Released: 2024
Genres: Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Punk Blues, Garage Rock Revival
The Musiquarium’s No Name Review Score: 10 out of 10
Ever since Jack White dissolved The White Stripes, I’ve wanted nothing more but for him to return to that style; I’m not against an artist experimenting and evolving, and I actually quite enjoyed Jack White’s previous solo albums, but I still longed for Jack White to revisit the sounds that made him one of the biggest rockstars in the world, going back to the garage rock sound that made me fall in love with the guitar as a kid.
Enter No Name, an album that sounds just like vintage White Stripes, from the killer licks, to the raw, analog, bootleg-like production, which allows the songs to shine on their songwriting alone. White seemed laser focused on doing what he does best here, giving fans a taste of what they’ve wanted, but without feeling regressive or derivative either of his past either, as these songs sound as inspired as his best work.
No Name was initially given away for free to buyers at Third Man Record locations in Detroit, Nashville and London on a white vinyl with no writing or credits, other than NO NAME. Upon playing, the music (which was obviously Jack White) was then ripped from the vinyl and shared online, creating lots of buzz, with people trying to figure out the song titles on their own. About a week or so later, the official name of the album, the song titles and the proper album artwork were all unveiled — genius marketing.
Opener Old Scratch Blues feels as if you’ve been teleported back to sometime between 1999-2001, when Jack White had first cut through the decaying rock music of that day, with something far more genuine and tasteful than the post-grunge and nu metal muck of the time. The chunky distorted guitars of Bless Yourself has Jack White blessing the listener with such a raucous banger.
Songs like That’s How I’m Feeling, Morning at Midnight and Missionary all feel like long lost White Stripes classics that White had been hiding inside the Third Man vault. It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking) and Underground see Jack White return to the slide guitar. Archbishop Harold Holmes acts as an instruction to the sharing of the original files of No Name and is backed by a fantastic music video that features actor John C. Reilly.
Bombing Out sounds like it was recorded live with a tape recorder, but the lo-fi production suits it perfectly. The blood-boiling What’s the Rumpus? has Jack White addressing how people have started treating facts like opinions. Number One With a Bullet alternates between frenzy and composure. The bluesy Terminal Archenemy Endling closes the album off on a high.
No Name is the one Jack White album where he allowed himself to sound like The White Stripes again and it ironically ended up being his best and most organic solo record yet.
For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Jack White on Discogs.
Back to the 2024 Album Reviews Guide or the Jack White Reviews page.
Written by Brett Nippard
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