Broken Boy Soldiers
by The Raconteurs
  • Record Label: V2 / XL
  • Release Date: May 16, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 96
  3. Negative: 4 out of 96

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  1. Ricko
    Nov 30, 2017
    9
    Jack White and Brendan Benson' supergroup first record was dubbed as Detroits answer to Nevermind (granted this was by White himself). It's never the 10 out of 10 classic that Nevermind is but it is a strong record none the less. It's full of classic rock hooks that you'll end up thinking - "Where have I heard that before?", and the thing is you probably have heard most of these riffsJack White and Brendan Benson' supergroup first record was dubbed as Detroits answer to Nevermind (granted this was by White himself). It's never the 10 out of 10 classic that Nevermind is but it is a strong record none the less. It's full of classic rock hooks that you'll end up thinking - "Where have I heard that before?", and the thing is you probably have heard most of these riffs somewhere else before. It's like the band got together, looked through there record collection, decided to pick their favourite rock anthems out and then proceeded to rearrange and reinterpret them. For the most part it works very well - the musicianmanship on here is raw but brilliant for the rock that is being delivered. The majority of the time the songs are very strong. "Steady As She Goes", "Hands" and "Intimate Secretary" all need to be played with the volume turned to 11 :-)… Expand
  2. ScotchRobbins
    Dec 3, 2015
    6
    It's a top-heavy album. It starts very strong, the first three tracks being some real A+ four-piece old-school rock music, but the album sits on a bit of a downhill incline and gets less interesting as it goes. on. Still worth a listen through though!
  3. Vampire25
    Dec 12, 2010
    7
    Broken Boy Soldiers has so little to offer here. some songs seem kinda bland, but other ones seem really good. This album was like a mix for me. The First track "Steady As She Goes" is a great song. Good way to start off the album. "Hands" and Store Bought Bones are also really good. BUt aside from a couple more, the rest of the album feels kike its missing something. There second album isBroken Boy Soldiers has so little to offer here. some songs seem kinda bland, but other ones seem really good. This album was like a mix for me. The First track "Steady As She Goes" is a great song. Good way to start off the album. "Hands" and Store Bought Bones are also really good. BUt aside from a couple more, the rest of the album feels kike its missing something. There second album is much better. C+… Expand
  4. bobd
    May 27, 2007
    10
    Great album.
  5. NickM
    Mar 20, 2007
    7
    Its very good....in my opinion, it isnt as good as jack white's work with the white stripes, and im very happy that the raconteurs didnt end the white stripes, but still im very happy with this cd
  6. ChrisW
    Dec 29, 2006
    10
    The song "Level" is, by far, the best song of 2006.
  7. NashaC
    Dec 28, 2006
    10
    the assembly of 4 amazing talents into one revivalistic-chic amazing super-band.
  8. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    6
    Not sure whether Jack White has made a good move, abandoning the White Stripes to form the Raconteurs. While it was perhaps time to retire the White Stripes, as they were beginning to reach the limits of what can be done with a two-piece outfit, and while the Greenhornes' sound in theory complements Jack White, his distinctive voice is largely lost here. I also prefer his work with Not sure whether Jack White has made a good move, abandoning the White Stripes to form the Raconteurs. While it was perhaps time to retire the White Stripes, as they were beginning to reach the limits of what can be done with a two-piece outfit, and while the Greenhornes' sound in theory complements Jack White, his distinctive voice is largely lost here. I also prefer his work with Loretta Lynn on 2004's 'Van Lear Rose', though on that album White was also barely there as a presence. Hopefully next album, White will re-emerge as a strong and original voice and regain the inspiration that hasn't been seen since the White Stripe's 2003 LP 'Elephant'.… Expand
  9. JuanL
    Oct 7, 2006
    9
    I loved the Withe Stripes... until I listened to The Raconteurs, I hate to say this... but everybody who was saying "Jack White needs a complete band" were correct. The Raconteurs cannot be compared to The White Stripes musically, as their styles differ enough to fit in different categories, but the comparison point can be made in Jack's performance: he sounds way happier here, every I loved the Withe Stripes... until I listened to The Raconteurs, I hate to say this... but everybody who was saying "Jack White needs a complete band" were correct. The Raconteurs cannot be compared to The White Stripes musically, as their styles differ enough to fit in different categories, but the comparison point can be made in Jack's performance: he sounds way happier here, every single word, every single note shows a delightful love for music. Benson and the Greenhouse boys make it even better, everybody's performance is with the purpose of making the others look good, that's the way music should sound. As long as Jack's as happy as with in this album, we'll be even happier. A must-have for the lovers of rock.… Expand
  10. SNair
    Oct 5, 2006
    9
    I am giving this a higher rating since comparisons to the White Stripes are fully useless - this band is not them. Great rythmns, super infectious riffs, totally a fun-in-summer album - and that is sufficient in my book.
  11. RandyL
    Sep 28, 2006
    8
    With no preconceived expectations, I was sucked in by the creative blues-based pop and catchy song structure. The more I listen the more I like it. The music seems to fit Jack's voice and guitar more than the White Stripes, and I would say he sounds more "in" the music than "of" the music here. My only wishes would be - on "Hands" I'd like more of the first half of the song, and With no preconceived expectations, I was sucked in by the creative blues-based pop and catchy song structure. The more I listen the more I like it. The music seems to fit Jack's voice and guitar more than the White Stripes, and I would say he sounds more "in" the music than "of" the music here. My only wishes would be - on "Hands" I'd like more of the first half of the song, and the whole album seems too short.… Expand
  12. SergeantDynamo
    Sep 24, 2006
    1
    The recording
  13. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    6
    A couple of great tracks mxed in witha couple of not-so-great tracks. Sounds like 10-tracks you'd hear on your classic rock station.
  14. timm
    Jul 22, 2006
    10
    this is not the stripes. this is musical genious. this is straight up rock and roll like you have not heard in a while, rockin out and still being original. i dont see any cd's topping this for a while. best rock cd in years, and gets even better with repeat. sends me visions of beatles and zep, without being blasphemous.
  15. megw
    Jul 21, 2006
    1
    ho hum
  16. [Anonymous]
    Jul 21, 2006
    8
    Overall, a pretty good listen. It's better after listening a few times. "Broken Boy Soldier" is one of my favorite songs this year. Not as good as any of the White Stripes albums, but there aren't a lot of albums that are.
  17. KevinR
    Jul 7, 2006
    5
    For all of the hype, this album really isn't good at all.
  18. juliet
    Jul 5, 2006
    9
    I guarantee that at least half of the review mags will be putting this album on their lists of top must-haves for the decade. It's got guitar like we haven't heard in far too long, it's fun, it's groovy, and hey, it's rock & roll, dudes!
  19. lilpepito
    Jul 2, 2006
    9
    it's pretty good. not better then any of the white stripes albums, but still, it's pretty amazing.
  20. AlanR
    Jul 1, 2006
    8
    Some people are just too hard to please.
  21. aaronr
    Jun 29, 2006
    8
    Jack White continues to give me chills down my spine with his wit, music, and writting collaboration with Benson. Ten songs is short these days but the quality of the songs involved is supurb. One quick listen to intimate secretary's lyrics and you think "what is the point" but seriosly listen and it is as clever as anything you'll hear recently, they are playing off each others Jack White continues to give me chills down my spine with his wit, music, and writting collaboration with Benson. Ten songs is short these days but the quality of the songs involved is supurb. One quick listen to intimate secretary's lyrics and you think "what is the point" but seriosly listen and it is as clever as anything you'll hear recently, they are playing off each others style with cliches people, and it is fantastic . Every song is a quality listen, my favorite being the much hated on call it a day, it gives such a 60's vibe that i can't get over it, "my haaaandds" Jack sounds brilliant all over along with Benson and the rhythm section. Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam...please, you can have em. Soul never sounded so good.… Expand
  22. Jahar
    Jun 29, 2006
    8
    I must admit this album did not quite live up to my expectations based on the hype. But having said this, I love it. And, already knowing Jack White was a genious, I was taken aback at Benson's contributions which made this a fun album to listen to.
  23. LoganM
    Jun 26, 2006
    10
    this is the best album in the 20th century for sure
  24. ChriR
    Jun 22, 2006
    9
    read "pablo picasso" by gertrude stein and pay attention to the lyrics on store bought bones
  25. TheCritic
    Jun 19, 2006
    8
    I simply agree with Pitchfork's review... just a little better then what is comming out now. Only about 6 out of ten are listenable.
  26. JeremyT
    Jun 13, 2006
    9
    This album is a breath of fresh air in modern rock. These guys aren't just pretenders trying to cash in on a fad -- you can tell from a casual listen that they just dig this kind of rock (most of which sounds like it came from the 60s and 70s), and they're having fun playing it. I wish the album were a bit longer, but it's so good that I can deal with it...until they come This album is a breath of fresh air in modern rock. These guys aren't just pretenders trying to cash in on a fad -- you can tell from a casual listen that they just dig this kind of rock (most of which sounds like it came from the 60s and 70s), and they're having fun playing it. I wish the album were a bit longer, but it's so good that I can deal with it...until they come out with the next one. :)… Expand
  27. StephenP
    Jun 9, 2006
    9
    Rough, loud power pop the way it was meant to be played. Great guitar work, tightly arranged music. Don't try to make too much out of it, just kick back and enjoy the sounds.
  28. TyeN.
    Jun 6, 2006
    8
    This album actually surprised me by it's diversity and range. I love the songs that feature both Jack White and Brendan Benson, like the brilliant "Together". Besides the lead single "Steady As She Goes", other stand-outs include "Store Bought Bones", "Broken Boy Soldier", "Intimate Secretary", and "Yellow Sun". This album just further proves how talented White is, and makes the wait This album actually surprised me by it's diversity and range. I love the songs that feature both Jack White and Brendan Benson, like the brilliant "Together". Besides the lead single "Steady As She Goes", other stand-outs include "Store Bought Bones", "Broken Boy Soldier", "Intimate Secretary", and "Yellow Sun". This album just further proves how talented White is, and makes the wait for the next White Stripes album a very pleasant one. Buy this if you are a White Stripes fan or a fan of classic rock music.… Expand
  29. klassv
    Jun 4, 2006
    9
    it's real fun! and one boring song (call it a day)...
  30. ElliottR
    Jun 1, 2006
    6
    "Store Bought Bones" is a terrific song. The rest is decent, but definitely lacking what one would expect would be the result of Jack White finding a real band.
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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed Album of 2006
67
#67 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. AllMusic
    70
    It's brief and even a little slight, but it's almost as much fun to listen to as it must have been to make.
    Read full review
  2. Amazon.com
    70
    Like so many all-star bands before them, The Raconteurs could be one and done. But don't place the blame on this fertile and genuine debut.
    Read full review
  3. cokemachineglow
    59
    Nothing is really very exciting here, or very interesting.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »