Jack White has hit back at media criticism for his decision to rush the release of The Raconteurs' second album.

The rockers released Consolers Of The Lonely on March 25- only three weeks after they finished recording the album.

The decision meant members of the press were not given advance copies to write reviews prior to the LP hitting shops.

But White, who formed the band as a side project while still working with The White Stripes, is unfazed by the media's negative reaction - insisting The Raconteurs' first priority is the fans.

He says, "Some of the media have been a little bit bruised, thinking this was to try to beat the critics. I don't care about that. The point was, review it after the fans have it. What's wrong with that?"

And White admits the decision also stems from his frustration at long promotional campaigns which bands are forced to undertake prior to a record's release.

He adds, "This is the way they used to do it. Bands didn't use to promote an album for four months before a record came out. It really gets annoying that you have to turn into some computer-whiz salesman once you're done mixing."