Link: The White Stripes
The Inside Pulse:
One can only imagine the pressure of following up Elephant, one of the highest critically acclaimed albums of the new millennium; add that this was only the second album released after the White Stripes achieved a national spotlight, and there’s a recipe for Dave Chappelle-quality breakdown. But instead, Jack and Meg dive headlong into Satan, continuing to expand on their simplistic variety of raw garage rock. Once again, the spirit of the band shines through and there seems to be no end in sight for the ex-couple’s spotlight.
Positives:
Supreme pop-rock songwriting has been the band’s highest accolades, and this disc is no different. “Doorbell” is obscenely infectious, and the lush(??) “Black Orchid” shows that even with minimal instruments, one can make a complex and vibrant work.
Negatives:
Is there much new brought to the table with this release? Not really, as it seems to be more of an attempt at Elephant Part Two rather than more growth. It’s possibly a worrisome hint at stagnancy.
Cross-breed:
The glam pop of T-Rex toned down into sparse, raw Stooges-like aesthetic. But you should know what the White Stripes sound like anyway.
Reason to buy:
It’s a damned good record. If you haven’t checked out the White Stripes by now, you’ve got one hell of a hard head. They may not be for everyone, but you can’t deny that they rock.
