Opinion: Jack White is at it again

Megan L. Brown is a junior magazine journalism major and a columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].

We’ve seen rock ‘n’ roller Jack White with a variety of bands: The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and his solo music and other small, musical masterpieces.

On Tuesday, White released “High Ball Stepper,” an instrumental single from a new, upcoming album, “Lazaretto,” set to be released on June 30. This will be White’s second solo album following 2012’s ‘Blunderbuss.” The album will be released on White’s own Third Man Records and Columbia.

Whatever White finds himself doing, he does with a musical purpose, such as forming Third Man Records in Detroit, Mich. in 2001. A physical location was established in March of 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. A majority of album at Third Man Records are recorded, printed and pressed in Nashville and produced by White.

This was a major push for music, especially the sale of vinyl records. White has also produced four limited-edition 7” singles from the White Stripes’ 2003 album, “Elephant.”

White is passionate, a little weird and an international rock star, and that’s why we love him. With his endless bag of melodies and riffs, White is one of the greatest guitarists of the decade with his tantalizing guitar riffs and extremely loud guitar vibrations.

I’m eager to see what “Lazaretto” has up its sleeves. If it’s anything like his first solo album with hits like “Love Interruption” and 1960 Little Willie John classic “I’m Shakin’,” I know we are in for another fascinating treat and a great summer album.

White even told Rolling Stone that The Dead Weather would be coming out with new music next year. Does this man ever stop making music? This band is a definite must-listen, especially their 2009 debut album, Horehound. It’s a collaboration of the Kills’ Alison Mosshart and The Raconteurs’ Jack Lawrence and guitarist-organist Dean Fertita laying down the creepy, intriguing organ sounds throughout the music.

And what’s not to love about The White Stripes? That was the good rock music I started listening to in elementary school. Even back then, we could see how fantastic White was becoming and transforming into what he is today.

With his outlook on music, his guitar skills and voice, we knew there would be much to come in the future, and we were right. I believe if more musicians were as dedicated and passionate as White, there would be more good music out there for people to discover.

You can go to Third Man Records and find musicians you love and ones you’ve never heard of and enjoy their music. It’s about learning and listening —t aking in the music around us. Look up the catalog of records on their website and see what’s happening. While you’re at it, look up Jack White’s catalog with all of his bands and take in the greatest of Jack White.