Dead Weather - Horehound

by Dave on Fri, 2009/07/10 - 12:14am

I find it difficult to get excited about The Dead Weather - and I’m a big fan of Jack White.  I think he’s one of the true musical geniuses of his generation - a creative force of nature.  But I’ve always found The Kills to be a bit flat, and Alison Mosshart’s voice to be a bit lacking in charisma.

Unfortunately, Alison’s performance on Horehound does nothing to change my mind about her.  The backing is fantastic - the kind of impeccable classic-rock beast we’ve heard roaring on Raconteurs and Greenhornes records.  Loads of soul, loads of new ideas in amongst the comforting retro padding.  The drumming is just amazing, and the guitar playing is as ferocious and inspiring as on most Jack White records.

But when Alison sings, the sparks go out.  Take the first track on the record - 60 feet tall.  The singing at the start is so so, but when the band open up half way through, it’s hairs on the back of the neck stuff.  Then Alison starts singing again and all the excitement drains out of the track.

‘Treat Me Like Your Mother’ works a little better - mainly because the main riff is so damn good and the keys drown Alison out a bit, and I’m sure there’s some of Jack White’s vocals adding some sparkle in the background.

But all in all, I’m really disappointed with Horehound.  The songs are great, and the band are awesome.  But the vocals ruin it for me.

Here’s something to ponder.  Who would have done a better job?  Beth Ditto would have been a better choice in my opinion - listen to her vocals on ‘Don’t Make Waves’ on Movement - that’s the kind of soul that Mosshart is lacking.  Maybe Rachel Nagy from the Detroit Cobras could have worked?  Or Lisa Kekaula from the Bellrays?  Maybe Jack White was after something a bit more slinky and brooding.  If that’s the case, Mosshart’s still a bad choice as she’s neither of these things.

[NOTE:  edited - see Jeff’s comment for more details.]
  
  • Ash Sat, 2009/07/11 - 12:19am

    your a fucking idiot

    youe a fucking idot. this is the best thing hes ever done. that singer is a babe.

  • Jimmy Ex Fri, 2009/07/10 - 11:57pm

    I'm with Dave

    The singers vocals are dull, same as The Kills. Plus Jack doesn't sound his usual self on that track. It's a good band without a decent singer.

  • Jeff Fri, 2009/07/10 - 4:54am

    Research

    Dave,
    I appreciate everyone's right to an opinion, and yours does differ from mine on the subject of this band and specifically Allison's vocals which I find to be excellent.

    However, I think you need to get your facts straight and do a bit of research.

    First, you seem to be under the impression that Jack White is playing guitar on this album. That is not true. With the exception of 'Will There Be Enough Water' and possibly a few other small segments, Jack is the drummer for this album and Dean Fertita is on guitar. I wonder where you got this idea from, as pretty much every article on this band trumpets "Jack on drums!" as the main point.

    The second, and more comical error, is that you attribute the "dull" vocals on 'I Cut Like A Buffalo' to Allison, but they are in fact Jack's vocals! FYI, Jack also sings lead on 'Will There Be Enough Water' with Allison backing him up and takes some verses on 'Rocking Horse'. It's true that Allison's voice does sometimes sound a lot like Jack's, but for one who much prefers Jack's voice, I would think that you of anyone would be able to tell them apart.

    Again, you're free to have your opinion about the album and different people with different tastes can reasonable disagree, however, it seems that you are quick to judge what you see as good as Jack and what you see as bad as Allison at the expense of facts.

  • Dave Fri, 2009/07/10 - 11:16pm

    That's me telt!

    Thanks for setting me straight Jeff.

    I still think the vocals let the record down. On that track, Jack is doing a Mosshart impression - that's my defence and I'm sticking to it :) Plus, there's lots of effects going on there, which dulls down the impact of the vocals. Elsewhere, it's more obvious when Jack is taking the lead, and Alison Mosshart is boring everyone to tears.

    I realise Jack is mainly playing the drums - but the guitar playing is very much in a Jack White style - we've heard those kind of licks before. I could be doing Fertita a disservice, but I expect there was much musical direction.

    Also - Jack White is definitely credited as playing guitar as well as drums - and Jack Lawrence gets a drumming credit too. So I'm not entirely sure who is doing what on which track.

    But you're right - I shouldn't have rushed this out so quickly, and should have checked my facts first a bit more. My wrist has been slapped.

  • Dave Fri, 2009/07/10 - 2:24am

    Cristina Martinez!

    From Boss Hog, would have been perfect.

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