Originally posted by dano: I often think the best move Jack White could make is to ditch Meg and start a band with more competent musicians, or just go solo.
Umm..you might be getting your wish. He started a band with Brendan Benson with a name that's something like "Racontours" (I don't remember the exact word but it means 'One who is good at telling anecdotes').
It's White, Benson, and a group called the 'Greehornes', White and Benson share songwriting and lead guitar duties, and they already recorded an album that's coming out early 2006.
I eagerly await.
Posts: 1783 | Location: Around Boston. | Registered: 24 February 2005
Originally posted by dano: I often think the best move Jack White could make is to ditch Meg and start a band with more competent musicians, or just go solo.
Would it have made the previous albums any better? I don't think so. It's easy to question technical ability when the music just simply doesn't need a roaring drum solo or frequent time changes. Meg is ideal for what they're doing.
Posts: 1652 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 15 September 2004
I like the stripped sound they have, but, yes, Jack certainly craves a bigger sound. That is what side-projects are for, which may/may not include Meg (why discredit her). Jack will go big, with a bigger, deeper sound when he is ready, and when he does.....watch out!!
Fav tunes off Satan(after a couple of listens)....The Nurse, Forever For Her, White Moon, Take, Take, Take.
"the sun gets passed from sea to sea, silently, and back to me"
Posts: 784 | Location: middle of bf nowhere | Registered: 25 January 2005
Originally posted by mark f: The new album basically confirms that the White Stripes' songs have always been built around Jack White's killer vocals and melodies. The people who don't like it want to know where Jack/Jimmy Page's guitar went, but the songs sound amazingly similar to me to the ones on all their other albums; there's just a lot less guitar pyrotechnics. The lower-key sound also allows Meg's drums to carry more weight, and there's lots of other percussion. Overall, this album sounds REALLY good already. It also sounds a bit like a companion piece to Spoon's recent albums, so hey now!
Right on the mark....mark f. Great companion for a early 70's sound. Spoon may just miss my Top 10(currently at 11) with The Stripes looking at #1.
"the sun gets passed from sea to sea, silently, and back to me"
Posts: 784 | Location: middle of bf nowhere | Registered: 25 January 2005
Page's guitar was found in a ditch somewhere in Detroit. Jack White was spotted sweating in a nearby bar, where a Zeppelin cover band was playing...coincidence??
"the sun gets passed from sea to sea, silently, and back to me"
Posts: 784 | Location: middle of bf nowhere | Registered: 25 January 2005
Originally posted by m.leland: Would it have made the previous albums any better? I don't think so. It's easy to question technical ability when the music just simply doesn't need a roaring drum solo or frequent time changes. Meg is ideal for what they're doing.
What I was getting as is Jack's talent could be put to better use with a more fuller sound. And I read about that Raconteur thing this morning and kind of laughed to myself since I had just posted about it last night.
Originally posted by dano: What I was getting as is Jack's talent could be put to better use with a more fuller sound.
I think you're confusing complexity with artistic merit. It's all subjective, of course — but I don't believe The White Stripes (which are really just Jack White, mind you) could be any better than they are now. And the prospect of a Jack White-fronted "supergroup" (of sorts) only makes me wonder if it could withstand the weight of his MASSIVE ego. I'd wager Meg tolerates him...can anyone else?
Posts: 1652 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 15 September 2004
Originally posted by float_on958: im not a fan of the white stripes, but i do like one song of theres "dead leaves and the dirty ground". But otherwise, they suck hard
Witty repartee like that must have Oscar Wilde rolling over in his grave. Kudos for lowering my IQ by a full point in just two posts.
Posts: 3875 | Location: ATL, GA | Registered: 25 May 2004
Originally posted by m.leland: I think you're confusing complexity with artistic merit. It's all subjective, of course — but I don't believe The White Stripes (which are really just Jack White, mind you) could be any better than they are now. And the prospect of a Jack White-fronted "supergroup" (of sorts) only makes me wonder if it could withstand the weight of his MASSIVE ego. I'd wager Meg tolerates him...can anyone else?
I think that Jack couldn't do any better with what the White Stripes' sound is. But that's my point, I think it's limiting to record albums in a week or two, without the use of recent technology or any instruments other than a guitar, drum, and piano. He has the talent to do better than the White Stripes are capable of, but he has to ditch the ultra-lofi crappy drummer setup.
alright philosopherEric....apparently, the requirement to be a "Forum Moderator" is snobbery and arrogance. Just because you are a Moderator dosn't make you intellectually superior to me. I'm just trying to voice my opinion.
Posts: 3 | Location: anywhere with a cusion or a remote | Registered: 09 June 2005
Originally posted by dano: I think that Jack couldn't do any better with what the White Stripes' sound is. But that's my point, I think it's limiting to record albums in a week or two, without the use of recent technology or any instruments other than a guitar, drum, and piano. He has the talent to do better than the White Stripes are capable of, but he has to ditch the ultra-lofi crappy drummer setup.
Then we definitely have opposing viewpoints on what constitutes achievement. I personally prefer the raw, honest, and vulnerable minimalism of Get Behind Me Satan. There's no effort to hide anything. The vulnerability of it all strikes me as contrary to the media machine whirling around the band.
But the span in which the album was recorded shouldn't mean anything to you or me; you create until anything more dilutes your message. What's the difference if it was recorded over 1 day or 100? The product, in theory, is unaffected.
As for recent technology: would Kandinsky have managed any better using digital brushes? Or The Beatles with Pro-Tools? If your complaint is in the relevance of the Stripes' material, then I'd argue it's no more outdated than the "Cubist Jazz Funk" of Waits' Real Gone, which, at least for me, is exemplary in demonstrating how to make something old into something new. I can't say the same for a band like The Black Keys, who've yet to take a single step forward.
np: Sufjan Stevens, "Casimir Pulaski Day" <--- My first listen; so far, it sounds pompous and overdone. I reserve the right to rescind my previous statement, since anything I like on the first listen never stays with me for very long.
Posts: 1652 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 15 September 2004
Originally posted by m.leland: Then we definitely have opposing viewpoints on what constitutes achievement. I personally prefer the raw, honest, and vulnerable minimalism of Get Behind Me Satan. There's no effort to hide anything. The vulnerability of it all strikes me as contrary to the media machine whirling around the band.
Prefer it to what? Preference suggests favoring one alternative over another, but we don't know what the White Stripes would sound like with dual guitars, a bass, or synths. It could very well sound raw and honest.
quote:
But the span in which the album was recorded shouldn't mean anything to you or me; you create until anything more dilutes your message. What's the difference if it was recorded over 1 day or 100? The product, in theory, is unaffected.
I disagree. I think the album could have been improved if more time was spent with the recording process. Think of the great albums in the past, bands like the Beatles would spend months or even years in the studio meticulously crafting their work. While I'm not suggesting that's the best solution for Jack White, I do think the product would be better if he spent more time working with each song, trying to make it the best product possible.
quote:
As for recent technology: would Kandinsky have managed any better using digital brushes? Or The Beatles with Pro-Tools?
Maybe? I think the Beatles would have a field day with modern technology. It's plausible that both artists would have made full use of said technologies if they were available, but they were only able to work with what existed at the time. But it's all speculation, there's no way to prove that point one way or the other.
quote:
If your complaint is in the relevance of the Stripes' material, then I'd argue it's no more outdated than the "Cubist Jazz Funk" of Waits' Real Gone, which, at least for me, is exemplary in demonstrating how to make something old into something new. I can't say the same for a band like The Black Keys, who've yet to take a single step forward.
My complaint isn't about relevance. I just think that Jack could improve on the material he's putting out now if he changed his approach.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: dano,
Originally posted by float_on958: alright philosopherEric....apparently, the requirement to be a "Forum Moderator" is snobbery and arrogance. Just because you are a Moderator dosn't make you intellectually superior to me. I'm just trying to voice my opinion.
Since your clever and interesting opinion in both of your posts involved how Green Day's new album "sucked" and how the White Stripes "suck hard", I don't really feel bad for appearing snobbish or arrogant. I don't care about being superior to you. But your posts were really pathetic, and I'm not afraid to call them out as such. Beavis and/or Butthead should sue you for the co-option of their catchphrases.
You're lucky it was me who responded...there are others on these Forums who wouldn't have been nearly as kind to you as I was. In the interest of showing you what a nice guy I am, though, I'll refrain from commenting on your future posts. I can't make the same promise for some of the other sharp-toothed carnivores who frequent the site, though.
Posts: 3875 | Location: ATL, GA | Registered: 25 May 2004
Originally posted by dano: [I disagree. I think the album could have been improved if more time was spent with the album. Think of the great albums in the past, bands like the Beatles would spend months or even years in the studio meticulously crafting their albums.
How long did Lou Reed spend on Metal Machine Music?
Posts: 1652 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 15 September 2004
Metal Machine Music was nothing but guitar noise. I don't think it's a valid comparison to something the White Stripes makes, which isn't aimed at giving a f*** you to their record label.
