Icky Thump, the latest offering from the unique duo known as White Stripes, continues the excitement of a band in their prime. The title track, “Icky Thump,” is a pounding, raucous joyride about a nebulously shifty character (one of Jack White’s many) riding the rails until he is pushed off. Or is it? It barely matters, for while White’s lyrics are fun, if esoteric, with allusions to coolness in a post-industrial world, (have you visited the Rust Belt lately? Good God! ) the music is a rollercoaster of melody and noise. It manages to sound fresh while remaining true to roots rock, which anyone would say is what the W.S. are all about. The rest of this beast is just as listenable and just as special. It dominated my Shuffle for two weeks, so go put on your best black velvet suit and cowboy hat: Icky Thump is American rock at its best!
Unfortunately, the most boring drummer, (thud, thud, thud, high hat, high hat, high hat, thud, thud, thud,) paired with one of the finest and fearless blues rock guitarists that I’ve heard in years, equals The White Stripes. I’d compare Meg White to Moe Tucker for The Velvet Underground: adequate, but not exciting. Just as in the Velvets, in White Stripes, this works. (For a great rock drummer, go back and listen to Keith Moon playing the Who’s “Bargain” or Brian Viglione of Dresden Dolls playing any thing at all.)
Before you go commenting on “they suck”, or saying that I don’t know what I’m talking about musically, I’ve been playing guitar for a long time and, occasionally, the drums. I could probably play every W.S. song there is on the drums, but not so with the guitar. Being able to attack a fretboard and strings with a slide and come off sounding menacing, messy, and exciting instead of annoying and dumb, that’s just pure, unleashed talent. Taking a standard 12-bar blues and making them sound remotely interesting is no small task, either. Bravo!
Pros: Another amazing album from White Stripes.
Cons: Meg White has still not learned to play a drum kit.
And just what is an "Icky Thump" anyway, Jack??
~ nikkiY
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