A raconteur is defined as "one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill." A skillful storyteller draws in his audience with an introduction that makes them want more. "Steady, as She Goes," the first single from The Raconteurs debut album Broken Boy Soldiers, is this introduction.
At first listen to "Steady, as She Goes," you may think, "Oh, it's The White Stripes." But as you listen closer, you become perplexed. "This can't be The White Stripes," you say to yourself, "the drumming is actually good!" The Raconteurs is the newest super-group in the indie scene, created by friends Jack White of The White Stripes and solo artist Brendan Benson.
The album begins with the poppy, dance-invoking single, "Steady, as She Goes." However, the album quickly strays from this sound and eases into something more Beatles-esque, with songs like "Hands," "Together," and "Yellow Sun." As The Beatles, The Raconteurs have a powerful chemistry - I'm really not trying to compare The Raconteurs to The Beatles; I swear. Benson's melodic voice complements White's more unconventional voice with ease, with neither one dominating the other. Throw in catchy guitar and key riffs with solid basslines from Jack Lawrence and drumming from Patrick Keeler, both members of The Greenhornes, and you have a pleasant package.
The Raconteurs say goodnight to their audience with the mellow, bluesy, piano-driven "Blue Veins," an excellent ending to an excellent story. Though Broken Boy Soldiers will not change your life, it is an impressive debut that is worth a listen or two.
