Artist: The Dead Weather
Album: Horehound
Label: Third Man/WB
Genre: Rock

After much anticipation, The Dead Weather, who formed in early 2009 and is comprised of vocalist Alison Mosshart (of The Kills), drummer and vocalist Jack White (of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs), guitarist Dean Fertita (of Queens of the Stone Age) and bassist Jack Lawrence (of The Raconteurs and The Greenhornes), have unleashed their debut album, Horehound. While every artist has a respected career, I don’t think I’m the only one who knows that having Jack White in the group is especially helpful when it comes to getting the word out. In fact, much of the material on Horehound sounds like a White Stripes record, but don’t get it twisted – this is a surprisingly original alt rock supergroup that really packs a punch.

Starting off with the very jazz meets 70’s heavy rock tinged “60 Feet Tall,” it doesn’t take Dead Weather long to set themselves apart from the rest of the music scene. The fuzz of the guitar riff is sure to rattle in your skull for hours and Mosshart’s near whisper voice will no doubt find its way quickly into your bloodstream. It’s nowhere near mainstream rock, but that’s kind of what I expected going in. There is however, something radio can use on, “I Cut Like A Buffalo.” It’s got White tearing it up as he always does, but with a more funk groove underneath it all. It’s instantly going to be a classic for the group, trust me.

Mosshart and White continually switch off lead and/or duel vocally throughout the record. The standout occurrence of this would have to be “Treat Me Like Your Mother.” The fuzz and attitude are turned up as the pair awkwardly harmonizes and seemingly one up each other again and again through the track. If you’ve seen the video, the two battle and when you listen to the song, you can feel that same intensity in each and every line. Another solid example of the pairing succeeding is “New Pony,” which of course, was written by the timeless Bob Dylan. I know it sounds bad to talk about ne of the best tracks being a track not created by the act, but it can’t be denied!

The album’s closing numbers: “No Hassle Night” and “Will There Be Enough Water” offer enough heart and fuzz rock to give anyone a smile and swell of joy to their soul even if the songs themselves aren’t the most positive thematically speaking.

I always am a bit hesistant about “supergroups.” There is a reason all of these talented musicians have had successful careers outside of being together, so why put too much into one project? That said, I am amazingly impressed with the first release from the group. Horehound is a funk, blues, fuzz laced piece of art that deserves all the attention one can give it. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than at least 80% of records you’ll hear this year.

Score: 8/10

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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