The White Stripes Album: “White Stripes [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

Here is the first effort of the next age in rock, Jack and Meg White push off hard with this effort. You really need to see the progression of greatness in this band, so start here and then go on to De Stijl and Cells and know you are onto something incredible here.

One reviewer said "White Stripes' is completely unselfconscious-- it's just two kids honestly following their instincts and influences, yet creating an original." He's right, The Stripes don't sound like anybody else (no matter how hard you try to draw parallels). Jack is brilliant live too.....just yelling out in the middle of a song "Buddy Holly is dead and there is nothing you and I can do about it!" or ranting about an "insane Elvis" leads you to believe it's all stream-of-thought rantings anyway (and that would include the music). Legions of other bands will be compared to them, not the other way around.

In Jimmy you honestly think Jack's guitar is going to explode......there just isn't any room for bass and rhythm in this sound.....how can one guy sound like System Of A Down, Metallica, or Rush all by himself? Big Three, Bricks.....there is this incredible run of three killer tracks - Wasting My Life/Cannon/Astro that makes you want to scream how good rock and roll can be......honestly, there is way too much sound here for two people.....it's the sound of an original rock lightning strike......it's rare......there hasn't been a band like this one in 10 years.

And I thought they were just another Indy-Wanna-Be-New Wave Band!But don't judge this book by it's cover.Which is what I did. I took one look at their get-up and thought they were some pathetic gimmick band. Then I heard the music. I had no idea that they'd be covering such Blues classics as "Stop Breaking Down". And that's what they essentially are: a modern Punk/Blues band. And I love the sparseness. Just some killer electric guitar and percussion. Jack White is raw as hell on on the ol' six strings and he sings like Robert Plant wanting to Be Iggy Pop, whilst fumbling with this time worn legacy called The Blues. And I'm talking those Delta "purist" Blues not some B.B. King Burger King Ad stuff. He's riffing off acoustic John Lee Hooker and Son House. The end result is a fresh sound and whether they're married or divorced (or brother and sister), Jack and Meg White have created a unique sound out of solid traditon. Ballads like "Suzy Lee" are brilliantly placed among workouts like, "Astro", where he comes off like James Brown with one foot on fire.

Look there's alot of Indy Bands out there and I'm 30-odd year old Blues fan talking here. The WHITE STRIPES are, for once, more than meets the eye.

If you are looking at this it's obvious you've heard of the white stripes and you have one of their CD's. If you are looking at this because of Elephant, YOU HAVE TO GET THIS CD. It's amazing. It sounds like the most smoking bluesy parts of elephant with more guitar and a bit more emotion. Not that Elephant didn't have emotion, but this being their first album, you can tell he really put a lot into the music.

However, if you are here after White Blood Cells, I would try Elephant or De Stijl before you try this one. WBC, is their worst album and is kind of out of character for the band. It's still a good CD, but it doesn't stand up to the masterpiece that is the other 3 CD's.

Jimmy the Exploder starts off really cool and changes to an equally cool sounding riff. The Big Three is a great song about the big 3 auto manufacturers and Jack really gets into the second verse and chorus. Suzy Lee is an awesome song asking questions we all ask ourselves. Screwdriver is, in my opinion, the best White Stripes song of all. It has so much energy, you can see why they play this last at almost all of their shows. I Fought Piranhas is another great tune. Overall, I would say that at least 7 to 8 of these tracks are 10 out of 10. Simply amazing.

This album almost killed me! I heard their version of Saint James Infirmary Blues on Album 88 in Atlanta GA (88.5 tune it in!) and nearly ran a red light. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Cramps, Royal Trux, old raw Sonic Youth, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Robert Johnson, none quite explain the White Stripes. Moe Tucker like drums and that indescribable voice. You need this album, you really, really do.

oh boy, was i ever happy that this album is around and that this band is around and that maybe rock n roll is still around. I cant think of a better band that will snarl and rock real music back onto the airwaves. i mean I CANT STAND the radio. i cant think of the last time ive actually listened to it. there isnt a single station in the US that plays music like the white stripes, which is why im SO thankful they are gaining some real recognition regardless. and i grew up in deee-troit, which makes me feels all so gooey and proud that such a rockin outfit came out of such a tough-as-nails city. Its perfectly fitting. This album is fantastic from beginning to end, although "Big Three" is a personal fave for personal reasons. But "Do" and "Sugar Never Tasted So Good" are also pretty fierce. They are also one of the best live bands for your buck. Considering most of their songs are like 3 minute blows to your head, its really amazing that they can actually play a 1 1/2 hour set. They sweat, they rock, and they tear through their music like a sledgehammer. and all with a smile. youll smile too and be thankful the white stripes are knocking on your door.