I know this might be a hard task for you, but let go of the
Ariana Grande’s, Jessie J’s, and Justin Bieber’s that you’ve been listening to,
and try something more mature, more… refined.
Jack
White is the genius behind Lazaretto. This eccentric person (even more so than
Kanye) will make you introspect about life through the truthful lyrics on each
of this album’s songs. Not wanting to say pop music isn't true, but the degree
in which you actually feel rewarded by listening to it doesn't compare with
this man’s work. Kind of like comparing crisps with a fine dessert. They're
both delicious, but chips, unlike the rich, fine dessert, won’t satisfy me at
all. So yeah… Sit at this table, and eat that dessert, because you will love…
it.
This
project blends a multitude of genres. From rock to blues, country, folk, and
funk. This album has it all. Such creation could only come from a person who
was going through some issues. This album rose from the ashes of Jack White’s
relationship with his former wife Karen Elson, to make us tremble with
self-pity, aggravation, and confusion.
Starting
off with a smug declaration, Jack White tells us he’s got ‘’Three Women’’ that
he needs ‘’to blow his blues away.’’ Divorced and helpless, seeking comfort in
the company of other friendly faces, Jack can’t forget the sort of
‘’Lazaretto’’ he’s been put in. A lazaretto, for those who don’t know, was a
place where the leprous and the ill would be quarantined from the rest of
society and the people they love. That feeling might have come from the fact
that at that time, White was battling against his ex-wife for the custody of
his kids, and as we know, females usually win those cases, therefore the
feeling of confinement.
Jack White
then releases a barrage of beautifully distorted anger to our ears with ‘’High
Ball Stepper’’. This instrumental track features monstrous guitar riffs that go
alongside a powerful drum play. Backed with a subtle distorted bass line and
violin chords that’ll keep you on your toes.
After that
explosive instrumental, Jack White takes a break on breaking a sweat and gives
us his point of view on our current society in a more ‘’down-to-earth’’ way.
Those who are familiar with Jack White’s personality and work know that he
abominates lack of effort and creativity. Himself coming from a humble
background, he believes that ‘’a man must break his back to earn his day of
leisure’’, as John Lennon once said. ‘’Entitlement’’ is not only a cry against
social conformity, but also his view on our youth, which according to him is
‘’being lied to’’ by being told we deserve things since our birth when we’re
‘’not entitled to a single damn thing’’.
This
track links to ‘’Temporary Ground’’, that even though it has a cheery
country/folk vibe to it, it talks about the ultimate issue of human life, its
ephemerality.
The
whole album is very well consolidated. Every song feels heartfelt and follows
this line that traces back to Jack White’s divorce, making it a very
interesting and emotional project. Definitely worth of purchasing, since it’s a
piece of art marking the turning point of an artist’s career.
I hope
you've found it interesting. I know that stepping outside of one’s comfort zone
is not easy, but as long as all of us are able to identify good music when we
see it, I won’t mind what other people listen to, as long as that goes.
