If you're one to run and hide when you see the term 'supergroup', plagued by nightmares of Blind Faith and interminable drum solos, then you may be a bit cynical on hearing the news that Jack White has joined up with fellow Detroit songwriter Brendan Benson, and brought along the rhythm section from The Greenhorns (who also played on White's album with Loretta Lynn).
Yet The Raconteurs are very far removed from the old bloated '70s self-indulgent concept of a supergroup. Steady As She Goes takes White's raw power and harnesses it to Benson's innate sense of melody to produce something rather special. From the opening drumbeat (sounding eerily like an old Pixies song) to the catchy-as-bird-flu chorus, not a note is wasted. The lyrics are excellent too, essaying a man who wants to settle down, but just can't seem to do so ("When you have completed what you thought you had to do, and your blood's depleted to the point of stable glue, then you'll get along...").
In fact, listening to this, it's the figure of Meg White that you feel most sorry for. For if the Raconteurs' forthcoming album is as good as this debut single, Jack's ex-wife may well be looking for a new band sooner rather than later.
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