White was impressive on Colbert

I wrote a while back that I thought Jack White's best production was behind him.

Then, last week, I saw him on the Colbert Report -- with a pretty badass backing band -- for a performance of "Freedom at 21" off his new record, Blunderbuss. The tune had the usual White signature retro-blues-garage sound, but the song was pretty far left of center.

And the band is really good. The drummer here (check the video for yourself) is light years better than any other I've heard with White. For the first time with White, it didn't sound like I was listening to a gimmick. This is music.

 I have to say. after seeing the performance, I'm interested in giving the new record a shot. If the performances measure up to what he did on the Colbert Report, it may be his best record yet.

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Spiritualized: Big British rock to tug the heart strings

Spiriualized's Jason Pierce

There's a whiff of brit rock revival in the air. Blur isn't getting back together after all*, but the band announced a massive retrospective (box set ) of its 21-year history. Jarvis Cocker is out touring with Pulp again. (check them out on Jimme Fallon last week.)

And this month saw the release of Spiritualized's 7th record, Sweet Heart Sweet Light.