Others say...

"AWSOME! JACK WHITE DOES IT AGAIN!"
I just love this cd! It's versatile, there is so much talent. I have been a big fan of Jack White for a long time and this band is great! The first couple of songs rock and have some White Stripe type influence; I love the 3rd song, piano, harmony in the chorus-beatlesque. There's some blues and country type influence-it is NOT a boring album! BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT!

"A Pretty Big Step Down from Broken Boy Soldiers"
Jack White is kind of an up-and-down fellow: he can put together some absolutely brilliant songs that really put you in the mood to rock, no matter how off-kilter it is, or he can end up in a rut. As an example of this, I would posit that his most brilliant work (Meg of course is a creative non-factor) would be Elephant, Icky Thump, De Stijl, and Broken Boy Soldiers; all great albums that range from the super-catchy (Elephant) to the rather dissonant (Icky Thump), or the classically influenced, yet fresh (Broken Boy Soldiers). Sometimes, though, it just doesn't work; the White Stripes self-titled debut album, Get Behind Me Satan, and this album.
After the home-run of BBS, I was eagerly awaiting Consolers and picked it up on the enthusiastic recommendations of many friends. However, it just doesn't hit the same nerves as BBS; instead of the slow, rambling charm of BBS' best songs, it keeps rhythms we're much more accustomed to in classic rock, and the lyrics change from their unfocused, simple subject matter to more conventional themes, which are clearly Jack's weak spot. Where BBS could make a beautiful song about nothing more than hands, or the phase of the moon, Consolers tries to capture relationship blues almost exclusively. One can see why he's stuck to nonsensical, free-association lyrics for so long: when he tries to tell a story it crumbles.
As for the instrumental sound of this album, it is more structured than we are accustomed to from either the Raconteurs or White Stripes, with less of the solos and riffing that we all love to hear from Jack. The addition of horns are well-done, and fit with the bluesy composition. Unfortunately, all the songs blend together with both their theme and musical sound, and you'll be hard pressed to distinguish one from the other after you're done listening.
Overall, this album is unremarkable and weak in comparison to the majority of Mr. White's impressive aural resume. It lacks the catchiness, incredible solos, and silly charm of other album's songwriting. If you'd like to hear an album by Jack White that will appear more familiar and bluesy than his other work, buy this one, otherwise stick to the rest.

"consolers of the lonely"
i love this music! this is truly a great night when i vibrate to this...oh that didn't sound good or did it ;)
anything i am doing this makes a great backdrop ;)
thank you raconteurs!
love, carol

"unbelievable"
This is the best album Jack White has ever been a part of. And the White Stripes are probably my favorite band. But there's so much more to this album than just White. Patrick Keeler is a beast on drums throughout, LJ has some good basslines and keyboard parts, and Brendan Benson absolutely shines, especially on songs like Many Shades of Black, Attention, and Consoler of the Lonely. Everyone talks about how much more this album sounds like the Stripes than Broken Boy Soldiers did, but probably the biggest improvement to this album is how much stronger Benson sounds both on vocals and guitar. The overall sound to the album is stronger. There's a lot of start and stop/push and pull rhythms going on, and it's a lot harder than BBS was. There's some strings and Mariachi on a few tracks too, changing things up a little bit. It has some great softer moments as well. You Don't Understand Me is great, and I still get goosebumps listening to Carolina Drama.
This is easily one of the best albums of the year, if not the best. Jack White is one of those once in a generation talents in songwriting, and then when you combine it with the rest of the guys on here it sounds even better. If you like music just in general pick this album up, and go see them live. I saw them about a month ago. It was unbelievable.

Highlights
Hell, all of them. But especially
-Consoler of the Lonely
-Salute Your Salution
-You Don't Understand Me
-Top Yourself
-Many Shades of Black
-Carolina Drama

"tastier each listen"
Excellent record full of creative arrangements & great production. Songs are delightful and dynamic. This well-balanced band ROCKS live and provides a perfect vehicle for J.White's compelling tendencies. I smell a Grammy nomination. Enjoy in abundance!