Album Review: The Raconteurs Ask “Help Us Stranger”

The Raconteurs’ Help Us Stranger comes in a time when we need to remember that not only does everybody need help, but they need to help. With each member either having prosperous solo careers or having been apart of other exceptional bands, it is no surprise that Help Us Stranger is a meticulous, melodically anthemic call to heal your pain by healing others. In essence, you don’t sit in your hurt; you stand up and protest those that are hurting others. 

I am NOT surprised if this album is getting or will get great reviews, especially because The Raconteurs/ Jack White have cult-like following. Their music could make even the deepest coward want to join a platoon and head to the war for peace. In a very unique way, The Raconteurs make defending love and empowering harmony a badass battle- cry, while also keeping a colorful, narrative style to their lyrics. This is no easy feat. You tell the world to “get stronger” and it might tell you, “Shut up! You think you are a preacher?” In this record, The Raconteurs reply, “No, we are ROCKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

The Raconteurs – “Help Me Stranger” (Official Music Video)

“Thoughts And Prayers,” “Help Me Stranger,” “Whats Yours Is Mine” and “Live A Lie” are prime examples of The Raconteurs ability to use sonic exploration as spiritual discovery. It is as if they took every percussive and stringed instrument left on that planet to say, “Is this how humanity goes down?” The great is that their story-telling capacity allows you to see there are levels to sinking: from society to individually. “Sunday Driver,” “Now That You’re Gone,” “Bored And Razed,” and “Don’t Bother Me,” lyrically, reveal that anyone can get so caught in their life they forget to be a protector, giver, and receiver of Life. 

The Raconteurs – “Bored and Razed” (Lyric Video)

You have to like people to defend them when they are helpless, but that is hard to do when you don’t like yourself. Still, is that an excuse? (genuinely asking) While I will not get into whether Jack White or Brendan Benson are good vocally, because they never fail, the arrangements on this record feel mythically fused with Homer’s Odyssey; giving you legendary feels on struggling emotions. A perfect vibe for a record that does ask its listener, “Would you help a stranger?” To Buy Help Us Stranger On June 21 Click Here.