Icky Thump

Today's Music of the Day is Icky Thump, by none other than The White Stripes. Now let's get down to business.

This is a fine album, a return to form after the solid but uncharacteristic semi-goofy Get Behind Me Satan, the Stripes' previous album. Icky Thump is definitely a White Stripes album, though it is a little more polished than other albums, and includes a number of other elements/instruments. This is a logical progression, though; the group started with a very basic sound, Jack singing and abusing his guitar, Meg playing very open canvas-like drums for him to create on/against. GBMS carried that a little further, using piano on a number of songs (and having one very disco number, "Blue Orchid"). So for this album to have a number of horns and such is no real surprise, though I know it was probably something of a letdown for longtime Stripes fans.

However, I like this album. While the more structured production offers a different take on the White Stripes' sound, I don't think it's such a bad thing. I probably like the stripped-down dirty garage blues sound they have on earlier albums better, but this was a nice change of pace. Not all of the songs are so serious, either; "Conquest" and "Rag and Bone" are both fun songs even if you don't like them that well. In short, I think this album is like trying a new food that is good but not probably going to be your favorite; it's a welcome departure, but still a departure. It will be curious to see what direction the Stripes go in after this; I don't really expect another White Blood Cells, and there's always the chance that Jack will goof around with the Racounteurs for a while too. Remember, kids, even off-kilter White Stripes are still a far cry above the Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs of the world. My world, anyway.

In other news:
To hell with this damn snow.