With there self titled debut album released in 1999 The White Stripes, nearly 8 years later, have become one of Rock music’s top bands. With 5 critically acclaimed albums to they’re name fans and critics alike have grown accustomed to their eccentric sense of style and they’re even more eccentric arrangements. Whether it be rock, country, funk, folk, or blues the duo of Jack and Meg White have always dive into the unexpected a worthwhile trip. For those well versed in there catalogue there music is a welcome change from all the pop punk that floods the airwaves. For those who are new on the scene they’re simple, albeit complex, way of music may be a little much to get at first but once they get into the music it’s usually a good thing.

The release of their sixth studio album “Icky Thump”, named after “ecky-thump”, a Lancashire, England colloquial response of surprise, finds the red, white, and black pair going deep into their roots to deliver and album of raw music, rawer than their recent efforts that is. Now I know what you’re probably thinking; “How can a band that only has two members playing only two instruments at any given time get any rawer?” Well it’s quite simple, all you have to do is look at they’re recent efforts, mainly Jacks, and it kind of becomes clear. Over the past couple of years Jack Black has been doing a lot. Producing for the likes of Loretta Lynn (for her 2004 album “Van Lear Rose”), The Raconteurs (His side band with friend and fellow musician Brendan Benson) and acting in movies such as “Cold Mountain” while Meg White, who by her own admission is a shy, quite person, was rumored to be the new drummer for the band Nine Inch Nails. So, with to all that most going on people expected The Stripes new album to be different…well, different for them that is. And rightfully so, how many people have you seen go Hollywood and then drop an album completely different than what you expected. If The White Stripes dropped and album that was, dare I say, to mainstream it would have been looked at as a sell out move.

Instead, what they have done is stay true to themselves. Nearly two years after the release of “Get Behind Me Satan” ,which followed the teaching of less guitar and more piano, The Stripes have proved that they can still produce the music that put them on the map. “Icky Thump” returns them to their beginnings where the duo used anything and everything to make their sound their sound. This time around they’ve decided to use and age old instrument… the bag pipe. Yes, the bagpipe makes two glorious appearances on “Icky Thump”. First up is “Prickly Thorn, but Sweetly Worn” a song that plays like an old campfire song from Ireland, then right after that on it’s sister song “St. Andrews (This Battle Is In The Air)” which has Meg singing and banging along like only she can and Jack playing his guitar in octave’s so high it sounds like the bagpipe it’s self. Now, for those of you who kept reading after you saw the word “bagpipes” you have to remember that this is “The White Stripes” where talking about. For them adding a bagpipe is normal, where as for anybody else it would be weird. I mean would you be surprised if they didn’t have a freaking bagpipe in two of their songs? And besides, as far as bagpipes go The Stripes do them justice.

Now don’t get me wrong, when I said that “Icky Thump” is a return to the White Stripes roots I just wasn’t talking about them being…well them. I’m also referring to the return of Jack White the guitarist. Any fan can tell you that Jack White is one of the best guitarists out right now. It’s when Jack is churning out some crazy riff and Meg is keeping time with a simple beat that The Stripes are at their simplistic best, and this newest effort showcases this point nicely. Songs like “I’m Slowly Turning Into You”, “Rag and Bone”, “Bone Broke”, “Catch Hell Blues” and the title track “Icky Thump” are just reminders that The White Stripes though all their quirkiness are a rock band with a capitol r. Couple this with lyrics about old folks homes, catacombs, and twilights zones and you’ve got The Stripes in full force.

At the end of this newest effort from The White Stripes it’s clear that they have become what other artists wish they could be. They’ve made a career out of being themselves, a career that has lasted because they have been unapologetic about being true to themselves. Being weird, quirky, and out there is not a gimmick, it’s just them. Most times when they’re playing song a playing most of the “weird’ things they do are forgotten and your left with amazing music. “Icky Thump” is just one in a long line of extraordinary albums…bagpipes and all.