Throwback Thursday: "Icky Thump", by The White Stripes

By 2007 The White Stripes had become a staple in the world of modern rock n' roll. With so many groundbreaking and innovative albums to their name already, people were giddy with anticipation to see what the band would cook up with their sixth studio LP Icky Thump, especially since front man Jack White had been busy for a while with his side project band The Raconteurs and the album they had put out the year prior.

Where their previous album, 2005 release Get Behind Me, Satan had been mostly piano and other forms of unplugged instrument driven music, Icky Thump showcases the band going back to being a plugged in balls to the wall cranked to 11 rock n' roll band, though in a more evolved and mildly experimental way. Notable tunes from the record include "Icky Thump", "You Don't Know What Love Is", "Conquest", etc.

"Icky Thump" is actually the second song by The White Stripes I had ever heard. Before I had only listened to "Seven Nation Army" and didn't have much interest outside of that. This tune with its thumping and crunching riffs, wild vocals, and unusual guitar sounds made me want to dig into the band's entire catalog that very moment. Who knew a song about how absurd it is to treat illegal immigrants the way we do could be so rocking and fantastic?

"Rag and Bone" is one of my personal favorite songs of all time from The White Stripes. While it doesn't feature a traditional song structure or even sung verses, it is something to behold. It feels more like you are being bugged at the door by dirty grimy bums who want all your stuff that you don't want so they can sell it all while set to a driving, stomping, rock n' roll boogie. You wouldn't think that would work, but it does.

Sadly, Icky Thump was the very last album The White Stripes ever made. After the tour ended early with multiple canceled dates due to drummer Meg White suffering from acute anxiety the band went on hiatus. On February 2nd, 2011 it was announced that the band was over and done with for good. I suppose if the band had to end, it's better for them to have burned out on a high note than to have faded away into mediocrity.

Icky Thump, by The White Stripes receives 4 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Icky Thump
2. You Don't Know What Love Is
3. 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
4. Conquest
5. Bone Broke
6. Prickly Thorn, but Sweetly Worn
7. St. Andrew (This Battle is in the Air)
8. Little Cream Soda
9. Rag and Bone
10. I'm Slowly Turning into You
11. A Martyr for My Love for You
12. Catch Hell Blues
13. Effect and Cause

Buy the album on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Icky-Thump-White-Stripes/dp/B000OYC3J8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521788806&sr=8-4&keywords=Icky+Thump