The White Stripes were probably my favorite of the Garage Rock Revivalists. Jack White had such incredible focus with that band, keeping it simplistic and traditionalist while also bending at the edges and slipping in modern tricks and creative turns. Their deliberate three color scheme and instrument setup was a nod to the Trinity (which is why I'm baffled when people say he's anti-religious . . . he's Catholic and there's a lot of Christian references and subjects in his lyrics) helped them to stand out even more in a field that, at the time, seemed to be losing its identity. What even was Rock anymore? No one seemed to know, except, Jack White. That was a large part of their appeal to me.
Unfortunately, it's just never been the same since he and Meg parted ways. I can't even really describe why, because Jack is plenty talented to make it on his own, and he certainly has, but there is a level of mystique and uncertainty that he just can't seem to reach outside of the White Stripes. I've tried to get into his post-Stripes work and it just runs right off me. I can't expect everything to be White Blood Cells or Elephant but song quality isn't even when takes me out of it.
I don't know. It's like, say, when one band member cuts a solo record. It's nice, but I'm still going to be more excited for the full band's next album. And in this case that's unfortunately probably never going to happen.
The White Stripes were truly head and shoulders above their peers. I did not know White is (was?) a Catholic. Those lyrics in “Bless Yourself” did not seem blasphemous to me in the least.
You might like this album though. It isn’t as good as the Stripes’ best, but it’s fun and definitely in that vein. Where does he keep coming up with fresh spins on an old genre?
I just listened to most of this album for the first time last night and I thought it was terrific. I appreciate this really detailed review, and while some of the more technical points go over my head I heartily concur with the broad sentiments you expressed in footnotes 1, 2, & 3 above.
My kids cut their rock & roll teeth on White Blood Cells (in the 6CD car carousel for what seems like ages), and years and several albums later we traveled from Atlanta to Birmingham AL to see them perform at the Shed at Sloss Furnaces which is an otherworldly space. I think it was when they were winding down as The White Stripes and not touring much at the time, it wasn't the best show but it was still memorable (his Blunderbuss solo show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta years later was a better quality set).
RE: Meg I wanted to miss her more than I do on this album, I think it's one of his best solo efforts. Thanks again for digging in!
I'm with ya, I respect Jack White more than I like his music. I understand why The White Stripes were (are?) so popular, but their music is just too slight for me. I should check out some of his stranger solo work, I might end up really diggin' it.
He slays live, though. If you ever get a chance and tickets aren't too ridiculously priced, I recommend it.
I recently challenged myself to listen to more modern music, just to check the pulse of what's coming out. Got addicted to a new Foster the People tune ("Chasing Low Vibrations"), the whole affair got started when I discovered George Clanton's hypnogogic single "I Been Young," but the process of seeing what's up in modern music got a whole lot easier when I discovered Jack White's latest. Nice to know rock-n-roll is alive and well with White and this album. Worth it for the opener alone, the rest of the album is a marathon-length bonus lol. Solid review as always!
The White Stripes were probably my favorite of the Garage Rock Revivalists. Jack White had such incredible focus with that band, keeping it simplistic and traditionalist while also bending at the edges and slipping in modern tricks and creative turns. Their deliberate three color scheme and instrument setup was a nod to the Trinity (which is why I'm baffled when people say he's anti-religious . . . he's Catholic and there's a lot of Christian references and subjects in his lyrics) helped them to stand out even more in a field that, at the time, seemed to be losing its identity. What even was Rock anymore? No one seemed to know, except, Jack White. That was a large part of their appeal to me.
Unfortunately, it's just never been the same since he and Meg parted ways. I can't even really describe why, because Jack is plenty talented to make it on his own, and he certainly has, but there is a level of mystique and uncertainty that he just can't seem to reach outside of the White Stripes. I've tried to get into his post-Stripes work and it just runs right off me. I can't expect everything to be White Blood Cells or Elephant but song quality isn't even when takes me out of it.
I don't know. It's like, say, when one band member cuts a solo record. It's nice, but I'm still going to be more excited for the full band's next album. And in this case that's unfortunately probably never going to happen.
I knew this review would get your attention!
The White Stripes were truly head and shoulders above their peers. I did not know White is (was?) a Catholic. Those lyrics in “Bless Yourself” did not seem blasphemous to me in the least.
You might like this album though. It isn’t as good as the Stripes’ best, but it’s fun and definitely in that vein. Where does he keep coming up with fresh spins on an old genre?
I just listened to most of this album for the first time last night and I thought it was terrific. I appreciate this really detailed review, and while some of the more technical points go over my head I heartily concur with the broad sentiments you expressed in footnotes 1, 2, & 3 above.
My kids cut their rock & roll teeth on White Blood Cells (in the 6CD car carousel for what seems like ages), and years and several albums later we traveled from Atlanta to Birmingham AL to see them perform at the Shed at Sloss Furnaces which is an otherworldly space. I think it was when they were winding down as The White Stripes and not touring much at the time, it wasn't the best show but it was still memorable (his Blunderbuss solo show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta years later was a better quality set).
RE: Meg I wanted to miss her more than I do on this album, I think it's one of his best solo efforts. Thanks again for digging in!
I'm with ya, I respect Jack White more than I like his music. I understand why The White Stripes were (are?) so popular, but their music is just too slight for me. I should check out some of his stranger solo work, I might end up really diggin' it.
He slays live, though. If you ever get a chance and tickets aren't too ridiculously priced, I recommend it.
I recently challenged myself to listen to more modern music, just to check the pulse of what's coming out. Got addicted to a new Foster the People tune ("Chasing Low Vibrations"), the whole affair got started when I discovered George Clanton's hypnogogic single "I Been Young," but the process of seeing what's up in modern music got a whole lot easier when I discovered Jack White's latest. Nice to know rock-n-roll is alive and well with White and this album. Worth it for the opener alone, the rest of the album is a marathon-length bonus lol. Solid review as always!