Jack White's "Lazaretto" Appeals On Multiple Levels

Jack White steps into the role of mad chemist with his new single "Lazaretto", the title track from his June release. He's got the Dr. Jekyll strut and unhinged Mr. Hyde angles working equally well. Don't you wish the higher level of social encounters were this all-inclusive? Are you browsing for something in a smoking guitar persuasion? Jack's getting you hooked up. Is bass your thing? A funkier scene you will never make. Perhaps you like some crackle on your drums? Surprise!! That's part of this highly arousing package as well. The mid-song guitar solo flexes its biceps before you, daring you to turn away, the perspiration dripping off the chest. Yes, if you must taste hints of keyboard you won't be turned away from the feast harrumph heavy disappointed. A mere human couldn't have the sense of precision Jack has with them. At this rate I'm going to be so caught up in the first act of Jack's career that I won't even have time to catch my breath long enough to realize we're now staring at the second act. Cards on the table I swear. "Lazaretto" is genius, backwards and front. The universe needs to prepare to say its most sincere thank you when he exits the building. This song is a shining example of what people can do when they get inspired to put their best foot forward. Jack's obviously multi-talented. He gives each instrument its own showcase wing. The bass starts things off in pulse pounding fashion with a little bit of panties off thrown in for good measure. The keyboards wander in knowing there's no place they'd rather be. After "Lazaretto" has cleared the half-way marker, the fun slows down so you can lick your chops at molecular level force of nature awesomeness. But don't nap on the remainder of the ditty because soon it's off to the races we go again. Where does Jack find leftover juice to ply his mandolin. A magician never bares his secrets. That's okay. The fun comes from knowing there's some mystery behind his madness. Notice that I haven't even gotten to the words that come tumbling out of the wunderkind's mouth. Rest assured the oddball persona of the words match the oddball persona of the song structure. God gets a fist bump a few times. Makes sense since, like I said, this beauty isn't the work of your garden variety bloke. Entering the dialogue is God as a female. She has fewer plans than he does. Nice to see Jack wants to race to the finish line, exhausted yet unquestionably satisfied with the voyage. Do I completely get what he's talking about (insert Gary Coleman as Arnold Drummond line here)? Not exactly, but I'm too caught up in the frenzy to pick nits. So what is a lazaretto you ask aside from a cool looking Italian sculpted word? Promise you won't retract your appreciation for the song after you hear the answer? Good deal. It's an isolation hospital for people with infectious diseases, especially leprosy and the plague. In other words wholesome family entertainment. Guess that would explain the tormented side bubbling from the cauldron. I shall select a passage from The Book of Jack to put in bold focus how quizzical his newly christened beast truly is. "And all of my illegitimate kids have begotten. Thrown down to the wolves, made Pharaoh for nothin'. Quarantine on the Isle of Man and I'm trying to escape any way that I can." Plain English to me. So what if you're scratching your head at the lyrics like some poor soul with the worst dandruff problem in the history of hair. Dr. Jekyll's running the show. Mr. Hyde's a mere wing man on standby. "Lazaretto" has something in common with Goldilocks' verdict on Baby Bear's porridge. Tastes just right. You'll want your best cutlery knife and for good measure, a well-traveled fork. "Lazaretto" drops jaws with its multiple personality masterstrokes. As unsettling as the voices seem you don't mind delving deeper. Your efforts won't go unrewarded.