White Blood Cells by The White Stripes

White Blood Cells

The White Stripes

3.64
Rating
28396
Votes
1
3%
2
9%
3
30%
4
38%
5
20%
Distribution

Reviews (page 11 of 14)

A classic that I would have loved more back in High School, had I given their whole discography a shot. It's good. Good songs. But I do think they went on to do better things. Jack has put out much more interesting stuff in his solo career. But it's a solid album

Pretty good. I like Elephant a lot more, for nostalgia reasons.

I expected way more...

Not great, not terrible.

The White Stripes have some good singles, but the album overall isn’t something I connect with. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground and Fell in love with a Girl, and Expecting are the tracks that hit. 3/5

-Went into this expecting it to be like Seven Nation Army, but I was pleased by some of the variety in these songs. Even some of the shortest ones packed quite a punch, largely due to Jack White’s voice I think. There were quite a few forgettable songs in my opinion though, so I’d give it like a 3.5 -Favorites are Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground, Fell In Love With a Girl, and We’re Going to Be Friends

Not too bad of an album, there were a couple of pretty okay songs but none that were absolutely amazing. I would say that this particular album was a bit mid, but maybe a bit more towards a 3,5-star rating.

They're a bit formulaic, I'm on to them...

Quite edgy but had some nice tunes in the middle of the album. The guitar pieces throughout some the tunes tied it well, one song about cats or something was weirdly rhythmic and just trapped the snare drum. Overall above average

A very fast and loose album filled with a couple songs that I enjoy and others I just don't really care for. It doesn't blow away, but it didn't bore me either. Overall, not bad.

Yeah good

Low 3 for me

Second half dragged on and some of it is just noise. But enjoyed the first half. Not in a rush to listen again, if I did there would be plenty of skips.

Decent, but a bit too samey without really going anywhere. Enjoyed it though, especially Fell in love with a girl, 3/3.5

I've always thought they sounded like the annoying middle school garage band next door

Not my type

Lovely analogue retro sound…

Loved Hotel Yorba when John Peel played it as a sample from a new unknown band. Some very good songs (Hotel Yorba, Fell in Love with a Girl). Some average songs.

To be young again. Not their best album, but good nonetheless.

Raw. Good.

Nice sound

The most white stripes of white stripes album. I don't get the rules of minimalism, but I assume Jack black does.

It’s fine, some nice chunky guitar parts and I like her simple drum parts. Overall it’s not my favorite but it is not the worst thing on the list of 1001 albums.

Liked it - wouldn't likely listen again but there are some bangers on there.

Pretty cool - I’m definitely going to listen to this again. I’m a fan of the minimalism

Good, but not for me really

Love the punk aesthetic of the Stripes but I gotta admit… I’m not a fan of Meg’s drumming. I know she started in the band at Jack’s behest and they leaned into making her “style” as a non-drummer a feature not a bug, and that alone speaks to a certain creativity that crackles with the Stripes but in reality… her playing to me is a indeed a bug.

zu spät geboren für richtigen punk .. aber trotzdem eine tolle abwechslung

White Stripes, die Band hinter der Fussballhymne. Spannend mal ein Album zu hören.

3 out of 5. No hate and it's a solid rock album but for some reason I've never been able to get into Jack White or his music even though it feels like I should.

Good record from a good band. Nothing really memorable about this one, but it’s a quality rock record with plenty of variety to keep me engaged.

This was ok. Didn’t enjoy it as much as the other white stripes album I have reviewed so far - Get Behind Me Satan. There are a few good tracks to my ear - Fell in Love with a Girl and We’re Going to be friends to name a couple but there is also a few duffers for me, Aluminium and Expecting… but overall I enjoyed it. 3

Take or leave it

didn't really get into it although I do think he's very good at writing a catchy hook

I’m trying to figure out how I know almost all the songs on this record, but have never owned it, can’t remember ever listening to it and don’t really know anyone who is a big enough White Stripes fan to have played it for me. One explanation is that I’ve heard this a lot at bars over the years. Which would make sense, since its release coincided my bar hopping years. The other possibility is that a lot of White Stripes songs kinda sound the same after a while. Not a dig necessarily: there’s only so much you can do with just a guitar and drums.

Always struggled - Jack Whites solo stuff always resonated with me more - not a terrible album though

Screaming and loud. High and low. Sometimes masterful, sometimes mostly strong volume.

STANDOUTS: Fell In Love With A Girl We're Going To Be Friends OVERALL: 3/5; those two ^ songs sound NOTHING alike, and I kind of dig it.

I am a late convert to the White Stripes and have bought a few of their albums recently but not this one - yet. I was always intrigued how a duo could produce such loud and full sound. Only seen them on TV but i liked to watch Meg White’s nonchalant manner when performing which belied how her drumming drove the overall sound along. So I was interested but never enough to buy their music until I bought a later album to this one cheap at a charity shop. Playing White Stripes music loud on your own hifi really does make a difference to casually catching it on the radio. Listening to this album for the first time in such circumstances does not disappoint. It’s full of compelling and melodic riffs which is what I like. You need to be in the right mood to stick a White Stripes album on but when that mood comes along it’s a fine album to satisfy it. 3/5 22/7/24

Overall good. I like the rawness of this record, and I'm always down for some Jack White guitar. There's some big hitting songs in here, and I like some of the softer songs too like "We're going to be friends". There's a bit of bloat in there, and it doesn't all hit for me.

I don’t love The White Stripes but I very much respect Jack White as a musician. I love his work with The Raconteurs, but for some reason the White Stripes never quite landed for me. Had only previously heard about half of the songs on this album, but the rest was pretty much what I expected. Some great riffs and a unique sound, but doesn’t quite land as a whole for me. Didn’t hate it, but also don’t see myself going back to it often.

Another one with one great song and lots of mediocrity

The album has a few good songs and a few that I don't like.

Perfectly adequate rock from 1964-1977 made in 2001.

The White Stripes would go on to make great records, but did not do so this time out. A lot of the parts that they would later put together to great effect are here and the album has its moments, but overall I think this is skippable. That being said, even not-that-great White Stripes is pretty darn good.

I enjoy the raw electric simplicity of The White Stripes, but unfortunately a lot of their songs sound alike. This was good, but I can't elevate it past 3.5, so it will likely get a 3/5 for me.

Repetitive, boring, whiny vocals..... All the things I just love to death. This is occasionally OK.

There's a lingering aftertaste of immaturity, but it's still a decent album.

# Playlist Track - Fell In Love With a Girl # Notes - I do love The White Stripes, but I don't think this album is great. - Love the fact that they shove 16 tracks in under 40 minutes! There are a lot of things happening, bunch of interesting tries, but just a few stick the landing.

Some really, really iconic songs I've loved my whole life + a bunch of songs no one cares about.

feels a little repetitive after a bit but pretty decent!

WELL YOU’RE IN YOUR LITTLE ROOM

Not sure what this album or band are doing in a collection of all time greats. I'm sure it was fine at the time and it still is. But a must listen before I die? Laughable.

Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground // Hotel Yorba // Fell In Love With a Girl // Offend In Every Way // 3.5/5

I love the raw sound, how he contorts his voice, the brutal beats, the feverish lyrics, and their style. That being said, they aren't a go-to for me.

I respect it all. The songs. The process. The sound. The look. The energy. I just can't seem love it. I know the White Stripes. I recall downloading many of these songs from Napster or a similar platform upon its release. Hearing the songs on that ala carte "singles" format enhanced the feeling I get from listening to this album. And why I never loved it. It's not that they play this minimal rock n roll that still manages to sound huge. Its that in various songs they reduce various bands - the Yardbirds Zeppelin, Stones, Black Sabbath, even the already bare bones Kinks - to their bare essence. It's amazing they are able to generate so much sound while capturing the essence. But I respect it more than love it. Happy they exist. The music word is pretty bably better for it. But I just don't connect in a way I feel I should.

Not my favorite of Jack's work, but still good, and Meg drives pretty strongly. Interesting that Jack wanted it to sound rushed, and told the engineer "not to make it sound too good." There's definitely a rawness to it.

Solid. Enjoyed it...but not quite enough for a 4.

i never listened to this album all the way but jack white is pretty cool. the fact that white stripes are a duo is pretty crazy ngl. so far im liking it, very varied sound, but it still feels like a cohesive project. generally what i expect from the white stripes tho. almost reminds me of green day sometimes wit the percussion and certain riffs. final thoughts- its good i liked it, nothing special but generally enjoyable and clearly influential for garage rock

Great album

A pretty good listen but maybe 3 stars or C+ would be my rating. An album that might seem grow on me with more plays.

A couple good songs, but overall I just don't like The White Stripes. 2.5

I started out vibing to this album. I liked the garage rock-y sounds and was head bangin' along. However, as it went on, I was losing interest and a lot of the songs started sounding the same. Not a bad album, and I think if I were to listen to a couple songs here and there, I'd dig it. But, the cramming of all these songs back to back made for a meh listen.

The vocals started to bother me toward the back half of the album. There are a couple really good tracks on here, but the stinkers brought it down for me.

Proof that you don't need a large group of musicians to make a catchy noise. Every once in awhile an artist comes along and deconstructs the pomposity of the music industry. This is one of those moments. Keep it simple.

A solid album with some real high points. The entire album is quite listenable.

Still overrated.

Ich finde, es ist ein spannendes Album. Es ist keinesfalls langweilig, hält die Spannung hoch. Selbst, wenn ein Song ertönt, das mir gar nicht gefällt, man hört weiter, weil man könnte was wichtiges überhören. Nicht alles ist mein Geschmack. Aber es finden sich grandiose kurze Lieder darauf, die es allein schon wert waren. Nein, ich werde das Album nicht in meine Sammlung aufnehmen, aber einige Songs nehme ich in die Playlist auf.

I actually liked this more than expected

i often feel like i "should" like the white stripes, in the way that you "should" eat your vegetables and floss your teeth. it feels like a good-for-you obligation that everyone just kind of tolerates because it's better for you in the end if not enjoyable in the moment. but hannah, you might say, they're *real* rock in a sea of schlocky pop! their lead singer is a notoriously private genius who eschews the mainstream - not like all those autotune fakers! (/s) this is what real music sounds like!!!!!! well it sounds bad. so. okay, okay, not really - this is aggressively fine. the white stripes are fine. it's just all varying degrees of fine. i just can't help but be irked by jack white's nasally couldn't-be-bothered voice and the crunchy guitars. it's cool they have a female drummer i guess? but this is the most 3/5 music i could imagine existing. also, unrelated, but i just looked up jack white on Wikipedia, and as recently as 2022 he was moaning and groaning about the evils of video games like it was 1999. ("White thumbed his nose at the music games genre last year as well, decrying games as a way to introduce people to music.") dude, shut the fuck up and play some DDR and maybe you'll calm down. sorry, i just irrationally hate his old-soul luddite kids-these-days bullshit when he's one of the most successful and famous musicians of all time and got there in part to inclusion in mainstream culture (gasp!) and, yes, music games. ANYWAY!!!! the big songs are good. I liked Now Mary too. that's all. 

not loving the instrumentals but overall enjoying this

Fell in love with a girl is a JAM! I used to vilify this album because I thought it was too popular. I will admit that it is pretty good.

I know there are many White Stripes fans. But they have never really done it for me.

pretty cool, i think the opening track was my fav

It was good.

Rocking garage sound and some good tunes but not all the way my style

Very much enjoyed fell in love with a girl and a few other tracks, but overall it didn't wow me...

Enjoyed. Would listen again. Hotel Yorba is still a cracker.

Gritty

- Starts strong with "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," but I personally find the rest of the album having a hard time living up to that, with the exception of "I Can't Wait" (my favorite track). - Honestly a bit disappointed because I love "Elephant" so much, but this feels safe in comparison? I do detect much of the kineticism that defines that album.

Mostly didn’t really enjoy except for union forever which was really good

Pretty good. Not amazing, but pretty good.

A nice blast from the past! I haven’t listened to this one since the early 2000s. Good stuff, but I’m probably good for a while.

Perfectly pleasant listening, but nothing that excited me or really seized my attention

They have a pretty good sound, but don't really do anything interesting.

It was ok. I’ve heard better heard worse. It’s a 3

The bad washed out the good.

- Hab mich sehr über ein White Stripes Album gefreut, frage mich aber mal wieder, warum von allen WS Alben jetzt genau dieses? - Ich war (bei aller rawness, die die WS ja auch ausmacht) ziemlich erstaunt, wie unsauber der Eröffnungstrack eingespielt war. Als ich dann gelesen hab, dass das Album in weniger als einer Woche aufgenommen wurde, habe ich eine Ahnung bekommen… Das hat sich in meiner Wahrnehmung auch ein bisschen durchgezogen. Nicht die technischen Fehler, sondern das Gefühl, dass man mit etwas mehr Zeit mehr hätte rausholen können. - „Fell In Love With A Girl“ ist einfach ein richtig richtig geiler Hit - Auch sonst sind natürlich ein paar geile Tracks drauf - Die 1001 Alben haben ja auch immer etwas mit Erwartungshaltung zu tun und insgesamt muss ich leider sagen, dass ich „Icky Thumb“ und „Elephant“, die ich beide sehr liebe, einfach sehr viel stärker finde. Hier hat mich doch auch vieles kalt gelassen oder manchmal gelangweilt Rating: 3,25-3,5/5

- Wat soll man sagen? White Stripes gehen eigentlich immer - Kannte bewusst glaube ich keinen Song von der Platte, aber gerade in der zweiten Hälfte hat mir Einiges gut gefallen

Not my favourite album of theirs, but definitely some bangers.

Great album if you’re in the very specific mood to listen to White Stripes for a long time. I don’t get how people do it if I’m being honest.

I this wasn't by a band that I am reasonably well acquainted with, I would have no time for some of it. The good here doesn't outweigh the not so good. Middle of the road, bang on 2.5.

Pretty middle of the road album with one outstanding song in each direction. It was fine to listen to, but I have a feeling the more you listen to it the better it gets, so hard to judge just on one run through.

I approached this album with some hesitation and apprehension. Having heard it many times in the past, it evoked memories from a period of my life I'd rather forget. However, upon listening, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. Revisiting the album made me appreciate its quality and relevance during its time.

This isn't the White Stripes best album.

2 people? that sound?

Notes: Jack’s voice and guitar is always a highlight for me, but I’m not exactly vibing with this album.

Honestly never got into The White Stripes or Jack White. I like it just fine, but I don't find it transformational in any way. 3

Some great riffs, interspersed with some nice melodic strumming. Snatches of songs hinted at Small Faces/ Blind Faith late 60s rock. But nothing on here to compare with seven nation army say and quality of songs a bit patchy

#190. Tolerable, but nothing really there that draws you in and makes you want to listen to it a second time 3/5: acceptable

There are a couple of interesting tracks, but the overall sound is too similar and detracts for the musicianship. I was glad the album was over in the end.

We're Going to Be Friends was the redeeming song for this album

Lots of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath influence, still prefer the musicianship of the former and overall style of the latter.

I missed this one at the time - I was well into my seventies music phase. Even the singles didn't really appeal to my musical sensibilities, so I had no interest in the album. I was hoping to have my mind changed this time around, but (after admittedly only one full listen) I don't have any desire to go back and revisit the White Stripes. I still think they're mostly about a 'sound' and a look, which is fine but the songs aren't there in my opinion.

Not my type...but they have a place in music history

It is weird to listen to an album with no bass guitar. It’s still quite good though

Enjoyed this more than another one of their albums I listened to on this list. Some familiar songs, and just overall a good album. 3.5/5 Might listen again

Charming, slightly kitschy. Meg Whites drumming is killer, it embodies the spirit of the project as a whole. Interesting if you’re into post 2000’s rock, but doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel. “I Think I Smell a Rat” sounds strangely like an MCR demo

I really like the Stripes energy and integrity however I think we should temper this against the passage of time. Will this be considered so highly in 30 years time? I think not. It's this attachment people of a certain age group have with the records they grew up with.

Chunky garage blues

I stated in my last stripe review that I'm not a huge fan of this band. After this album I'm a little more of a fan. I really could feel the singularness of this group, with just the guitars and drums it was pretty cool. It helped reading the apple description talking about how they deconstructed this or that. It's not like I've changed my overall opinion on them, but I think this album shed more light on why they are so great. Also didn't realize they did "We're going to be friends".

Good quality. Not blown away.

Uno de los muchos discos de "garage-rock" revival de comienzos de los 2000s. Aprecio este lanzamiento más que los otros discos del proyecto de Jack y Meg White ya que se escucha más crudo y salvaje. Sin embargo, sigo sin entender por qué son tan apreciados por la crítica musical, habiendo contemporáneos mucho más interesantes en la escena. De todas formas, buen disco.

Totally captured that early 2000s energy.

Simple power chords, chunky riffs. A lot of the same but think he’s creative

If a big fan of duos that may be or may not be married and or brother and sister this is the album for you. Juvenile but catchy songs… the kind that a comedian might use as a theme song for a podcast.

I enjoyed the melody of the songs and the loud stum of the guitars. In general though its too amateurish.

Simplicity with swagger. Avoids the overindulgence that characterizes a lot of Jack White's later work. Great Stripes record, but does drag a bit at times. Favorite Track: Fell In Love With A Girl (still can remember middle school Ricky watching MTV for hours waiting for the LEGO stop motion video)

Really enjoyed hearing some of their older work and never realized they made “We’re Going To Be Friends.”

Pretty good.

In 2 fanno più rumore di una banda. Iconici nella grafica degli album.

Jack White has fifty-fifty odds. Fifty percent chance the song will be passible and fifty percent chance the song will be too innovative, unbearable, and barely passes for music. While "White Blood Cells" does have some killer hit singles, including "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," Fell in Love with a Girl," and "We're Going to Be Friends," other tracks are just abysmal.

The music is simplistic but that seems to be what rose them to such fame. They are really are an aesthetic choice. Never really sought them out but have always known of them. I have more of an appreciation for the band than a likeness for the music. 6/10

This is good, I like more Jack White's solo music

Very cool but something about White's songwriting/ lyrics doesn't win me over fully

This is basically what it would sound like if a high school garage band went into a professional studio — and I think that's the point. Not my cup of tea, but a great for what it is.

Leur 3ème album. Enregistré en moins d'une semaine. 2 chansons très hot, sinon on tourne dans du bon et un peu d'expérimentation à la toute fin. Solide 3, proche du 4.

wasn't into their kind of retro rock thing when they were current. it was obviously more blues influenced and I liked that it was stripped down, but it didn't stand out enough from all the The <...> bands We're Going to Be Friends is very nice. It could've ended up too twee and cutesy but it didn't. Evocative, impressive to make a G C D song that's instantly recognizable. I have seen the music video exactly once, the first time I heard the song, and I still remember that, is how good a simple tune this is. I don't like that much else on here. I think the blues garage sound is kinda dull with the distortion cranked all the time. kinda obnoxious. The guitar on De Stijl sounds way better. music: hated. (⌐■_■)

This was probably the contemporary band that was most formative to my younger tastes. I think I still love them but it’s hard to tell how much of it is the memory of hearing any given album for the first time. Removed from that, this one strikes me as more uneven than I remembered. I think it may be that it’s a transition between the messy garage blues/rock White Stripes of De Stijl, and the more refined and organized White Stripes of Elephant. Those, to me, are the two best albums. This one has glimpses of strengths from both, but also a lot of filler and a lot of Jack White being a bit too preciously bluesy for my sensibilities now. The good stuff is still real good to me.

Der var færre gode sange på den her plade end jeg huskede.. Lyden er ret "tynd", så den bliver lidt kedelig og ensformig.. Er faktisk lidt ked af at jeg ikke kunne lide den bedre som helhed, for fell in love er en objektiv banger

“3” was ringing in my head the whole time. I liked it. Very Dad. Not my dad. But like middle aged man…

It's a solid rock album, with some great riffs and memorable lyrics. But it's a very bare bones sound, with little nuance or surprises

It was fine some were better other less. we’re going to be friends is kind of a banger, dear leaves and the dirty ground also banging

7.5/10. The guitar tone is so sick. Jacks voice is iconic. Points off for the lack of a true "classic". The monologue on Union is dope.

Not bad for a lazy weekend. I like the stripped down feel of this one which seems to share some connection with what may be considered "outsider music". Where this album falters for me would be an issue of track sequencing and having a handful of songs which sound too much like one another or can just be left off the album entirely.

Pretty standard late 90's/early 2000's alternative album. I was surprised that this was their 3rd album, because they still sound a little raw throughout this.

Some of the songs are standouts, but the garage rock thing never seems to carry for a whole album for me.

Was ok

I'm conflicted about White Blood Cells because I both like it and I don't like it. First off to get it out of the way, The White Stripes have never been a particular favourite of mine, and Jack White's voice sort of grates, but they've turned out songs over the years I've enjoyed. This album is a proper hit and miss affair because it tries to be really bluesy and a bit of a 70s throwback in style and doesn't stick the landing there much beyond Offend In Every Way and Now Mary. It does a better job when it ventures into a heavier sound like Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground and I Can't Wait (and Aluminium except for the ridicuous drone laugh sound over the top of it that ruins it), and it has some utterly crap/forgettable stuff like Little Room and The Union Forever. I don't think it's a very well produced album either but I kinda get the sense that was the point, but not for me. It is at the very least a pretty interesting album, maybe one that can't quite make up its mind what it really wants to be, and probably therefore why I like some bits and dislike others.

Well unlike the last album this one flew by! This album came out while I was still in college. I have not listened to it’s entire length before because to me the White Stripes are known for their singles; Fell In Love With a Girl and We’re Going to Be Friends were memorable.

Some good songs. Never heard this album.

Some cool guitar riffs but overall album was just okay. Nothing stood out.

ave ra ge cannot but notice sometimes the singer is out of tune

I like We are Gonna Be Friends and I kind of like Fell in Love with a Girl

So it might be because the 1001 Generator served it up to me just days before I listened to White Blood Cells, but Elephant still stands out to me as the most superior White Stripes album they ever created. WBC has some undeniable bangers and continued to cement their trademark on the simplistic but impressive blues/garage rock sound that Jack and Meg are known for. The Fell in Love With a Girl video is amazing and probably gets my vote for one of the coolest music videos of the 2000s. (Remember music videos, kids?) Offend in Every Way has an insanely catchy guitar lick that reminds me of a classic Old West showdown. Stuff like Now Mary had some fun moments too, but I did find myself a bit bored by the non-hits on this album. Ended up with a 3-star rating after some consideration, but would give it a 3.5 if I could here. Interesting Wikipedia factoids about White Blood Cells: *The album was dedicated to Loretta Lynn, creating a friendship between Lynn and both Jack and Meg White. *The album attempts to rid the band of a blues rock sound, instead vying for a more simple guitar and drums garage rock sound. Shortly before the release of White Blood Cells, (Jack) White asserted that, "There's no blues on the new record. We're taking a break from that. There's no slide work, bass, guitar solos, or cover songs. It's just me and Meg, guitar, drums, and piano." Standouts: Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground, Hotel Yorba, Fell In Love With A Girl, The Same Boy You've Always Known, We're Going To Be Friends, Offend In Every Way

A solid album but no stand out songs.

Front loaded album with a really strong opener. A lot of versatility showed in one piece of work.

It’s early 2000s garage rock revival which is rad but I just really can’t get into the band due to the vocals, doesn’t fit right with my ears

The hits are great but the sound gets boring after a while.

Doesn't seem like their best work, I'm afraid, although a few good songs here and there. I would hope that there's another White Stripes album in this collection, but I suspect there isn't, and that's a shame, as this isn't the album I'd choose to represent them. A bit too nasally (even for Jack White) and monochromatic to earn more than 3 stars, sadly.

Must be an early album because it's not all that great. There are some wonderful moments where you can see what could be--thinking of the language in the first song about the dirty ground and the cute song about being friends (did I hear that in Napoleon Dynamite?) as well as a few other flashes of genius. Outside of those moments, it felt as if they were still trying on genres, riffs, playing with volume, borrowing sounds--none of this bad, just not yet a coherent unique sound. At times the plodding rhymes matched the plodding drums to form a sort of unfortunate march.

It's alright, like most White Stripes stuff. Difficult to see past the ego of the guy, but he can produce the odd total banger. Didn't feel like there was one on here to match some of the others. Generally, their stuff can feel two dimensional and slight

Thought it would be better tbh

It’s ok

Pretty good.

Me agota. Me gusta, pero tras 4 o 5 temas tengo que cambiar a otra cosa. La batería me machaca y me desespera. Eso sí, tiene dos o tres temazos y riffs míticos.

Solid album. Would listen again.

5.5/10 Man, there is way too much bluesy rock music on this list Having said that, I enjoyed this more than most so far, thought the sound was fresh Liked the blending in of other styles like surf rock, the more balladic tracks surprised me Some of the more riffy stuff just washed over me Was surprised to find a real Beatles/McCartney influence, especially in the vocal styles Best: We’re Going to be Friends

Pretty cool, some great songs but seems rushed and unfinished.

Great album

Not quite like iconic Seven Nations Army. But pretty diverse.

Tja, sin eben die White Strpes

Mediocre. Sloppy guitar work. No disrespect to Jack White. I'm sure it was on purpose but I'm not a fan of this album

Listened to it several times. Good to hear rock and roll evolve. Sometimes a good riff is just a good riff and not meaty enough for a longer piece, so it was a bold choice to keep some selections short. I read the Wikipedia entry on White Blood Cells to confirm my thought that it was sketchy and roughed-out sounding on purpose. While it’s not my era or grabbed me with a singular cut, they were compelling and had a distinct style. And confidence in their work.

Good stuff. Not as good hearing it now as it was when I was a teen hearing it when it was new but I can hear the influence the band had on some later artists.

I didn't know "We're Gonna Be Friends" was by the White Stripes. I just remember how much it stood out in the movie Juno. I like it. "I Think I Smell A Rat" made me laugh, but I wouldn't really want to listen to it but maybe once a year.

favorite song -- we're going to be friends fav song was an easy choice everything else is good but nothing too special

A bit of a mixed bag for me. I’m not normally a fan of the white stripes, but I enjoyed this one more than I expected to

Good Album. Not as strong as some others

Mmmmm naaah

I would give some songs in this album a 4, but overall the album is a 3 for me.

It was nice jack white is obviously very talented. I'll probably not listen to it again.

Lekker

Liking everything for the most part, but not a fan of hotel super eccentric album, every song has a different feel. almost a little amateurish in some ways.

It's not bad, but it's a bit generic and samey

Good album they have to calm out with the cymbals on some of these songs though

no words needed really, it’s just kind of alright. Grunge teen vibes but some melodies are better than others. Hotel Yorba and Fell in love with a girl are the best songs.

Not a Whote Stripes fan, but did like some of the songs.

Not their best album but it’s ok. Listen again: maybe Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: I Can’t Wait (Silverchair opening vibes)

Quite a few lumpen plodders like I can learn. Hotel Yoruba = Dylan goes garage. Best were Dead Leaves and I fell in love with a girl. I struggle listening to a whole album of this.

Really enjoyable and brings something unique to the table. Only reason I’m giving it a 3.5/5 is because it doesn’t feel fully formed. The album fell apart towards the end and left me wanting more.

not bad. better than the White Stripes album I got the day before. Fell in Love With a Girl is great but nothing else on here really comes close to that peak. its fine.

I enjoyed this one more than the White Stripes album I got literally yesterday. However I didn’t enjoy it more than 3 stars. “Fell in love with a girl” is a pretty good song!

Some good songs here

That’s a no for me dog

Nichts besonderes

“Fell In Love With a Girl” is the song I that introduced me to The White Stripes as a kid, and I’m still in love with it to this day. I was excited to listen to this album in its entirety, but I have to be honest that I’m not as much into the rest of this album. The other songs didn’t stand out to me as much. Still an iconic band though, and I enjoy Jack White’s work overall.

Liked it better than the other album which I think is more popular. Enjoyed trying to place a lot of the influences

Surprisingly disappointing. I've always known about the singles from this album, Fell in love with a girl and Dead leaves on the dirty ground. Both solid tunes. I foolishly expected the rest of the album to hold this same quality. I'd never gotten round to checking the entire album out, and now that I have I wish that I hasn't bothered. Essentially the rest of the songs are filler and mediocre at best. It really wasn't worth my time, honestly. Having said that, still appreciate The White Stripes for creating some of the 21st Century's best rock songs up to date - particularly in a century where rock is dying a slow and tragic death - but listening to this album makes me think the white stripes are a dreaded 'singles' band. it's a generous 3/5 from me

Another tough rating…it’s fine, enjoyable enough, inoffensive. I wouldn’t mind listening again, but I wouldn’t seek it out. It’s just not quite interesting enough to warrant that extra star.

you all know what the fucks going on. im gonna fight a moth. dead leaves and the dirty ground- 😁. ummmm. its ok its pretty simple i think it works as an album opener. a 5 from me fellas hotel yorba- 💃 i think a six ummmm sorry im not good at describing things i like im finding it to be harder to be a gentleman- its kinda boring its like a three or something its a slog fell in love with a girl- everyone knows. um its like a 5 ive heard it so many times at this point expecting- boring. three. little room- oh thats it? um three i guess i think it could be removed the union forever- WHY DOES THIS GOT 16 SONGS THEY ALL SOUND THE SAME. um i like the spoken part because it kind of gave the song more of an identity but idk like a four or five the same boy youve always known- snork mimimi. two or three we're going to be friends- this is what we're here for. um i think its like a six or seven ummmm ive heard it a lot but it does serve cain and marcy realness sooooo... plus its just a cute song offend in every way- cringe. i got bored um 3 i think i smell a rat- um its kind of funny. its like the guy from ratatouille. but like a four its not that interesting aluminum- um i like the AAAAHHHH parts but its a three im bored i cant wait- rhcp ass riff. HOW LONG HOW LONGGGG. um its a 4 its ok now mary- this is kinda nice. its kinda pretty. bored though. 4. i can learn- cringe ass. like a 2 im over it. this protector- i breathed a sigh of relief when i realized this was the last song. its an ok album but its starts to wane. this songs nice i like the piano like its a send off. a 4 just because its not something id listen to on my own. id prolly rate this album a three but i already gave the elvis album a 3 but thats before i knew so elvis would get knocked down to 2 and this is a free

I've heard a lot of their singles but never a full album listen thru! hmmmmmm Jack White's voice is a little grating... wow it ended and it didnt even realize, it just rly wasnt doing it for me

Not as good as the last one we listened to.

This was a good album, but having listened to Elephant album first it seemed like something was missing that made Elephant a great album. This one seemed mostly garage rock with nothing to elevate it to something special.

It's a lot of fun. Not blow your mind but really fucking good.

I'm a huge fan of The White Stripes & Jack White. This is a good album, but not my favorite from them. This is a little too light & airy. I enjoy their later albums that are heavier & more aggressive. However, It's fun to go back & hear the older albums & listen to the growth of the group.

not a huge fan of the spare 'guitar and drums only' sound

Good but nothing special. Pretty average singer, no exciting rhythms.

Simple, straightforward, and less pretentious than I expected. Started stronger than it finished. To play on repeat: Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground, Fell in Love With a Girl, Offend in Every Way To pretend never existed: Aluminum

I love The White Stripes, but wonder why this is the recommended album. It's definitely not their greatest album.

Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: Yes Liked songs/Total songs: 4/16

I like the rawness, and there are a handful of kick ass songs, but also a lot of filler

Good album. Interesting sound and songwriting, but not my thing, and will not be in my listening rotation.

Not really my thing. The instrumentation is cool and bluesy but the lyrics are bad. A mixed bag.

Mah che dire, alternano estrema distorsione a suoni più tranquilli. Saranno stati rivoluzionari? Pionieri? Incarnano qualche sottocultura? Tecnicamente lo trovo un po' basico. Nonostante ciò ho salvato un paio di canzoni, orecchiabili

Nothing special, but a joyful listen in my opinion 6/10

nothing really jumped out to me, I don't think I'm the biggest white stripes fan it didn't feel very distinct

The White Stripes kept disguising themselves as the noisy, weird brother-sister project. But with perserverance and I think a great ear, they released very good albums. Although Jack White's vocal talent is questionable (sic!), the group had an original sound. And I consider it an achievement in the early 00's. This album is not different. 3.5/5.

Favorite song is the union forever. Rest a bit boring the fall is here song is cute and very different than the rest. Or the rat son kinda flamenco vibes. Aluminum also good. Nevermind it’s not boring there some good songs

- Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground - We’re Going to be Friends - This Protector 3.5/5

Jack White at the height of his powers, on the precipice of fame. Still hungry and completely garage. A solid listen.

It's not great. Fell in Love With a Girl was a massive hit that catapulted the band into superstardom, but there's just nothing exceptional about this album. Jack White is an incredible guitar player, but you wouldn't know it listening to this album. In fact, it sounds like a couple teenagers set up in their basement. The drumming is absolutely dreadful, to the point it sounds like the drummer had only learned how to play 6 months previously and only knows how to keep time in the most basic 4/4 signature and fills won't come for another 6 months. In terms of star rating, it's not "bad," yet I don't know that I would say it's "good," either. I wish there was a way to give it 2.5 stars.

Not their best, but a great album

Its got some distinctive flavors

Hey napoleon

Good first half, weak back half

Finding their sound, but this is my third White Stripes album in a few weeks so I think I am just sick of their sound.

I liked this album a lot more than the last. I listened to it like 7 times because I kept on forgetting to actively listen. That’s doesn’t mean I didn’t like the album, just found myself vibing and focusing on what I was doing. The album has a wide range of sound and is really fun and dynamic. There are a bunch of songs that I’d listen to on their own but idk about listening to the the full album any time soon. I liked it though

I like the White Stripes in small does. Smaller doses than a full album. I appreciate the aesthetic and generally like garage rock, but it gets abrasive after a few songs.

Alright, I like this band and there were some songs I hadn't heard before

Solid. Fell in Love With a Girl music vid was a formative music moment for me back in the day. Dead Leaves also an awesome track

Best dik! Zitten een paar goede nummers tussen wel

There's no need for so many White Stripes albums on the 1001 album list. Sure it's alright but they're pretty samey. Not one of their albums is mind blowing in my opinion.

Found the album repetitive, but the twinges of what’s to come from both the White Stripes and garage rock as a whole are hard to ignore

This is one of those albums that there are some high highs for me (Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground, Fell In Love With a Girl, We're Going to Be Friends, Offend in Every Way, I Think I Smell a Rat, and Aluminum), but a lot of songs I just skip. The aesthetic of the White Stripes doesn't really strike a chord with me (boom); I tend to be more of a maximalist when it comes to music.

A lot more rock and roll than I realized.

Гараж рок, 2001. "У меня ощущение, это это поёт Финн" (имеется в виду что это Финн из адвенчур таймс) Fell in love with a girl -- явно слышал раньше. Так-то мне нравится как white stripes рубят рок. Но вокал и правда... не особо мой. Да и втф, треки упороты. То у тебя трек на 50 секунд про little room, то у тебя просто запилы и "АААААА" в Aluminum на две минуты аж без смысла и слов. Я понимаю, эмоции и всё такое, лирика в альбоме прикольная, но упорото.

I didn't quite enjoy that one.

Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground Hotel Yorba Fell in Love With a Girl We're Going to be Friends Offend in Every Way I Think I Smell a Rat

Great album. Bangers. 7/10

I really like the consistent sound and energy of the album; it's exciting to listen to and no song overstays it's welcome. I think that consistency also made some sections of the album blend together, and if this vibe isn't your thing, then you probably won't like any of the songs here. I like the energy and hard hitting simple nature, but probably won't be coming back to it a ton.

It took a few songs to realize how similar all the White Stripes songs sound. Good construction, very garage-rock sounding. Not my favorite installment of this journey so far, but not bad. Update: definitely a second half team. Finished stronger than I was expecting!

Liked it better than the metal albums but more of a classic rock fan

Ok Album but not my thing

Good noise but not great.

It's okay. Nothing really stands out but it's not bad by any means.

White stripes having in-your-face fun. Couple classics on here but the rest fell short of what I expected.

Reminiscent of modern prequels, requels, and sequels in the way it looks backward in an attempt to move forward.

Some decent tunes, but some fillers as well, and Jack's voice gets a bit old on this surprisingly long record

Not for me. I'm tired of rock music! I feel like there wasn't much memorable

The white stripes still feel like they were refining their sound and as a result the record began to feel same-y. Undoubtably strong writing held back by simplistic arrangements. Simplistic also not so much by choice but by necessity i.e. quarter note cymbals here anticipate this chord change here and do and open string solo for each song

Da e streit, men har i grunn klart meg greit dei siste 10 årene siden eg hørte da sist

Didn't give it much of a chance tbf, listened to it once in the background, seemed fine.

Cool vibes, neat style. Some of the songs were kind of boring but there are quite a few good ones in there.

It’s decent. Jack Whites voice doesn’t hit for me like half the time

4/15, 27%

a bit too pop -ish but still pretty cool

Between this and “Elephant”, I preferred “Elephant” more.

Even if you are not a White Stripes fan, you have heard the White Stripes at some point in your life. Seven Nation Army is impossible to escape at this point. But White Blood Cells is not the Seven Nation Army album. I think White Blood Cells is a perfectly fine album. It feels very much like the 2000's garage rock I've come to know and have heard before. A lot of people give Meg shit for her drumming. People are just really mean for no reason. I'm not trying to say by any means that if you put Meg White in a different band, she would sound as good as she does on here. But for the purpose that she was needed for, she does a fine job. This whole record finds the most power in its simplicity. None of the songs are super wacky or experimental or hard to play. They just do their job and do it well. Surprisingly for me, the standout track on this is We're Going to Be Friends. I may be biased because the song is included in Napoleon Dynamite, and anything included in that movie is made ten times better, but I also think this song is a wonderful little acoustic break from everything else going on. It's very fun and lighthearted, and I love that. Jack White has always had the brain to create really great ideas and put them to good use, even from the beginning of his career. And I think White Blood Cells is exemplary of that.

Altes neu und frisch verpackt

didn't listen through all, but did most idk man the simple rock charm and the vocals and that whole vibe i get but i cant get behind the simplicity and also how much every song blends together. guitar riff + drums + vocals alone can obviously be very captivating but it doesn't work here imo

Toisinaan aavistuksen muniin puhaltelua ja sitten taas hyvää menoa. Niukasti taipuu kolmoseen.

off of pure vibes - 3/5. wish i was more cognizant about listening to it but now that school has started up again i've been more busy. will listen again though - i think it really piqued my interest. i like the overall sound of this band.

Less ravaging and explosive than "Elephant" but surely more punk.

Starting off this list with a classic! Some songs from this album were in heavy rotation in middle/high school.

Solid crunchy garage alt rock with some good variety. Although I do get tired of the drumming at times, they definitely have one of the worst drummers in a famous rock band. And sometimes the music isn't interesting enough

i didn't know we're going to be friends was a white stripes song. hmm. there were a couple standouts on this album, but for the most part it's wasn't enjoyable for me, like their other album. we're gonna be friends and dead leaves and the dirty ground were the most memorable for me.

Raw, kind of punky, rock. Some of it fun, some felt like it dragged on

Me gusta white strpies, pero este disco tiene solo algunos temas interesantes

I can appreciate the band, but they don't do much for me.

carino

It’s great, although I prefer Elephant

They’ve always had an alluring image. The music draws a lot from the past with maybe a slight new spin. I like them, but it’s not revolutionary. Kind of stripped back/minimal two piece bluesy garage rock. It’s good stuff.

Crazy how your mind fills in the blanks with just a guitar, drums (sometimes keys) and jack's voice but it sounds pretty full. It's easy to forget that no one was doing this sort of thing at the time and as few heard their first 2 records, it blew people away in 2001 in a way it just won't now. Hard to evaluate the merit of the under 2 min songs. Jack's guitar tone is immediately identifiable and iconic. Not gonna surprise anyone that his vocal tone isn't my favorite given my opinions on Lorde and Oasis before that, but it's not too grating to me in context. People like to shit on Meg White's drumming but I think those are people who don't like drummers who play behind the beat. And a song like the Union Forever wouldn't work as well if she was driving the beat or directly on it. Funny listening to this with 2023 ears and being like "ooh the Conan podcast theme." Aluminum is almost kind of a jazz track? Enjoyed I Can't Wait. I probably would have chosen Elephant or Icky Thump over this but its cool to hear the thing that vaulted them into the limelight. I appreciated that the songs all didn't sound the same either. I want to give it a 3.5 - the only sin of this albums is some songs aren't super memorable.

A good hint of what this band would do, but not exceptional on its own.

More good rock from the Whites. But I just can’t OD on it. It was best listened to split up in two halves

Good by not great.

obviously the 7n army album most of the songs afterwards are kinda samey 3.5

The The White White Stripes Stripes I didn't know "We're Going to Be Friends" was a Stripes song. Other than that this album had some interesting variety. I think it edges out Elephant just a bit, but still just an average album on first listen.

I liked this album but not as much as the white stripes later work. Fell in love with a girl is one of my favorites by them and it will always hit so hard no matter how many times you play it through. I didn’t know that the intro song from Napoleon Dynamite was written by them which is really cool. I think that song is really underrated and really mellow considering a lot of their songs are noisy and filled with fuzz. Unfortunately I did not have time to finish the album but it was good from what I heard

A decent garage rock album from the early 2000s. I don't really like Jack White's voice and the lack of bass guitar disturbed me a bit throughout the record. Otherwise it is a good album.

Les White Stripes tentent ici un pari fou, celui de faire un album entier sans chanter popolopopopo. Ceux-ci le relèveront en partie bien que le batteur, dans un moment d'absence, entamera un popolo... avant que les autres membres du groupe ne viennent lui mettre la main sur la bouche. On s'est fait très peur du côté des White Stripes.

C'etait ma foi très agréable, Robert semble retrouver un peu de vie grâce à la seringue d'héroine que j'ai déposé dans sa boite au lettre il y a de cela quelques jours. Le cargo de cocaine est lui toujours en stand by.

Decent album couple of really.good hits in there but the rest felt rather plain

Ok, but still amazed they became stadium fillers.

Meh, neither good nor bad to me

Plenty to like, but I just can’t get excited about The White Stripes in the same way I can other Jack White projects.

First of all, let it be known that "Fell in Love With a Girl" takes its hook from Fun Lovin' Criminals' "Smoke 'Em" and nobody else noticed. But I did. I see you Jack White. Anyway, a few tracks in, I realized the sheer simplicity of every instrument and every song. And the drummer's... uh, not good. I realize the story goes that Meg unlocked something in Jack that let to their very fruitful collaboration. I can't argue at all with their success; I know also that Jack has gone on to impress me in many groups and many songs, so I know there's talent there, hiding somewhere. But this album has very little on display. And yet... I kinda dig it. They undoubtedly got lucky in some ways to make it big with this, but I shouldn't underestimate the musical power and charisma that comes across in putting 150% into your work. There's one absolute highlight. "I Can Tell That" is one of those songs that's a perfect combination of all elements: form, harmony, instrumentation, production, and the emotional content of the thing. Instant and powerful nostalgia bomb to your best friendships growing up.

Musically it's pretty good, if a bit monochromatic. Jack White's vocals, however, get old really quickly.

The whole album has a pretty timeless feel and there wasn't as much riff rock as I anticipated. Would have been a 4, but the back half kinda drones on. Probably could have been 4 songs shorter.

Pretty good Favorite Track: Fell In Love With a Girl 3.5/5

I find white stripes a bit tedious and repetitive.

Pretty good.

This one was an emotional rollercoaster. I didn't expect to like it because I didn't really know much about the white stripes. Then I really did like it. Despite having a very unique sound, they covered a lot of ground with a lot of different genres and a lot of different moods. That was great. Aluminum was a terrible song. And, this album went on about five tracks too long. All in all, I think they're going to end up with a three that should have been a four.

The White Stripes are another band like The Black Keys. I like their stuff but I rarely listen to them unless a song pops up on one of my playlists. This one is a little long winded for my tastes and should’ve been whittled down a bit. When you’re checking to see how many more songs are left, it’s usually not a good thing. Some great songs on here, though. Dead Leaves, Hotel Yorba, We’re Gonna Be Friends, Fell In Love With a Girl,…..

White Stripes sound exactly like White Stripes. And it's a good sound. Jack's voice, the guitar, the simple drum kit hitting hard. I think I liked Elephant better, but this was still great.