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The Raconteurs — The Switch And The Spur
Album: Consolers Of The Lonely
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 467









Released: 2008
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
In the heat of the desert sun
On the blistering trail
An appaloosa and
A wanted man sprung from jail

Slow in motion and shadowless
The switch and the spurs
Every living thing with a fatal sting
Bark and rattle this curse

The rider hallucinates
The snapping hooves on the sand
Spits a venom dream, recalls a stranger scream
And a broken hand

The saddle spotted with sweat and blood
The poison pumps through his veins
There's no stopping this and now he's powerless
Still holding the reigns

Any poor souls who trespass against us
Whether it be beast or man
Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight
By those who inhabit this land

For theirs is the power and this is their kingdom
As sure as the sun does burn
So enter this path but heed these four words
You shall never return

Any poor souls who trespass against us
Whether it be beast or man
Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight
By those who inhabit this land

For theirs is the power and this is their kingdom
As sure as the sun does burn
So enter this path but heed these four words
You shall never return
Comments (114)add comment
Yes, the trumpet classes up a song that would otherwise belong on a Tenacious D album. Not a dis by any stretch however.
{#Dance}  More Trumpet!!
 WonderLizard wrote:

I'm enjoying the notion that Jack White finally found a proper band with a proper drummer.
 
I concur. Meg always bugged the hell out of me. I applaud the Stripes concept and that Jack wanted the raw edge to the drumming but it never sat well with me. This album, on the other hand, is just terrific. 


Those sound like Prog lyrics...
This started off so well, and then sort of degenerated at the end {#Grumpy} 6.

I always think the intro to this song is a Frank Zappa intro!
Meh.  Next!
Ehrm, surprisingly Prog for Jack.
 crockydile wrote:
It's like Cake, only not funny. {#Eh}
 
Excellent observation! {#Idea}
That horn riff gets stuck in your head for days if you listen to this song more than once in a 48-hour period. Just saying.
and if it comes to the white stripes they are so boring !!! "i wish i were a pixie " but they arent
This is not funny any more !!! Fuck off !!! {#Arghhh}
The Memphis Horns ROCK!

I thought this was a terrific CD, better than their first. Love the drum sound they got. 
I agree that The Raconteurs are better than the sum of their parts. One curious thing though: their version of Steady As She Goes on Broken Boy Soldier is not as good (to me) as the iTunes freebie, which was recorded in one of their homes. So much for Professional Production. (Although this wasn't a production issue; rather, an artistic one — sometimes "cleaner" isn't better.)

 lysisphere wrote:
I love the Raconteurs more than the White Stripes.  Anyone else with me?  Especially this song.  {#Drummer}
 
I'm enjoying the notion that Jack White finally found a proper band with a proper drummer.

 lysisphere wrote:
I love the Raconteurs more than the White Stripes.  Anyone else with me?  Especially this song.  {#Drummer}
 
 
It is my belief that the White Stripes were pretty good for a garage band turned sensation, but the Raconteurs are pros.  They're something of an indie "supergroup" right?

 lysisphere wrote:
I love the Raconteurs more than the White Stripes.  Anyone else with me?  Especially this song.  {#Drummer}
 
i'm with you all the way. and i like white stripes.
love this album... harkens back to so many great rock albums from the past but somehow without duplicating what's already been done.
 floydoftherocks wrote:
oh yuck.. corporate rock.
 
This? Corporate? {#Stupid}
I don't particularly like it but I definitely wouldn't call it "corporate".
I love the Raconteurs more than the White Stripes.  Anyone else with me?  Especially this song.  {#Drummer}
 Walli1000 wrote:
I like this part so much:
Any pour souls who trespass against us
Whether it be beast or man
Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight
By those who inhabit this land

For theire's is the power and this is their kingdom
As sure as the sun does burn
So enter this path, but heed these four words,
You shall never return...


sounds very threatening.. does it not?
It seems at times these religious lyrics get priority over the other songs. Is there somebody trying to make a point? {#Cowboy}
 
Religious? This is just the snakes and scorpions and other nastees in the desert telling the big bumbling humans what they are in for if they mess with them.

It's like Cake, only not funny. {#Eh}
 TanteJensen wrote:

But don't dispair: there's this new guy with that absolutely funny picture he's posting to each song he doesn't like.

 
Adblock Plus on Firefox has dealt with that particular annoyance quite nicely... {#Mrgreen}

This tune has pretty much worn itself out.  Sounds like some kind of novelty song now.

{#Puke}

oh yuck.. corporate rock.
Isn't that Meg on the drums?

 TanteJensen wrote:

I'm afraid Excelsior has left the building. (At least I hope he's not taking a sabbatical to draw a new barfing face emoticon).

But don't dispair: there's this new guy with that absolutely funny picture he's posting to each song he doesn't like.

 
That would be manbirdexperiment. Quite the artistic genius!

There's always fluffybum, he's a new poster who I think is really Excelsior incognito.

I am totally hearing Tenacious D here...
Again very cool and i didn't know the song.  Lets keep this roll going.
I respect The White Stripes and the Raconteurs — I think there's a lot of brilliance in the music, it's just not my favorite.
7 - for ambition and originality. There are some sections here I really dig, others, not so much.
 Papernapkin wrote:

Double meh.
 

It started out meh with me, now I find myself hitting the mute button. 
it's almost like... Ween...

 lily34 wrote:
meh.
 
Double meh.
 veloceleste wrote:

We need a "Spinal Tap" emoticon like such.
 
I think it's closer to Jack White riffing on Jack Black.

meh.
horstman wrote (to Excelsior):
Can we read something from you other than complaints? What say you?

I'm afraid Excelsior has left the building. (At least I hope he's not taking a sabbatical to draw a new barfing face emoticon).

But don't dispair: there's this new guy with that absolutely funny picture he's posting to each song he doesn't like.

I agree with what several others have observed:  The first couple of times this song was kinda interesting, but it doesn't wear well at all....{#Doh}
 Excelsior wrote:
Can we hear something else from this album?   Something NEW??? PLEASE???????
 
Can we read something from you other than complaints? What say you?

What's too many plays for some isn't enough for others. I don't listen as often as I'd like. But I could listen to this one more often - especially liked the horn section. Not so common in R & R anymore but still has a place. As is said so often here, that's why I listen to Radio Paradise. Great things I miss by listening to commercial radio.
 Excelsior wrote:
Wow, less than 24 hours since I last dropped this song's ratings due to overplay!

You know, if it started at a 10 (after hearing it the first hundred times or so) and I started dropping it once every time I heard it, it would be sucko-barfo within a week.  {#No}
 
Just to correct your math:

Total plays of this song since the album was added in June:  44
Current number of plays per week:  1 or 2


I like this part so much:
Any pour souls who trespass against us
Whether it be beast or man
Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight
By those who inhabit this land

For theire's is the power and this is their kingdom
As sure as the sun does burn
So enter this path, but heed these four words,
You shall never return...


sounds very threatening.. does it not?
It seems at times these religious lyrics get priority over the other songs. Is there somebody trying to make a point? {#Cowboy}


Can we hear something else from this album?   Something NEW??? PLEASE???????

This tune's a weird and interesting blend of Tex-Mex, mid '60's psychedelic rock, mid '70's folk rock, 90's rock, and bits and fragments of other things. I like it, it holds together in its own weird way.


Wow, less than 24 hours since I last dropped this song's ratings due to overplay!

You know, if it started at a 10 (after hearing it the first hundred times or so) and I started dropping it once every time I heard it, it would be sucko-barfo within a week.  {#No}
5 —> 4 for yet more overplay.
 Excelsior wrote:

Agreed, I'm dropping it from 7 —>5 as well.

 
good grief it has all the worst aspect of prog rock in this song. its just in general really stupid sounding. no other way to put it.


 RadioDoc wrote:
I liked this earlier—gave it a 7—but it is not wearing well after repeated listens. 5

 
Agreed, I'm dropping it from 7 —>5 as well.

UltraNurd wrote:

Totally, during the bridge section.


"no-one knew who they were, or, what they were dooo-in"

I liked this earlier—gave it a 7—but it is not wearing well after repeated listens. 5

 MM_Prague wrote:

I was about to say... the dancing Celtic dwarves should be trooping out anytime now... {#Lol}
 
We need a "Spinal Tap" emoticon like such.
Great album.
Spot on.  You could drop this right into Tull's 'Passion Play' and not miss a beat.  

 OCDHG wrote:
Why does this remind me of Ian Anderson?  There's no flute.
 


That's the least of his problems, as far as I can tell.  This is indeed an 8.  Check out the bass line. 
 Darkmatter wrote:

Overplaying is a problem with you, not the actual song. {#Iamwithstupid}

A solid 8, it is!  
 


 Alafia wrote:
Relentlessly repetitive.
 
You're right. Right. Absolutely right. Right. Right. Right.
prog rock, not in a good way
Is it just me, or is it sometimes difficult to tell when Jack White is singing or Brendan Benson? Also, I'd like to hear more of the latter on RP — he has some great stuff.
 Excelsior wrote:
This song is quickly becoming the latest good thing to be ruined by overplaying.

8 —> 7
 
Overplaying is a problem with you, not the actual song. {#Iamwithstupid}

A solid 8, it is!  

Next on my list of albums to buy  {#Jump}
Relentlessly repetitive.

I got this album based on the strength of this track and it does not disappoint. Really fun stuff!
7 —> 6
This reminds me of El Paso and my inability to escape this place.
Why does this remind me of Ian Anderson?  There's no flute.


{#Roflol}This is my kids' favorite song...they make me play it over and over...

This song is quickly becoming the latest good thing to be ruined by overplaying.

8 —> 7
70s derivative, but so what?
 jackvh wrote:
Does anyone else hear Spinal Tap??!!!

 
Totally, during the bridge section.

 jackvh wrote:
Does anyone else hear Spinal Tap??!!!

 

Not Quite, but I'm hearing fragments of No Doubt.
jackvh wrote:
Does anyone else hear Spinal Tap??!!!


I was about to say... the dancing Celtic dwarves should be trooping out anytime now... {#Lol}
Most excellent!  Love these guys! {#Bananajam}
Does anyone else hear Spinal Tap??!!!

What a brilliant band, amazing to think this is only Jack's avocation.  Glad to hear Meg is ready to rock. 

Are the Raconteurs responsible for this bold new look?


I'm so confused!?!?!


This is a great song, and a fantastic album!
My dislike for jack white is suppressed for the solid rock-ness of his other band.
I agree, Jack White is so derivative it's almost painful.
jhorton wrote:
Sounds like Zappa lost his voice, and tried to fill the gap with a mariachi band.
the instrumental intro does remind one a bit of FZ, Grand Wazoo to be exact, a good thing.
I don't get it...IMHO this band doesn't live up to the hype that created them. If this song were by four 'no name' guys it wouldn't get attention it does currently. Rock? Hardly, just another novelty tune.
Finally...rock is back. Best rock album since...a long time.
jhorton wrote:
Sounds like Zappa lost his voice, and tried to fill the gap with a mariachi band.
Oh this made me laugh out loud at work!
Sounds like Zappa lost his voice, and tried to fill the gap with a mariachi band.
tcarole wrote:
Cake meets Blue Oyster Cult??
I hear that too, also the Zappa thing, except that BOC and Zappa are true rock legends, while Cake is just about the most horrible band ever! I'm on the fence about the Raconteurs, band is ok, singing is weak. But, Zappa and BOC were not known for their singing talents either (sorry eric) but they still ruled in their day. Maybe these guys will find their sound, they do show promise, but I think - kinda ho-hum right now. BOC forever!!!
spudboy wrote:
Very Zappa like intro
Yeah! Makes me think of Regyptian Strut, one of my FZ faves.
Very Zappa like intro
tcarole wrote:
Cake meets Blue Oyster Cult??
Mmmm... Blue Oyster Cake... drool... Diggin' this tune more and more.
bitbanger wrote:
Very 70's prog rock! Gentle Giant, Yes, King Crimson with a little Los Lobos thrown in. Nice!
Very much so.
Wow great! Definitely picking this up. A total blast.
Darkmatter wrote:
Any poor soul who trespass against us Whether it be beast or man Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight By those who inhabit this land Brilliant imagery!
No kidding!
Any poor soul who trespass against us Whether it be beast or man Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight By those who inhabit this land Brilliant imagery!
haha...i remember if. i had a couple of their albums...that one with the reflective metallic album cover...they were cool... thewiseking wrote:
remember IF?
bitbanger wrote:
Very 70's prog rock! Gentle Giant, Yes, King Crimson with a little Los Lobos thrown in. Nice!
remember IF?
This is my favorite track off the new album. Very cool.
Cake meets Blue Oyster Cult??
Very 70's prog rock! Gentle Giant, Yes, King Crimson with a little Los Lobos thrown in. Nice!
Saw these guys live last week in Cincinnati and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen and I've been going to shows since 1975, covering probably 300 or so. Jack White is possessed.
Very cool!
Alexandra wrote:
Parts of this are very Ian Anderson-ish.
I wasn't sure what you meant by that, but then the guitar solo happened. That part did remind me of something I've heard from Jethro Tull.
7>8
very nice. the horns remind me of the Mothers of Invention. so many interesting ideas here, all really well executed.
Love the ozark mountain Dr Pepper's Club Band like album photo....first time for my ears and my brain was multi-taskin while figuring out lyrics and enjoying a fun mix of musical instruments and mixing patterns. all said, I like it, nice choice for the uninitiated.
Alexandra wrote:
Parts of this are very Ian Anderson-ish.
alux wrote:
Not without a flute it isn't!
Yes it is! Your understanding of Anderson is too limited. There's more to Ian Anderson than a flute. The compositional structure, the texture, the whimsical busking minstrels feel. I see the comparison. But it's not derivative. I like it. It's good.
I think I just saw someone move on the album cover.
This song is nuts, but fun! Bet this album was a blast to make for White, Benson and co.
If someone had told me a few years before I'd love that, I would have said NOOOO, but now...
The more I hear, the more I like!!
Not without a flute it isn't! Alexandra wrote:
Parts of this are very Ian Anderson-ish.
Alexandra wrote:
Parts of this are very Ian Anderson-ish.
Must agree.
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
These guys need to get together with Calexico and do a CD.
Here I was thinking that they should get together with Cake.
Parts of this are very Ian Anderson-ish.
These guys need to get together with Calexico and do a CD.
Hmm--breaking in TWO Raconteurs tunes today! :)
Ooh, groovy!