The Raconteurs

Help Us Stranger

scum stats: Vault version with diff cover and green/copper vinyl, indie store exclusive with silk-screened sleeve and white vinyl, also dedicated versions for the Saboteurs down under (one of which i’m holding in the accompanying pic…because that’s how I roll)

What can I say? I feel the same way about this record as I did about “Consolers of the Lonely” when it came out eleven years ago. Working in a medium that is so easily rehashed, bloated, signified and “old”, the Raconteurs distill the most classic essence of rock and roll into a new, compelling and progressive form.

If I’ve learned anything from the lead-up campaign to this album, it’s how MANY people favor the Racs as their preferred Jack White vehicle. Weirdly, some peeps just can’t get on board with the Stripes because of the lack of bass, simplified drumming, matching outfits or whatever. I don’t understand it, but I acknowledge it. And in the ten years at Third Man…the Racs have primarily been relegated to reissues and live Vault releases…we’ve not previously experienced the wallop that a new studio album from them brings.

But wallop it does and live, it’s even stronger. I’m very, very excited to see where this journey takes us.

Also…just post some shit in the comments. Whatever you want. I’ll let my daughter Violet scroll through and pick a name at random and that person will get a test pressing of “Help Us Stranger”

Happy release day everyone.