Review Summary: The latest effort from the White Stripes shows that after a year in radio rock, Jack White hasn't lost his touch for the blues, garage rock, or quirky albums with his ex-wife, Meg.
The White Stripes are undeniably one of most important bands of the 21st century. While they got their big break during the garage rock hype that was gripping the nation (and still grips Rolling Stone magazine), they have shed the "novelty band" title to legitimately become one of the few great rock bands left. Somehow, everyone from 40 year old metal-heads to Fall Out Boy humping emo fans all confess a love for Jack White and his sister/ex-wife/assistant/clone/"drummer", Meg. Their 2007 album, Icky Thump, was easily one of, if not the best record of the year. In it, the Stripes (who had opted for a more keyboard/peddle heavy sound on "Elephant" and "Get Behind Me Satan") returned to their roots with a bluesy, buzzy, riff rocky record (alliteration, yay!) that can be enjoyed by new fans and hardcore Stripes lovers alike.
1. The album opens with the title track, "Icky Thump". If you haven't heard this song then you're missing out on the best guitar riff of the year. The Stripes made some interesting choices in this song (structureless keyboard solos, the use of an 11/8 time signature(!), and some very non-garage like lyrics) but by doing so, they create one of the standout songs of their discography. 10/10
2. Jack White continues to churn out catchy riffs with "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)." The song is accented by a sweet, but soft, hammond(?) organ. The song is filled with fun blues lines to keep you entertained. 9/10
3. On "300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues", Jack White sings in a lower tone than he did in the first two songs. Added to the acoustic guitar and shaking marraccas in the background, the song has a much calmer feel than it's two predecessors. It doesn't stay that way throughout the entire song, however, as the buzzed guitars garage drums kick in hard and loud every now and then. At around 3:10, the arrangement picks up a little bit of pace but evens back out as quickly as it starts. About a minute later, Jack White yells a bunch of random words over Meg's drum bashing and this awesome song comes to an end. 10/10
4. "Conquest", like Icky Thump, has a fun latin feel to it. But it's definitely 100% Stripes. Buzzed guitars and mariachi combine in one song. Jack's war cry vocals fit the song very well. The lyrics talk about a man who went out to get laid and ***s up and falls in love, thus turning his conquest into her own. 9/10
5. "Bone Broke" is a great Stripes song. But as a song altogether, it's not too strong. It reminds me of the kind of bottomless songs that made up White Blood Cells. Meg's drumming is at it's worst here and really brings down the whole song. But again, being the White Stripes, this is the kind of thing that is to be expected and is part of their over all appeal. However, after the four great songs before it, it just doesn't stand up. 6/10
6. "Prickly Thorn but Sweet Worn" has an odd feel to it. The music is almost Irish sounding but the vocal improv is Hebrew-esque. And then, there's a bagpipe solo... yeah. It almost makes you want to stand up and do a river dance. 8/10
7. Did anyone even write "St. Andrew (This Battle is in the air)" or did Jack White just not have the time to write Meg and real song to sing on? Yeah, it's pretty bad. I barely count it as a real song. 2/10
8. Next up, is "Little Cream Soda", a heavy rocker drawing from the Stripes' Elephant days. The song remains instrumental for quite awhile before Jack White begins the spoken word verse about missing the simpler days of his life. "There was a time when all I wanted my my ice cream colder and a little cream soda/Oh well oh well". After the inconsistencies of the last three songs, it's nice to have a very strong rocker. 9/10
9. I'm not so sure how to feel about "Rag and Bone". The music is nothing special. The vocals seem slightly out of place. The lyrics are lame and uninspired. However, the spoken word vocals are entertaining (not in a funny way but in a "I can totally imagine Jack and Meg doing exactly that in my neighborhood). So, to be fair to both sides of my argument, I'll rate this song a 7/10.
10. "I'm Slow Turning Into You" is an absolutely great song. The verses are composes of a hammond organ and the drums but Jack pulls out more catchy buzz riffs for the chorus. The vocal on the chorus prove that even at a higher pitch, Jack is still a great singer. 10/10
11. On "A Martyr For My Love For You", we get as mellow of a sound as you'll ever hear from the White Stripes. The song does pick up occasionally though. It's a solid song featuring more great organ arrangements. 8/10
12. The next song up is "Catch Hell Blues". The opening solo lives up to the title with it's obvious bluesy feel. Megs drumming is annoying but you'll quickly forget about by the time the riff kicks in. It may just be one of the most fun things I've ever heard. Afterwards, we hear some more of the solos we got at the opening of the song. There isn't really too much singing here but it's not at all a problem. Catch Hell Blues is the best song on the second half of Icky Thump. 9/10
13. Lastly, is the acoustic "Effect and Cause". It may just be the bluesiest song on the album. After an album full of loud drums, aggressive guitars, fun instrumentations, and catchy riffs, this simple song is a great album closer. Solid. 8/10
