A few weeks ago I was surprised to hear a friend of mine say that he was hooked on Jack White’s new acoustic album, “Jack White: Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016.” I told him I was going to eventually listen to it, but I never did until I saw White perform on the “Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” The personal melody he played stirred the crowd, and left the performer himself very emotional. After seeing that performance on the “Tonight Show,” I had to check out the album.
With a career that spans more than 18 years, White has had his fair share of success in the music industry. In 1997, he and his wife at the time, Meg White, started a band called White Stripes that would go on to achieve widespread success during a 13 year career. From there, he has founded and been a member of different bands, like The Raconteurs. He has often mythologized his life, but in this album he focuses on simplicity. The many fancy sound effects that usually accompany his songs are replaced with harmonizing voices.
The album consists of two discs, filled with both upbeat tunes and emotional songs. These acoustic recordings make the perfect playlist for a road trip. Songs like “You’ve Got Her in Your Pocket” and “Love is the Truth” are some of the more personal songs. They’re totally stripped down just him and his guitar trying to tell a story. Other songs like “Blunderbuss,” from the critically acclaimed album of the same name, are also featured on the disc. This ballad reminds everyone just how much White sometimes sounds like Robert Plant, and is the best song on the album. Other tunes, like “Well It’s True We Love One Another,” are more offbeat.
With the release of “Acoustic Recordings,” Jack White gives us insight into his life throughout his career. His lyrics talk about the women in his life, and the album features collaborations from Meg White and Holly Golightly. He also addresses some of the problems he’s had during his time in the spotlight, like his involvement in fistfights and other similar controversies. Some songs on the album, like “City Lights,” had never been released. These tracks give us yet another fresh take on White’s songwriting.
The album has a wide variety of song styles and genres. On disc 2, you can appreciate songs like “Just One Drink,” which sounds like something you might hear in a cowboy saloon or while grabbing some beers with your friends. Despite the wide variety, the songs fit perfectly together. You’ll be listening to the album over and over while in the car or just hanging out at home.
