Rating: 3/5 stars

After taking a few years off, well-known blues-rock guitarist Jack White has finally released a new solo album titled “Boarding House Reach,” his first since 2014’s “Lazaretto.”

While getting help from a number of session musicians throughout the album, White still showcases his wide range of talents by playing guitar, drums and piano, among others.

Whether it’s been for his former band The White Stripes, his side project, The Raconteurs, or his solo career, White has built a reputation for consistently putting forth well-produced music (Boarding House Reach is or isn’t an exception).

Starting the album is a track titled “Connected by Love,” which may come off as a bit confusing for long-time fans with it’s synthesizer-heavy beat uncharacteristic of anything White has done before. About 40 seconds in, the song finds its footing with a smooth chorus. It is definitely not the most expected track to start things off, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

   The second track, “Why Walk a Dog?” definitely has a weird yet chill vibe to it that White has known to bring to his work in years past. Still, through two songs, this album feels different to say the least.

“Corporation” continues that aforementioned chill vibe with a splash of weird effects while displaying a great use of guitar, piano and drums. The only problem with this song is near the end when White incorporates a high-pitch scream that will not do the listeners’ eardrums any justice.

Coming in at just one minute and 28 seconds, “Abulia and Akrasia” is the shortest song on the album. Despite this, White still makes good use of the time by mixing things up instrumentally and working a violin into the wide variety of instruments that have been used throughout the album so far. His vocals on this track are more of him talking rather than actually singing, which does not make the song bad per se. In fact, it helps stand out more than anything.

The next track, “Hypermisophoniac,” is no exception to the weirdness that has defined the album to this point. The use of effects at the beginning are a bit reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s song “Money” without sounding like White is ripping it off. The exceptional guitar work on this track help gives it more depth.

“Ice Zebra Station” sounds like it is almost a continuation of the previous track, and, at this point, the weird effects and strange vocal deliveries start to feel a little repetitive.

Luckily, on “Over and Over and Over,” listeners hear a much more guitar-based track with normal vocals. White does not abandon the use of weird effects completely, which actually helps make it sound like more of a song that defines his overall style as an artist.

“Everything You’ve Ever Learned” takes the album’s strong presence of weirdness into the stratosphere with its digital computer system-like intro.

“Respect Commander” establishes itself as being the most interesting track on the album at this point by using a number of tempo changes as well as displaying White’s above-average guitar skills.

Both “Ezmerelda Steals the Show” and “Get in the Mind Shaft” really do not offer much and feel like nothing other than filler tracks.

However, “What’s Done is Done” is definitely a more quality track featuring great harmonies between White and Esther Rose.

The album’s final track, “Humoresque,” is a slow but pleasant-sounding piano ballad that is unlike anything else on the album. It seems like an appropriate way to end the album.

Overall, this album is certainly interesting to say the least, though it is not what fans expect from a Jack White album. While there is plenty of weird effects, the album feels more or less empty and dry. Listeners will be hard pressed to find a standout song or even a rocking headbanger. Nonetheless, the album is not terrible by any means and is still worth a listen.

Image from JackWhiteVEVO via YouTube.com