940 The White Stripes - White Blood Cells (2001)

 940 The White Stripes - White Blood Cells (2001)

Studio Album - Garage Rock





About the Act:

Jack and Meg White were known as the White Stripes, and American rock duo. At first they perpetuated the idea that they were brother and sister, when in fact they were a married couple, then a divorced couple. Their music was generally categorised as Garage Rock, due to its simplicity. They used a strict aesthetic of the colours red, white and black, and are best known for the single "Seven Nation Army".


About the Album:

This was the third album by The White Stripes. It was well received by critics.


My History with this Album:

None


Review:

Quality is a slippery concept. I hate phrases like "Its entirely subjective" to suggest that there is no real shared concept of quality, but that can't be true because some things, for example in music, are more successful than others. However, it is evident that there is some attractive quality to some music that rises above mere technical quality and ability. This album is a case in point, there are often very few instruments in play, and what is played is often vey simple. Meg, on the drums, is well known for being very basic. Jack, mostly on the guitar (but sometimes with keyboards as well) is very accomplished, but they have certainly not ironed out all of the mistakes. Jack also sings, and to call it singing is generous.

But there is something deceptive about this. There are mistakes, and the drums lag slightly behind whatever Jack plays - because Meg is following Jack rather than the other way around. For all its issues, Jack's voice is really listenable. It's quiet expressive. Jack's playing, while raw, has an energy and genuineness that is attractive, and also is expansive and fills the soundscape well, making you forget, for example, that there is no bass. This is not just lo-fi charm, this is lo-fi quality.  As I write this, I am listening through for the second time. It is only my second time listening through, but I feel like I am already familiar with many of the songs. They are, in general, memorable and likeable.

So I have tried to articulate what qualities this album has, but the problem is that I am floundering somewhat because the quality here is hard to put your finger on. It is there, though.  I like it. I confess not a great deal, I don't love it, but I recognise the skill that is here is in creating something that has a listenable quality. 


7/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5JyPtQWQrZ9csShZNUyXrO

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_TR4gw-j6AUKJayEX1E50L566vmgLvQ

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Blood_Cells_(album)


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