White Stripes

Our guess is that Icky Thump refers to Meg White's no-frills percussion style. Whatever it means, the White Stripes get back to kicking out the jams on an album that recalls the acid rock era. While much of the album echoes early Led Zep (including the folky "Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn"), "Bone Broke" is the kind of 'tardo rock song that the Beastie Boys excel at, "St. Andrew" is the sound of the Beatles going insane, and "Conquest" casts images of Iron Butterfly disrupting the patrons at a Mexican restaurant. And yet it all somehow sounds like the White Stripes.

So what is it about Jack White? Right, he's very talented. Major guitarist, albeit overrated
by those seeking a young titan to prove the guitar retains its glamour. Voice avid and
emotional enough, words catchy sometimes and – crucially – tunes catchy often. Plus the
color-coded packaging and knack for self-mythification. Still, what do the White Stripes
have to say? What do they stand for? Why do simple pop fans care about minimal... More >