The White Stripes
Get Behind Me, Satan

THE REVIEW

Just pronounce the name "The White Stripes" and immediately the dear old "Elephant" comes to mind, the album (considered by many) commercial of the band. Yet things have changed since then... from 2003 to today, the white stripes have returned to the calm blues that we listened to so much during the "De Stijl" period. And not only that...

"Get Behind Me Satan" was an unexpected album. Many believed that this album would have been a continuation of "Elephant," or a return to the raw "White Blood Cells." But no. Many considered it rubbish. Are you kidding me? Yes, it's true, Jack put his bi-colored guitar aside for a while to focus on percussion instruments like the marimba, or the piano (something we've already seen in previous albums). And for this, you consider this album rubbish? Just because there's a bit less distortion on the guitars? Come on, let's not kid ourselves.

I'm one of those guys who loves to describe the main songs on the album, something I will also do for "Get Behind Me, Satan." 'Blue Orchid' was the message: the first single from the album to highlight the return of The White Stripes. Listening to it, you might notice it resembles 'Seven Nation Army' a bit, but by listening to the entire album, you'll understand that it's also the only one with a garage/grunge rhythm. I have to be honest, in some aspects. I heard the single on MTV. I wasn't aware of the latest album, but as soon as I heard the song, I thought that The White Stripes had returned with other hard songs that make you mosh just thinking about it. Moreover, even the title of the CD seems to invoke something Rock. And yet, I found myself with songs like 'The Nurse.' And speaking of this one: isn't it a creepy song? A calm rhythm of marimba interrupted by Meg and Jack with their instruments. A psychedelic spectacle, which unfortunately, when performed live (at least from what I've heard), is pathetic. But anyway (I admit it) I hate the Whites live. But let's move on... 'My Doorbell' and 'The Denial Twist' I think are the cheerful songs of the album, but also 2 among the main ones. 'Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)' is so sweet. We find a Jack with a voice that seems to say "forgive me" or "have mercy on me," something I like to hear in a song. 'Instinct Blues,' 'Red Rain,' and 'Take, Take, Take' are indescribable. Beautiful, yes, but without a precise definition. Who is a fan of the White Stripes can understand me. Speaking of the others, I have to admit that 'Little Ghost' doesn't please me much. It must have been the past experience with Loretta Lynn that led Jack to compose a Country song of this caliber, even if lackluster. 'White Moon' is the ideal lullaby, but at the same time annoying. 'Passive Manipulation,' well, we can say it's better than 'Little Room' found on "White Blood Cells," but I wouldn't define it a song. As the title suggests, I think it's a "Passive Manipulation" to move, indeed, to the next song. Well, personal opinion. In fact, without the already mentioned song, the connection that would be between "Take, Take, Take" and "Instinct Blues" would be bad. 'Ugly As I Seem' doesn't do much for me. Not that it's one of my favorite songs, on the contrary... 'I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)' is ideal to beautifully close the album. Magnificent.

I can only say one thing: I hope the next album is more distorted.