they're putting a new song on itunes 2moro

lol
the soln. is same as it's been last 20yrs, a bad attitude - write n release GnR albums as good as before. & maybe stop blaming Slash. u don't need 2 or 22 bands if he'd just do his fuckin job & do it well u wouldn't need anything more. but he prefers to be distracted by petty perceived grievances.

Re: FB - it's from anything goes its not alluding to new music
Re: BitW - #omglol #wasteofmyfuckintime

i hope you're right, but i think you & your mate are being a little unfair to his prev success: GBMS was a US #3, IT #2. even the crappy Raconteurs & Dead Weather albums all debuted in US top 10.

& there are a few people disillusioned w/his non-WS output that were excited to see a singular Jack record again.

whatever the case, i'm delighted for the success he's having. i firmly believe he's one of the few great rock artists around.
i've been a long time fan. i've fucking loved sharing in his world & vision since Jimmy the Exploder first explodified my brain. i grew up w/the white stripes & i was beginning to think he'd never come close the magic meg brewed in him.

i think it's easily his best album since GBMS.

only twice does he seriously misstep: i really don't like I'm Shakin'. Bo Diddley aside, i find it a grating cover, or maybe just annoying song to begin with; & Trash Tongue Talker which is just a pastiche too far. (Freedom @ 21 isn't up to much either tbh)

in fact, one of the strengths of the album is evidenced by this TTT - one of only two on the album played w/a fully male band. it's quite conventional & rather mean, like (bad) bad jerry lee lewis mean.
having said that the rootsy track, I Guess..., is the other all male performers & it's a bit of a cracker so... like a few scattered raconteurs tracks he can strike some gold in a 'traditional' band..

however, my point is, he has really unearthed some gems in the female players on this album & they help him re-tap into that vibe of confidence tempered by fragility which has really been one of the key elements of his magic. brooke wagooner & carla azar make significant & terrific contributions.

there is a cool variety & nice blend to the album. its tender moments in the middle perhaps more effective than the rocking moments - but some of the rockers are as consistently tuneful as he's maybe ever been, Weep Themselves... is a real highlight.
i am glad he's unafraid to step away from the heavy blues rock (although an album of him & his riffs would be more than welcome before too long again, plz). it's just the variety of ideas is executed w/such quality you'd have to be some kinda jerk to begrudge him. he should be extremely proud of this record, it's really quite beautiful in a lot of places.

3 of the last 4 songs are incredible - the dylanesque Poor Boy & the blinding & scintillating final 2. the same jack white i've been missing out on for too long. the same jack white from de stijl & white blood cells. ambitious & rocking but cracked & tormented. the guy in those 3 songs is the guy i'm rooting for.

brilliant record.

& that gig will be brilliant too russ. i saw the white stripes a few times & every time it was different but every time it was special. he's a great showman.
will he still be doing the two backing bands thing when you see him?
cant wait til he comes over here. been too long since i seen him play white stripes stuff, & a lot of this solo stuff will measure up to even his great white stripes songs given time.