Jack White's new alt-garage supergroup the Dead Weather made their splashy television debut last night on Conan, and I think I'm just going to have to come out and say it: I don't like them. At all.
The few tracks that have leaked from their forthcoming album Horehound (due July 14) struck me as aimless and noisy, and their lifeless performance on Conan did nothing to alter that opinion. A stringy-haired White was relegated to drums, with the Kills frontwoman Alison Mosshart taking center stage for the group's song "Hang You From the Heavens."
Mosshart's got charisma, but the repetitious whirring of the guitars and the track's obnoxious lyrics did her no favors. (Sample lyric: "I'd like to grab you by the hair and drag you to the devil." Uh, okaaay.)
As a semi-enthusiastic fan of both the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, my displeasure with the Dead Weather is both disappointing and surprising. There just doesn't seem to be anything special about their (generic) brand of dark-rock.
But what do you think, Mixers? Do you like the boozy intensity of Jack White's new band? Or do you prefer him in Stripes or as a Raconteur? Watch the performance below:
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However, I can think of a million worse bands. I dont think its nearly as bad as you made it out to be
Wow, sounds like you didn’t like them before you even heard them. Sounds good to me. Can’t wait to hear the entire album.
This performance was really good, in spite of it being a live on tape show. Perhaps this isn’t your kind of music, and therefore have a negative opinion of it.
I think the lyrics aren’t too out of the ordinary either. They seem energetic and bluesy garage rock. I’m both impressed and excited for the album.
Didn’t hate, but didn’t love it either. Plenty of worse bands than this.
Yeah that lyric is just horrible *rolls eyes*
You have not business reviewing music Jeremy Medina. You have not heard much of it obviously, your taste is where your ass is, and you sound like a girl.
Ever hear bluses lyrics? Unimpressed were you? “Uh, okaaay”. what ever the hell that means.
I am a pretty massive White Stripes fan, but when I first heard ‘Hang You From the Heavens’ I wasn’t all that impressed. But last week I went to the “impromptu” gig the Dead Weather played in Detroit, and it was absolutely awesome. This stuff seems a bit out of place on the Tonight Show, but when you’re front row in a grungy concert hall in Detroit with a PBR in your hand – well…you can’t get much better than that.
Awful performance. The CD may be OK (haven’t heard it) but this was nothing but noise mixed with retro-goth stage gear.
Hey Jeremy, stick to your day job mate. Whatever that is.
Maybe you were looking for something more Coldplay-ish
but you are clearly out of your depth when it comes to reviewing music!!!
Hey Jeremy stick to your day job mate. Whatever that is. Maybe you were hoping for something more Coldplay-ish
but clearly you are out of your depth when it comes to reviewing music!!
These lyrics are beautiful – and they mean something.
Listen to the childish lyrics of the Nicklebacks of the world and tell me these are bad. The fact that you are able to write a column and all you have to say is uhhh okay is sadder than anything i heard in this performance.
It’s not Whites best work, something like Carolina Drama speaks leaps and bounds more, but just because you dont like the sound, doesnt make it all trash.
The lyrics were lame and I was also disappointed, perhaps I had high expectations. I’ll still check out more of there stuff though before I pass final judgement.
Sounded good to me. Can’t wait for the record.
this is the kind of music meant for sweaty nights…i guess you weren’t having one at the time.
Ok firstly it’s a lie to say Alison mosshart is a great lyricist, she’s not. But 3 of 4 musical elements of the band are good. Drums-great, Bass- great, vocals- great, guitar- I wouldn’t even call it guitar. It takes about 2 months to become better than him. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Liking jack as a drummer though.