ALBUM REVIEW: “Sea Of Cowards” The Dead Weather

The Dead Weather
Sea Of Cowards
[Third Man]

As I may have mentioned before, I never really gave a crap about Jack White outside a few choice White Stripes songs. Now, I kind of believe the man has something to offer for fans of every flavor of rock. Sea Of Cowards propels The Dead Weather into blues territory where dirty-ass riffage is laced with modern synthesizing and hip-hop lyrical timing. While quieter moments can take you directly back to classic greats such as Jimi Hendrix’s Band Of Gypsies, others remind you it’s 2010 with blistering, sinister guitar and searing vocals care of Alison Mosshart.

In comparison to their debut Horehound, the changes are slight. While the wattage has certainly been kicked up, their point of view is still very much classic homage while keeping things in the present with trimmings of power pop. Thank God The Dead Weather aren’t proving to be just another period band. (Regarding ’70s time warp Wolfmother, Mike Patton said it best: “Are you hearing this shit? What year are we in? Help me. Am I fucking crazy?”)