Sign In to rate and review
CRITIC REVIEWS
90
Entering Heaven Alive feels of a piece with White's previous work, yet the ideas are synthesized and executed in fresh, inventive ways, suggesting that the ungainly Boarding House Reach was indeed a transitionary album to allow him to do music that's as relaxed and vibrant as this.
85
Entering Heaven Alive isn’t your typical Jack White rock record, but it doesn’t need to be. It shows a different artistic side of his craft and approach. It proves that he’s a lot more versatile than he’s led on with his previous releases.
80
Second solo album of the year from the former White Stripes man finds him in mostly relaxed, stripped-back mood – and it works beautifully.
80
Recent White albums have been pretty exhausting. This is one to sit with and contemplate. It’s remarkably pleasant company.
80
Tree on Fire From Within is a particular highlight. With its simple glassy piano melody and smooth bass lines, it seems to return White back to himself.
80
Emerging out of a period of patchy experimentation, former White Stripes man gets back to his best.
80
Entering Heaven Alive may not be his most ground-breaking album and won’t entirely satisfy those who come for the great White guitar wail. But this master musician really sounds like he’s enjoying himself with results that are pretty heavenly.
80
Perhaps the most mellow and settled LP of White's career. ... These slow burns seem good for White.
80
Released just three months after 'Fear Of The Dawn', the concluding part of the former White Stripe’s twin album collection showcases his often breathtaking artistry.
80
With Entering Heaven Alive Jack White offers the yang to the yin of Fear of the Dawn while broadening his musical palette.
74
Enough of the album works that it’s easily White’s best solo release and the best thing he’s made in quite some time.
70
The songs of Entering Heaven Alive probably won't become the genre touchstones that White's heavier tunes are, but they're a fresh glimpse into a songwriter who, long considered a retro traditionalist, now continues to get more unpredictable with each album cycle.
70
Reins in some of the zanier impulses of his recent work to make one of his more enjoyable LPs in a while.
70
Although his dabblings in bluegrass pastiche are less convincing elsewhere, it’s all shot through with characteristic, likeable idiosyncrasy.
70
Taken in tandem, Entering Heaven Alive seems to be White’s way of mitigating his somewhat intimidating demeanor while also making allowances for a distinct yet distant persona. Consider this the gentler side of an occasionally jarring Jack.
65
In total, Entering Heaven Alive lacks the wacky, adventurous spirit of its twin brother but that was hardly its aim.
64
The follow-up to this year’s wild Fear of the Dawn is a stripped-down songwriter record, but often the songs don’t resonate as deeply as the sounds.
60
The musician’s second album in three months exists at a blurry intersection of inscrutability and openness.
60
Playful, varied, relaxed and enjoyable new one from the former White Stripe.
60
A fun album, but one in need of trimming and extra heft.
Print Only
1y
57
Compared to its irreverently strange predecessor, the second of White’s 2022 albums sounds reluctant and unsure of itself.
50
Not some of Jack's better ballads.
NO NUANCE REVIEW
I think I appreciate this album more than I outright enjoy it. It’s interesting to see the duality of Jack and how multitalented his latest two albums have proven him to be, but am I going to be listening to much of this latest album a few months from now like I am with “Fear Of The Dawn”? Not really.
As someone who loved Fear of the Dawn, I was cautious going into this album as Jack described it as a acoustic album and judging by the singles it was going to be in a totally different direction than Fear of the Dawn. I was fine with this because I liked the singles unlike some other people. Love Is Selfish & If I Die Tomorrow are both great in my opinion still. The main reason I loved Fear of the Dawn is because I could put aside some mediocre writing because I love the aesthetic that ... read more
Jack Gray album cover
I was worried about this one tbh. I really like Fear of the Dawn, but him slowing things down could be a bad thing considering some of his acoustic stuff I’m not the biggest fan of. And now after hearing it, I can say it was a decent decision. I think this is easily his least memorable project though (from his solo work). On paper this sounds like an album I would get bored of very quickly, but it actually sounds pretty nice. There’s a lot of cool details and ... read more
A stripped back folky companion to the loud and in-your-face Fear Of The Dawn, and it's pretty nice! Nothing mindblowing, and he's made better slow songs in the past, but everything here is still pretty good. Please God Don't Tell Anyone is really underrated, and Queen Of The Bees is so dumb and goofy but I honestly like it.
I’m kind of let down after what was such a great album in The Of The Dawn. There’s definitely highlights here and Jack still appears as a talent. The more less energetic folky sound he goes for in this album makes me want a more heavy inspired garage rock record from him. It’s a decent listen overall.
2023 Enjoyer here and wow did I underrate this album when it came out. I kept comparing it to FOTD and BHR and I overlooked this albums unique charming qualities. It's so specifically Jack White. It's awesome.
Purchasing Entering Heaven Alive from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement
Track List
| 1 | A Tip from You to Me 2:42 | 80 |
| 2 | All Along the Way 3:52 | 72 |
| 3 | Help Me Along 4:46 | 70 |
| 4 | Love is Selfish 2:52 | 71 |
| 5 | I’ve Got You Surrounded (With My Love) 4:24 | 68 |
| 6 | Queen of the Bees 2:30 | 57 |
| 7 | A Tree on Fire from Within 2:59 | 67 |
| 8 | If I Die Tomorrow 2:59 | 76 |
| 9 | Please God, Don't Tell Anyone 4:00 | 65 |
| 10 | A Madman from Manhattan 4:26 | 76 |
| 11 | Taking Me Back (Gently) 4:35 | 72 |
Total Length: 40 minutes
Year End Lists
| #1 | / | Rough Trade (UK) |
| #2 | / | PopMatters |
| #3 | / | Variety: Chris Willman |
| #7 | / | SPIN |
| #19 | / | Gaffa (Sweden) |
| #36 | / | Consequence of Sound |
| #36 | / | MondoSonoro |
| #46 | / | RIFF |
| #69 | / | Uncut |
| #100 | / | Piccadilly Records |
More Lists
Please stay on topic. To go off topic, head to the General Chat.
Sign in to comment
Added on: November 11, 2021