No Name by Jack White | Album Review
Jack White returns to his garage rock roots and refines his sound on his surprise release from this summer
Listen to No Name: Apple Music | Spotify
American rocker Jack White has always been a contrarian for as long as I can remember. So it wasn’t that much of a surprise when I found out about White’s approach to the marketing/release of his latest album No Name. Those who shopped at select locations of his record store Third Man Records were gifted a free unmarked vinyl with their purchases. Upon listening and through word of mouth, it was revealed that the record contained new music from Jack White.
An unconventional method of releasing an album for sure, but this was also the same guy who hid vinyl records in furniture while working as an upholsterer. Soon enough No Name was gifted an official release date for August 2nd on streaming platforms, as well as the inclusion of more readily available physical versions to follow as well.
In contrast to his last few solo releases that ranged from overtly experimental (Boarding House Reach) to folky acoustics (Entering Heaven Alive), No Name is a tight knit rambunctious record that pulls little to almost no punches with its garage rock influence and overall energetic vibe.
From a production standpoint, No Name can be seen as a return to form for Jack White. The album revels in its grimy sounds that will surely please longtime fans of his tenure with the White Stripes. Tracks like “What’s The Rumpus?” offer up some grooves with its infectious guitar riff, meanwhile the banger that is “Bless Yourself” might be the hardest hitting Jack White song ever recorded with it’s punk rock intensity and raging instrumentals. There’s an unfiltered quality to it that gives the track a blown out sound (in essence). It’s a notion that’s felt throughout the whole album and makes the entire thing feel much more different to other rock releases I’ve heard in recent memory.
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What I commend White for on No Name is the overall vibe throughout. Very rarely does the album slow down, and when it does you still get a dose of this raw energy like on the bluesy “Underground”. White’s delivery on No Name helps add to this, his signature nasally voice feels like its bleeding out of the microphone at times and pairs nicely with the rough aesthetics of the full album. The instrumentals on here also have a nice “twang” to the them, once again reiterating that rough/raw energy. The various guitar solos sprinkled throughout No Name in particular, exude this quality incredibly well.
I was thoroughly amazed with the production of No Name, it’s easily the greatest highlight of the album and showcases Jack White’s knack for music production, and his innate ability to bring out the best qualities of his eccentrics that felt missing in his last few releases.
Lyrically, White’s rock n roll demeanor is in full swing on No Name. “Old Scratch Blues” kicks things off with its leather jacket swagger as he croons lines like:(“I’m cursin’ like a drunken sailor. I’ll trade a nickel for a dime anytime.”). It’s an aura that White carries on each track that makes every song feel more badass than the last. You get words of encouragement to keep one’s strength on “That’s How I’m Feeling”, and mockery of religious preaching on “Archbishop Harold Holmes”:(“And if you are suffering a strange sickness, and someone is blocking up all of your success, you need to see me right away so I can fix this”.). White’s delivery adds to the mockery as he sounds like those evangelical pastors from the South.
The album’s final track “Terminal Archenemy Ending” culminates all of this high octane energy into one slow burn of a banger. White questions listeners on the first verse: (“How do you feel if you felt it all now, from chamomile to cannonball?”). It’s almost like Jack is asking now that you’ve heard him give it is all throughout No Name, are you happy? are you sad now that it’s over? There’s a devilish tone in that line, as if he’s teasing listeners that they could get more of this style.
Having listened to the album numerous times, it’s hard for me to find any faults with No Name. It’s like Jack White took all of his best qualities from his past works and refined them with the care that he’s taken on his last few releases. The production on here is possibly the best of any Jack White album (both solo and from the White Stripes). His demeanor and lyrical abilities sound much more realized, and hit harder than they ever did. No Name is an absolute blast from start to finish that will surely be appreciated by longtime fans of Jack White, and will show new listeners the power this musician has possessed for so long.
I’m giving No Name a 9.5 out of 10. I’d argue and say that this may become the quintessential Jack White album, the one project fans will come back to for a very long time and one that will be remembered as a prime example of White’s musical capabilities and passion for artistry.
Final Rating: 9.5 out of 10.
Favourite Tracks: Old Scratch Blues, Bless Yourself, Archbishop Harold Holmes, What’s The Rumpus? Terminal Archenemy Ending.
