The White Stripes: Icky Thump
The White Stripes return with their sixth album
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Tuesday, 19, Jun 2007 12:00
XL Recordings, June 18th.
In a nutshell.
Lyrically impressive, loud, humorous
What's it all about?
Icky Thump is the White Stripes' sixth album and is the sound of a band reaching for new and improbable heights. In today's culture of throwaway rock 'n' roll, getting to a third or fourth album is usually a sign that you've been around for a while. But to be recording a sixth record and not even coming close to getting out of breath, well, that suggests a genius of sorts.
For those who don't appreciate the White Stripes, Icky Thump is another giant slap around the face for those living in and surrounding themselves in complete drivel. For fans of the band, it's 48 more minutes of joy.
From the moment Icky Thump gets going, while Jack White slams white Americans for their views on immigration, to the final cheeky lyrics of Effect and Cause ("But if you're headed to the grave / You don't blame the hearse"), this album is some distance clear of anything else around.
Who's it by?
The White Stripes generate the loudest, most unique and varied (sometimes) noise in the world, which is remarkable. What's even more remarkable is they do this with a guitarist and a drummer only.
Hailing from Detroit, Jack and Meg White's relationship was the subject of close scrutiny for about five minutes until the world heard their self-titled debut, followed by De Stijl and then White Blood Cells.
Then came Elephant and the more recent Get Behind Me Satan - a notable sojourn for the band's sound and quirky/disappointing depending on your viewpoint.
Jack White also fronts the Raconteurs, his band with friend Brendan Benson.
As an example.
"And I cannot help but wonder / if after I'm gone / will I still have these / 300 mph / finger breaking / no answers / broken back / dirty cancer / bee stung / and busted up / empty cup / torrential outpour blues." - 300 mph Torrential Outpour Blues (said all in one breath).
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Jack White has no time for award ceremonies. After the White Stripes tour it will be on to finishing the Raconteurs' second LP, he will tour that album and then will give Meg and ring and spend a week or two putting together White Stripes number seven, they will then tour etc etc.
What the others say
"Like his heroes Led Zeppelin, Jack White builds monuments. They're suitable for awestruck visits. But they're no place to settle down." - Rolling Stone.
"How does this always happen? By rights, the White Stripes should be 'over' by now. After all, a three-chord trick can only take you so far in life." - NME
So is it any good?
Lyrically, Icky Thump is the White Stripes' strongest album since De Stijl, blending loud guitar rock and good lyrics without the infatuated slow numbers of Get Behind Me Satan.
There are times when Jack and Meg try something a little different, but this simply results in another fantastic song. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn, a homage to Scotland complete with bagpipes and lines like "Li de li de li oh oh". Rubbish right? No, it's sheer brilliance, it's just you've never really heard it before.
When Jack wants to try an angry number like Bone Broke - "I'm leaning on a brick wall with my nails / I'm telling 'em the money's in the mail" - it lifts the roof, but at the same time he can pull off a cover of the Corky Robbins track Conquest.
The vocals on Ice Cream Soda are certainly something to behold, with the odd line featuring a sarcastic "oh well" over crunching guitars and a Led Zep riff which is tough to remove from your head. Then there's the musical comedy of Rag and Bone, an acceptable indulgence on such a great record.
I'm Slowly Turning Into You and A Martyr For My Love For You are both the closest to Satan tracks on here, but if anything Jack's voice harks back to White Blood Cells, very jittery and rebellious in its tone. Turning Into You has a catchy chorus reminiscent of The Hardest Button to Button, while A Martyr For My Love For You is a brooding tune, slowly building to become a behemoth.
Catch Hell Blues is an imbedded gem, packing the most addictive riff since Seven Nation Army and perhaps becoming this album's trump track. The great thing about Jack is that it's only a short wait until the next White-pioneered record, where would we be without him?
9/10
Karl Pike