Soldier Boy - Shirelles (The)

Advantages: Jack White & Brendan Benson
Disadvantages: A Bit Depressing

...The Raconteur's (Jack Lawrence, Brendan Benson, Jack White and Patrick Keeler) Debut album, Broken Boy soldiers is a breath of fresh air in the music world! Benson & White's vocals go surprisingly well together and the album manages to retain a good blues feel to it throughout (although this is mainly a rocky album). White's haunting guitar playing and solos bring a great "AIR" to the songs. Backed up by Keeler's superb Drumming and Held together by Jack Lawrence's chunky Baselines. I'm going to stick with "Steady, As She Goes" (track 1) as the best song on the album and unsurprisingly this was released as a single. Cover/Inlay: On the cover is a gothic-style photo of the band. Track List: 1. Steady, As She Goes 2. Hands 3. Broken Boy Soldier 4. Intimate Secretary 5. Together 6. Level 7. Store Bought Bones 8... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Below
Disadvantages: Keep going... (drink for a minute....for a minute or two...)

...So, you think (for a minute for a minute or two) of the ordinary boys, and what comes to mind? Most probably Preston's appearance in Big Brother, Chantelle and shady sunglasses accompanied by a fast tempo ska track entitled 'Boys will be boys'. And that is the sole track that most people can name; I suppose that they could be classed as a sort of modern 'one hit wonder', although they are still going, so who wonder what will happen?... What probably doesn't come to mind is a fast album of down to earth ska album with cult musical ideas, such as mixing ska with rap and with numerous brilliant tracks. For me, and for any true ordinary boys fan, the latter shall come to mind. Boys will be boys got to about number fourty in the charts and was almost unheard of before Prestons big appearance in Big Brother; now everyone has heard... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: catchy hooks, singable lyrics
Disadvantages: a lot like the White Stripes

.... A particular favorite of mine is 'Broken Boy Soldier', track 3. White's vocals are scratchy and desperate in a way, which holds your attention long enough for you to listen to the funky guitar play and electronic sounded scratchiness that follows. Interesting lyrics are the order of the day and anything involving Jack White will not let the listener down--although you're not going to get any insight into love or romance or relationships--it's more about riffing on whatever was in the room while they were writing the song, for example: 'I've got a rabbit it likes to hop / I've got a girl and she likes to shop / The other foot looks like it won't drop'...'I've got a red Japanese teapot / I've got a pen but I lost the top / I've got so many things you haven't got...' (from 'Intimate Secretary', track 4) The simple rhymes brings a reassuring rhythm... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful