The Dead Weather: 'Horehound'

Supergroup. Can any other compound word in the English language cause as much trepidation in a music fan's heart? For perhaps obvious reasons, bands made up of existing stars rarely manage to live up to expectations. The ego collisions that give normal outfits their spark are all-too-often replaced with mutual stroking sessions, meaning the records tend to end up indulgent for the band members - but not the listener. Most supergroups, sad to say, are much less than the sum of their parts.

What's great about Horehound then, is that it doesn't at any point sound like the work of a "supergroup". Comprising Alison Mosshart (The Kills) on vocals, Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs/The Greenhornes) on bass, Dean Fertita (Queens Of The Stone Age) on guitar and the album's producer Jack White (White Stripes) on drums and prominent backing vocals, The Dead Weather sound like a proper band, not some spin-off or pet project. They play filthy, bluesy rock, with everything in the red and refreshingly in-your-face.

Mosshart is the star of the show and, to be honest, sounds better here than she does during her day job. Alternately squeaking and squalling ('Hang You From The Heavens', 'Bone House') and swooning sultrily ('So Far From Your Weapon', 'Will There Be Enough Water'), her vocals have drawn comparison to new bandmate White, but also recall the likes of Juliette Lewis and Iggy Pop. Single 'Treat Me Like Your Mother' is her finest moment. It's an accusing, violent assault on the senses that smacks you around the head like a particularly heavy Freud textbook.

The rest of the album doesn't quite live up to that track, but it comes pretty close on several occasions. A cover of Bob Dylan's 'New Pony' turns the song completely on its head, the female lead vocal shearing away its unpleasant misogyny. The Mosshart-penned 'So Far From Your Weapon' - a rare subdued moment here - seeps into your your veins beautifully, Jack White's sole lead vocal 'I Cut Like A Buffalo' is a quirky rock-reggae blast, and 'No Hassle Night' brilliantly evokes Fun House-era Stooges. At times, however, you can't help craving a bit more variety and a few more steps away from the rock template.

The other caveat? While the rush recording of this album gives it a freshness that undoubtedly adds to its appeal, some of the songs seem underwritten and cry out for a bigger hook. Nonetheless, as a debut effort from a garage blues band, Horehound more than hits the spot.