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White On

Jack White In Eyewear
Jack White has emerged in 2012 as the natural heir to the mantle of Bob Dylan - that is, as the most-American, most-enigmatic, most-talented, most-sexy, and most-witty songwriter-singer of a generation.  Others, we were told, were that good, such as Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Bright Eyes.  Yet now, it is clear, with Blunderbuss and the universal critical acclaim it is achieving, and the five-star shows of the last few days in Paris and London - White is in a class of his own.  Rather, he is very much the Dylan/Cobain of the period 1999-2012 and onwards.  If one considers what White has already achieved, with The White Stripes, and in side project bands like The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather, and as a producer, even as a Bond Theme performer - and now with his debut album - is nothing short of remarkable.  White's classics include 'Fell In Love With A Girl', 'Hotel Yorba', 'We're Going To Be Friends', 'Seven Nation Army' and 'Ball & Biscuit' - there are several more.  He has always combined genuine passion, love of traditional methods, and a post-modernity of wit that is reminiscent of Beck - once, surely, a candidate for most brilliant songwriter of his time.  Still, none has De Stijl like White - who I saw a few nights ago, as he was at the same small hotel as I was.  He is a striking rock star, no doubt.  And he is the best we have at the moment.
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