Jack White Blunderbuss

A few pops. Some fizzles. A couple of direct hits. Just as many duds. The first solo release from enigmatic rock artist Jack White has something of an uneven and unreliable arsenal of songs at its disposal, something that becomes apparent when they’re all laid out in front of you, experienced in their entirety, as a continuous attack on the ears and mind.

Unlike the best of the albums recorded with his drummer/ex-wife Meg under the White Stripes moniker, Blunderbuss is lacking a focus, missing a feeling, missing a cohesiveness that makes it a formidable assault.

Granted, the songwriter’s attempt to embrace all of his varied influences — the usual blending and bending of blues and rock he’s come to be known for along with piano jazz, ’70s soft rock, Americana, country swing and more — is admirable but it also ensures his aim is all over the place, with very little payoff.

Even a thematic string — the album was inspired, in part, by his divorce — doesn’t pull you through to the end, or give you any sense of security.

As single bullets, sure, there are some killers, such as the blazing, superfuzz cover of I’m Shakin’ and the shambolic Trash Tongue Talker, which are also the only back-to-back headshots, but any momentum is quickly lost by stylistic reloads that lose sight of the target.

For Stripes fans, it’s worth a shot. But for those looking for a little extra shock and awe in their life, it’s hardly the weapon of choice.