Review: Jack White’s New Album, ‘No Name,’ A Return To His White Stripes/Blues Rock Roots – Oh Yes!

A few weeks back there were rumblings coming out of Third Man Records, Jack White’s small independent record company, that a new Jack White solo album, his sixth, had hit the street. Customers who purchased vinyl albums – and Third Man is nothing if not a vinyl paradise – were receiving a free, unmarked album in a white album sleeve that merely had the words “No Name” printed on it. It was all very secret agent, back room deal kind of stuff like buying bootlegs in the basement of your favorite record store…ahem. No credits, no song listing was available for this mystery No Name album. It was sort of a much cooler version of that U2 launch of Songs Of Innocence, without the creepy encroachment on everybody’s phone. And unlike that U2 gaffe, the music on this album was sensational. It didn’t take long for rips of the vinyl album to be made available on YouTube by enterprising fans. While I was immersed in Pete Townshend’s expansive live box at the time, I did go out and listen to the stuff posted on YouTube. When I heard the music, I was as happy as I was the first time I heard the White Stripes’ “Hello Operator.” I’ve been a bit slow to post on this as Pete’s box wore even this music fanatic out a bit…

As long time readers know, we’re huge fans of Jack White here at B&V. It was my wife who turned me on to his original band, the White Stripes. We’ve celebrated re-issues of both White Blood Cells and Elephant here at B&V. After seeing the White Stripes twice in concert I realized I was seeing something special, both in Jack White’s guitar heroics and Meg White’s drumming (that I still love to this day, she’s amazing on drums). When Jack did side projects like the Raconteurs or the Dead Weather, I followed. When, alas, Meg decided to hang up her drum sticks, I followed Jack into the incredible start to his solo career, 2012’s Blunderbuss and 2014’s Lazaretto. Those are two fantastic, blues rock/rock albums. Jack was finally expanding his sound palette beyond a 2-person band. I listened to both while grilling burgers and sipping a cold one last night… I hope the neighbors weren’t upset with the volume…

Then Jack threw me a curve ball with Boarding House Reach. He abandoned basic song structure in favor of “sound experiments” or perhaps “sound landscapes.” I will always respect any artist’s desire to break out of their mold and try something new but Boarding House left me cold, the first White project to do so. Two years back Jack released two albums at the same time, ala GnR’s Use Your Illusions or Springsteen’s Human Touch – Lucky Town. Fear Of The Dawn was a lot like Boarding House in that it was more in the vein of the sound experiments and also, it left me cold. It was so twitchy it had me in actual fear of the dawn. However, Jack did release a counterpoint, a ray of hope if you will, Entering Heaven Alive a delightful collection of acoustic tracks with more traditional song structures. I had a feeling whatever Jack did next was going to rock n roll again.

When No Name finally became “officially” available, I rushed down to my local record store and picked up my blue vinyl copy. I’ve been struggling how to proceed as a collector with vinyl being so expensive, but for Jack, I’ll make an exception. No Name is indeed an absolute return to form for White. It’s very guitar and drums forward, rock n roll marinated in the blues. Jack plays guitar and sings but does work with various drummers and bass players on certain tracks. A gentlemen named Dominic Davis plays bass on most of the songs. Patrick Wheeler from the aforementioned Raconteurs plays drums on the tracks. It’s back to that stripped down garage rock/blues punk of Jack’s early work and I love every second of this raw, back to basics album. Other than Gary Clark Jr, Jack White is perhaps our last true rock star guitar player, our last Hendrix-esque player if you will.

There is so much to love here. All of the things Jack does well are here save for an acoustic ballad. I was delighted even by the title of the first track “Old Scratch Blues” because it had the word “blues” in it. I’ve always felt that blues is the bedrock of all great rock n roll. “Old Scratch Blues” starts off with a squawling guitar and then the drums kick in… yes, I wish it was Meg on drums but you can’t get everything you want… This is right where I want to be listening to Jack. That leads to “Bless Yourself,” where Jack sings “If God is busy, I’ll bless myself.” It’s a monster riff with distorted vocals and it’s a blessing to hear. “What’s The Rumpus” is an epic ol’ school rock song. “Tonight (Was A Long Time Ago)” continues the heavy garage/riff rock where Jack tortures his guitar solo like he’s Jeff Beck. “Morning At Midnight” rocks with more of a blues vibe and has some sprinkling of keyboards. It’s just another great song and is definitely a favorite.

This is not to suggest the album is monochromatic like the shag carpet on the cover. “That’s How I’m Feeling” starts off midtempo before taking off and Jack’s guitar is so melodic on the song it’s a favorite. “It’s Rough On Rats” skitters along on the twin water ski’s of bluesy slide guitar and rumbling drums. “Archbishop Harold Holmes” is a jaunty little blues number. Jack’s more experimental side is still here in the heavily distorted vocals and guitar of “Bombing Out,” but with Jack’s searing guitar solo and a Sam Cooke reference in the lyrics, it works. “Underground” is a blues vibe with a fuzzy solo that could be mistaken for a keyboard. It’s a virtual Ted Talk on “Sounds You Can Coax From A Guitar.” Many an air-guitar was played in the listening of this record… much to the Rock Chick’s chagrin.

The album ends on a fast paced rocker “Missionary” followed by an atmospheric track that’s as close as you’re going to get to a ballad on the album, “Terminal Archenemy Ending,” which is a fabulous title. After the album ends I can’t wait to get to my feet and head to the turntable to start it all over again. This is glorious, fun rock n roll and God do we need that right now.

I’ve read in places people saying Jack had to make this record after Boarding House and Fear Of The Dawn. I like to believe Jack wanted to do a glorious, guitar forward, blues rock/garage rock/blues punk album like this. There’s an inherent joy even in the darker moments that really recalls his work in the White Stripes but evolved for today. This is simply one of the best albums you’re going to hear this year.

While it’s a bit late to declare No Dawn as my new summer jam album, it’s certainly going to occupy me until the football season officially starts and beyond. Perhaps it’s my late summer/early fall jam? Regardless, turn this up loud and enjoy!

Cheers!