Jack White has always been one of my favorite rockstars, mostly because no matter how famous he seemingly becomes he’s always kept that indie spirit and always puts the music first. I haven’t always loved everything’s he’s put out but it has always seemed sincere. Which is something that he continues here, although Boarding House Reach is probably his most experimental project yet. There’s heavy influences from blues, country, and most surprisingly funk, with entire songs dedicated to said genres. In fact, these ‘other genres’ songs are my favorite songs on the whole album, especially the funk infused ones. I never would have thought I’d hear funk coming from Jack White but I wouldn’t be mad if I got more of it in the future. Even the country song, “What’s Done Is Done”, is a highlight for me. He goes all in and really plays it up. It’s the playful side of White that made him a standout when he was first starting out. However, that side of him shows through far too little on Boarding House Reach, with his main motif seeming to be overly serious. But it’s not all non-rock as he can still deliver on that front (“Over and Over and Over”), and it’s not all gold when he delves into different genres either. Let’s just say I’m good on ever hearing another faux-rap/spoken word breakdown from White. All in all, Boarding House Reach was an unexpectedly experimental album that’s a mixed bag of good and bad, but the good largely outweighs the bad.
“The Sisyphean dreamer
My fibula and femur
Hold the weight of the world
(Over and over)
I think, therefore I die
Anxiety and I, rolling down a mountain
(Over and over)”
Have you heard Boarding House Reach? What’d you think of it? What’d you think of Jack White’s experimental approach to his sound? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own ratings and reactions to the album.
