By Brian Hiatt

“HEN   THE    RACON-

teurs’ Consolers of the Lonely hit record stores and online retailers on March 25th, it was the latest evi¬dence that the music industry’s old rules no longer apply. Michael Vick Conversation The band, led by the White Stripes’ Jack White and singer-song-writer Brendan Benson, had announced the release only one week earlier – after finishing the record in the first week of March and immediately sending it to pressing plants. “The music business is so scared all the time, and I don’t like living in fear like that,” White says a few days after the album came out. “This is just a simple approach: Get it out as soon as possible.”

Gnarls Barkley took a similarly unconventional tack with their new album, The Odd Couple, in

March – abruptly pushing the release date up by three weeks after it leaked online. “What it proves is that the old system of three to four months of lead time is just a throwback,” says Gnarls’ manager, Jeff Antebi. “The record industry needs to move at Inter¬net speed.”

The Raconteurs recorded the album – which is bigger-sounding and more diverse than their

2006 debut (see review, page 55) – at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios intwo three-week ses-

sions, the first last May and the second in February. “We let the songs tell us what to do

and if anything, we had to reel it in all the time,” White says.

“We were just going everywhere, exploring all different ways of writing songs together. The stu-

dio helped make these songs come alive in a way we couldn’t have done in recording at Brendan’s

house.”               [Cont. on 12]

Taibbi’s article. Your work is proof that sexism is acceptable in ways  that racism is not. Announcements Sara Sealander, Tuba City, GA

Glam Grifters

WHEN I WAS AN UNDERGRAD

at Drexel University in Phila-delphia, Jocelyn Kirsch ["The Fabulous Fraudulent Life of Jocelyn and Ed," RS 1048] stole my wallet from the school cafe. She then went on an Internet shopping spree. Although the Philadelphia police decided they had more pressing issues than a “non-prosecutable” crime, it took me months to

put my credit back together. It sickens me that this girl will cash in on her fame while I am up to my ears in debt.

Jen Gray, J^ew Tor\

Family Feud

THANKS FOR YOUR FEATURE

on the Black Crowes ["War of the Crowes," RS 1048]. They have always been gifted, irrev¬erent, mystical, reflective and, above all, talented way beyond today’s music-industry stan-dards. David Fricke’s article is the best one yet to explore the complicated relationship of the brothers Robinson. Shopping Cart

Anna Conner, Fletcher, ~HjC

ary’s Last Stand” [RS 1048] was insightful. I resent being told that it makes me a bad feminist to support Obama. As a feminist, I would rather the first woman president get there on her own, instead of riding her husband’s coattails. If that means I have to wait a little longer to see that first Madam President, so be it. JoomlaJunkie templates

Elena Lamprich, St. Louis

Behind the Cover Shoot

The average music tan might be intimidated sitting in a room with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Jack White. But for contributing photographer Max Vadukul, who photographed the trio for this issue’s cover story on the Stones’ new concert doc. Shine

Vadukul. Jagger, White, Richards

a Light, hanging out with three rock gods was like getting together with old friends. Carbonite “It was really comfortable.” says Vadukul. The mood of the shoot was casual: White strummed guitar, Richards sipped vodka and Jagger hummed some songs. Vadukul’s secret to photographing the world’s biggest rock stars – his RS cover shoots have included Paul McCartney. Bruce Springsteen, the Police and Gwen Stefani – is easy. “There’s a lot of egos going around, so you have to let them be what they’re best at.” he says, adding that one of his favorite RS covers was a portrait of Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. which he got by just letting his camera roam: “I let them broadcast, wait for the right moment and then just pounce on it.”

Taibbi Honored

Contributing editor Matt Taibbi has been nominated for a National Magazine Award in the category of Columns and Commentary for three stories: “Worse Than Bush” (RS 1028). “My Favorite Nut Job” (RS 1040) and “Obama’s Moment” (RS 1042/1043). Winners will be announced in early May.

I WAS DEEPLY OFFENDED BY

Taibbi’s article. Your work is proof that sexism is acceptable in ways that racism is not. Sara Sealander, Tuba City, GA

makes the cover [RS 1048]! Katrina Tekavec, via the Internet

I HAVE NEVER BEEN PROUDER

to have a subscription. After all the suffering of the Bush years, Obama is our reward.   Cameras & Camcorders

Sue Figel, i>ia the Internet

THE  ONLY  THING  MISSING

from the cover was the halo. Are you guys for real?

Marl^ Hmricksen, Seattle

1 HAD BEEN A HILLARY FAN

because she seemed the only hope. My deepest thanks for opening my eyes to the man who can once again make this the United States of America.  Kodak – ESP 5 Multifunction Printer

Timothy Prys Grand Haven, Ml

CONTACT US

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A NEW HOPE    IS THE PER’

feet title for your endorse¬ment. This will mark the first election that I will be old enough to participate in. I had no intention of voting until I heard Barack Obama speak. He has inspired me to exer¬cise the most basic democratic right with his wisdom and integrity.

Joe Pokropowicz Clinton Township, MI

OBAMA   IS   A   NEW   HOPE?

Where’s the light saber and the druid cloak? George Lucas should sue you.

Bill Broods, Baltimore

FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN

plagued by millionaires mak¬ing decisions for us. Obama’s platform offers change we Mississippians can actually believe in.

Joe Roberts Jackson, MS

1   AM   A  REPUB-LICAN   WHO

will be crossing party lines this year. I’m tired of the divisive “us against them” mentality. The Clintons rep-resent the way things used to be — Obama represents a new beginning.

Brian Kerry, via the Internet

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COVER

Shirt by Etro, at Etro, New York. Tie by Charvet, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

TOC

PAGE 6: Coat by Yves Saint Laurent, at select Yves Saint Laurent boutiques. Pants by Maison Martin Margiela, at Maison Martin Margiela, New York. Shoes by Dries Van Noten, at Barneys New York. Free Antonio Vivaldi

STYLE

PAGE 36: Sunglasses by Giorgio Armani, at Giorgio Armani boutiques. Shirt by Thorn Browne New York, at Jeffrey New York, New York. PAGE 41:1. Nike, at Niketown. 2. Geox, at Geox stores.

3.            Puma, at Bloomingdale’s. 4. New

Balance, newbalance.com for stores.

5. Raf Simons, at Barneys New York, New York. PAGE 42: Shirt by Turnbull 8 Asser, at Turnbull S Asser, New York. Cuff links by Brooks Brothers, at Brooks Brothers stores. PAGE 43:1. Ralph Lauren Black Label, at select Ralph Lauren stores. 2. Nautica, at select Macy’s and select Belk locations. 3. BOSS Black, at BOSS Store, New York and Los Angeles.

4.            Calvin Klein Collection, at Calvin Klein

Collection, New York. From top: Charvet,

at Saks Fifth Avenue. Thorn Browne New

York, at Bergdorf Goodman, New York,

and George Greene, Chicago. PAGE 46:

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim, at 3.1 Phillip Lim, New York. 2. Crate, at Secret Service, Los Angeles. 3. G-Star, at Bloomingdale’s. 4. Diesel, at Bloomingdale’s. 5. Gap, at Gap stores. 6. 7 For All Mankind, at Bloom¬ingdale’s. PAGE 51: Dunhill, at Alfred Dun-hill, New York.

JASON BATEMAN

PAGE 84: Blazer by Maison Martin Mar¬giela, Free Punk music at Maison Martin Margiela, New York. Shirt and pants by Burberry London, at select Burberry stores. Tie by Ralph Lauren Black Label, at select Ralph Lauren stores. Shoes by Dries Van Noten, at Barneys New York.

FASHION: FALL FASHION PREVIEW

PAGES 98-99: From left: Shirt and pants by Dsquared, at Saks Fifth Avenue; shoes by Raf Simons, at Barneys New York. Paul Smith, at Paul Smith, Greene St., New York. Tom Ford, at Tom Ford, New York. Cloth¬ing by Alexander McQueen, at Alexander McQueen, New York; shoes by Raf Simons, at Fred Segal, Los Angeles. Trussardi 1911, at the Webster, Miami. Bottega Veneta, at select Bottega Veneta boutiques. PAGES 100-101: From left: Gucci, at select Gucci stores and Saks Fifth Avenue. Clothing by D8G, at D8G, New York; shoes by Prada, at select Prada boutiques. Prada. at select Prada boutiques. PAGES 102-103: From left: Dries Van Noten, at Ron Herman, Los Angeles. Louis Vuitton, at select Louis Vuitton boutiques. PAGES 104-105: From left: Raf Simons, at Barneys New York. Dolce 8 Gabbana, at select Dolce 8 Gab-bana Boutiques. Lanvin, at Barneys New York. PAGES 104-105: From left: Salva-tore Ferragamo, at Salvatore Ferragamo, New York. Yves Saint Laurent, at select Yves Saint Laurent boutiques. Jil Sander, at Jil Sander, New York. Versace, at select Versace boutiques. Dior Homme, at Dior Homme, Las Vegas. Coat and shirt by Giorgio Armani, at select Giorgio Armani boutiques; pants, tie, belt, and shoes by Emporio Armani, at select Emporio Armani boutiques. PAGES 106-107: From left: Clothing by Junya VMatanabe MAN Comme des Gargons, at Comme des Garcons, New York, and Bloomingdale’s; shoes by Raf Simons, at Barneys New York. Clothing by Etro, at Etro, New York. Clothing by Burb¬erry Prorsum, at select Burberry stores; shoes by Raf Simons, at Seven, New York.

STORE INFORMATION

3.1 Phillip Lim: 31philliplim.com

7 For All Mankind: 7forallmankind.com

Acne: acnejeans.com

Adidas: adidas.com

AG Adriano Goldschmied: agjeans.com

agnes b: 212-431-0552

ARC: apc.fr