A Surprise Reunion and Deluxe Digital Premiere
On November 6, 2026, Third Man Records released the digital premiere of Broken Boy Soldiers (Deluxe), celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Raconteurs' debut album. The expanded project arrived shortly after the band staged a surprise reunion on October 10. The group reconvened for a five-song encore during Jack White's concert at Nashville's The Truth, marking a milestone for the rock 'n' roll quartet consisting of Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler.
Unearthing the First United States Performance
The newly released deluxe edition features the original studio album paired with a full-show recording from New York City's Irving Plaza on April 7, 2006. This concert served as the band's first-ever live performance in the United States. Furthermore, the digital reissue adds three previously unreleased takes from the Irving Plaza encore, specifically "Blue Veins," "It Ain't Easy," and "Headin' For The Texas Border."
The Origins of Broken Boy Soldiers
When Broken Boy Soldiers originally released in May 2006, it spawned the singles "Steady As She Goes," "Hands," and "Broken Boy Soldier." At the time of its inception, the members brought distinct career contexts to the project. Jack White previously played in The White Stripes, while Brendan Benson had released a trio of acclaimed solo albums. Meanwhile, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler served as the rhythm section for The Greenhornes and notably played on Loretta Lynn's 2004 album Van Lear Rose.
Upcoming Vinyl Release
Looking ahead, Third Man Records will issue a 20th-anniversary Opaque Green Vinyl variant of the album. The pressing is due out on December 11, with availability expanding to select record stores on December 18. Fans can find additional information regarding the releases through the Third Man Records artist website.
