Most artists wait until the dawn of their careers to pursue the side-project/supergroup, where their lack of creative impetus can be supplemented by that of others. The Raconteurs are different. There's no careers here that need a boost, the White Stripes are doing very well as one of the worlds finest, Brendan Benson is a widely respected artist, and the Greenhornes are quickly becoming the darlings of the garage rock scene. These guys are all at the top of their game.

White, dressed in simple trousers/leather jacket combo, seemed quite at home with the set up. Is he so much of a control freak that he restricts himself to a two-piece? Maybe, but on this evidence he shows an appetite for team play, and takes an obvious yet natural role as the bands frontman. The incendiary guitar playing we've come to know translates well to a full band, with the addition of bass and keys truly allowing the man to play. Are we witnessing the finest guitar player of our generation? OK, the juries out on that one, but boy can that guy play.

To White's Lennon, Benson is McCartney. Offering backing vocals and rhythm guitar and often sharing vocals with other band members, his role helps define what makes the Raconteurs special. They're not just "Jack and the Band" - they're a living, breathing musical entity in their own right. Bensons contribution embodies that. The Greenhorne element live up to their rep: They're a fucking tight rhythm unit. Simple.

As for the songs, they're what you expect. No corners cut. Awesome, massive guttural rock, that should contribute to one of the years best albums. Imagine Jimmy the Exploder covered by QOTSA with Sting, and you get close. Yeah, they probably need to tighten up - Bensons "You guys know these songs about as well as me" pays testament to that - but guaranteed, Steady as She Goes is an anthem you'll find difficult to avoid this summer. And you know what? You should look forward to it.







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