Customer Reviews

White Blood Cells [Limited Edition with Bonus DVD]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The White Stripes came from out of nowhere (although White Blood Cells was already their third album) to rise to the top of the Invasion of the Plural Nouns (The Hives, The Strokes, The Vines, etc.). Maybe it was their added adjective, or their simple color scheme, or their seemingly incestuous brother-sister/husband-wife relationship. After all, marketing has played a very important role in their success.

But none of that would matter if not for the music. White Blood Cells is simply a fine album of simple rock and roll. Jack White's guitar and vocals and Meg White's drums lay down a basic attractive foundation on which to massage rock cliches while remaining true to themselves. The White Stripes are one of the most "influenced" bands I've heard recently, and yet that does not detract from the enjoyment of the music.

I originally became interested as a fan of the film Citizen Kane. I heard that Jack had taken lines from the film and turned it into the song "The Union Forever." I had to hear it. In the process, I ended up listening to the whole CD over and over again. Its short length makes for such an easily repetitive experience.

I look forward to more great things from the duo that calls themselves the White Stripes, whatever their relationship with one another. As long as they keep making music this good, I'll live with whatever marketing scheme they think of next.

Sure, they got mucho press after the release of White Blood Cells, appearing on everything from MTV to the BBC. And WBC is a great album, no doubt. But I still prefer De Stijl. To me, it captures exactly what The White Stripes are all about--mixing The Beatles with Led Zep III acoustic blues and the raw energy of an Iggy concert.

If you're just getting turned on, go with De Stijl first and then buy White Blood Cells later if you're digging what they're all about. And be sure to get this version of WBC, which includes the bonus DVD with some cool video material on it.

Here's hoping the Stripes keep up the good work and stay away from Entertainment Weekly covers and TRL in 2003.

This is a great album. although not quite as good as De Stijl. If you've only heard fell in love with a girl and dead leaves and the dirty ground you may be a little diisapointed at first, but keep listening because youll fall in love. Highlights include: now mary, im finding it harder to be a gentleman, offend in every way and i cant wait, to name a few. I could actually go on naming every song on the album because ther're great.

From the opening notes to the end I was enthralled by how GOOD this CD is. Don't miss it. Buy It or Borrow It. Just enjoy it.

The Bonus DVD is excellent. the 4 vids are good and the 2 audio tracks are Great.

I had reservations when I purchased this album. Normally a fan of the classic rock genre, I usually have trepidations when it comes to newer music. I wasn't let down by this youthful duo.
First, the DVD is a nice bonus. Though I would not have paid too much extra for it. It contains several very fun and lighthearted music videos and some audio clips.
All tracks on the CD are great. The band at some times sounds rich and loud similar to the hard gutair riffs of the Smashing Pumpkins or AC/DC, and at some times the band sounds softer such as in the lullaby-like "I think we are going to be friends".
When listening to this CD, its hard to believe that this band only consists of Meg and Jack. Very rich sounds, playful melodies, and inspired lyrics. This in one up and coming band to pay attention to.

I never really was a big fan of this type of simplistic-punk..., so I did not find myself interested in buying this cd. That all changed when I saw the video to "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground." This is just a jaw dropping video. The symbols and eerie direction make this video easily the most unique in many years. When I found out that they had released a DVD I didn't want to get it, because I figured it was a full priced DVD. Nope. It came with (what I would soon discover) the best album of 2002. The best songs on this great emotional record are "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," "Hotel Yorba," "We're Gonna be Friends," "I'm finding it Harder...," and "Union Forever." The rest of the songs are all very good, and I wouldn't expect to be played on commercial radio, although the album's real hit, "Fell In Love with a Girl," was one of the biggest rock hits of the year. Don't let that song's blatant Strokes rip-off turn you away: That's what almost made me miss the best album of the year.

Imagine a band, with only two intruments. Those instruments are your basic guitar and drums. Well, without additional instruments, odds are this band is likely to make horrible music...unless their band name goes by "The White Stripes", their likely to give theses odds a few savage beatings.
Aside from other weak 70's rock revival seen these days, this band succeeds. Where that genre makes you hate bands such as "The Strokes" or "The Hives", these guys are pretty easy to get hooked to (even though they'll probably not give you a likeness for the before mentioned bands).
"De Stijl" and "The White Stripes" are also excellent albums, but you've never heard of them if you never heard of "White Blood Cells". Being their best album, obviously because of the commercialism it gainded them, it's pretty amazing what you can hear from just a guitar and drums.
What's also stunning of this is the fact they have the ability to make sure no song sounds the same or dealing with a too similar concept. The obvious standouts of that feature are "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground, "Hotel Yorba", "Fell In Love With Girl", and "We're Going to Be Freinds".
"Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground", showing you exactly why guitars and drums are the most basic intruments, with a loud and catchy riff along with loud banging drums and a heavy beat, not to aside the good songwriting, what other bands of the same genre has a hard time pulling off.
"Hotel Yorba", with it's somewhat cheesy country fried feel, immediately gets you hooked with the easy sing along lyrics and catchy beat.
"Fell In Love With a Girl", although being short, the best garage-rock song, showing you their best ability of not giving too much repetitiveness.
"We're Going to Be Freinds" showing that Jack White is an excellent songwriter, and the magic he can pull with only vocals and an acoustic guitar.
Plus all the other tracks with the amazing ability to stand out on their own. All gather, for "The White Stripes" are one of the best rock bands to come along in nearly a decade.

If you're gonna buy this cd, definately get this edition, with the bonus DVD. Although the DVD only features 4 music videos and 2 songs (it's pretty basic, and not incredibly exciting), it's a nice supplement to the CD. (plus it's free) Whatever you do, don't pay extra for the DVD disc. The CD is only about 40 minutes long, so the added DVD disc makes your purchase slightly more worth the money. Should you buy it? Well, I bought it and I wasn't disappointed. It's one of those things that if you're contemplating buying it, then go for it. The CD has an old early-60's rock-esque sound to it, yet while I listen to it, I am also reminded of the Violent Femmes.

I didn't like it as much as Elephant, but it's a really good CD anyway. I like Hotel Yorba and Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground

This album, and everything I have heard by the white stripes (except hotel yorba) is awesome, local h did the two band member thing, but the stripes have more personality and style than any other musician .... except Beck .