Having been a very enthusiastic fan of The White Stripes from the very beginning, I must say that this direction of music is not only refreshing, but also a big and interesting step in a new direction.
Having re-invented the American songbook, from the alternative swamps of Louisiana to the darkest caves in hill-billy land, this adventure to "the old country", namely Scotland, has brought a new dimension to the dynamic duos musical span.
Still incredibly melodic, always the somewhat unexpected beat (Meg may not be the world's greatest drummer, but she certainly makes up for lack of techniqe in many ways, not the least, quirkiness!}and Jacks voice that you either love or hate. I do the former!
Icky Thump, single as well as the whole album, has been a well needed blood transfusion for a band that keep re-inventing themselves, but this is far less pretentious than, for example De Stijl, that was closer to getting off the rails, and only just managed to hold together.
Icky Thump shows promise that White Stripes may live on for a few more, very interesting, albums, still.