Ultraviolence

Lana Del Rey just released the title track from her upcoming album and it is a beautiful take on an ugly situation. Del Rey has a way with words that really sets her apart from not just other artists on the radio but just in general. "He hit me and it felt like a kiss...this is Ultraviolence, I can hear sirens" she sings like she is still lusting for this deranged love. It is classic Lana with its orchestral sound but you can definitely hear producer Dan Auerbach's imprint on the song with its woozy guitars and moody backdrop.

Jack White is Sorry (Kinda)

If you haven't been keeping up with the drama surrounding Jack White here’s a little recap: Jack White's private letters were released by lawyers in his divorce battle revealing some pretty harsh comments about the Black Keys.  He went even further to explain his distaste for the duo the latest issue of Rolling Stone basically calling them copy cats and accused them of riding on the coattails of his former band The White Stripes. Here is the full quote from the article:

"There are kids at school who dress like everybody else, because they don’t know what to do, and there are musicians like that, too. I’ll hear TV commercials where the music’s ripping off sounds of mine, to the point I think it’s me. Half the time, it’s the Black Keys. The other half, it’s a sound-alike song because they couldn’t license one of mine. There’s a whole world that’s totally fine with the watered-down version of the original.

Some people will hear that and say ’Oh, Jack White thinks he’s the first person to play the blues.’ But certain acts open up a market for a certain style. Amy Winehouse: Did she invent white soul? Wearing a beehive? No. But she did something brand new and fresh, altogether as a package, and you see who’s in her wake, from the Duffys to the Lana Del Reys. Adele selling 20 million records? That would not have happened if Amy Winehouse was alive. The White Stripes did the same thing, and in our absence, you’re gonna find someone to fill that. And you get a band like the Black Keys, who said they never heard of the White Stripes? Sure."

Ouch. While I do think there are definitely some similarities between the White Stripes and the Black Keys I think perhaps Jack White needs to check his pride. Essentially all music is borrowed from something or another, that is how music works. People create and are inspired by genres and add something new to it. And clearly Jack White hasn't heard any of the new Black Keys music because he would never create something as commercial. Don't get me wrong, I am HUGE Jack White fan, but I think he perhaps overstepped his boundaries. Apparently he thought so too (or maybe his publicist panicked) because he just issued a long apology on his website. You can read the apology HERE.

Did you read it? Okay good, now we're on the same page. It is rather wordy so if you didn't read it he basically just wishes every person he called out in the Rolling Stone interview (the Black Keys, Lana Del Rey, Adele) all the success they can get and he feels no ill will towards them. He ended the apology with "God bless the Black Keys, Danger Mouse, Adele, Meg White, and anyone else I’ve spoken about, and thank you for understanding. Good fortune to all of them, and I’m sorry for my statements hurting anyone." Bullshit

Maybe it is just in my experience but when you really don't like someone and don't want to deal with them, whenever you say something like "I wish them all the success in the world" or something vague like "I wish them love and happiness", it really means "I just want to be done with the situation and for them to not get in my way". Definitely some damage control going on. Both White and the Black Keys are based in Nashville and I'm sure it was starting to feel a little crowded with all the negativity surrounding them. I also find it interesting White chose to bring up Lana Del Rey as a follower in the article, who just so happens to have worked very closely with Black Keys' front man Dan Auerbach on her new album. Could be something, could be nothing. Regardless, I don't foresee a collaboration between the Black Keys and White anytime soon. At least the "feud" has been to bed...for now.