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MYKOLA BILOKONSKY
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Articles Posted: 292; Links Seeded: 261
Member Since: 11/2005Last Seen: 11/25/2009
Member Since: 11/2005Last Seen: 11/25/2009
37 Comments
PrintReview - The White Stripes, Icky Thump
News Type: Event — Mon Jul 9, 2007 10:29 AM EDT
The album cover for The White Stripes' latest release "Icky Thump."
Original Artwork - it's a bagpipe with white stripes all over it! Get it? GET IT? :)
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So the White Stripes finally released their latest effort, Icky Thump, on June 19. I held off for a while reviewing this because quite frankly I had no idea what I thought. Frequently this means that given enough listens the album will grow on me and I'll end up liking it a lot.
So far, that seems to be the case here. This is not, in any sense of the word, a "pretty" album. From the noisy and rambunctious title track Icky Thump to the screeching mariachi-fueled cover of Patti Page's Conquest to the pedophile-driven A Martyr for my Love for You, these songs are not, generally speaking, catchy and fun and poppy. They range from depressive to psychotic to manic to mad. Most of them are quite good.
That's not to say that there aren't light moments on the disc - I'm a big fan of the track Rag and Bone, which is like the token bluesy jam track. It's a goofy track, half spoken-word, fusing blues guitar with Jack's charisma. You po-mo types may amuse yourselves by recognizing that the song is a sort of meta-track analyzing the hodge-podge fusion style that the stripes use in their music.
There's also a bizarre sequence in the middle of the disc - we get the bagpipe-driven romanticized-english Prickly Thorn, but Sweetly Worn. The first time I heard this one I was sort of confused, but it rapidly grew on me and may be the catchiest track on the disc. It's followed by the decidedly odd St. Andrew (The Battle is in the Air). I've got no idea what to do with that one.
There has been a sort of series of songs across several albums that continues here - I'm talking about Dead Leaves and Dirty Ground from White Blood Cells and then There's No Home for you Here from Elephant. This time around we get I'm Slowly Turning Into You. These songs use the same distinctive chords and while I haven't sat down to figure out an overarching narrative I get the sense that Jack White is trying to say something. They're the only band that I'm familiar with that has done "sequel" songs on subsequent albums, and I kind of like it.
All in all I like this disc; there are a few moments when it's just great rock, but I feel like it spends a lot of time meandering around as a sort of musical gypsy. It takes various influences from here and there and slowly bends each of them to serve the great god of Blues Rock - and by and large it works, be it Mariachi Guitar or Scottish Bagpipes.
Jack White really drives me nuts sometimes - last time I saw him live he struck me as painfully pretentious - but he really is a musical genius. This disc works in ways that I wouldn't have even thought possible. It's redefining the blues, which has sort of been the Jack White project from the beginning. If you think it sounds interesting - or if you liked the youtube links of dubious legality - go out and buy the disc. Please let me know what you think.
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3.9
{"commentId":850223,"authorDomain":"darkside"}
Has anyone else heard this? What do we think? I was really hesitant at first but the more I listen the more I like. I had the same reaction to the Raconteur's album, maybe that's just Jack White's superpower.
So seriously, what do we think? Are they just more White Stripes than ever before, or is this something a bit new? Reactionary or revolutionary, as it were? That's what I keep asking myself and I'm not sure. Did anyone just flat out hate this cd?
{"commentId":850223,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"darkside"}
- 5 votes
#1 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 10:32 AM EDT{"commentId":853750,"authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
Excellent review, MB! I haven't heard it yet though so that's all I can say.
{"commentId":853750,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
{"commentId":851024,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
Are they just more White Stripes than ever before, or is this something a bit new?
Both. The two aspects that define this disc to me are reckless experimentation and focused ferocity. He's hunting for something...but he's hunting with a @!$%#ing bazooka!
{"commentId":851024,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 4 votes
#2 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 2:53 PM EDT{"commentId":851054,"authorDomain":"darkside"}
{"commentId":851646,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
I think this disc was good, but I'd be willing to be the next one is what he'll be remembered for.
I was going to write almost the exact same thing but I was literally putting my shoes on to rush to an appointment when I posted the first comment. It's a grand old tradition in rock to have the oddball transitional album immediately preceding the almighty monolithic deathless classic. So many examples:
Their Satanic Majesties Request
Rubber Soul
Led Zeppelin III
The Unforgettable Fire
Ghost in the Machine
etc, etc
{"commentId":851646,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":851103,"authorDomain":"baxter"}
I've never bought into the "White Stripes are a blues band thing" at all. As near as I can tell, that's like saying Marc Bolan (T.Rex) was a blues guitarist 'cause he kept returning to the same blues riffs time and time again.
On the other hand, I've always thought the White Stripes were one of the finest garage bands ever - and I mean that as high praise. I've always been a sucker for a good garage band - I'd kill for a copy of the orginal Nuggets double-album set - and think they Stripes have played transcendent garage rock (if not transcended the genre).
That said, Icky Thump is just leaving me cold. Sounds for all the world like Ted Nugent outtakes to my ears.
{"commentId":851103,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"baxter"}
- 3 votes
#3 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 3:20 PM EDT{"commentId":851200,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
They're the only band that I'm familiar with that has done "sequel" songs on subsequent albums, and I kind of like it.
Although not the same band, Sting did a sequel song:
"Every Breath You Take" - The Police (Synchronicity)
followed by...
"If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" - Sting (Dream of the Blue Turtles)
"If You Love Somebody..." was a reaction or response, of sorts, to "Every Breath You Take."
{"commentId":851200,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 3 votes
#4 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 3:47 PM EDT{"commentId":851246,"authorDomain":"baxter"}
Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" was a sequel to "Major Tom"
Lot's of folks have referenced prior songs in later ones.
{"commentId":851246,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"baxter"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":851209,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
I haven't heard the entire album yet, but I know I'll pick it up eventually. I tend to like Jack White's musical sensibilities, and have enjoyed previous White Stripes albums. Also, I *loved* his work with Loretta Lynn on "Van Lear Rose," which was positively robbed of Best Album at the Farce-y's...er...Grammy's. (Although it did win Best Country Album, I feel it has much broader appeal and deserved to at least be nominated for overall Album of the Year.)
{"commentId":851209,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 3 votes
#5 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 3:51 PM EDT{"commentId":851314,"authorDomain":"jnicolas"}
I like live versions of all White Stripes songs better than the studio versions always. The songs always seem a lot more fun after they've sped them up and when you actually see them perform them it's even better.
Same with Bob Dylan.
{"commentId":851314,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"jnicolas"}
- 2 votes
#6 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 4:29 PM EDT{"commentId":851462,"authorDomain":"firsty"}
i love this album. i've been listening to it constantly and, just like elephant and satan, the more i hear it, the better it gets.
i love that we have an innovative contemporary band that can do riff-driven rock as well as blues chords. they are, to me, the most interesting band out there.
{"commentId":851462,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"firsty"}
- 3 votes
#7 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 5:19 PM EDT{"commentId":851753,"authorDomain":"jaawalla"}
A local radio station in Austin just gave away hotel, airfare, and tickets to the September 24 concert in Anchorage, Alaska. Guess who won... ;-]
I haven't really listened to the White Stripes in a couple years, but I generally enjoy their stuff. I saw them live in Indianapolis back in college, and they put on a pretty good show. I'm looking forward to seeing them again [and of course writing a review of the show!], but I need to brush up on their newer releases before my trip.
{"commentId":851753,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"jaawalla"}
- 3 votes
#8 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 7:10 PM EDT{"commentId":852183,"authorDomain":"chasing"}
but I need to brush up on their newer releases before my trip.
Congrats! Have fun!
{"commentId":852183,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"chasing"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":851870,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm enjoying what's been played on the radio. I agree that Jack White is some kind of musical genius--and all the geniuses I've ever known have been horribly pretentious. ;)
I'll get it eventually, probably sooner rather than later based on this review.
{"commentId":851870,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
- 2 votes
#9 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 8:16 PM EDT{"commentId":852471,"authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
all the geniuses I've ever known have been horribly pretentious. ;)
Yes, few and far between but here's my short list of those more talented than pretentious, in no particular order:
Lou Reed
Lucinda Williams
Rickie Lee Jones
John Hiatt
Toni Price
Neil Young
Michael Stipe
K.D. Lang
Joan Osborne
Tom Waits
David Byrne
Tom Verlaine
Paul Simon
Paul Westerberg
Joni Mitchell
Patty Griffin
Guy Forsythe
Slaid Cleaves
Jackson Browne
Joe Strummer
Cat Stevens
Martie Siedel
Julian Casablancas
Carl Perkins
Amy Ray
Emily Sailers
Patti Smith
{"commentId":852471,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":853156,"authorDomain":"chasing"}
Patty Griffin, pretentious? Seriously? I have no way of knowing, as I've never met her, but I always thought she seemed sweet... Don't burst my bubble!
Now Lucinda Williams, I can totally see that...
{"commentId":853156,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"chasing"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":853736,"authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
Chasing,
That was my unpretentious list.
those more talented than pretentious
Now I'm quoting myself - how pretentious!
The talented and pretentious list would be much longer, but I'll spare everyone that. Let's see:
Elvis Costello
Bob Dylan
Gordon Gano...
Okay, I'll quit now ; ) Someone else can make that list.
{"commentId":853736,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":853776,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
Someone else can make that list.
Bjork
Kanye West
Axl Rose
AFI (their Live Earth "we practice what we preach" speech was a riot....yeah, buddy - I'm sure you fly your tour equipment around in a hot-air balloon)
Madonna
You're right, this list will go on and on. Someone take over.
{"commentId":853776,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":854580,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
The talented and pretentious
I didn't read this carefully. LOL
{"commentId":854580,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":854733,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
Great list, G-G. Some of my most absolute favorites are on it.
But Elvis Costello? Pretentious? Oh, I hate hearing that.
I saw him last year at Orchestra Hall in Chicago for a private fundraiser for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and he was unbelievable. Towards the end, he played a couple of songs, just him and his guitar, no mike at all, and his voice filled the space. Granted, it's an acoustically marvelous room, but no mike? I almost don't care if he's pretentious. He deserves it. ;)
At the time, my mother was the president of the Women's Association of the CSO, and they were the ones who planned the fundraiser. She got her picture taken with E.C. and it appeared in the paper. I about died.
{"commentId":854733,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":855281,"authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}
I've just started getting into Cat Stevens.
I'm still rather awed by Bob Dylan. Shame on me I suppose.
{"commentId":855281,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":855372,"authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
Everyone is in awe of Dylan. I take back what I said about him. His persona is just an enigma. He has always been true to himself and can make anything rhyme. He influenced so many people with his raw poetry, spoken lyrics and amazing output.
{"commentId":855372,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":855421,"authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}
He was a bit of an ass in "Dont Look Back" but... yeah, I agree. Very enigmatic.
Clever, compassionate and cruel.
{"commentId":855421,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}
{"commentId":851987,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
I "purchased" this album and thought it was really nice.
The lack of rythm and melody mixed with well structured rifs reminds me of "Warped" from the Red Hot Chillie Pepper's "One Hot Minute". It took less time for me to enjoy "Icky Thump" than it did "Warped" however.
{"commentId":851987,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 2 votes
#10 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 9:38 PM EDT{"commentId":852186,"authorDomain":"chasing"}
I'm iffy on White Stripes - they're undeniably good, and yet for some reason I've never felt compelled to just go put them on repeat, or anything. I appreciate them more than I enjoy them - sort of like Pearl Jam. I know they're quality - but are they still relevant? And would you even want them to be? Like I said...iffy.
{"commentId":852186,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"chasing"}
- 3 votes
#11 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 11:43 PM EDT{"commentId":854558,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Pearl Jam Rocks!!!
{"commentId":854558,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":854736,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
I'll let you know just exactly how much Pearl Jam rocks after I see them at Lollapalooza in August. I'm really hoping I can interview them for NV. That would be the biggest feather in my cap. Ever.
{"commentId":854736,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
{"commentId":854750,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
I'll let you know just exactly how much Pearl Jam rocks after I see them at Lollapalooza in August.
I saw them open for Alice in Chains at a club in Hollywood. At that time, they were known as "hey - didn't they used to be Mother Love Bone?". Yeah....I'm old. But damn... that was a show!
{"commentId":854750,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":854879,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Talk about a sweet show to be at!
the only way it would have been better is if Nirvana and Soundgarden had been there too.
{"commentId":854879,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":853802,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Great review.
The White Stripes rock. I love them. I was at a free live show the other day and they forgot to turn off the satellite xm. it was playing a song from the new album. On the one hand it was distracting. On the other hand if we had to get distracted...
I asked the singer if he wanted me to get it turned off. "I don't know, man. It's the White Stripes," he said.
"I know and it's a great album but how about we do one singer at a time?" he agreed.
And me, muscles, made em turn it off.
{"commentId":853802,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 2 votes
#12 - Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:05 PM EDT{"commentId":855274,"authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}
Pay money....?
For music,,,,?
{"commentId":855274,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}
#13 - Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:56 PM EDT{"commentId":856426,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Pay money....?
For music,,,,?
??
{"commentId":856426,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
{"commentId":855393,"authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
Vicki,
I am a huge fan of EC too : )
(why do only some comments have a reply button, and not others?)
{"commentId":855393,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:33 PM EDT{"commentId":856505,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
(why do only some comments have a reply button, and not others?)
When there are reply's to a comment, only the original comment has a reply button. (A second reply button is placed at the very end of the comment thread, so if there are many replies you don't have to scroll all the way back to the original comment to add a reply.)
So, you'll notice this comment doesn't have a reply button, but yours does. Someone could choose to respond to this comment withing this thread simply by quoting all or part of the comment. (Or, referencing the comment by number.)
{"commentId":856505,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
{"commentId":856510,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
That should say "When there are replies..."
I haven't had my coffee yet.
{"commentId":856510,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
{"commentId":856885,"authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
Thx, TCervo!
{"commentId":856885,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"Garcia-Glass"}
{"commentId":896293,"authorDomain":"unoriginal"}
Well. St. Andrew is the patron saint of scotland, besides that, i dont get the song at all. maybe there is a battle in the air over scotland? :O "what do i need to say" ... its all so cryptic.
werd.
{"commentId":896293,"threadId":"123282","contentId":"826147","authorDomain":"unoriginal"}
- 1 vote
#15 - Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:42 AM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"123282","isPrivate":false}
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