The Raconteurs drop album today, start tour in April

Oh, what a difference a week makes. This time last week, the only reason you’d see the word “raconteur” in a Paste news article was if some musician at SXSW was particularly skilled in relating stories or anecdotes. (Editor's note: This isn't exactly true.) Fast forward to today and we now have shiny new Raconteurs records in stores available to everyone, everywhere.

And just in time for their surprise, leak-proof album (well… sorta), Consolers of the Lonely, Jack White and Co. have announced the first leg of their North American tour, which includes stops at Coachella, Bonaroo and The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. East Coasters will be sad to see that they’re conspicuously left out of the tour, but, hey, that’s what adding dates is for. And isn’t it about time Kansas City got some rock ’n’ roll lovin’?

So what can you expect from the Consolers tour? Will the new music be any good? Can White still shred like a bizzaro, white-boy Sun House? Can Brandon Benson still channel the classic rock gods like a rock ’n’ roll Rosemary Altea? If only there was something. Some kind of article. One where a professional appreciator of music (we could call him "a critic") would weigh in with his thoughts about the album.

But wait! Paste to the rescue with a review! You're welcome.

Dates:

April
20 - Vancouver, British Columbia @ Commodore Ballroom
21 - Seattle, Wash. @ Neumo's
22 - Portland, Ore. @ Wonder Ballroom
23 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Bimbo's 365 Club
25 - Indio, Calif. @ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
26 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Joint
28 - Denver, Colo. @ The Fillmore Auditorium
29 - Uptown Theatre Kansas City, Mo.

May
1 - Dallas, Texas @ House of Blues
2 - Austin, Texas @ Stubb's BBQ
3 - Austin, Texas @ Stubb's BBQ
4 - New Orleans, La. @ New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

June
13 - Manchester, Tenn. @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Related links:
News: The Raconteurs will Console everyone March 25
The Raconteurs on MySpace

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