Get Behind Me Satan

The White Stripes

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: June 7, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: V2
• ASIN: B00097A5H2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (422 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,281 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Their fifth album, Get Behind Me Satan is the strangest and least focused effort by these unlikely garage rock superstars to date. It's also their finest, an Exile on Main Street-ish mish-mash where the sum is greater than the parts. In a market increasingly driven by singles and downloads, it's nice to be reminded how exciting an album can be, especially one where you really don't know what to expect next. There are a lot fewer pounding guitars on this album. They've largely been replaced by pounding pianos. Most songs sound like rough mixes at first; almost every song has something exceptionally loud in the mix--the guitar solo in "The Nurse," the drums in "Doorbell," everything in "Blue Orchid." After a few listens, however, it becomes clear that the group is not using the studio as an instrument so much as exposing the nuts and bolts in the process along the way.

There are some duds; the wanky blooze-rawk number "Instinct Blues" goes on way too long and it would be nice if "The Nurse" had a real chorus. Whether "Passive Manipulation" is about the wife-or-sister schtick, if the cover artwork indeed has Jack and Meg calling each other devils, and which scripture is referred to by the album's title (Matthew, Mark or Luke?): none of that matters so much as the fact that this album is strangely sprawling and obliquely ass-kicking at the same time. "Orchid" is a rockdisko sonic smash that shows how to really get rock kids on the dancefloor. Meanwhile, "Doorbell" sounds enough like the Jackson Five to totally rule, and "Forever for Her" is the best ballad Jack's written in years. The fact that some marimbas provide the driving force to "Forever" makes it all the better. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description
2008 reissue of Get Behind Me Satan. More acoustic and less electric, with more piano and less guitar than previous albums, this 2005 album charted #3, won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album and its 'My Doorbell' was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. On the Modern Rock chart, 'Blue Orchid' hit #1, 'The Denial Twist' #5 and 'My Doorbell' #13. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

220 of 241 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant display of artistic growth, June 8, 2005

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This album will make or break a "true" White Stripes fan. The change is HUGE, and I'm certainly not complaining. I'm happy that The White Stripes have the balls to constantly experiment and bring something new to the table, time and time again. Most notably, casual fans are going to miss Jack's wailing guitar solos and time signatures. His artistic vision is channeled through piano, marimba, tambourine, and acoustic guitar (although their is some electric guitar lurking around in the mix). While other bands try to replicate the magic of their freshman debut, The White Stripes are busy honing their skill, creating music that has soul, feeling, and ideas (all executed within a 2 week recording session). This subsequently feels like a retreat to their "little room" from the staggering success of "Elephant". They've locked the door and threw away the key to make whatever they see fit, which merits even more respect. Screw the bigwigs, the "true" fans want to hear a intimate recording by these two creative forces, which is exactly what they brought us.

The first cut "Blue Orchid" is a thrilling metal number, reminiscent of past material, but still different. By the end of that song, they slip back into their little room to stun listeners throughout the rest of the record. "The Nurse" is very experimental. Meg's drums sound like a series of explosions over Jack's piano and marimba, along with his soft lyrical delivery. But I have to say, it's "My Doorbell" that sinks it's hook into you. It's a little reminiscent of the "Hotel Yorba" days, with Jack's quick, happy go lucky lyrics. It's actually very catchy, and stands in stark contrast to the previous cuts. Up next is "Forever for Her (Is Over for Me)" where Jack sings ever so passionately. It's one of the most well written songs on the album. But then comes my personal favorite, "Little Ghost". Jack and Meg belt out this soulful number with a brilliant country bluegrass swagger that is simply irresistible. "The Denial Twist" is fantastically driven by piano and tambourine. The presence of Rita Hayworth also plays a significant role on songs such as "White Moon" and the dazzling "Take, Take, Take". The rockers closest to the material on "Elephant", "Instinct Blues" and "Red Rain" should please all White Stripes fans. Meg does a fantastic job with her vocals on "Passive Manipulation" were she boasts the very effective lyric - "Women, listen to your mothers / Don't just succumb to the wishes of your brothers / Take a step back, take a look at one another / You need to know the difference between a father and a lover". "As Ugly as I Seem" is a very simple acoustic guitar flavored tune. I can't think of a better song they could have used to close out the album, than "I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)". Jack's lush voice and beautiful piano work will leave your head swaying just like Meg's head would be at a live show.

Needless to say, I am quite impressed with this album. But I'm sure some of you will be sorely disappointed with their new direction. Personally, I would be in heaven if all of my favorite bands made albums the way The Stripes do. I would rather hear something completely original, than to hear "Elephant" part 2. If I want to hear riveting guitar solos, I'll listen to "Elephant". If I want to listen to Jack's blues-rock perfection, I will listen to "De Stijl" (It's nice to have choices). But in no way does "Get Behind Me Satan" pale in comparison to it's predecessors. Their discography is on it's way to being just as staggering as Beck's. They're all brilliant works of originality. And although it may push away some casual fans, The Stripes are at their best when they push themselves to their limits.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Higher Plane, June 7, 2005

By	Matthew T. Parrish (Somerdale, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Good-bye to the casual fan; hello new sound. The White Stripes got popular with simple, catchy, and very creative songs. From De Stijl, to White Blood Cells, to Elephant, their popularity skyrocketed as their songs and albums got better and better. As everyone could tell, their style peaked at Elephant. So, I was expecting to be disappointed by Get Behind Me Satan because how could it be better than Elephant?

I was wrong. Like David Bowie with Aladdin Sane (after Ziggy Stardust), The White Stripes did not try to best Elephant, they altered their style and have written their best and most intricate songs yet. In short, they took a step back and sideways to go forward.

Just pick a great song. "Red Rain" is Jack White's most creative song to date and it's melodic in the most interesting way. "The Nurse," with it's seemingly random but calculated guitar crunches and it's purposeful lack of a real chorus, it has all the elements of great indie rock. "Take Take Take" is an off-rhythm harmony that's probably the best melody in the White Stripes catalogue.

You've heard the White Stripes go country before, but on "Little Ghost" Jack pushes to bluegrass and still makes it work. The textures and layering of the song are beautiful. "My Doorbell" is probably the song that is most representative of their former style on this album. It's simple, catchy, and funny. "As Ugly as I Seem" has great transitions and the patient notes come off perfectly.

After an album of experimentation and great results, the White Stripes have all the credibility they need to write a traditional closing song which is still really good anyway. Even when they write formulaic songs they elevate above the formula.

This album cements the White Stripes as a classic rock band. Without hesitation, I'd put them and Radiohead up there with The Doors, Pink Floyd, R.E.M., Nirvana, and so forth.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!, June 7, 2005

By	Newbie (Portland) - See all my reviews

I have now listened to this album all the way through 2 times and I must say it's fantastic. I think The White Stripes are the best rock band of our time and the fact that every album they produce sounds distinctly different from their last is very refreshing.

I noticed that most of the people who dislike this album say something like "But Elephant blah, blah, blah", get over it, this album is not Elephant. And to be honest Elephant was my least favorite album, it sounded to polished and really lacked the rawness that you could hear in De Stijl or White Blood Cells.

If you are only familiar with The White Stripes through Elephant this album may not be the best choice for you, however if you really liked all of their other albums then you probably have some understanding of what kind of band they are and would like Get Behind Me Satan.