The Film
When the White Stripes disbanded last year, fans were shocked and saddened. Musician Jack White, however, didn't really have time to reflect on the band that made him a rock star. He barely had time to breathe.
That's because he had a whole other band, The Raconteurs. It was one of his many side projects, but the band is actually a supergroup in its own right, with members Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler rounding out the lineup.
By the time the Stripes disbanded, The Raconteurs already had two albums and eight singles. What they didn't have was a video release, so Eagle Rock has cranked out The Raconteurs: Live at Montreux 2008.
This 16-song collection invites fans to sit on stage for the band's Montreux Jazz Festival performance. It's a nice crash course in the band's music, which includes "Steady, As She Goes," "Broken Boy Soldier," "Level," "Salute Your Solution," "Many Shades of Black," "Old enough," and "Consoler of the Lonely."
The Picture 
Eagle Rock delivers a pretty nice concert experience with this 1080i/1.78:1 transfer. As expected from a live show, this one is heavy on the stage mood lighting. It has a nice bluish-purple tint, but washes out some of detail in wider shots. However, the black levels are extremely respectable and close-ups reveal a lot of details in hair and facial complexion.
The Sound
Are you ready to rock? Make sure you opt for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. As with all Eagle Rock releases, this one defaults to the LPCM 2.0 Stereo recording, with a Dolby Digital 5.1 option also available. That DTS delivers a much fuller experience, separating the lyrics from the guitars quite nicely -- which seem to be in a battle to be the true star of this audio track. Be prepared to disturb the house or the neighbors with this one, though; it really rocks.
The Extras
There's nothing about the band's members, no extra tracks and no behind-the-scenes antics. Eagle Rock leaves the concert to stand on its own.
Final Thoughts
Fans will obviously want The Raconteurs first Blu-ray release, making The Raconteurs: Live at Montreux 2008 a no-brainer. The band members aren't that energetic, but leave the music to stand on its own. That's a good idea, too; it's quite excellent, with an audio track to match. The lack of extras is a bit of a bummer, but it won't keep people from picking this one up. If you aren't a fan, this is still a nice introduction to the band's catalogue.
Product Details
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