Matt LuceyBackground of Jack
Jack White is one of the most renowned rock musicians of the early 2000s. Jack was a core member of the band, The White Stripes, with his then wife, Meg White. Born in Detroit, Jack would build up his skills in the Detroit music scene, playing multiple instruments. Gaining following their first releases in 1998, Jack and his band would really take off following the release of White Blood Cells. Unfortunately, the couple were not destined to last, breaking up just prior to this release in 2001. Though this undoubtedly added pressure to their dynamic, the band would continue until 2011, giving us such classics as Elephant and Icky Thump.
Following the break up of the band, Jack went on to have a successful solo career. During this time, Jack would also go on to set up a record printing company as well. In 2014, White set the record for the fastest album, from inception to printing, in 3 hours and 55 minutes. Most recently, Jack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his role in the White Stripes. To Date, Jack has won 12 Grammys, a litany of other accolades and is rated by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Leadup to this Single, mixing and production
This Single was written and produced by Jack White. That’s one of the best things about Jack’s music. He has gotten to the point where he can write, perform, record, mix and press his own work with minimal interference. This means that he can make his music as close to his vision as possible. Even the record label, Third Man Records, is owned and run by Jack himself. Not just a studio musician either, Jack accompanied the release with a live performance on Saturday Night Live.
God and the Broken Ribs
We launch in with a low, chugging riff. This feels very Jack White. The low end added by this riff will be felt through the rest of the song. The main guitar tone is, in contrast, bright and almost clear. Just on the edge of overdrive, this allows for some lovely gritty tones. Again, this is a signature style of Jack. The wailing guitar later in the track, in lieu of a solo, is also a great addition. It breaks up the later parts of the song and prevents the repetitive chugging riff from becoming tired.
Jack’s singing is interesting. While he can sing, as demonstrated in his vast discography, he chooses instead a more speaking vocal choice. This helps to emphasise the lyrics and creates a contrast musically between the vocals and the other musical accompaniment. The lyrics to me are a bit of a mystery. While the underlying theme is clearly informed by Adam and Eve, at one point, the lyrics were clarifying the parts of a river. Overall, this track is very good. It does feel as though it would fit in well as a part of an album, though it is strong in its own right.
Conclusion
Jack White’s latest release is great. It packs a punch, is mixed extremely well and does exactly what it was meant to. It got us excited for what’s next..
