Alicia Keys & Jack White - Another way To Die [Single]

Third Man Records

October 22, 2008, 09:10 PM

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Being the biggest fan of Jack White that has probably ever walked the planet without crossing the line into stalker-weirdo who copies his haircuts and clothing and goes through his rubbish, I was excited to hear that he and American piano-molestering popstress Alicia Keys had been asked to write and to perform the new theme track for the latest release in the James Bond series - 'Quantum Of Solace'. Well, more excited about him doing it, perhaps sceptical about her.

A lot of people have a validated opinion of what a Bond theme should sound like, and this is fair enough because it is very much a British institution that is successful worldwide, but we here in soggy Blighty still get the feeling that other countries don't really 'get it' and what it is about. If you are one of these type of people, then the chances are that you HATE this track, and I see where you're coming from. As I said James Bond is along with sarcasm, as British as it gets, so to have two Americans perform the honourable title track is pretty insulting. If this sentiment isn't enough in itself, then wait until you here it - yes, the vocals are sleek, discreet and sexy, much like Bond himself and the music is reserved, well composed yet punchy and exciting when necessary (again.... ) but unlike Bond - is unbearably American sounding.

However, in Jack White's defence (not so much Alicia Keys), when they chose him to do the theme, what did they expect? His portfolio of work (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, producing The Von Bondies and writing the Cold Mountain soundtrack) reeks of Americana old-school turn of the centuary whiskey drenched blues, and this is his appeal, so it is inevitable that this will in some shape or form shine through in anything that he composes becuase it is what makes him who he is.From my point of view, this is the most experimental Bond theme of all time, and will hopefuly be remebered for being this, although the chances are that this will not be the case.

Respect to Jack White and Alicia Keys for trying their best to get the feel right though - they did as well as any non-Brits could possibly do but this whole episode just proves that sometimes 'if somethings worth doing well, you should do it yourself'.

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