Each spring I begin taking note of new music releases in anticipation of which band’s work will become the musical apex of the summer. For me the first entry for this annual competition has arrived in the form of The Raconteur’s debut album “Broken Boy Soldiers”.

A group made up of established musicians, most notably Jack White of the White Stripes, The Raconteurs have burst onto the scene with a weight of a band already firmly adored. I consistently oscillate between phases listening to electronic and acoustic music, and it has been The Raconteurs that have proved to be a tilting factor in directing me back towards crisp and unforgiving guitars and vocals.

A Raconteur, defined by the band themselves as “a deft storyteller”, is one that can portray their thoughts and experiences skillfully to the audience. I can only hope this will be the case for a generous amount of the band’s music in the future.