The White Stripes Album: “Fell in Love With a Girl Pt.1 [Single]”

Just a head's up in case you didn't know that the two non-album tracks on this are also the bonus tracks for the Japanese version of the "White Stripes" cd. If you have problems with space to store your collection like I do, the import is about as much money as the regular album + the single. The White Stripes are one of those bands where the b-sides are as good as or better (as in this case) than some of the album tracks. "Let's Shake Hands" is a great rave up along the lines of "Let's Build A Home". "Lafayette Blues" was also one of the audio tracks on the free dvd that came with some copies of "White Blood Cells". It's kind of a bizarre song sung in French until Jack quotes: "I'm ready ready Teddy to Rock 'N' Roll", then they just rip it up & play as fast as they can. Meg can't even use her beloved cymbals it's so fast. Get these songs in one way or another.

For those who felt scorned after buying the "Blue Orchid" single and finding not searing rock through and through, but the quirkyness of "Who's A Big Baby?" and creepiness of "Though I Hear You Calling, I Will Not Answer," have faith. This single is exactly what you want.

It, of course, rocks right through "Fell in Love With a Girl" like it's no one's business--easily one of the Stripes' most appealing songs, at least in the public sense (but I could suggest a dozen more appealing unpopular songs). But the treat here is that the single doesn't slide into the genre experimentation that bugs so many on "Blue Orchid" (it doesn't bug me, but check out that page--all the reviewers go nuts about it). It's a rocker through and through. Both "Let's Shake Hands" and "Lafayette Blues" have the harsh, unpolished sound of "The White Stripes," the album. "Let's Shake Hands" is a straightforward rocker, whereas "Lafayette Blues" is a dabbling experiment for Jack in the French language.

It's wonderful to be able to look back on this single in retrospect, being able to compare it to "Blue Orchid," but it's in no way NECESSARY. This gem stands alone.

Just about anything by the White Stripes is worth it and this short CD is no different. The rendition of "Fell in Love with a Girl" is, as you would expect, raw and edgy. The other two songs (B-sides from a Japanese release I think) are the same. This small group showcases the Stripes energy and experimental freedom. A need addition to any fan's library.

Well even if you're not a huge White Stripes fan, I'm sure you've heard the song Fell in Love with a Girl. It's a great song and you can find it on White Blood Cells. But the two additional songs in this collection have not been released anywhere but here. You can actually find a live version of Let's Shake Hands on a dvd they released titled Under Blackpool Lights. (this is hilarious. As I am typing this, I have that very dvd on in the background and guess what song just came on? : ) Let's Shake Hands. lol anyway....) They are great songs to have on cd. The third song is Lafeyette Blues. It's just a great White Stripes song. If you're a die hard fan you'll buy this because it has two songs on it not released anywhere else. But even if you just like them, I do believe you would like these songs as well. They're everything The White Stripes are all about.