Third Man Records Vault 26 Special!

   In celebration of his new Detroit location, Jack White gave us another Live at the Gold Dollar record! This album is definitely a better performance than the first (being that the first 2 Live at the Gold Dollar recordings were their first two performances ever). The album features some of our favorite Stripes songs such as Astro and Jimmy The Exploder, as well as some of our favorite covers. White and White were truly a dynamic duo from the beginning and this record sure as hell proves it.

   Breaking into John the Revelator and Grinnin' In Your Face, we see their ability to think on their feet in these early performances. Whites ease in talking to the crowd is admirable, noting his young age at the time. The man was born to be a star. The quality of the performance even surpasses some of the bands later works (it's a million times better than Lights of the Rising Sun). It contains perhaps my favorite version of The Big Three Killed My Baby.

Also included in the package are an iron on show flyer, a Cass Corridor pin, newspaper clipping, photographs, a 45rpm single and more.

   The 45 has the single from Jack White's newest band The Dead Weather's Impossible Winner. I'll be honest, the new album Dodge and Burn is not my favorite. Sea of Cowards holds

a special place in my heart and Horehound is genius as well. However, Dodge and Burn contains some of vocalist Alison Mosshart's greatest work. Impossible Winner was written by Mosshart, and she does not disappoint. From the beautiful lyrics, the strings in the background and Mosshart's incredible voice, it's an excellent song from start to finish. When you flip the record to the B-Side, you see the words "Mile Markers" printed on the label. You would expect to hear Mile Markers playing through your stereo, right? Well thanks to an error at United Record Pressing, you hear Cop and Go (another song from Dodge and Burn). Third Man promises to make it right and provide all members with an opportunity to get a copy with Mile Markers on it. Their website tells us that updates will come soon.

  Overall Vault 26 is well worth the 60 dollars it costs. I'm always down to listen to some live White Stripes records! Can't wait for Vault 27!

       -Matthew Kelly