God, Christgau is a windbag. What a pompous ass.

Time to get new blood there. You can’t be cutting edge after 60.

if icky thump got 3 1/2 stars, christgau must be stupid. i got the bootlegged version online (i also bought the album) and it is worth at least 4 stars, probably more. i haven’t listened to the art brut but icky thump is one of the best albums of 2007

You’ll never read a review of the Stripes without reading about Led Zeppelin. Same influences, the 2 have. Oh look! Pitchfork actually gave Stripes a good review post-hipster hype!

http://www.pitchfo rkmedia.com/article/record_rev iew/4 3672-icky-thump

Yea, I bought Icky Thump today and it’s easily a 4-star album. Christgau is really stupid. One of the best albums this year.

Icky thump doesn’t disappoint

Icky thump doesn’t disappoint

Christgau is the dean. You may not agree with him on one record review, but have some respect.

Seriously, give Christgau a blood transplant. Or let him review band reunion albums, save the fresh stuff for someone, well……fresh.

Seriously, give Christgau a blood transplant. Or let him review band reunion albums, save the fresh stuff for someone, well……fresh.

Seriously, give Christgau some band reunion albums to review, save the fresh stuff for someone, well……fresh.

Jack White is an overrated guitarist? He plays with more passion and artistic fervor than anyone since Hendrix (Page, Van Halen – any of ‘em). Apparently he’s no John Mayer, whom this publication sees worthy to peg as a next-in-line Guitar God.

Christgau’s one of the most influential rock critics in the history of American Music. And a 3.5 really isnt that bad seeing that almost no one gets anything above a 4 in this magazine. Its a fine album he recognized that, it just falls short of White Blood Cells and De Stjil which he also pointed out. He’s still a stripes fan. God you guys are idiots

3.5 is what bands like The Killers get, what Kaiser Chiefs get. What U2 gets for Pop. The first three tracks off this album move it towards 4 out of 5 simply because no one else can sound like this. RS throws 3.5’s around the way AMG throws 4’s. Everything is a 3 or 3.5 and then Dylan or Kanye is a 5 and there’s no continuity. Rather than RS being behind a catalogue of reviews we’re down to individual opinions that seem based on whether someone had a ‘chance’ to listen to it or whether they were having a good night.

I read the original review of Icky Thump in R.S. and was completely confused. If it weren’t for the stars..I’d have absolutely no idea as to what he thought of the album.

no matter how much i hate hate hate robert christgau, he did a good review for the white stripes this time round. its rare though

think of it this way

another album that got 3 1/2 stars:

American Idiot

and

Fall out Boy

artists that got 4 stars:

Linkin Park

Everclear’s Greatest Hits

………something is flawed here.

think of it this way

another album that got 3 1/2 stars:

American Idiot

and

Fall out Boy

artists that got 4 stars:

Linkin Park

Everclear’s Greatest Hits

………something is flawed here.

i agree that there might be a problem with a man christgau’s age reviewing popular music. i will reference here part of a rather unflattering review he made of ok computer: “[radiohead's] idea of soul is Bono, who they imitate further at the risk of looking even more ridiculous than they already do.” now that they have been influenced by u2 in conceivable, but i find it sort of insulting that one could call perhaps the most innovative band of all time “ridiculous.” i feel like christgau simply doesn’t have the patience to absorb the music and would prefer to write it off as kitschy stuff for the generation of angst. shame shame. that said, the white stripes rock, but their music is just more simple, and any man with a knowledge of blues music can acknowledge icky thump as a “strong record.” maybe you should relegate him to reviewing this kind of music. and while you’re at it, you can get rid of the timberlake-loving shmucks you guys have and get back to covering rock and roll- and please please please stop covering american idol.

why would you give an album stars anyway?

I’m impressed that levy knows of eric b. and rakim, he just went up on my cool list

I’m impressed that levy knows of eric b. and rakim, he just went up on my cool list

The new White Stripes freaking rocks. I’m very impressed with them and their new direction. Jack White is a hell of a guitar player. I just witnessed them at Bonnaroo 07 and they blew everyone except maybe The Flaming Lips completely and without question off the stage.

The rakeeeem song you mentioned is called “paid in full”. So much for your cute little rap reference.

The rakeeeem song you mentioned is called “paid in full”. So much for your cute little rap reference.

I agree with Jim (the first post below)–Christgau is a windbag and pompous ass. I’ve enjoyed reading Christgau in print over the years, but he doesn’t come across well on video. He’s a pretentious reviewer.

He calls Icky Thump a strong album, and the song Icky Thump the best song the White Stripes have ever done, but he still gives the CD only 3 1/2 stars. What a rube.

It sounded to me like Christgau criticized every album they made. Instead of review the album he made the biggest mistake. He made the most influencal band sound, well unsound. What a shmuck. To not realize that The White Stripes saved the scene, that is the “Blues Scene”, is pure stupidity.

Oh yeah, and the referance to Avril Levin or whatever he name is, please spare me. sounds like he listens to avril more than the white stripes.

Pompous ass, indeed

I thought his review was dead on. It did slow down in the middle, and not for the better.If you want a good review you should earn it, not just be handed something because of the name you made for yourself. Good album, not great.

I agree with the stars but the review was all ove the place. It was very close to 4 stars. but I do give credit for the rating.

I agree with the stars but the review was all over the place. It was very close to 4 stars. but I do give credit for the rating.

Reviews are opinions, you nitwits. You don’t have to agree with them. A reviewer – whether it’s Christgau or Sheffield or anyone – is not required to poll the entire staff to get their opinion before rendering their verdict. No review is definitive or collective or anything else. It is one person’s opinion – and opinion that might even change over time. Just as many of you might one day come to realize that Radiohead really were a bunch of tuneless space cadets after OK Computer, or that the White Stripes really were a one trick pony that had the courage but lacked the ability to step outside their niche. Or maybe you won’t feel that way at all.

Christgau needs his ass beat for at least a couple hours straight. Icky Thump is, and will be, the best rock album of ‘07.
It deserves 4 stars…minimum.

Lil’ John and Avril?…are you f’ing kidding me, slap dick?

Icky Thump is what rock is all about,jack does it again without a dought at least 4 stars.Jack White is a guitar god right up there with Page and Hendrix,cant get enough!

Wow, ageism runs rampant around here. I’m thirty, but hear me out anyway.

I know many are turned off by Christgau’s dismissal of OK Computer (mentioned in a comment below), and other modern rock “classics.” I found the album a total revelation when it came out ten years ago, and when I first read Christgau’s review, I was stumped. But I was just getting into his criticism, so I let it go.

Ten years on, I’ve heard hundreds of more innovative records than this one, most of them recommended by Christgau. The guy knows rock and roll better than any of us, and rather than harp on modest reviews like this one for Icky Thump, listen to a few albums that he treasures. It may change your life.

Oh, and by the way, shame on Joe Levy: the track’s “Paid in Full.”

Maybe we WANT to read, I’ll watch TV if I want to see video.

I look at rollingstone.com at work, so if there is a video I don’t see it.

so here’s my White Stripes comment (having not seen the video above)

The White Stripes are among the best bands in the post-grunge era. With the amount of total crap being shoved down our throats (Shins?? come on!) The fact that a band that plays pure music can even get on the major publications radar is a miracle.

Unless this CD is a MAJOR mistep, I can’t see it being less than 4 stars (the last two CDs from them are 5 stars all the way IMO)

I plan to buy the CD (remember the CD?)today on my lunch break.

Icky Thump is one of the most innovative CDs I’ve heard in a long time. Kudos to Jack and Meg on this one, it gets 5 stars from me. Can’t wait to see them live on 7/25, it will be one of the best concerts ever I’m sure.

I WANT TO READ—Most of can’t watch videos at WORK without drawing attention to ourselves!!!

isn’t he the one that calls himself the dean? i call him a douche

Mr Christgau, Are you perhaps a moron? Maybe just tone deaf instead. I was a record producer for 24 years until I had stroke and retired. This new Stripes recording is their best production sir. This I’m most convinced.

For the past couple of podcasts, the audio for the guest host has been good, but very low for Levy. Could Levy have a microphone too instead of relying on the camera’s mic? Thanks!

Christgau sounds like someone giving a review on a purely intellectual level – someone who really DOESN’T listen to the music in their off time. This is just a job. Jack and Meg White sure don’t sound like this is ‘just a job’ to them and maybe that’s why this album is so damn good. It’s coming from the heart and not the mind of someone like Christgau (and other lame reviewers). This album is amazing!

Christgau sounds like someone giving a review on a purely intellectual level – someone who really DOESN’T listen to the music in their off time. This is just a job. Jack and Meg White sure don’t sound like this is ‘just a job’ to them and maybe that’s why this album is so damn good. It’s coming from the heart and not the mind of someone like Christgau (and other lame reviewers). This album is amazing!

Too bad Christagau got fired from the Village Voice. At least no one was reading his pretentious rantings there. This guy’s writing is directed at other record reviewers and pseudo intellectuals like himself. His writing is plain and simple mental masterbation. Do us a favor- Pop your load and take an early retirement.

this album is amazing. its good start to end. you need not skip a single track. people be alert if you aren’t already…jack white is one of a kind. all his work delivers for me…five stars

i love how laid back white stripes fans are.
anyway, i’m here to say check out art brut. their songs are short, catchy and smart, they rock, and best of all, they have humor.
adios amigos.

I love what they’ve done with the audio here. Very “pre-betacam-esque” I give it three and a half stars!

“You Don’t Know What Love Is, You Just Do As Your Told” is the same exact song as “Jack & Diane” by John Couger Melloncamp.

Satan, I can see the resemblance different beats, similar chords, but you have to admit that “Jack and Diane” sucks and “you dont know what love is”, kicks ass by far.

I do like the Stripes version of the song, I like the album, but the similarities between the two take away authenticity for me. I think the song sounds good, but it’s just not original, to me it feels like they ripped Melloncamp off a little bit.

This album is incredible. It’s in my top 5 greatest albums of all time seriously listen to it, its amazing. St. Andrew takes you somewhere far away and when music does that its amazing.
5 Stars and screw u Christgau i’d like to see u make music as amazing as this

This album is incredible. It’s in my top 5 greatest albums of all time seriously listen to it, its amazing. St. Andrew takes you somewhere far away and when music does that its amazing.
5 Stars and screw u Christgau i’d like to see u make music as amazing as this

This album is incredible. It’s in my top 5 greatest albums of all time seriously listen to it, its amazing. St. Andrew takes you somewhere far away and when music does that its amazing.
5 Stars and screw u Christgau i’d like to see u make music as amazing as this

I do agree it does kinda ruin it. but everythings a version of somthing else but it is to close for my liking. What did u think of elephant and get behind me satan, satan? I thought for a while Elephant was their worst but it grew on me big time. get behind me satan thrilled me with the xylaphone or however ya spell it and he is a good painist.

I am actually one of the few that liked get behind me satan better. I love the song Denial Twist. I love the feel of that record. I felt like elephant was good, but it was just songs. I thought that GBMS felt more like an album. I like Icky Thump, but the album drags a little for me in the middle (track 6,7). I think the white stripes will someday have the coolest greatest hits album. They have alot of good songs, I would love to see them make a concept album that at least took 2 months to make, I think it would be marvelous.
Good talking to you Mitch

I too have enjoyed our talk. Hey if u have myspace come visit http://www.myspace.com/thegrangerrang er

“thegrangerranger” that is.

STOP!! You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told) is not the same as Jack and Diane two completely DIFFERENT SONGS

okay so stop arguing or else we’ll have to start talking about how Dani California is like Last dance with mary jane or how it sounds like Green day used the same chord progression from the white stripes I can’t wait on white blood cells

GOD!!! just listen to the album

lol at “I love how laid back White Stripes fans are.” Hey, I’m a fan but I could care less about someone criticizing something I enjoy. Some folks just can’t take it I guess.

ur hilarious….

i dont care, im sick of people comparing music tho its annoying

This song “You Don’t Know What Love Is, You Just Do As Your Told” sounds politically motivated.

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