lambchops's Full Review: De Stijl by The White Stripes
How a band manages to create such a full, jaunty sound with just performers is beyond my comprehension. Detroit’s own The White Stripes are without question the leaders of the minimalist garage rock revival. Their sound is abrupt and rough, but also at the same time it is easy on the ears and employs melodies not at all unlike those in pop.
When De Stijl (Dutch for “the style”) was released in 2000, The White Stripes had yet to get their big break. They were still a bar band searching for their niche; seeking their groove. Meg White and Jack White formed the band in 1997 and have since recorded four impressive albums. The formerly married couple worked day jobs while actively pursuing their musical careers (Meg, in particular, worked as a bartender at Memphis Smoke—a local blues club).
It was only a (brief) matter of time before they got the attention they so deserved but still De Stijl barely even made an independent splash. This isn’t to say that the album is any less worthwhile than, say, White Blood Cells…it just sold fewer copies. The straightforward, barely produced sound of the album works well with the duo’s lack of instrumentation and sparse songwriting. What really sets this album apart from the flock is that it so readily incorporates various musical styles—folk, cabaret, pop, country, and classic rock. Surprisingly sparse and deliciously striking, De Stijl is a diversely entertaining work. While not perfect, it certainly sets the stage for the band that would one day take over the rock world with Elephant.
De Stijl comes and goes much too quickly. It leaves me not quite satisfied and wanting more from the Whites. Instead, I’m stuck hitting repeat or popping in one of their other three discs. The outstanding fun starts with album opener You’re Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl). This is a brief, kicky pop-rock in the vein of what you’d expect from The White Stripes. The lyrics are written with the tongue firmly jammed in the cheek.
With such an explosive start, you’d expect the album to not live up to the initial impression. But nothing could be further from the truth. De Stijl does occasionally and briefly stumble, but it never falls flat. The sing-along fun continues with another album standout, Hello Operator. Loud, rambunctious, and incredibly exhilarating I can’t help but think that this distinct swagger is the fortunate future of rock n’ roll.
However the best songs of De Stijl appear toward the middle of the album. As much as I like the earlier songs, Apple Blossom, I’m Bound To Pack It Up, Sister, Do You Know My Name? and Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise are strikingly brilliant. Running the gamut from heartbreaking to invigorating and from light to evocative, they are what The White Stripes are all about. These are the songs that stick with you and prove to be without a time stamp or for that matter expiration date. Apple Blossom is of particular note. It has an undeniably appealing Beatle-esque swagger. Jack’s acoustic, chunk-chunking guitar works wonderfully with Meg’s modest percussion. The simplicity is brilliant and the melody is unforgettable.
Much the same thing applies to my second personal favorite, I’m Bound To Pack It Up. Although rather than yielding to the style of the British invasion, these Midwesterners put together an uncharacteristically smooth and light song. The inclusion of the strangely Led Zeppelin-like melody, it is stronger and more evocative than the majority of songs from The White Stripes. And the words, well, it is here that the duo sparkles as brightly as ever wrapping up with these poignant words:
The bus is warm and softly lit
and a hundred people ride in it
I guess I'm just another running away
There’s so much to be said for De Stijl as a whole. But basically, it is an entertaining and cohesive piece of rock n’ roll. In addition to original tunes, the White Stripes also cover song Dead Letter written by Delta bluesman Son House and Your Southern Can Is Mine from bluesman Blind Willie McTell, to whom the album is dedicated. This is a work rich in history and respecting of music. They aren’t reinventing the wheel; the White Stripes are just polishing up the hubs and cleaning the mud off the rubber. It all works wonderfully.
No song here is horrible, no song is even mildly disturbing, and not a one lacks conviction. But even with all that praise in mind, it must be said that The White Stripes may not be a perfect fit to all listeners. Indeed, De Stijl is rock n’ roll but it is sparse and rough and without any particular texture. But if you like your rock without pretension, then this album (and the three others from the band) is for you.
De Stijl is a must own disc, especially for fans of The White Stripes. I still think that Elephant is the best album to date from the band, but this one runs a close second. Extraordinary stuff here—really.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)
02. Hello Operator
03. Little Bird
04. Apple Blossom
05. I’m Bound to Pack it Up
06. Death Letter
07. Sister, Do You Know My Name?
08. Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise
09. A Boy’s Best Friend
10. Let’s Build a Home
11. Jumble, Jumble
12. Why Can’t You Be Nicer to Me?
13. Your Southern Can Is Mine
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