When you think of guitar gods, you often think of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and other older legends from the '60s and '70s. However, Jack White has been steadily creeping his way in, and has arguably become the most important guitarist of the last 20 years. His combination of blues rock guitar riffs and overall mystique has undeniably put him in the club of rock legends, and has inspired many young rocker to pick up a guitar.
And let's be honest: White would be immortalized even if we only consider his work in The White Stripes. Think about it — when you go to any sporting event, chances are you're going to hear "Seven Nation Army," for better or worse. When you pick up a guitar for the first time, "Seven Nation Army" is right up there with "Smoke on the Water" as the go-to riff to learn.
But his work doesn't stop with The White Stripes! The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather are also populated by White's guitar and drum skills. Most of us would think "I've been in one legendary band, I'm good! It's time to coast!" But that's not Jack White.
Frozen Charlotte marks White's seventh solo album, and in my opinion is one of his more fun solo offerings. This record made me remember why I loved The White Stripes so much. The album made me want to pick up a guitar, turn the amp to 11 and kick something. It doesn't let up, and that's awesome. Is it groundbreaking music from White? No. But that doesn't matter! This sounds like he's having fun, and the feeling is contagious.
Will some people feel that the formula is stale? Maybe. Personally, I found it to have an energy and feeling that was lacking from records like Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive. Frozen Charlotte feels like White drank six Red Bulls and said "Let's make a record." The album never lets up, and really reminded me of White Stripes classics like Elephant and White Blood Cells. Think about this as you're listening: Jack White turned 51 July 9 and he sounds like he has more energy than he did in his 30s!
My only complaint about Frozen Charlotte is it might run a little too long. At 13 tracks it overstays its welcome just a tad. If it would have clocked out at 10 I would have still got my money's worth and probably would have immediately run it back to the top for a second listen.
Now, let's talk some album highlights.
"Dollar Bill" really encapsulates that White Stripes energy that I mentioned earlier. The guitar intro almost sounds like Led Zeppelin before it goes into full blown slide riffage. White whispers the starting lyrics and then the whole song explodes. It's a great reminder that he is in fact a living guitar god.
"Raising the Grain" has the line "crack the shellac," which is just fun and made me smile. Shellac is a funny word.
"You'll Never Fix Me" also channels that early White Stripes energy, and has guitar lines that would make the most stone-faced break into air guitar. Brian May would be proud of a few of the licks and — believe it or not — probably even Billy Corgan. The guitars go all over the place in the best way possible.
The beginning of "Nobody Knows" sounds like "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine, but it quickly falls into Jack White territory with an earworm "Nobody Knows" call and response that I'm sure will be fun live.
"She's in a Frenzy" slaps you so hard in the face that you'll have a red mark for days. People don't make guitar jams like this anymore, and that's why we need White around.
At the end of the day, White is an artist who most likely takes music more seriously than anything else in his life. He has his own record label, his own record shop, his own signature guitar — he's been in more successful bands than most people have kids! And let's be honest — I don't think he cares if everyone likes Frozen Charlotte, he's just that good and he knows it.
He's here to rock, and once again, he succeeds.
