Posted by One time White Stripes frontman Jack White is back with Frozen Charlotte, his seventh solo record and another back to basics, in your face affair akin to 2024’s No Name. Like the aforementioned sixth album F.C was recorded live in the studio, and it is still just as rowdy but No Name’s punk tinged garage rock has given way to a more bluesy, classic rock sound.
Lead single ‘Derecho Demonico’ is a taut little gem with its foot tapping groove and lively organ combo reminiscent of Deep Purple. A lovely vein of Led Zep runs through things as well, with the dirty, Jimmy Page style riff of ‘There’s Nobody There’ going down nicely. The slow burning hook of ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’ serves as inspiration for second single ‘Dollar Bill’ with its swirling, woozy guitar and punchy drum beat. “Turn off the switch I’ve heard enough, turn off the lights I’ve seen enough.’ Jack White bemoans on the big chords and emphatic choruses of ‘You’ll Never Fix Me’.
The naturalistic and earthy sound adds extra punch to the straight between the eyes rock n roll. This and Mr White’s preacher man vocals mix well on ‘Nobody Knows’, “Well, so is God making fun of us? Nobody knows” he exclaims atop a bed of energetic rock that clocks out in three minutes. “Click-clack, backtrack, tick-tock, smack-talk. Can’t believe what I’m hearin’ now” he laments to the insistent, locomotive melody of ‘I Can’t Believe What I’m Hearing’ – which is simple, effective and over way too soon. Social media gets a lambasting in the fuzzy, 2 and a half minute nugget that is ‘Making Contact’ – which gets lost in the mire a bit as F.C gets a bit samey by the albums end.
Straight forward, raucous rock n roll with a liberal serving of classic rock riffs that is designed to be played loud – it isn’t new but it sure is a blast.
7/10
Lofty Music and Film 