White Stripes Interview: Meg White interviews her
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Product Description
Product Description
Get Behind Me Satan, the fifth album from The White Stripes, contains thirteen original songs recorded in a whirlwind 14 days. The new album sees the duo in new territory, with only three of the songs being electric-guitar based and the album being written on piano, acoustic guitar and marimba. Get Behind Me Satan includes the single "Blue Orchid".
Review
Jack and Meg White are without doubt the strangest, most fascinating couple to surface from the US in the past four years.
Jack's life in particular has become something of a soap opera. There's been brawling (with Jason Von Bondie), a Hollywood romance (Renee Zellweger), car crashes and now his sudden marriage to 25-year-old model Karen Elson on the eve of this latest release. All very odd but completely engrossing stuff.
The same could be said for Get Behind Me Satan, a brave but weird fifth album recorded in just two weeks and containing just three electric tracks. Jack's familiar guzzling guitar stomp has for the most part been traded in for a more melodic acoustic sound that relies heavily on piano and percussion effects.
Tub thumping opener "Blue Orchid" follows the White Stripes formula which dominated the duo's career defining predecessor, Elephant. But the song is cut short abruptly, making way for the album's most experimental number "The Nurse", the first of three tracks dedicated to 1940s screen siren Rita Hayworth. While Jack sings: "No I'm never, no I'm never, no I'm never gonna let you down now", the sound of a tinkling marimba (giant xylophone), distorted guitar riffs, haunting piano strings and Meg's head pounding drum-rolls veer off in all sorts of directions.
By contrast the instantly infectious "My Doorbell" is simple and direct, driven only by a piano, drums and Jack's catchy vocal: "I'm thinking about my doorbell. When you gonna ring it? When you gonna ring it?"
And while the search goes on for the next "Seven Nation Army" it soon becomes clear that Get Behind Me Satan is devoid of such anthems. The closest the duo get is the Led Zeppelin-ish "Instinct Blues", a sublime track smattered with fuzzy guitar riffs and "Red Rain", which sees The White Stripes at their most aggressive.
Lyrically the album is dark and angry; especially on "Take, Take, Take". Here an obsessive fan rages in disgust at being refused a picture with Rita Hayworth just seconds after being handed over an autograph sealed with a kiss.
Get Behind Me Satan may fail to reach Elephant's stomping great heights but then Jack and Meg White are the most unconventional duo in rock 'n' roll. The album explores their musical capabilities to the full and in so doing proves they have more than a few tricks up their sleeve. --Damian Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By "chanthacic"
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album after only hearing Blue Orchid and The Nurse, and also because i am a huge White Stripes fan.
The whole album is not dissapointing in the least. There has been doubt previous to the release after Jack White stated that he didn't much use his guitar on the album, but none of these people had heard the album.
Many were put off by Blue Orchid, saying it wasn't "Seven Nation Army", but why would we want to hear an exact replica? Jack wasn't making Seven Nation Army Part 2, it was a new track with a fresh sound.
The White Stripes albums are always slight different; their first, self titled album was ecclectic and noisey, brilliant of course and very very raw. Next up came De Stijl, which sounded quieter than their debut but still as energetic. The lyrics were more mature and the album sounded polished and well made.
Their third album, White Blood Cells was the most "studio-sounding", it featured excellent lyrics and a more folky background.
The big one was Elephant, made in about three weeks this album was a sweet mix of bluesy guitar and quiet, moving songs and of course Seven Nation army.
Their new album, Get Behind Me Satan is probably the most experimental, with the introduction of the Marimba as a prominent instrument (a sort of giant Xylaphone)and more piano than guitar; the album is almost shocking by the way it has been stripped down. The first song Blue Orchid is fantastic and feels very Stripesy, next up is The Nurse, our introduciton to Jack on the Marimba, this song is also very good, the lyrics and rhythm are excellent.
Next is My Doorbell, sounding very fifties and with a catchy tune this is probably their most releasable track after the single out now.
Forever for her (is over for me) is a song on the piano, very nice.
Little ghost, a folky song with some great harmonies.
The Denial twist, fantastic, ecclectic and brilliant!
White moon is chilled out and calm.
Instinct blues is another of the quiet ones, with a bit of guitar, also good.
Passive Manipualtion, short and sweet, sung by Meg, but her voice sounds weaker than cold cold night on Elephant.
Take take take is guitar and rock all the way, fabulous.
As ugly as i seem is sweet and quite quiet.
Red Rain is bizarre and brilliant!
I'm lonely, a good closing track very nice.
The whole album is not dissapointing in the least. There has been doubt previous to the release after Jack White stated that he didn't much use his guitar on the album, but none of these people had heard the album.
Many were put off by Blue Orchid, saying it wasn't "Seven Nation Army", but why would we want to hear an exact replica? Jack wasn't making Seven Nation Army Part 2, it was a new track with a fresh sound.
The White Stripes albums are always slight different; their first, self titled album was ecclectic and noisey, brilliant of course and very very raw. Next up came De Stijl, which sounded quieter than their debut but still as energetic. The lyrics were more mature and the album sounded polished and well made.
Their third album, White Blood Cells was the most "studio-sounding", it featured excellent lyrics and a more folky background.
The big one was Elephant, made in about three weeks this album was a sweet mix of bluesy guitar and quiet, moving songs and of course Seven Nation army.
Their new album, Get Behind Me Satan is probably the most experimental, with the introduction of the Marimba as a prominent instrument (a sort of giant Xylaphone)and more piano than guitar; the album is almost shocking by the way it has been stripped down. The first song Blue Orchid is fantastic and feels very Stripesy, next up is The Nurse, our introduciton to Jack on the Marimba, this song is also very good, the lyrics and rhythm are excellent.
Next is My Doorbell, sounding very fifties and with a catchy tune this is probably their most releasable track after the single out now.
Forever for her (is over for me) is a song on the piano, very nice.
Little ghost, a folky song with some great harmonies.
The Denial twist, fantastic, ecclectic and brilliant!
White moon is chilled out and calm.
Instinct blues is another of the quiet ones, with a bit of guitar, also good.
Passive Manipualtion, short and sweet, sung by Meg, but her voice sounds weaker than cold cold night on Elephant.
Take take take is guitar and rock all the way, fabulous.
As ugly as i seem is sweet and quite quiet.
Red Rain is bizarre and brilliant!
I'm lonely, a good closing track very nice.
This album is definately worth buying given time will become a favourite. BUY IT!!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's really comforting that a band this adventurous can climb such dizzying heights. Record an album in two weeks featuring more Marimba than guitar and STILL headline Glastonbury? Music, it seems, is in a very good state.
The best thing about the White Stripes is the way you can analyse them to death. The artworks full of symbolism and religious imagery, engrossing! And JAck wrote a very thought provoking....thing...yeah, the artwork alone is worth the price, but people ain't like that! They want the music too!
Luckily it delivers, OH IT DELIVERS!
I WOULD say that "The Nurse" is the best track. Built around a Marimba with seemingly sporadic bursts of noise and lyrics about betrayal of trust, how those who you trust with your life could well be the ones to kill you. The White Stripes at their most experimental, adventurous, and best.
There are two other themes that seem to prevail. "Little Ghost" and "Take. Take. Take" seem to be about falling in love with a ghost that only you can see. What a lovely thought.
Meanwhile, tracks such as "I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)" toy with the idea of incest....intriguing, seeing as we're still not too sure if "they guys" are brother and sister, hmmm.
See, it's intrigue that makes them. They are...some of the mystics of music. As such it's quite hard to hate them. How could one possibly hate a band this interesting?
Ah, yeah, the music. It isn't to everyone's taste. Some will be expecting (DEMANDING) more Elephant, more riotous rock outs. They WILL be dissappointed, they will spit upon this album and sit in a corner, foetal position, gently rocking, caressing their dog eared copy of White Blood Cells. But for the more adventurous listener, who appreciates the place of the marimba in music, this is a treat, well reccommended.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By juliet R
Format:Audio CD
I recently started listening to this album again after a break of two years and am so glad I did.The tracks still sound as fresh and invigorating as when it was released in 2005,a pivotal year for music.
Every one on this album rocks.My favourites include: Blue Orchid, Take Take Take, and My Doorbell.Blues at its best in the 21st Century and a raw,riveting listen.The White Stripes have one of the strongest visual images in rock at the moment,not contrived like some modern bands.
And it won't date,believe me. Buy this album if you can and if you like intelligent powerhouse blues/rock songs.
Every one on this album rocks.My favourites include: Blue Orchid, Take Take Take, and My Doorbell.Blues at its best in the 21st Century and a raw,riveting listen.The White Stripes have one of the strongest visual images in rock at the moment,not contrived like some modern bands.
And it won't date,believe me. Buy this album if you can and if you like intelligent powerhouse blues/rock songs.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
another brilliant album from The White Stripes!
They just keep getting better and better, don't they. Love this album. Some brilliant tracks. Get yourself a copy. You will not be disappointed!
Published 3 months ago by brian_21179
3.0 out of 5 stars
Satan's works
I didn't like this anywhere near as much as 'Elephant', which I played to death in 2005. More disjointed and with fewer standout tracks; those that do make the grade are 'As Ugly... Read more
Published on 9 May 2009 by Captain Pugwash
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best White Stripes Album
This is without a doubt the best White Stripes album. Where as elephant recieved much critical acclaim and gave them the success they earned, this album seems to not start where... Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2007 by Mr. D. J. Mcmurray
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simple Brilliance
Two members, neither a rock star or a genius at playing their instrument. However, this album proves once and for all that Jack White is a brilliant songwriter. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2007 by R. S. Hand
1.0 out of 5 stars
Only for the deaf
People who are hearing-impaired will enjoy this disc, provided they keep it to a very, very low level. Anyone else will be faced with something truly horrible. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2006 by Edna Sweetlove
5.0 out of 5 stars
Take,Take,Take
The 5th album from the white stripes sees them delve into the more acoustic side of things to say the least. Read more
Published on 25 May 2006 by M. Keefe
4.0 out of 5 stars
get behind this
Whilst lacking the instant likeability or continuity of previous records, given time this really grows on you. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2006 by David Johnson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get thee behind me
Sooner or later, it had to happen. The White Stripes have made an album that is Not Great.
Granted, it's not terrible either. Read more
Granted, it's not terrible either. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2006 by E. A Solinas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different and Better
I was never much a fan of The White Stripes. But then they released My Doorbell, and I had to get this album. This blues style, swingy rock and roll is brilliant. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2006 by Samuel Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their finest yet.
With each album the stripes improve and at this rate by the year 2015 they will have better both 'Pet Sounds' and 'Sgt Pepper'! Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2006 by A. Willmer
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