I've spent the evening listening to the White Stripes' five studio album discography, as well as some B-sides and live boots, and I'm convinced they are the best band under 40, hands down. One of the only modern rock bands that can even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Stones in terms of quality.

I saw them live for the first time in '05 and they were so good I'm still reeling from the experience. Apparently they never have a setlist in advance; Jack White just calls out the next song off the top of his head and away they go. Total anarachy, and the audience I saw them with was completely insane. Insane in a good way!

Jack White is a freakin' musical genius. And not that this matters musically, but man oh man is Meg White a hottie. Not great technically on the drums but has a great feel and fits in seemlessly with Jack. They have a musical telepathy that reminds me of Ronnie and Keith. And a respect for the great music that's come before them that reminds me of the Stones as well.

Does anyone else agree they are the best under 40 band out there, and if not who would you nominate? Come on Potted Shrimp, I am counting on you for support. And Meg pictures. Lots and lots of Meg pictures.

Are they a band? or is it just them with session people? I alway thought of them as a pair. Does Jack play most instruments on albums?

Thanks!

ohno, I'll take your word for it and go buy a CD by them. Any place I should start?

Well they are really really good. A place to start would be their third album "White blood cells". To put them on a par with the Stones is a little over the top but yes amidst the more contemporary bands they are surely one of the best. And they're at their best in concert. So go see them if you can.

I will, Whale. Say that fast five times.

Elmo Lewis Wrote:
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> ohno, I'll take your word for it and go buy a CD
> by them. Any place I should start?


For an introduction I'd start with either De Stijl or Elephant.

I honestly don't get them at all.

Are any of these more "accessible" to a new listener? For example, you wouldn't break a new Stones fan in on "Exile", would you? To paraphrase the Bible, milk before meat.

Elmo Lewis Wrote:
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> Are any of these more "accessible" to a new
> listener? For example, you wouldn't break a new
> Stones fan in on "Exile", would you? To paraphrase
> the Bible, milk before meat.


Elephant is a tad more popish, thus may be more accessible. De Stijl is more raw and has a lot of Delta blues by way of Jimmy Page licks. Different strokes, etc.

Markdog Wrote:
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> >
> Are they a band? or is it just them with session
> people? I alway thought of them as a pair. Does
> Jack play most instruments on albums?
>
> Thanks!


It's just Jack on guitar and Meg on drums. With occasional overdubs by Jack and sometimes by guests. But mostly just a duo. Which is one of the more amazing things about them, in my opinion. They get a fantastic sound for a "power trio with no bass."

is pearl jam under40?

Two words for ya...Dream Theater!!! More talent and better musicians than the two member White Stripes...

No, they're not. I bought "Elephant," and recently sold it. I was glad to see it go. I don't like Jack's attitude. He needs to stay away from Loretta Lynn, too.

I think the White Stripes are really just Jack....so I'd vote for the Kings of Leone...thats a great new garage/sloppy band born out of the school of Keith Richards/Mick Jagger

I agree. The White Stripes is the best band under 40. But Nirvana was better I might add.

JumpingKentFlash

White Stripes is great, but so was Nirvana, GN`R and Smashing Pumpkins. But we all know what happened with these bands. Ok, GN`R exists today, but that ain`t the "real" GN`R.

i agree De Stijl is a great album. not overly impressed by the others


for me, the best 'newish' r'n'r band on the planet is still Turbonegro

'Apocalypse Dudes' is such an amazing album, the Ramones meets AC/DC in a gay bar. fecking awesome!

I like there version of "Stop Breaking Down"

Nico

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malja316 Wrote:
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> Two words for ya...Dream Theater!!! More talent
> and better musicians than the two member White
> Stripes...



URGH! the worlds most boring band (IMO)

proper muso wank they are. no rock n roll spirit

It's true, Meg is the best thing under 40 for sure.

i'd do pretty much anything to see her impressive baps

but she has green teeth i'm reliably told. so not sure i'd wanna get too close to them ;o)

Check out JET!!!

An amazing Australian band heavily influenced by the Stones and AC-DC!!

White Stripes ?? I'm not a great fan. Look at this, that's R'n Roll !! :

[www.youtube.com]

I'm sorry, but besides a few hits, I don't like them. Their cd's s=collect dust on my shelf. Not meaning to offend, but not my cup of tea.

Disturbed and Hed PE are the best bands on the block

i like them really , but i think one problem is, that they can not get the same groovy sound live like in the studio because of of not having these overdubs an so. or do you think that im wrong ?

Rip This Wrote:
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> I think the White Stripes are really just
> Jack....so I'd vote for the Kings of Leone...thats
> a great new garage/sloppy band born out of the
> school of Keith Richards/Mick Jagger


I'd rather listen to Kings of Leon that White Stripes, too. I'd rather listen to the Black Keys than White Stripes as well.

I don't understand the hoopla.

The Stripes are pretty cool. Like Led Zep demos, I guess.

I heard a Black Keys tune called "I Cry Alone" that flattened me. Pure wailing late night blues. The essence of what it's like to want someone who isn't there.

In a somewhat different vein, I am a big fan of Wilco. Their records are all great, they're all over the map stylistically, and they're always pushing the boundaries.

Their first, "A.M." (1995) is sturdy country-rock, with a soulful shitkicker attitude.

"Mermaid Avenue" (1998) is their collaboration with Billy Bragg in which they set a bunch of old Woody Guthrie lyrics to new music. As beautiful an album as I can think of. Up there with "Astral Weeks."

NASHVILLE PUSSY! NASHVILLE PUSSY!!!! GREAT VIDEO!