White Stripes - Icky Thump review

Album of the week - The White Stripe’s hotly-anticipated sixth album hits shop shelves this week, but fans of the Detroit duo’s patented country-tinged rock are in for a surprise.

Need to know
Thought to be named after a Lancashire colloquialism used when someone t’up north is surprised, Icky Thump is the duo’s first album to include a title track with the same name. Yes, there’s been media hype by the bucket load and the ex-husband and wife duo’s album has been one of the most talked about releases of the summer, but does it deliver?

While some fans insist that Icky Thump is further proof that Jack White is the saviour of modern rock and roll, others are suggesting that the pair have strayed too far from the hum-along mix of country, blues and rock that fans have lapped-up in the past.

Best track
We challenge anyone not to tap their feet to ‘Rag & Bone’ – a distinctive, charismatic and confident single that rekindles the compulsive conversations Grammy Award-winning Jack and Meg shared on previous albums.

Worst track
Yes, it might be the name of the album, but the first track ‘Icky Thump’ will do little to excite fans about what’s to come from the following 12 – with an easily-forgettable melody and droning, over-indulgent guitar riffs, more than a few listeners will be reaching for the ‘next’ button on their stereos.

One for the collection?
If the White Stripes have already found their way into your music collection on multiple occasions, don’t hesitate to grab a copy of Icky Thump, you might be surprised, but probably not disappointed by the new, heavier, musical direction.

But, for those fans who have only ever enjoyed the chart-topping pop-rock sounds of tracks from albums Elephant and Get Behind Me Satan, this raw, heavy rock collection of lengthy numbers drowned-out with guitar solos might not be what you’re looking for.

James Fryer
18 June 2007