#497: The White Stripes – White Blood Cells (2001)

Somewhere in the early 2000s there was a breakthrough of "The" bands: The Hives, The Strokes, The White Strips, The Vines. They all seemed to have skinny ties and a driving drumbeat. These, along with Modest Mouse and Franz Ferdinand, with a cameo by The Gorillaz, will all forever remind me of high school since they were just starting to get radio play when I was starting to drive. These also marked the first time that I remember witnessing a change in music styles within a genre. We were tired of the ska punk and alternative sound, I guess, and this was the new big thing.

The White Stripes will forever fall into that era for me, but never as a favorite. I never picked up an album of theirs because I always guessed that I would get tired of them quickly. Listening to White Blood Cells, I found I was right.

Jack White's voice isn't exactly appealing but he falls just short of being grating...for most songs. Sometimes I feel like this band tips into the "hip, so it's ok" realm, where we forgive some offenses because, well, look at how neat-o they are. I suppose this can be argued for many bands and singer, though, especially in pop music.

At first the record sounded fresh and cool. "Fell in Love With a Girl" was familiar, as did "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground." But just over halfway through the record, I was kind of tired of it all. They started to sound like a neighbor's garage band, jammin' out but not necessarily hitting the right notes (both figuratively and literally). I'm sure I'm missing some artistic or groundbreaking element, but by "Aluminum" and its "aaaaahs" I was ready to be done. I like their songs with a country twang, such as "Now Mary," a lot better than those with a driving beat.

Rating: 5/10

Would listen to if: I felt like I needed to be consciously cool while rocking out.

Favorite Tracks: "We Are Going to be Friends," "Hotel Yorba," "Now Mary"

Notes: 

• I like the move of putting the gentle "We Are Going to be Friends" second on the album while most would make a song like that one of the last tracks.
• Does anyone remember the whole "are they married or are they brother and sister" rumors? Ick. Their divorce party invite probably put that all to rest.
• Is Meg White considered a great drummer? To me it just sounded like rhythmic pounding but perhaps drummers can set me straight on that?