Icky Thump the upcoming new release by the White Stripes is available to listen to now here.

I'm 4 songs into it now and I am totally impressed on several levels. Take a listen and tell me what you think.

First thing I noticed was the added power. The kicker to the White Stripes is that they contribute a lot of power to the air waves with a guitar and drums, and while added instruments typically add a little depth it's still that guitar drums combination that kicks it all up. No nonsense Rock drums and guitar. Icy thump proves they can add a few instruments to the mix and actually gain in immediate boom boom.

Prickly Thorn, but Sweetly Worn: right now it's my favorite despite that paragraph I've devoted to power issues. It's beautiful, it's subtle, and it sounds authentically folk.

Conquest: With the horn parts, probably the silliest song on the album outside rag and bone but still hits.

Little Cream Soda: In awe of the guitar work. Sounds like Jimmy Page's workout.

Icky Thump: title track speak for the album, crazy guitar notations and hit home singing from Jack. I'm trying so hard to find someone to recite that line to, "You can't be a Pimp and Prostitute too."

You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You're Told): The cruelest song on the track, also the most like seventies rock. Wanna know what kind of organ they used for that.


Per normal, Jack's lyrics are on spot for the album. He's got that "it makes sense but it makes sense in an upside down sort of way" type of style. He's Bob Dylan meets Kurt Cobain the way I look at it. Or maybe Cobain meets Mountain music. Anyway at first hearing it's simple nonsense but further listening rewards with depth.