Black and White

Yesterday, my dad suggested I give a listen to the Raconteurs, a fairly new band, and so-called supergroup which includes the likes of Jack White. Now, in the past, I've been somewhat prejudiced against Jack White. I remember seeing the video for Seven Nation Army, one of the songs which really shot the White Stripes into popularity, and being rather unimpressed. Admittedly, it is a fairly catchy song, but not overly complex musically. All of the fuss made over the controversy of his relationship with Meg White, and his other eccentricities concerning colours and numbers, combined with this song did not leave me favourably inclined to Jack.

Since then, I've heard many good things about Jack White, which made me think that perhaps I had misjudged him, at least to some degree. Oh, I've no doubt that he's a little wacko (but aren't we all?), but musically, at least, I've been converted.

The Raconteurs are actually really good. All the writing is done by Jack White and Brandon Benson, a solo artist who has enjoyed some success, and who is now a member of the Raconteurs. Listening to the album they have come out with, Broken Boy Soldiers, at least two tracks on it sound like they could have come off of a Beatles album, and another seems to have some definite Black Sabbath influences. Much of the other stuff has a unique sound all their own. The remaining members of the band are Jack Lawrence (rivaling White for the coveted "creepiest looking member of the band" award) and Patrick Keeler, both members of the Greenhornes.

Another musician I find somewhat fascinating (in the much the same way as a car wreck), is Jack Black. One of the duo Tenacious D, as well as a successful actor, he certainly seems hard to avoid in recent years. I genuinely think he has an amazing singing voice (as showcased in High Fidelity, among others), and is a talented musician, but it's just a shame that so much of his energies are directed to fairly objectionable humour. I know many people feel his acting ability is somewhat lacking (many similar characters), and one has to wonder whether the character of 'Jack Black' is simply one lengthy role spanning multiple projects.

What I really think needs to happen is a duel between Black and White. I don't really care about the format of said duel, fisticuffs, dueling fiddles, whip-cream pies at ten paces, but I think a showdown is necessary (and potentially hilarious). Who's with me?