Live From The Apollo By The Raconteurs (Manchester, 15 Oct 2006)

http://www.concertlive.co.uk/Raconteurs/index.html

I’ve heard the Raconteurs were better live, and I’d say that’s an understatement. A lot of songs their first album, Broken Boy Soldiers, lacked energy. I had to listen a few times to get into the songs, but once i did it was well worth it. With their live performances, they’ve managed to cement a reputation as a great live act, and more importantly they’ve managed to put some real thrust in their catalog.

The cover of Bang Bang by Nancy Sinatra is well brooding and well played by Jack White. I’ve always been a White Stripes fan, but I think I’m beginning to come around to the psychedelic full band sound of the Raconteurs. After hearing the band really come together on these songs, I’m hoping for an amazing second album, which is usually an oxymoron, but not always (Disraeli Gears or Room on Fire anyone?).

On the studio album they sounded like a chimera, on the live cut they sound like a band from Detroit–-which is a good thing.