get to the good stuff. In all the years that I have watched SNL, I have never noticed an actor reading the teleprompter, until Lindsay last night. But this isn't about her, Its all about Jack.



The first song was the first single, Love Interuption, from his upcoming solo album performed with Ruby Amanfu and an all female backing band. I just found out the name of the that drummer. She is Autolux drummer Carla Azar. I like her, although its kind of weird seeing Jack perform with a female drummer who is not Meg. Regardless, the whole thing was just lovely.



I stayed up past my bedtime to catch the second song of the night and it was well worth it. It was the first time I heard the new song, Sixteen Saltines, this time with an all male backing band. This is the kind of stuff I was really hoping for the new album. Jack doing what Jack does best. Excuse me while I go eat 16 saltines in celebration of the new album.



I'm pretty excited about this new album, I really like what I am hearing so far. In my eyes, Jack can pretty much do no wrong. Well, except for that whole Insane Clown Posse thing. That was wrong.

I am anxiously waiting for Jack to announce more tour dates near Texas. Maybe an appearance at Southby? Or the Granada? Or House of Blues? Bring it Jack, your fans are waiting.

Jack's Been Busy

Oh Jack. He never slows down. I haven’t written a blog since my almost-famous peppermint swirl cookies in December and before I know it I am behind on my blog writing because Jack is so busy, I can’t keep up. We are only 11 days into January. This guy just doesn’t stop.

First of all, Jack was on ‘American Pickers’ this week. What is that you ask? I had to ask, I don’t have cable. It is a reality based TV show on the History Channel that follows a couple of guys around the country who barter, trade and “pick” hidden treasures (aka valuable junk) that they eventually hope to resell for a profit. What the heck does Jack have to do with that? Well Jack happens to be a collector of things weird and one of those things is taxidermy. These guys bought a giant elephant head for just under 10K. They heard through the Nashville scene that Jack might be interested. After all, he even has an album named Elephant. They ship this enormous elephant head to Third Man Records for Jack to have a look. When they crack open the crate, you can see it all over Jack’s face. He is in love. “That is the weirdest looking giraffe I’ve ever seen,” he jokes. But Jack is not so quick to give up his cash. Who knew Jack was such a shrewd negotiator? I mean, besides me. He offers a trade + 6k for the elephant. He trades his first ever Juke Box from his days back in Detroit and also a vintage photo booth that was used in the ‘Hang You From The Heavens' Dead Weather video. I heard from an inside source that the Elephant’s name is Topsy. OK, I read that on the Third Man Records Website. I think both sides made out with a good deal. I’d personally much rather have Jack’s very own jukebox and the Dead Weather photo booth than a big ‘ol Elephant head. But that’s just me. In case you don’t have cable like me, or happened to miss it, you can watch the full episode on the History Channel here. All this Jack reality show talk has got me thinking. I have some ideas for some reality shows that Jack can star in. How about The Real Jack, Jack Rules, Making The Jack, Jack of Love, or even Jack Shore? Come’ on Jack. Give us a peek inside your mysterious world.

Secondly, in case you didn’t know, Jack is the king of strange collaborations. You remember, Insane Clown Posse last year? Strange. It was just announced the latest in the blue series is a Jack White produced 7” vinyl featuring Tom Jones. Jones rerecorded “Jezebel,” a track from his 2002 album Mr. Jones, and a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Evil.” This will be available both as a 7" and on iTunes March 5th. Now I am not saying that a Jack White / Tom Jones collaboration is strange, maybe just a little unusual.



What's next Jack? Oh Wait, I know. An inside source told me that coming soon is Tempest Storm, the oldest burlesque dancer in the world. Well, actually I saw that when the American Pickers Cameras were inside Third Man Records.

Then, this week a new animated video was released for the song "Two Against One" from Danger Mouse & Italian film composer Daniele Luppi featuring Jack White on vocals. You can check it out here.

If that wasn't enough, I received my vault package #10 in the mail this week, the same week
they announce Vault #11.

source

source

So, I will spend the next several days listening to my new split color vinyl, watching my new DVD and wondering, but not for long, what Jack will come up with next.

Peppermint Swirl Cookies

My peppermint swirl cookies are becoming a yearly tradition. This is the second year I have made them and I can already tell I'm getting better. I just buy sugar cookie dough and red and white icing. I printed a peppermint swirl from Pinterest that I could visually follow while icing the cookies:

Source: bhg.com via Lea on Pinterest

This year when I was buying the icing I didn't pay attention to the tip of the icing package and the white icing needed a tip. I tried to use the white icing with no tip and it was a diaster. Since I am no Martha Stewart and I dont have things like icing tips laying around, I just made the red part of the swirls this year and didn't fill in with the white. I ate all my mistakes with the white icing. I think they still came out pretty cool! What do you think?




















If you liked this post, check out:

• Felt Jack & Meg
• A White Stripes Christmas
• Jack White Shook my Hand for 2 Seconds...
  

Felt Jack & Meg

Before I jump into this story I need to warn you that I am completely craft deficient. I mean, completely. I have this desire to craft, but not the ability. I love PINTERST and am completely obsessed with these DIY projects that I come across, most of which I will never complete due to my complete lack of DIY skills. My theory is that God can't give you everything, or else one would just get a big head. So, He allows us to be lacking in some areas, to keep us humble. Crafting (and singing) are my weaknesses.

With that being said, I started to get some ideas. I saw this on Pinterest and to the naked eye it looks like a simple Santa and Mrs. Claus felt craft project, but all that I could see was Jack and Meg. It's probably all the red, white and black. You may remember my previous post about my desire for a Jack & Meg action figure. The wheels started turning...

Source: marthastewart.com via Lea on Pinterest

Then, because I am obsessed, I was searching Etsy for Jack and Meg and I came across this:


source
I thought, "$26! really? for some felt?" I can do this for much less. I can do this.

Then, I came across (due to endless internet searches) this web site which offered templates for felt dolls and my mission began.

Source: sewing.craftgossip.com via Lea on Pinterest

I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and bought red, white and black felt. I got home and remembered that I was so craft deficient that I didn't even own a thread or needle. I needed to borrow some crafting supplies from my awesome neighbor, Amber. She lent me her sewing kit (which I incidentally depleted by the end of the project. I owe her).

I printed out the body templates and start on my "Jack"

Source: nuno-runo.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

One of the main reasons that I am so craft deficient is that I have ZERO patience. I just want things to be done and fast. It took FOREVER to cut out the body parts, stuff and sew them, then cut and sew the clothing and put them on. After a long period of time (especially for my impatience) I had a Jack Doll that was dressed. I was disappointed when I realized my so-called Jack looked just like Santa Claus. I certainly didn't just spend hours of my time making a Santa. My husband found this hilarious.



I added the hair. I figured this would make him look less like Santa. But when I added the hair, I thought he looked more like Santa Bob Marley than Jack White. But I pressed on.



I hoped that once I added the guitar things would start looking up. I found this guitar template online and reduce the size to meet my needs.

Source: google.com via Lea on Pinterest

Once I added the guitar, somehow Bob Marley Santa started to resemble Jack White. I knew at this point that once I added Meg, the whole picture would come together.



When I made Jack I made the body first, then cut out the clothes to fit him. I realized it would be faster to just make the clothes and stuff them with cotton (I used cotton balls because that is all I had) and then just add the limbs. This is how I made Meg and it WAS faster and worked out just fine.

I started to make Meg, but got held up on her hair. It was a little harder than Jack's hair. The yarn just wasn't working. Then, Hubby who pretty much has no interest in my weird crafting project decided to pitch in and design Meg's hair. Yeah, he would probably rather that you not all know that. But I must give credit where credit is due. I used Hubbies template to cut out Meg's hair.


Then, of course, you cant have Meg without the Peppermint swirl base drum. I used this template (resized) to make Meg's famous drum head. I made the drum out of felt too and stuffed cotton balls inside. I was running out of thread (and patience) at this point so instead of sewing on the back of the drum (that no one would see), I just used hubbies spray adhesive to adhere a circle on the back to hold the cotton balls in. Hubby was turning out to be quite helpful!

Source: flickr.com via Lea on Pinterest

I cut down some skewers to make Meg's drum sticks and this was the final result! I ultimately stitched Meg's drum to her hip, added hooks to their heads and hung them on the tree. These will be ornaments I will enjoy putting on the tree year after year.



While I urge you to not look too closely at the sewing quality, I am pretty darn proud of the outcome. They look so cute! Even if it did take me all day. There were so many things I did not get done (like cleaning the house or running) because this project took over my day. Now that I am finished, I understand the $26 price tag attached to the Etsy felt Jack and Meg. Even though the supplies for my project cost about $3 for felt, borrowed sewing kit and already owned cotton balls, spray adhesive and wooden skewers, I dont think I would sell mine for any price!

A White Stripes Christmas!

It's going to be a White Stripes Christmas! But isn't it always, you ask? I love this time of year, peppermint swirls are everywhere! Have you been inside a Pier 1 or Hobby Lobby lately?

peppermint swirl dreams inside of Hobby Lobby



My husband likes to remind me that Jack White doesn't hold a patent on all peppermint swirls. But in my mind, he does. Every year when I buy peppermint swirl designed products, I am really buying White Stripes wrapping paper, gift bags, tree ornaments and more! I even bake White Stripes sugar cookies! What would Christmas be without the White Stripes?

my "White Stripes" cookies in 2010. You can check out my 2011 versions here






















When Third Man Records announced their holiday releases 'Winter Bounty', I wasn't sure whether to curse Jack White or to thank him. He continues to put out more must-have vinyl than a reasonable responsible adult should spend during a season that is generally slated for giving, not buying crap for yourself. But who here is a reasonable responsible adult?

Without further ado, here are the offerings from Third Man Records. The White Stripes, most which have been previously out of print:

The Big Three Killed My Baby/Red Bowling Ball Ruth (TMR117) look what BABIES Jack & Meg were!


Lord, Send Me an Angel / You’re Pretty Good Looking (Trendy American Remix) (TMR118)

Candy Cane Children/Reading of the Story of the Mag / Silent Night (TMR071)

Hello Operator / Jolene (TMR067)

Now, just in case you were thinking that you were getting off easy with just a hand full of 7"s (not too expensive), Jack had to go ahead and offer more crap to add to your holiday wish list. And by crap of course, I mean awesome goodies!



The Revolution portable record player

Heavy-duty custom 45 box for carrying all of your favorite 7-inch records.

Third Man-branded custom vinyl cleaning kit

Third Man Records iPhone case with component parts made from real vinyl records!

6' Flat auxiliary audio cable by Griffin with custom Third Man Records print

You can check out all the goodies, details and release dates on the Third Man Records website.

..and its not all about the White Stripes. No Sir. TMR is also releasing this holiday season:

Edgar Oliver's "In The Park" "Hunger and Light" (TMR121).

John C. Reilly will release not one but TWO Third Man singles in November

John & Tom: "Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar" / "Lonesome Yodel Blues #2" (TMR112)

Becky & John's "I'll Be There If You Ever Want" / "I'm Making Plans" (TMR113)

Dear Santa...

Yes. Thank you.

Lea

How I almost got kicked in the face by a Supersucker and other Rock 'n Roll stories

I only ever had one Supersuckers album: How the Supersuckers became the Greatest Rock Band in the World. All this time (I'm talking 10 years), I just thought it was just one great album. Russ told me tonight after the show that this is a compilation album of their greatest hits. No wonder every song on that album rocked. Russ was a fan and transferred this album to my iPod years ago. It has been on semi-regular rotation on my playlist ever since.



I somehow got on a mailing list of upcoming local concerts and received an email that alerted me that the Supersuckers were playing a Fort Worth show in October. First of all, touring rock bands generally don't play Fort Worth. Rock bands almost always opt for Dallas. Secondly, it was on the night of Russ' birthday and I thought it would be a fun birthday gift. Since we generally don't like leaving the house after dark (we're old) or crowds of people, but we still like live music and celebrating birthdays, it was a nice compromise. The show was at a small venue, close to home at Lola's in Fort Worth. Lola's is a very small venue, as in 300 people capacity. Russ has played there before when he was drumming for the Blarney Street Hooligans. I was excited to see a band that I liked in such an intimate setting.

The Supersuckers proclaim themselves to be The Greatest Rock 'n Roll Band in the World. While I love their confidence, I wonder if that sort of bravado would work for me. Lea G: Greatest Technical Developer in the World! Yes, it works! I'm updating my resume.

Russ and I and our friend (Super)Dave ate birthday sushi on 7th street before heading over to Lola's on 6th for the show. We get there about 9pm as the opening band is taking the stage. Russ buys his obligatory concert t-shirt as we wait it out for the main attraction. Let me first say that when the guys from the Supersuckers walked in the front door, I knew instantly they were with the band. They have a tattooed, trailer-trash, country yet rock 'n roll, hillbilly style which is not all that uncommon in Fort Worth. However, the band had a more polished (read: richer?) country-trash look that distinguished them from the real folk of say, Haltom City (no offense intended to the fine residents of Haltom City). I describe their look as I-used-to-be-trailer-trash-but-then-I-got-semi-famous-so-I'm-not-living-in-a-trailer-anymore-but-I-still-want-to-look-like-the-part-for-the-music-and-I-still-want-to-look-cool-so-I-do-that-by-wearing-sunglasses-at-night-in-a-dark-room. You could spot it a mile away. I'm just stating the facts as I see them folks.

During the opening bands, two very obnoxious, very drunk dancing girls reminded us why we usually opt to stay home. Why do we not go out much? Oh yeah, That's why. Way to ruin the experience for everyone, girls.

The band takes the stage about 11pm (way past my school-night bedtime on a Wednesday night, BTW). The band reminded us, in case we forgot, that they are indeed the greatest rock band in the world. We cheer because we want to, but also because they blatantly ask us to. This band really knows how to channel the energy of the crowd.

up close and personal



They put on a great show. Dirty, country, trailer trash, fast, punk rock 'n roll at its finest. The songs sounded as good as or better than I remember from the album. They played a mix of old favorites and some new songs, even if they didn’t play the one song I wanted to hear. They are performers for sure, playing to the crowd. Honest music with a definite tongue-in-cheek delivery. They ended almost each song with a dramatic vertical string instrument pose, there was much (what I call) synchronized jumping and kicking (more on that later) and they were actively encouraging the rock horns hand gesture from the crowd.

The show stopper however, was this little kid in the audience, sitting atop his parents shoulders right in the front. Let's just assume this was an all ages show, because this kid was probably 5 or 6. I didn’t check his ID. He was the cutest thing wearing these big headphones (I assume to protect his still developing eardrums) and the smallest Supersuckers t-shirt I have ever seen. His parents clearly coached him with the rock-on hand gesture and he stole the attention away from the stage all night long. As the guitar player would approach the front of the stage for a guitar solo, the boy would reach out his two little fingers (pointer and pinky of course) and touch the guitar with them. Even the band couldn’t take their eyes off or stop smiling at this kid. The shining moment for the kid was at the end of the show when the drummer, Scott Churilla, went off on this amazing extended drum solo. The kid stood on the side of the stage and did an intense air drumming solo, flailing his arms and body all over the place. I don’t think anyone was watching Scott anymore. Good thing we could look at the kid, but still hear and appreciate the amazing drumming of this guy. I'm sure this boy will have lots of stories for his pre-school class the next day about his night spent at a bar, probably littered with F-bombs that he learned coming from the stage all night. The kid was super adorable and entertaining, but these parents aren’t winning any parent-of-the-year awards. But seriously, the Supersuckers should bring this kid on tour with them.

The band ends the night with a speech about not insulting the crowds intelligence by pretending to play the last song, leave the stage, then wait for cheering in order to come out and play the real last song or two (you know, like they do at pretty much every concert everywhere). He said we would save 5 minutes by skipping the charades and they would have time to play an extra song. Way to be honest and efficient with your rock ‘n roll boys! This is when things got kind of rowdy. You HAVE to expect at almost any rock show, if you stand in the front you are going to get knocked around a bit. It is just a fact. If you are old like me and are not really into leaving concerts with bruises, then you have to stand somewhere else. Up until this point it was relatively calm. I maintained my front row status with no trouble until about the last 3 songs. That’s when the moshing started. On a side note, when did moshing become such a mainstream thing, didn’t it used to be almost exclusive to heavy-metal and hard-core? These days, I swear people will mosh to John Mayer. But I digress.

Now my sweet protective hubby stood behind me and was pro-actively pushing away the oncoming moshers in order to protect his wife, but I was still being pressed-hard right into the stage. I was actually maintaining my balance by leaning into the floor monitors on the stage. Now, if this would have been in the beginning of the show I would have been out of there (so fast) to the comfort of a bar stool in the back of the room, but I knew this was the last song or two so I was hanging tough. This is when I almost got kicked in the face by a Supersucker. Remember the synchronized kicks I talked about earlier? Well, my entire upper body was being pushed forward, well onto the stage. The band did a unison kick to accent a note and I saw a giant black cowboy boot coming right for my face. Maybe I’m exaggerating and the objects were not as close to my face as they appeared, but I ducked just in case. I managed to leave the show unscathed.

The Supersuckers perform like they believe they are the greatest rock 'n roll band in the world and gosh darn-it, they make you believe it too (even if just for that hour and a half).

Are you following my blog? Simply click the blue 'Join this site' button to the left (you may have to scroll down from the top). Thanks, as always, for your support. Lea-Bean

Cold War Kids - September 15th - Gilley's Dallas

The Cold War Kids kind of crept up on me. They spoke to me in place deep inside my soul when I wasn’t really paying attention. A couple of years ago, I was listening to one of those internet radio stations where you put in your favorite band and they play songs from your band plus suggestions of other bands you may enjoy. If you don’t know my favorite bands by now, your assignment is to go read my back blogs and get up to speed. That day when I first heard “We Used to Vacation” I was only listening on a subconscious level, my mind was fully concentrating on whatever work I was into at the time. The song was probably half the way through before it came to the surface of my thoughts. Wow! Those powerful vocals and lyrics wrapped up in the subdued style of the song hooked me right away. I downloaded the album, Robbers and Cowards, but It was one of those albums that didn’t speak to me on a conscious level at first. I found myself skipping through the tracks when I tried to listen to it. The strange thing is that when these same songs came up in the mix on my iPod, when I wasn’t really paying attention, they almost always stopped me in my tracks. They were the kind of songs that instantly whisked me away from my faraway thoughts, bringing me right back to reality. It turned into one of those albums that the more you listen to it, the more captivated you become.

Then, earlier this year the Cold War Kids released a new album called "Yours is Mine". I bought the vinyl when it came out and downloaded the album. The Cold War Kids even played a show and recorded a live album at my favorite music venue (that I have never been to), the Third Man Records live venue in Nashville. Jack apparently likes the CWK too. So, when I happened across an internet posting that they were coming to Dallas to tour for the new album, I called up my favorite concert buddy and we bought tickets.

Doors at 8. Opening band at 9. CWK’s at 10:15. On a school night mind you, but I am tough, I can do it. It was refreshingly cool this evening. The brutal summer temperatures are becoming a thing of the past as the cool autumn nights start to creep in. The show was at small venue called Gilley’s, but it was ticketed as Southside Music Hall, which is in the same building as the bigger Palladium Ballroom. Confused yet? Yeah, so were we. We were relieved after seeing the giant line of people waiting to get into the Palladium to see Bright Eyes, that the entrance to Gilley’s was “around back.” A short walk down a scary dark alleyway and we were in.

They checked my ticket, swiped my ID at the door and gave me a wrist band that was printed with my name and the words “unspecified venue”. Apparently, I was not the only one confused about the venue name. They don’t even know themselves. At least I had my name printed on my wrist in case I forgot who I was. It was also printed with a big 21. It's been quite a few years since I have been Lea, 21.

We arrived just in time. The opening band had just started playing their first note. We walked in the door and took our places in the front, stage right. I think I am going to stop making comments about opening bands now because I am always seem to say things like, "no disrespect intended to the opening band, but...." They are almost never good. That's all I have to say about the opening band.

The Cold War kids take the stage and I immediately realized that I didn't know what to expect, as far as band image. I was slightly surprised that this man, that I only knew by his soulful voice from the albums, was wearing a short sleeve oxford button down shirt tucked into his khaki pants. He looked more like an IT guy from my office than someone about to rock the night. Then he admitted he was drinking white wine. Preppy or not, by the end of the night, Nathan Willet brought the emotional intensity of a bonafide rock star.

The show was amazing. The Cold War Kids have mastered the art of dynamics in music. They begin with a mellow sing-songy low key style until the song inevitably breaks into a passionate wailing chorus, which begs for audience participation. The songs are catchy, the chorus' are shoutable. Low intensity, high intensity, low intensity, repeat. This band knows how to capture the energy of the crowd. They delivered.

The song writing is seriously killer. Who else writes songs about being on death row (Saint John), kids of divorce (Sensitive Kid), being an alcoholic father (We Used to Vacation), stealing from the church offering (Passing the Hat) and being in the hospital with no chance of recovery (Hospital Beds) almost all in first person perspective? The Cold War Kids do. I leave each of these songs believing Nathan Willett has experienced each of these things personally, he is so convincing in his passionate delivery.

I got home at 1am, stole a few hours of sleep before the morning alarm reminded me of my work day responsibilities. I was tired in the morning and the next day at work, but it was totally worth it.

The next night our friends asked us if we wanted to go out to a piano bar downtown. What do I look like? I'm in my 20's? I can't go out two nights in a row!

Are you following my blog? Simply click the blue 'Join this site' button to the left (you may have to scroll down from the top). Thanks, as always, for your support. Lea-Bean

News Flash: Jack White Doesn't Care What You Think.

This shouldn't be surprising. He never has. Not since the beginning. Not since he and his "big sister" Meg started playing together all those years ago, way before he was famous. It is kind of why we love him. He has said in interviews that he never thought anyone would like the music he was making, he was doing it because it made him happy. He didn't care when you thought he should be making another White Stripes album instead of working with the Raconteurs or playing drums with the Dead Weather. That worked out OK, right? We love Jack for being unpredictable and always doing the unexpected. You can't hate him for the same reasons you love him.

We should look at it as a good thing that he is still, after all these years, not pandering to anyone and doing exactly what he wants. I'll admit that when I first learned the news that my music hero, Jack White, was producing a single for Insane Clown Posse, I had a mix of emotions. I was confused, shocked and yes, a little disappointed. Jack does a lot of collaborations, but nothing like this. ICP are probably the most absurd, vulgar, raunchy, clown-faced (literally), no-talent rappers I've ever seen (to put it nicely). I have to admit, I haven't even listened to it yet. I can't bring myself to do it. After all, we are talking about ICP. There is pretty much no way I'm going to like it. I think ICP's Violent J said it best himself in an interview with MTV news, "He's one of the most respected musicians today, and we're one of the most non-respected musicians today."

Bottom line is Jack is having fun. Jack knows ICP is not going to be received well by his core fan base and cause an internet uproar. Jack knows a lot of people won't get the joke. I'm sure Jack also knows his collaboration with ICP is not musical gold. Jack is a marketing genius with a sense of humor.

Just like anything else, if you don't like it, don't buy it. I wont be buying it. I am a Jack White fanatic, but that doesn't mean I'll blindly buy anything he puts his name on. Not even if TMR offers limited edition colored vinyl in random mail orders. Tempting, but no.

I say, get over it. Jack is having fun, and doing exactly what he wants to do. That doesn't make him any less of a musician or a producer. He's the same boy we've always known.

If you want to hear the song, even before I do, you can go to the Third Man Records Web site. www.thirdmanrecords.com Be warned, this song is not suitable for work or children or people with ears. Just kidding about that last part.

Now, this promo posted by the TMR folks on YouTube just proves it's all in good fun. Calm yourselves people.




Are you following my blog? Simply click the blue 'Join this site' button to the left (you may have to scroll down from the top). Thanks, as always, for your support. Lea-Bean

Your Top Five Favorite Bands: Challenge Accepted Granada Theater

When the Granada Theater reached out to their fans and asked for blog post submissions on our top five favorite bands, I couldn’t resist the temptation to participate in two of my favorite activities; blogging and talking about Jack White. I wondered if Granada would hold it against me that three of my five favorite bands have Jack White as a member. I wondered if it would matter that the fourth band was closely related to Jack White. Lastly, I am still wondering as I type this, which band I will write about for my 5^th favorite band. Lucky for you, Jack White collaborations don’t count as a band, or my list could go to 100.

The White Stripes: Remember the good old days? Back when Jack and Meg were making music together? I fell in love with this band from the moment I heard “Fell in Love with a Girl” on the radio back in 2001. I fell in love with Meg’s ponytails and Jack’s red and black split colored pants. I fell in love with peppermint swirls and childhood innocence and amicable divorce. Most of all, I fell in love with Jack’s interpretation of the blues, his guitar, his passion. I fell back in love with rock ‘n roll. When Jack and Meg announced their split this year a little part of rock music died, but Jack and Meg will live on in my heart and on my turntable forever.

The Raconteurs: Never fear. Several years before Jack and Meg called it quits, Jack was already dabbling in a so-called side project, the Raconteurs. Together with his old friends Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler, Jack proves that he can wear other colors than red, white and black. He has even been seen wearing (gasp!) green. Shocking, I know. Jack shares the vocal responsibility with talented singer and songwriter, Brendan Benson. The rhythm section consists of bass player extraordinaire, Jack Lawrence and drumming chops miester Patrick Keeler. After taking some time off since their last album, they have been announcing festival appearances around the country this Fall. I'm still crossing my fingers for a yet unannounced Texas show.

The Dead Weather: Since the man is nothing short of obsessed with the number three, it really shouldn’t surprise you that Jack is also a member of a third band. The Dead Weather’s image is the polar opposite of the candy cane childish presentation of the White Stripes, but the core of the band is rooted in the same place, the blues. The music is dark, bluesy, passionate, and addicting.

Jack wears all black this time, taking his place behind the drums, leaving the lead vocals to everyone’s (well, at least mine) favorite bad-ass girl next door, Alison Moshart (of the Kills).

When they rolled into Dallas in 2009 and Austin 2010, all four members of The Dead Weather (Alison, Jack, Jack Lawrence, and Dean Fertita) put on an intense live show, blowing me away. The most amazing part for me was Alison’s ability to make me forget Jack White was even on the stage. Now, that’s stage presence.

The Kills: Speaking of Alison Moshart, I bring you my next favorite band, the Kills. I should get double bonus blog points from Granada Theater for this choice, because I saw VV and Hotel (Alison & Jamie Hince respectively) this past April at their fine venue. I learned about the Kills because of the Dead Weather, but quickly got up to speed on their studio albums since 2003. I dare you to listen to the album “Midnight Boom” and not instantly become in a good mood. There is nothing not to love about their stripped down, catchy, poppy, punky style. Then, they changed it all up again when they released "Blood Pressures" this year. It was the same VV and Hotel that we have grown to love, but a deeper and more mature sound . You have to listen to it to understand.

(The Kills at Granada Theater in April 2011)

(Frantically scrolling my iPod for my 5th favorite band), and the winner is....

The Cold War Kids: The song writing in this band is seriously killer. Who else writes songs about being on death row (Saint John), kids of divorce (Sensitive Kid), being an alcoholic father (We Used to Vacation), a homeless man stealing from the church offering (Passing the Hat) and being in the hospital with no hope of recovery (Hospital Beds), almost all in first person? I leave all of these songs believing Nathan Willett has experienced each of these things personally. He is so convincing in his passionate delivery. I have to admit (at first) they were one of those bands that had to 'grow on me', but now I can't even express to you how these songs speak to my soul. I highly recommend "Robbers & Cowards" and their new album "Mine is Yours". I wrote a blog about their last show in Dallas. You can check it out here.

Honorable mention:

Cake: They mainly won the spot because in compared to the many other hundreds of bands that I love and admire, I have been a fan of Cake for nearly 15 years. They win the longevity award. Who doesn't love a band that uses the vibra-slap excessively? In my humble opinion, "Prolonging the Magic" in 1998 was their peak, but I have been thoroughly enjoying John McCrea's monotone vocal delivery for years. Then there are the trumpets, I love the trumpets.

OK Granada Theater, I accepted your challenge. Now I have a challenge for you: Let's get Jack White to Granada Theater!