So today it was confirmed. The White Stripes are dead.
Not that this was necessarily a massive surprise. The band hadn't released a new album since 2007's Icky Thump, they hadn't played any live dates for years, Meg White had health problems and Jack White had started two 'side-projects' : The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. And yet, I can't help but feel sad that The White Stripes won't make music anymore.
There was never anything complicated about their appeal. It didn't take multiple listens to get into a Stripes album; the sound was immediate, it was raw and above all, it was exciting. I accept Meg White had the drumming ability of a 7-year old taking their first lessons but that and the 'are they sibling/partners' rumours only added intrigue and interest to the two. There is no doubt that it is hard to think of a White Stripes song which does not have Jack White as the main driving force. But what a driving force!!!! Above all else, they made heavy blues cool, accessible and wrote some of the catchiest riffs of the modern era.
I remember when I first heard 'Elephant' and just being amazed at the sheer audacity of Ball and Biscuit as Jack White declares that "it's a fact that I'm the Seventh Son". Sure it was tounge in cheek but it was damn cool and for the 50 minutes in which you listen to that great album, there is noone else that you want to be apart from Jack with his guitar "on his soapbox". Seven Nation Army is, of course, the classic. It is, like the Killers' Mr. Brightside, one of those songs that no matter what music you listen to, you can't help but love.
There's talk of releasing already-recorded material and that sounds tempting. But is that such a good thing?? Because, as ending statements go, the glorious Icky Thump would be one of the best. Sexy, raucous, political ("why don't you kick yourself out? You're an immigrant too" Jack snarls on Icky Thump) and even at times tender, it shows exactly what is great and also bizarre about this band. They will be missed, for sure, and The Raconteurs have a long way to go to be loved as The White Stripes are. But then, most bands have a long way to go before being THAT loved.
Ultimate White Stripes Playlist:
-I Think I Smell A Rat
-Fell In Love with a Girl
-We Are Going to be Friends
-Seven Nation Army
-Ball and Biscuit
-I want to be the boy to warm your mothers heart
-Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine
-Denial Twist
-Icky Thump
-A Martyr for My Love for You
-Effect and Cause
Not that this was necessarily a massive surprise. The band hadn't released a new album since 2007's Icky Thump, they hadn't played any live dates for years, Meg White had health problems and Jack White had started two 'side-projects' : The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. And yet, I can't help but feel sad that The White Stripes won't make music anymore.
There was never anything complicated about their appeal. It didn't take multiple listens to get into a Stripes album; the sound was immediate, it was raw and above all, it was exciting. I accept Meg White had the drumming ability of a 7-year old taking their first lessons but that and the 'are they sibling/partners' rumours only added intrigue and interest to the two. There is no doubt that it is hard to think of a White Stripes song which does not have Jack White as the main driving force. But what a driving force!!!! Above all else, they made heavy blues cool, accessible and wrote some of the catchiest riffs of the modern era.
I remember when I first heard 'Elephant' and just being amazed at the sheer audacity of Ball and Biscuit as Jack White declares that "it's a fact that I'm the Seventh Son". Sure it was tounge in cheek but it was damn cool and for the 50 minutes in which you listen to that great album, there is noone else that you want to be apart from Jack with his guitar "on his soapbox". Seven Nation Army is, of course, the classic. It is, like the Killers' Mr. Brightside, one of those songs that no matter what music you listen to, you can't help but love.
There's talk of releasing already-recorded material and that sounds tempting. But is that such a good thing?? Because, as ending statements go, the glorious Icky Thump would be one of the best. Sexy, raucous, political ("why don't you kick yourself out? You're an immigrant too" Jack snarls on Icky Thump) and even at times tender, it shows exactly what is great and also bizarre about this band. They will be missed, for sure, and The Raconteurs have a long way to go to be loved as The White Stripes are. But then, most bands have a long way to go before being THAT loved.
Ultimate White Stripes Playlist:
-I Think I Smell A Rat
-Fell In Love with a Girl
-We Are Going to be Friends
-Seven Nation Army
-Ball and Biscuit
-I want to be the boy to warm your mothers heart
-Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine
-Denial Twist
-Icky Thump
-A Martyr for My Love for You
-Effect and Cause
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