Label - Third Man Records LLC
BLURB - Well it hasn't even been a full year since their debut release and The Dead Weather have already released their second album. "Sea of Cowards," unlike predecessor "Horehound," appears much more calculated and mature. There is an air of confidence on the second record that can easily make you forget how forced and awkward "Horehound" was. With a year of constant touring, writing and recording in the books, this supergroup has finally transformed from a collection of friends that all dabble in different music - to one collective band. "Sea of Cowards" is filled with big guitars, big organs...big everything. Certain parts of the record sound as if they were fuzzily recorded from an arena show in the early 70's. The energy and reverb are certainly there. The lone critiques of "Sea of Cowards" can be found in the lack of song structure and versatility - but The Dead Weather couldn't care less...they're here to create their own type of rock music that nobody else is willing to, and it shows.
Rating - 7 out of 10
FULL STORY - So I was admittedly a huge detractor from The Dead Weather's first album. It was all over the place, every song sounded the same, it was monotonous, Jack White was nowhere to be seen - it just wasn't good. With "Sea of Cowards" it is very easy to see the progress and maturity that has developed in just a short period of time.
The first single on the record is 'Blue Blood Blues' and I couldn't think of a more apt title. The track is flooded with heavy, fuzzy guitar riffs that scream classic rock. Much like the entire album, this a general lack of structure - but this actually does not negatively affect the songs. Whereas most bands would do the whole "verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus" thing, The Dead Weather manage to keep your attention by supplying endless non-traditional sections of riffs, hooks and breakdowns. The vocals are fronted by both White and Alison Mosshart coming in the form of arrogant lines of brashness that sound as if they were taken from the streets of 1978.
"Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when they see me sing at sunday service..."
The energy and distortion from 'Blue Blood Blues' fades and transitions nicely into the second track of the record, 'Hustle and Cuss.' This track is much more laid back and establishes a very nice groove, thanks in part to a very catchy, albeit clean, guitar riff, and swinging percussion. For whatever reason, this song reminds me of The Doors. Maybe its the short punches of keyboards that are periodically injected into the track, maybe its the repeated lines of lyrics...or maybe it's even the simplistic blues-rock form that has been all but abandoned by modern rock bands of today. Whatever it is, the song draws you in and keeps you interested with spikes of intensity and energy that surface amongst this almost groovy bed of blues guitar hooks.
'The Difference Between Us' is fairly intoxicating as an almost futuristic keyboard riff emerges as the main melody. Despite being relatively calm, the song arrives at certain chaos with a myriad of distortion and effects around the two minute mark, only to resolve into itself back on to the original keyboard riff. Much like the rest of the album, the vocals are powerful and intense and flow over various b-sections in the most unique of fashions. Mosshart handles the singing duties for this track in what I think is an intelligent move. The content and even the title alone ('The Difference Between Us') evokes more force and meaning with its' lines being delivered by a strong woman's perspective.
The keyboards are out in force again on 'Gasoline' and supplemented by huge power chords. During the bridge (if you can call it that), an army of screeching and bending guitar solos come to the forefront giving a very dark and ominous tone to the track. Mosshart, once again screaming the vocals, certainly adds to the dark vibe and at certain points in the song you may fear for your life. Be forewarned.
For those traditional White Stripes and modern rock fans this will likely fail and be classified as another weird album constructed by Jack White. Meanwhile for the rest of us, there is a certain appreciation to gain in the fact that White formed this supergroup, created a sub-par debut, and still remains highly invested in their musical output. The growth on "Sea of Cowards" is very tangible and serves as a reward of sorts for those that decided to stick around. If for no other reason, the amount of experimentation and creative structures should keep even the most average of music fans engaged. If you're looking for something loud and unique, and filled with punches around every corner - "Sea of Cowards" is probably for you.
Tracks
1.) Blue Blood Blues
2.) Hustle and Cuss
3.) The Difference Between Us
4.) I'm Mad
5.) Die By the Drop
6.) I Can't Hear You
7.) Gasoline
8.) No Horse
9.) Looking At the Invisible Man
10.) Jawbreaker
11.) Old Mary
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