Every rock fan knows his stadium-ready guitar riff from “Seven Nation Army”. Twelve Grammys testify that Jack White has had at least one foot in the extended pop mainstream for a long time.
And yet his albums remain adventurous – a lot inspires, some irritates, some annoys. This is also what makes the current work “Fear Of The Dawn” so appealing. The songs no longer sound as bulky as the wild mishmash of styles from “Boarding House Reach” (2018).
But even with the twelve enormously powerfully produced new tracks, White (46) isn’t competing for softie beauty awards. His cutting voice, which often turns hysterical, speaks once morest it. He shares vocals with A Tribe Called Quest rapper Q-Tip on “Hi De Ho” — another rather weird affair. White lets his instrument crackle, distorted croak or howl wildly.
From the great opener “Taking Me Back” onwards, they rock unrestrainedly. A bit of calm only returns with the concluding mid-tempo groove of “Shedding My Velvet”. So for fans of experimental six-string sounds, “Fear Of The Dawn” is a celebration, and the album should further enhance Jack White’s status as one of the world’s best guitarists. White remains a colorful bird with style.
