Jack White ~ Guitar and Vocals
Meg White ~ Percussion
The White Stripes, if you are unaware, are a band who need no introductions, save maybe the apparel of red and white that they are never NOT seen in. The whole album of Get Behind Me Satan is a breath of fresh air. The white stripes reinvent their sound once again. Multiple instruments are used and overdubbing opens the door for the "candy-cane-children" to get a possible taste of Jack and Meg featuring guitarist, bassist, pianists or other assorted musical talents. This album is a great milestone in Jacks lyrical production and songwriting skills. 'Get Behind Me Satan' is comparable to 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' by Elton John in the respect that almost every song is surprisingly different than that last, while in the same moment capturing the feel and classic essence of the white stripes. Since the early days in small little joint in the Detroit downtown to the underscored superstardom the White Stripes have continued to amaze me personally and crowds across America and Europe. In retrospect, you can tell that Jack still loves Meg and the fact they continue to make music after all these years of being separated is inspiring. Furthermore, throughout the whole album you can't help but feel sorry for Jack. "Get Behind Me Satan"'s cover is Jack and Meg with their backs turned to each other almost holding hands, thus claiming that the other is Satan, but in the same moment tempted to join him/her.
Enough of my white stripes ramble!
Blue Orchid ~ A darker white stripes song than most. The whole song is an accusation of someone who is truly cared about. In the video there is another girl other than Meg, but true fans know who he’s really talking about. Color symbolism comes into play here as it does in every album. 'She took a pure orchid and turned it straight laced, how dare you?'
Also in the video and on the CD the orchid is an apple which is rather strange if you ask me. In the end this song was a little too power chord ridden' for me and the lyrics were so-so. Nothing compared to what’s on this album.
8/10
The Nurse ~ Slower rock then their usual material. Meg rides on her crash-snare-bass aggression and Jack speaks some awesome lyrics. The palm muting is another symbol for the darker approach the white stripes took in the production stage. This track more than any veers off the white stripes beautifully paved road that they have stuck to over the years up until now.
8.5/10
My doorbell ~ The symbolism in this song is an unmistakable work of Jacks and an excellent display of his ability to convey ideas through poetry. My doorbell is his mortality. He is almost craving death but in the same instant warding off any ringers for reasons all his own. The verses are highly cryptic and only those who have been following them from the beginning could understand what he is talking about. The piano plunks on the 2 and 4 of every measure offsetting the bass drum give this song a real groove to it. hits of overdubbed bass are audible elaborating on the piano riffs that are set down as a foundation for the song. Song fades into nothingness.
9.5/10
Forever For Her ~ Lust for another (Meg) but also not wanting to feel used again. Feelings of being cheated and worthlessness set in quickly. A song people going through hard times in relationships might be able to relate to. The background of acoustics and piano on the up front has become pretty much an album standard by this point and you realize that guitar riffs will be few and far between. Mixing and vocal channeling was excellent in this song. again fading out from an awesome almost metal inspired solo.
9.5/10
Little Ghost ~ Hick Music! The tambourine bass combo is appropriate for the quick but subtle chord progression. The lyrics are actually a lot deeper than some songs. Again we can tell that Jack is talking about Meg. The voices are overdubbed and jack actually gives a taste of his lower register.
8.5/10
The Denial Twist ~ Jazzy almost piano line. piano lines offsetting snare at 1 and 3. Truly deep lyrics and the message is a good one. Guitar solos leave you jerking your neck back-and-forth following the groove. Crash ridden measures leave a short but punctuated feel to the song that is, in the end, a tragedy.
9.5/10
White Moon - Slowest, deepest song on the whole album. This is the stripe of purity in the album. "Because it’s Rita I’m needing" It's really Meg that he is needing. 'My Sister’, Suzy Lee, Little Ghost and Meg White are one in the same. Imagery in this song is beautiful. This is one of the saddest songs on the album. He gives a taste of realism in the last line as if saying "Without you this is what I have become"
9.5/10
Instinct Blues ~ I wouldn't be surprised if Jack sat down needing another song for the album and wrote this on the spot. I also wouldn't be surprised if this was recorded all the way though only once. Don't you get it? The riffs on this song are incredible. When he pauses and messes up then hits his progression and screams you just wanna get up and scream with him. Every screw up like part of the song becomes essential solos for repeat listening. Finally a good showcasing of Jack true love for the Blues.
I give this a ten because the song truly was the best that it could have been, Jack truly made the best out of the least with this song, and It has reached its full potential.
10/10
Passive Manipulation ~ Meg sings a short verse and repeats three times almost personal calling someone out and getting her point across. A closer look shows that this is far from the cliché song that the theme is accustomed to.
8.5/10
Take Take Take ~ Jacks storytelling at its best. The lyrics accented by the perfect orchestration that is displayed in this song. The chorus takes a hard right into another direction but fits well upon forced listening. The guitar and piano lines are one in the same but countermelodied at points in the verses. The snare carries the song ad the bass is holding up the tambourine and the tambourine is holding tempo for the lyrics.
9.5/10
As Ugly As I Seem ~ This is a big message for the fact that Jack feels unappreciated and worthless when he compares himself to Meg. I really didn't feel the whole groove or styling of this song. Jacks softer approach was quite different and pretty awesome.
8.5/10
Red Rain ~ Trippy beginning. Brings us back to the darker themes of the beginning. I would bet that Red Rain, The Nurse, and Blue Orchid were written closer together. The soft beginging was welcomed into the excepted "red" passion of the while song. The Delay on the guitar was most awesome. This is another second guessing of Jack and only one thing can be sure he doesn’t know what he wants. The mixing and vocal fading had me thinking I was having LSD flashbacks.
9.5/10
I'm Lonely ~ Definitely a tear jerker. It makes you wonder weather or not he'll just move back to Detroit and get remarried to Meg or he'll just keep doing his lives work. The turning point for the whole album is in Jacks thoughts of suicide. I think deep down inside Jack thinks he still has a chance with Meg and he is thinking about taking his chances. Poetry.
9.5/10
In conclusion, this album was not as traditional Whaite Stripes as "White Blood Cells". The vocals were very good except a section for lyrics i nthe book would have been nice because its difficult to understand some of them. Instumentals were excellent throughout. Jack and Meg are an amazing combo and I can't wait to see what they'll be up to next. Overall this album was excellent.
EDIT : My mistake Rita Hayworht is a poster girl who modeled in the 40's for the boys in the war. Sorry about that. Probobly a symbol for the actress he dated.
