Album review: The Dead Weather, 'Sea of Cowards'
Having already established himself as the hardest working man in rock with the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, Jack White’s more-is-better approach to record-making reaches overload with his third band. Less than a year after its debut, “Horehound,” the Dead Weather return with the follow-up.
“Sea of Cowards” (Third Man) is bolder than its predecessor, mainly because it seriously dials up the flamboyance quotient. Singer Allison Mosshart shows off a few new moves, moving things from a simmer to a boil. The album feels looser, more daring in the way it plays with sound and arranging. Keyboards squeal and feed back like guitars on “I’m Mad,” and the instruments sound like they’re short-circuiting on “Looking at the Invisible Man.” But as with “Horehound,” “Sea of Cowards” is all about the volatile vibe rather than songs. When the vibe works, it’s a decent approximation of the band’s top-shelf live show. But beneath all the “Hustle and Cuss,” the tunes just aren’t there.
greg@gregkot.com
I listened to this album today. It's good, but it's much better when you're also watching them perform it. I get the feeling these songs were written with live performance in mind. You should check out the videos on their MySpace page if you haven't already.
Posted by: Feller | May 12, 2010 at 05:33 PM
the review is absolutely right...they phoned it in... they said back in november that they had 22-25 songs for us...and instead they gave us 35 minutes of vibe and feeling. besides blue blood blues and hustle and cuss they just laid down a lp of tracks that flowed together, made there money on cd sales and there tour and my vote is......THEY'RE DONE!!!! As Jack has excelled at, moving on... I hate to say it because seeing them live has challenged some of the best performances of recent times, but it's time to keep on moving till he reaches his higher ground. Jack is amazing but obvious technical difficulties has led to an album far below the greatness they can obtain live.... not to mention... in august of 2009 i was there when they broke out "i can't hear you" "jawbreaker" and "no horse" live... it was better then... Give us Jack White and his band.. it's time for him and only him to take center stage... he's earned it... and us as dedicated fans have earned it too... but I'll see you at every dead weather show in the US because that is magic every night........ all reviewers aside... there aren't many better live shows money can buy. Thanks for saving blues based rock and roll for us all Jack!!!!
Posted by: Whodogg | May 14, 2010 at 02:25 AM