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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Blunderbuss

Jack White

2012

Buy At Rough Trade
Blunderbuss
Album Summary

Blunderbuss is the debut solo studio album by American musician Jack White. It was released in digital and physical formats beginning April 23, 2012, through Third Man Records, in association with XL Recordings and Columbia Records. Written almost entirely by White, the album was recorded and produced by him at Third Man Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Various musical styles appear throughout, including blues rock, folk, and country soul. The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised White's ambitious songwriting and often compared the record favorably to his work for the White Stripes. It debuted at number one in five countries and reached the top 10 in ten other countries. It was certified platinum in Canada and gold by record industry trade groups internationally. The album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, while the single "Freedom at 21" was nominated for Best Rock Song. In addition, the single "I'm Shakin'" received a nomination for Best Rock Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. The lead single from Blunderbuss, "Love Interruption", was released on January 30, 2012 via White's website. The single "Sixteen Saltines" was uploaded to White's YouTube channel on March 13, and seven days later, the song was released as the second single via 7-inch vinyl with a cover of U2's "Love Is Blindness" as its B-side. On April 1, Third Man Records released the album's third single, "Freedom at 21", by attaching flexi disc copies of the song to 1000 helium balloons. A music video for the fourth and final single, a cover of Little Willie John's "I'm Shakin'", was released on October 10, and twenty days later, the single was released digitally and via 7-inch vinyl with the B-side "Blues on Two Trees".

Wikipedia

Rating

3.4

Votes

13817

Genres

  • Rock

Reviews

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Aug 07 2023
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2

A remember there being buzz for this album back when it was released as the first Jack White solo album. Other than that, it’s not too remarkable. Even then I thought it was just fine. You do not have to listen to this before you die and it does not deserve a place on this list. There are three good songs. I most like the drum and bass line that opens “freedom at 21.” “hip, poor boy“ and “shaken” are nice songs too, but none of them compares to the work Mr. White did with white stripes or any of his other side bands.

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May 04 2023
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5

This is my first time listening to solo Jack White and it's great and it's more White Stripesy music, but it made me realise how important Meg White was for him. It's missing that little piece that made the White Stripes so good. Still great music since Jack White is so talented.

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Mar 28 2024
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3

The start was pretty unexceptional riff-rock but things picked up with nuggets like the acoustic 'Love Interruption' and 'Blunderbuss', respectively featuring a lovely clarinet and string arrangement. Plus 'Hypocritical Kiss' has a pleasant easy going country vibe. On the whole, it's an interesting, if rather inconsistent, listen.

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Apr 03 2024
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5

A weirdly perfect album, not in that it has any big major stand out tracks, but that every track is perfect in an understated way. I've listened to it at least 4 times in the last 24 hours and it hasn't got old yet. Perfectly understated in that every time I listen to a song I hear another layer of complexity to either his writing, composition or both. I feel like I could (and should) do a track by track on this but highlights include the fat riffage on Sixteen Saltines, the masochistically beautiful poetry of Love Interruption and the Dave Brubeckness of Take Me with You When You Go which is easily my favourite track on the album - don't get me started on the fricken tone he puts out in that shred break halfway through, with a deliciously caustic harmony over the top of it. It's a genius closing track. Definitely one for the vinyl collection.

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Jun 06 2023
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5

Easy 5. Great album, easygoing and groovy.

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Jun 09 2024
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5

So fantastically surprising! I was so ready for this album to be an awful like pop-punk tweens era album but it was such a beautiful and engaging album full of fun tracks with really amazing production. I loved the production, the biggest issue is some of the superficial lyrics and maybe cringy vocals but I can’t deny I really enjoyed the album.

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Jun 18 2023
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5

The beginning of his Blue Period. Every bit as exciting as what he was doing creatively with The White Stripes.

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May 30 2024
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5

Album 425 of 1001 Jack White - Blunderbuss Rating : 5 / 5 Awesome album! I enjoy most anything Jack White puts out...be it White Stripes, Raconteurs, solo or any of his other projects. This one does not disappoint. Great tunes, all the way through. This is probably my 3rd time to hear the whole album. I have a feeling it could find a place in my all time favorites.

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Aug 14 2023
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5

If you don't have this on so loud that it is actively giving you tinnitus then you didn't have the volume up high enough.

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Jun 26 2023
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5

Very cool. Nice piano parts too.

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Jun 08 2024
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5

I absolutely wore this one out when it came out. It was probably one of the last CDs I bought before (sadly I think) streaming services changed the economics of consuming music. In my opinion, time has shown this record is as good as any of the White Stripes albums, which is saying a lot given they made at least two masterpieces in White Blood Cells and Elephant. It’s a masterclass in modern rock and roll. Sixteen Saltines is a banger. Love Interruption is an angry ballad, followed immediately by the lovely ballad title track. Tons of variety, great weird guitar licks, great weird lyrics, great weird vocals.

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Sep 15 2023
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5

I really like Jack White, but I'm not sure I ever listened to an entire album front to back. I was missing out. This is an impressive debut album where he builds on the new(ish) sound of the White Stripes but also solidifies himself as a solo talent, visionary, and perfectionist. It's really, really good.

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May 04 2023
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5

J’ai vraiment aime ca je vais reecoute assure ent, du bon rock blues 5

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Aug 08 2023
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5

Outstanding. I've never heard this album before yesterday. It really blew me away. It will get repeated listening from me. Road trip music for sure.

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Nov 23 2023
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5

Great album, honestly don't think there's a bad song on, I don't love all of them, but the overall quality is undeniable, with Jack White's particular sensibilities easily heard all the way through.

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Jun 02 2024
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4

Sixteen Saltines Freedom At 21 Love Interruption Blunderbuss I'm Shakin'

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Jun 11 2024
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4

I like the instrumental part, but the singing is still, not my personally taste. Some songs are nice, like I'm shakin'

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May 29 2024
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4

Definitely one of the best albums I have listened to since starting this daily project. Strong alternative album rooted in blues. Some great songs on this album. Jack White makes his guitar sound like it is from another planet. Great album

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Jun 04 2024
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4

Played Minecraft for the first time today, and the surprises didn't end there! By Love Interrupted the was sounding like how I expected going in and stayed more that vein, but still a fun and interesting listen. But the opening tracks really broke me in with a start! Bright guitar and unique songwriting. It seems I agree with spotify consensus based on play count, because Sixteen Saltines is DEFINITELY my favourite

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Jul 25 2023
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4

really cool instrumentation, if the lyrics were even a little bit better this would be a 5, but they’re just not particularly good

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Jun 08 2024
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4

Album no. 900. My time in this realm is coming to an end. The final stretch is here. I actually really liked this, despite never caring much (at all) about The White Stripes. Turns out the remedy to his curse of only being able to write one song was having to go solo. Lot of variety on this one.

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Jun 08 2024
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4

This album has all the elements that I usually like best in music. Blues-rock combo. There’s just something a little bit too controlled about it. Lack of passion holds it back from a perfect score for me.

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Jun 11 2024
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4

Favourite tracks: I'm shakin; blunderbuss; freedom at 21; sixteen saltines

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Jun 04 2024
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3

Would I listen to it again: yes Is it a no-skip album: no Do I like it: yes

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May 30 2024
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3

no me gustó tanto. Mis favoritas fueron im shakin, trash tounge talker y take me with you when you go. El album no es mi estilo pero fue interesante

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Jun 06 2024
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3

Actually liked it more than I thought

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Sep 30 2024
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3

t’s a Jack White record and with due respect to fans of his, there wasn’t much by way of unexpected surprise on this record. It sounds like a Jack White record: some high energy rock, some bluesy and/or country-ish acoustic numbers, some cool guitar effects and some blistering solos. The heavy use of piano was a nice addition here, but not totally total out of character. I like him just fine, but mostly in small doses: a song here and there, but in an album setting like this, it all kind of starts burring together after a while. His staccato vocal delivery starts to wear thin, making songs that would otherwise probably be engaging feel monotonous.

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Jun 08 2024
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3

It’s tough for me to say that Jack White really needs his solo album on a list that already includes multiple White Stripes albums. Still, this is a diverse and interesting set of styles. It’s quite enjoyable.

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Apr 12 2024
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2

Was quite boring, not a big fan, some okay songs and riffs but not for me. Don't like his voice either.

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Jun 01 2024
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5

Outstanding. I've never heard this album before yesterday. It really blew me away. It will get repeated listening from me. Road trip music for sure.

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Sep 21 2023
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5

I was pleasently surprised with this one. When the iconic Sixteen Saltines came on I thought I was on a ride through a White Stripes album but as it played further I was left with a bunch of really good Folk/Country/Rock songs wotch was a nice switch of pace. Jack White is criminally underated. I might even dare say it's a White Stripes album if Elton John produces it. And that's a compliment. Weep Themselves to Sleep express this feeling the best. The mix of all those different genres are amazing. Truly a record that everybody jeeds to hear at least once.

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May 28 2024
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5

Love a good use of the classical piano

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Sep 22 2023
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5

Not my kind of music 5stars for it anyway

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May 23 2023
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5

4.5. Absolutely love this album. Pillar during my last jr high/ early high school days

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Apr 26 2024
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5

I enjoyed it. It's funny that he's prolific enough to have his voice prominently features in the shuffle that followed that conclusion of the album

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May 03 2024
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5

Album 3 of 1001 Jack White - Blunderbuss Rating : 5 / 5

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Apr 04 2024
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5

Front to back, all strong compositions. You can hear his love for Roots and Blues in every song.

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Mar 27 2024
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5

I feel like Jack White is one of only a handful of artists who are able to play such a wide variety of different rock genres, and genuinely nail every single one in a genuinely ambitious and respectful way Beck would be another great example and I’m not a fan of John Mayer, but he seems to kind of be there? anyway, this album is a 10/10 - loved every song :)

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Mar 26 2024
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5

I'm pretty sure this is my favorite Jack White album. There are many perfect White Stripes albums and he went on the have a cool solo career while also just being a crazy cool dude. No notes.

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Mar 13 2024
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5

I guess I am a fan of the work of Jack White...at least what this project has made me familiar with.

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Mar 13 2024
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5

I know this is weird but Blunderbuss is the album that brought me back to rock music after about 15 years of listening to nothing but showtunes. I'd pretty much missed the White Stripes and didn't really know who Jack White was when I caught a performance of Love Interruption on a talk show and positively swooned at the opening notes of the organ and guitar and the soulful harmonies. White pulls off the throwback sound of the album with ease, like he's channeling music from another time. I think this one's pretty great.

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Mar 13 2024
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5

I’ve liked all the White Stripes stuff I’ve listened to, so I had high hopes for this album. It did not disappoint. Great!

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Mar 05 2024
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5

I’m generally a fan of most of Jack White’s projects, and it seemed like he held the reins and had most of the creative control with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather, but that’s even more the case on Blunderbuss. Prior to the release of this album, I wasn’t super impressed by “Sixteen Saltines” (it’s now grown on me more), and I was concerned that White wasn’t going to be able to make something as great as his old stuff without a backing band (even though one of those bands was just one additional person). But I was corrected in multiple ways: the amount of talent on this album is immense, all brought together by White and, yes, under his complete creative control. And the music recorded is all fantastic. It’s like a mix of the amazing songwriting of The White Stripes plus but with crisp production added. I know that not everyone loves that because Jack White became synonymous with garage rock and a sort of lo-fi style of production, but I think the fine engineering on Blunderbuss is for the better. I had the pleasure of seeing Jack White live touring for this album at the inaugural Firefly Festival in 2012; he and his band put on a great show. There were some snags with the sound not working great, but after they sorted it out, everything was perfect. I’ll never forget the end of that night, when all the concertgoers were filtering out of the festival grounds to the tents or parking lot all chanting “Seven Nation Army”.

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Mar 12 2024
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5

For my money, Jack White is one of the finest songwriters to ever live. Maybe song creator might be a better title than just writer. Acting as the producer and mixer of this album, as well as multi-instrumentalist, his finger prints are all over this album. Pure joyful genius.

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Mar 03 2024
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5

For me , this record incites several mixed responses from me . First I was very shocked to learn that this was not pre-1990 since i thought the sound was very synonymous with those eras of rock. In terms of the tracklisting , the record started off very strong fell of in the middle and trying to make something of an end to it. But my biggest contrast was me loving the instrumentation so much but not giving a care about the lyrics. But somehow I liked very much compared to other similar records I've been recommended

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Feb 27 2024
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5

Wow! Wasn't sure what to expect from his solo album. Not a bad song on the entire album! 5/5

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Feb 02 2024
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5

Großartig Alternative Rock Album

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Jan 30 2024
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5

Jack has all sorts of projects out there. He keeps rock alive.

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Aug 31 2023
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5

I'm starting to think this site is run by Jack White, given the frequency we see his stuff at. Anyway, good stuff as usual from Mr. W. I particularly like the skittering guitar solo (duo?) in Weep Themselves to Sleep

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Mar 25 2024
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5

8 / 10 Grandes guitarras, gran instrumentación y la voz peculiar de Jack White. Su mejor álbum en solitario.

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Feb 26 2024
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5

Prime Jack White material. The album that kickstarted my love for what he's doing.

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Jan 22 2024
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5

I’ve never really delved into Jack White and I don’t know why. He’s really good. This music makes me feel like there’s an army of history and influences behind it.

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Aug 16 2023
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5

Cool as hell, really moody stuff at times but has so much depth and variety. Brilliant stuff

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Jul 07 2023
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5

this album is fantastic Jack White kills it

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May 13 2024
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5

Went back and listened to the White Stripes records (who I had written off) and have loved Jack Whites progression. His records will be in regular rotation now! Blunderbuss doesn’t disappoint!

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May 20 2024
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5

Of all of Jack White's solo works, I've enjoyed this the most. It feels the most in touch with his White Stripes roots, but despite its range is so clearly missing Meg's influence.

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May 04 2024
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5

Great guitar chops. My kinda music.

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Jun 05 2024
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5

From the cover I thought this would be some emo shit but this was fire. I'm a sucker for good rock with pianos. Stand-out: Blunderbuss

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Apr 22 2024
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5

Already listened and love this album brings me back to high school. Always been a Jack White fan and seeing how he did with his solo stuff after the white stripes was not surprised by how cool the overdriven guitars, the Bluegrass violin. All of it rocks

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Apr 26 2024
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5

Love this. Saw him touring it live and it was great. 5 from me

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Dec 16 2023
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5

I love Jack white and this album is great.

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Jan 11 2024
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5

Love this album! Notable tracks: Sixteen Saltines I'm Shakin'

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Dec 18 2023
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5

One of my favourite artists, with his solo debut, was always going to score highly. I'm not 100% sure it deserves full marks, but I'm damn sure that's what it is getting. He has such power to create a vision or a world, especially here where he doesn't need to compromise even a little. Some tracks are fairly raw, and great, and others have had a bit more production put into them, and are also great!

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Jan 16 2024
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5

Jack White is such a special dude. I feel like I enjoy everything he has ever released. So in touch with his instrumentation, finding a collection of experimental sounds that all work together to create his signature style. I am especially excited about how well the keyboards and guitars interact throughout the album, and as always, the different levels of guitar distortion used throughout the album. This is an album I always have in my library and really enjoy listening time and time again. Less sensational than some of the White Stripes catalogue, but a high-quality release nonetheless. 4.5/5, rounded up. Fave tracks: Sixteen Saltines, Freedom At 21, Love Interruption, I'm Shakin'

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Mar 13 2024
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5

I enjoyed this quite a bit! A happy surprise!

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Mar 10 2024
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5

I’m very familiar with this one. Love it. So creative and loud. He’s a legend, a guitar god.

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Mar 11 2024
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5

Overall, this is a great album. To me, it has the perfect mix of keys, guitar, drums along with the unique voice of JW. You can't get bored from track to track. Lyric are interesting and good harmonies and background vocals are included. There are just a few songs I don't need to hear again but 9/13 I love. Not my favorite album of his, but a firm recommendation from me to listen to it. Love that he seems to include some influences from early rock artists The Killer and Elvis in some songs. I see all stars when I see Jack White.

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Mar 22 2024
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5

Absolutely fantastic classic. Wow. Bigger fan of this than any White Stripes. Killer talent demonstrating classic rock/blues sounds.

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Jan 30 2024
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5

Amazing debut solo album. It stands apart from the White Stripes, but had the same flavor. It's only fault it's being outshined by Lazaretto. I haven't really revisited this album since then. It has held up and is still a neat perfect album in my opinion.

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Feb 24 2024
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5

Great use of Instruments and background voice work

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Jan 25 2024
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5

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite artists.

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Jan 19 2024
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5

I loved this! It made me want to see Jack White live and listen to more of his music. What a talent

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Dec 27 2023
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5

Love this album start to finish, already on my full album listening rota. 5/5

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Jan 07 2024
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5

This was a really great blues rock album from Jack White. I already had an album from The White Stripes and that was pretty good as well, but I honestly think this was way better. I enjoyed almost every tracks and will definitely listen to it again. I highly recommend this album, especially for fans of rock music! Favorite Song(s): "Missing Pieces", "Sixteen Saltines", "Freedom at 21", "Love Interruption", "Blunderbuss"

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Nov 13 2023
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5

It’s Jack White, awesome album!!!

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Nov 14 2023
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5

Listened to this stuck at a train station

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Oct 25 2023
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5

I love Jack White and this has that classic Jack white feel. I was going to go with 4* but then thought better of it.

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