People have been salivating in anticipation of this release for days now. And, now, it is finally here. Icky Thump, the latest long-playa from the White Stripes, has landed. But is it worth crying over?
To many people, this is probably album of the year material. Jack & Meg announce their triumphant return with the title track album opener, what with it’s Guitar Hero soloing and Jack’s sleazy croons. And who can dismiss the badass what-ever-the-hell-that-thing-is that comes in at 1:16? And just check out this video. Even I’m impressed. Hell yeah, bordello.
But, by the second track, ‘You Don’t Know What Love Is’, things get a little shakier. I think I’ve heard that song before Jack. At first, I was thinking it was a throwback to early (and best) Stripes, but now I’m more inclined to think of it as a Bon Jovi style rock track with a dash of class. I can’t place exactly what is wrong with the track, but something just ain’t right.They pull it back on the third track, which is probably my favourite off the album. The juxtaposition between slow acoustic jammin’ and Sonic Youth feedback just makes me happy. I can’t help it.
I will always prefer the White Stripes early albums (especially De Stijl and, to a lesser extent, White Blood Cells) more than the road they seem to be traveling down. Gone are the simple & quaint home-recording days and, instead, we have this new incarnation of the Stripes, who have risen like a phoenix to play for large crowds & spend ridiculous sums on production and publicity. I must say, I do think they are doing one hell of a job considering the position they are in. Icky Thump pulls out MANY curve balls that really much be heard to be believed (’Prickly Thorn’ anyone?) and I can see myself digging on it far more often than I could even stand to listen to either Get Behind Me Satan or even Elephant. So, put on yer red pillbox hat and peruse.
mp3: (removed by request)
White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues.
White Stripes - I’m Slowly Turning Into You.
(Icky Thump will be released on June 19th on Warner Bros. Records. In the meantime, check out their official site and bask in anticipation.)
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