The Dead Weather 'Dodge And Burn' album review

Image: The Dead Weather

Produced on Jack White's own label Third Man, The Dead Weather's third studio album has come five years since their previous, and it’s well worth the wait.

Alison Mosshart, the bands lead vocalist and all-round indie poster girl claimed, “We’re too busy to do much with the record other than to put it out”. There was the potential, with the other band members commitments and with Jack White doing all the things Jack White does, that the album could have been a tad forced or rushed, however that’s not the case.  

Most of the records follows in the same riff heavy style that fans have come to expect. However there's an added sense of clarity on the record. They've turned their sound up a notch, quite literally, with more layered guitar and pedal effects than Jack White has leather jackets. 

Whether it's the frantically fast paced chorus on 'Three Dollar Hat' or the bluesy lead guitar on 'Lose the Right', it's an album packed so full of quality it’s certainly their best effort and arguably the best thing White has been involved with since The White Stripes. 

Mosshart’s vocals demand your attention on the records first single ‘I Feel Love (Every million miles)’. Her haunting vocals layered over the 'High Baller Stepper' inspired guitar work sets the pace early, whilst ‘Buzzkill(er)’ and early stand-out song ‘Let Me Through’ continues with more distortion battered guitar riffs.  

‘Rough Detective’ sees both Mosshart and White sharing vocal responsibilities, whilst ‘Open Up’ sees the return of the punk like snarling guitars that can be heard on ‘Be Still’ (listen above) and ‘Cop and Go’ later on. The only surprising song or risk for want of a better word is on the final song ‘Impossible Winner’.  

The albums curtain call shows Mosshart’s true vocal ability in the four-minute long piano ballad, a far cry from the finger bleeding guitar hooks pumped into the rest of the album. It’s not uncharted waters for her, and it’s not too dissimilar in style to The Kills ‘The Last Goodbye’. However, it is an added feather to the bands already impressive cap.

Alternative rock royalty Jack White may be taking a sabbatical from live performances, and with Mosshart now turning her attention to The Kills new record, an album tour has been ruled out. Yet still it seems as though there’s a few more miles left for one of music’s most talented super groups.  

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