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The Dead Weather
Ever since White Stripes became popular, Jack White has been a perpetual motion machine. With the White Stripes on top of their game, White launched The Raconteurs. He also contributed to the "Cold Mountain" soundtrack - and appeared in the film and performed, with Alicia Keyes, the title track, "Another Way To Die" for the James Bond movie. White has produced albums for every band he's been in and for other artists - most notably Loretta Lynn's '04 album "Van Lear Rose."
The White Stripes' downtime became so extended that Meg White (Jack's ex who he once passed off as his sister) had time to remarry (to the son of the legendary Punk Rocker Patti Smith). So any White Stripes reunion would clearly have to wait, not only for Meg, but also because Jack was involved with The Dead Weather.
The Alt-Rock group formed in Nashville and consisted of vocalist Alison Mosshart (The Kills), guitarist Dean Fertita (Queens Of The Stone Age), bassist Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs) and drummer/vocalist White. Interestingly, White started his career as a drummer in the Alt. Country Goober & The Peas. In The Dead Weather, White also handled guitar - the instrument he played to fame.
The group released their debut, "Horehound," with the single "Hang You From The Heavens," in the summer, '09. On the same day, three tracks ("No Hassle Night", "Hang You From the Heavens", and "Treat Me Like Your Mother") were available as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game. Also to promote the album, White produced a short documentary, Full Flash Blank, with song performances and band interviews. The album made its U.S. debut at #6 on the Billboard chart.
The Dead Weather's "Sea Of Cowards," dropped in May, '10. The sophomore set contained the singles "Gasoline" and "Die By The Drop."
Imagine some of White Stripes more esoteric excursions with Meg White handling vocals. That's The Dead Weather's first impression. But like any White Stripes album "Horehound" demands repeated listens. And then you're hooked.
While "60 Feet Tall" is a White Stripes like shout-fest the band comes into its own with the Punk/Hip-Hop tinged "Treat Me Like Your Mother." "Hang You From The Heavens," "I Cut Like A Buffalo" and the Garage/Punk "New Pony" provide the album's quirky charm. The acoustic closer "Will There Be Enough Water" asks the question "will there be enough water when my ship comes in?" Indeed.
"Sea Of Cowards" sounds like a mid-60's garage band that has just discovered acid ("knock on the door and the door knocks back" is a line from "Hustle And Cuss"). "Blue Blood Blues," "Jawbreaker" and the single "Die By The Drop" are less songs than lo-fi excursions seeped in electric Blues. "The Difference Between Us" has a spooky organ that accents Mosshart's dark vocals. And coincidently, there are keyboards, though not as dramatic, on the set's best track and second single, "Gasoline."