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The White Stripes

National Flag

I hate hype. Whether it be film, TV shows, music, video games, ice cream flavors, or pretty much anything; if everybody's raving about it, I usually tend to stay away. But although I believe the masses are wrong 95% of the time, that does make them right 5% of the time and The White Stripes is one of those rare exceptions. This Detroit-based duo (Meg and Jack White) have succeeded where Jon Spencer got lost. Jack White is an incredible songwriter, and his love of both the delta blues and punk/garage rock ring loud and clear throughout every single track I've ever had a chance to hear. From a blues cover, to a spastic punkish tune, to cute little ditties, the songs shift gears constantly, yet they remain simple, to-the-point and effective. Most importantly, they are unique. Their roots might be widespread and common, but what they have accomplished with them is pure genius, one-of-a-kind and unmistakable.

The two quickly became darlings of the indie scene and quickly made it to the mainstream: their clips were on heavy rotation both on TV and the radio. Celebrity dating and cameos on The Simpsons and in film also propelled them further into the spotlight. I find that as their success grew, they lost a bit of their original edge. The raw, in-your-face sound of their first eponymous album has now given way to catchy, but much more produced songs which don't always do it for me. I doubt they will ever create a dud, but I miss their less polished side.

It took me a while to catch up with them. I've often been tempted to get all of their albums in one go, but seeing as they are so easy to find, I've always figured I'd wait a bit longer. The wait turned into years until I found the V2 re-releases of their first few albums for practically nothing in a used record shop in Montreal. Finally, I'm hip again!

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Album Cover The White Stripes
Label: Third Man Records/V2
Release: 1999
Format: CD
Cat. no: 63881-27131-2

Song list:

  1. Jimmy The Exploder (2:29)
  2. Stop Breaking Down (2:20)
  3. The Big Three Killed My Baby (2:29)
  4. Suzy Lee (3:21)
  5. Sugar Never Tasted So Good (2:55)
  6. Wasting My Time (2:13)
  7. Cannon (2:30)
  8. Astro (2:42)
  9. Broken Bricks (1:51)
  10. When I Hear My Name (1:54)
  11. Do (3:05)
  12. Screwdriver (3:14)
  13. One More Cup Of Coffee (3:13)
  14. Little People (2:22)
  15. Sucker Drips (1:30)
  16. St. James Infirmary Blues (2:24)
  17. I Fought Piranhas (3:07)


Album Cover De Stijl
Label: Third Man Records/V2
Release: 2000
Format: CD
Cat. no: 63881-27132-2

Song list:

  1. You're Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl) (1:49)
  2. Hello Operator (2:36)
  3. Little Bird (3:06)
  4. Apple Blossom (2:13)
  5. I'm Bound To Pack It Up (3:09)
  6. Death Letter (4:30)
  7. Sister, Do You Know My Name? (2:51)
  8. Truth Doesn't Make A Noise (3:14)
  9. A Boy's Best Friend (4:22)
  10. Let's Build A Home (1:58)
  11. Jumble, Jumble (1:53)
  12. Why Can't You Be Nicer To Me? (3:22)
  13. Your Southern Can Is Mine (2:30)


Album Cover White Blood Cells
Label: Third Man Records/V2
Release: 2001
Format: CD
Cat. no: 63881-27124-2

Song list:

  1. Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground (3:04)
  2. Hotel Yorba (2:10)
  3. I'm Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman (2:54)
  4. Fell In Love With A Girl (1:50)
  5. Expecting (2:03)
  6. Little Room (0:50)
  7. The Union Forever (3:26)
  8. The Same Boy You've Always Known (3:09)
  9. We're Going To Be Friends (2:22)
  10. Offend In Every Way (3:06)
  11. I Think I Smell A Rat (2:04)
  12. Aluminum (2:19)
  13. I Can't Wait (3:38)
  14. Now Mary (1:47)
  15. I Can Learn (3:31)
  16. This Protector (2:10)


Album Cover Elephant
Label: Third Man Records/V2
Release: 2003
Format: CD
Cat. no: 63881-27148-2

Song list:

  1. Seven Nation Army (3:51)
  2. Black Math (3:03)
  3. There's No Home For You Here (3:43)
  4. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (2:46)
  5. In The Cold, Cold, Night (2:58)
  6. I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart (3:20)
  7. You've Got Her In Your Pocket (3:39)
  8. Ball And Biscuit (7:19)
  9. The Hardest Button To Button (3:32)
  10. Little Acorns (4:09)
  11. Hypnotize (1:48)
  12. The Air Near My Fingers (3:40)
  13. Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine (3:17)
  14. well It's True That We Love One Another (2:42)


Album Cover Get Behind Me Satan
Label: Third Man Records/V2
Release: 2005
Format: CD
Cat. no: 63881-27256-2

Song list:

  1. Blue Orchid (2:37)
  2. The Nurse (3:47)
  3. My Doorbell (4:01)
  4. Forever For Her (Is Over For Me) (3:15)
  5. Little Ghost (2:18)
  6. The Denial Twist (2:35)
  7. White Moon (4:01)
  8. Instinct Blues (4:16)
  9. Passive Manipulation (0:35)
  10. Take, Take, Take (4:22)
  11. As Ugly As I Seem (4:10)
  12. Red Rain (3:52)
  13. I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet) (4:19)


Album Cover Icky Thump
Label: Third Man Records/Warner Bros. Records
Release: 2007
Format: CD
Cat. no: 2 162940

Song list:

  1. Icky Thump (4:14)
  2. You Don't KNow What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told) (3:54)
  3. 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpoor Blues (5:28)
  4. Conquest (2:48)
  5. Bone Broke (3:14)
  6. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn (3:05)
  7. St. Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air) (1:49)
  8. Little Cream Soda (3:45)
  9. Rag And Bone (3:48)
  10. I'm Slowly Turning Into You (4:34)
  11. A Martyr For My Love For You (4:19)
  12. Catch Hell Blues (4:16)
  13. Effect And Cause (3:00)