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Album Review
by SashaS
7-1-2005
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More on: The White Stripes
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| White Stripes: 'Under Blackpool Lights' |
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The White Stripes: 'Under Blackpool Lights'
(XL Recordings)
Subvertainment #3: The White Stripes’ Live DVD
British culture is in fine fettle and a fit state - despite all the disparaging [some written for this online organ] remarks and views. It is not only as good as it’s ever been but, it may actually be, perhaps, even better due to there being more on offer although the demand may be legging behind.
From the best pop-punk of recent times of Busted and McFly to Shag-oholic pop of Rachel Stevens, Jennifer Ellison, to R&B of Jamelia, Javine or Jentina to the imports… Brits have always been open to other nations’ performers and Westlife, Kylie Minogue and Natasha Bedingfield, to name but three of currently the biggest stars, are embraced with theological zeal. Alas, most of the ‘imported’ stars come from the English spoken territories.
All these pop personalities provide role models [fashion, taste, attitude, behaviour] for girls and objects-de-desire for boys. The potency of contemporary stars is generally cemented by recordings of covers that serve a very important function the grandparents used to provide - until regular sending to SCH [Seniors’ Caring Homes] - bridge to the past. So many great songs would be lost in the mist of time if these artistes failed to translate them for the kids who find Elvis a tad too ‘retro, man’.
There are also acts that specialise in makeover culture by recreating the glorious past: The Libertines [omega-copy of The Clash], as well as the other of the pix-zine NME’s championed groups - Franz Ferdinand [too much homage going on to be cited], Keane [ditto]… For the truly outer-kids, there is the ‘suckin’' diesel’ of Nellie McKay, the cosmic rocking of Clinic, the hard’n’heavy Hundred Reasons, or the cyber-erotica of Dido…
WoMan, viva Brit-kultchur, it is so brill, so now - it is already out! [File under sci-fi.]
Actually, apart a few promising pockets of inspiration, here and there - The Streets, Godlfrapp, Dizzee, Client, Biffy Clyro… - just to leave us with possibly the best debut LP of the year, the self-titled disc by 22-20s. It was good partially because the band use the same template The White Stripes have been deploying for years.
But, the real-dealers’ just released DVD captures the heart of The White Stripes show, at the start of the January 2004 UK tour. The disc presents Jack and Meg White at their incendiary live best. It is claimed to be “Filmed in classic 'D.A.Pennebaker'-style by Dick Carruthers (Oasis, Led Zeppelin, Portishead) at The Empress Ballroom in Blackpool.”
The set includes all the classic White Stripes originals - ‘Hotel Yorba’, ‘The Hardest Button to Button’, ‘Seven Nation Army’ et al - plus songs only ever played live by the Whites - including the limited edition live single, 'Jolene'.
As good as the actual show but right in your face, with your volume control and comfort… Who needs the sweaty bloody club and all the pushin’?
9.7/10
SashaS
7-1-2005
The White Stripes’ DVD ‘Under Blackpool Lights’ has been available since 22 November 2004 on XL Recordings
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