The White Stripes - De Stijl

De Stijl is the second studio album by American alternative rock duo The White Stripes, originally released in June 2000 via Sympathy For The Record Industry.

The White Stripes were founded in 1997 and consisted of husband and wife duo Jack White (songwriter, vocals, guitar, bass and keyboards) and Meg White (drums and occasional vocals). After releasing several singles and three albums within the Detroit music scene, The White Stripes rose to prominence in 2002, as part of the garage rock revival scene. Their successful and critically acclaimed albums White Blood Cells and Elephant drew attention from a large variety of media outlets in the United States and the United Kingdom, with the single "Seven Nation Army" and its now-iconic guitar line becoming a huge hit.

The duo were noted for their low-fidelity approach to writing and recording. Their music featured a melding of garage rock, blues influences and a raw simplicity of composition, arrangement, and performance. The pair were also noted for their fashion and design aesthetic - a simple color scheme of red and white, which was used on every album and single cover the band released.

Despite their reputation as garage rock revivalists, the White Stripes display an impressive range of styles on De Stijl, which is Dutch for "the style." Perhaps the album's diversity - which incorporates elements of bubblegum, cabaret, blues, and classic rock-- shouldn't come as a surprise from a band that dedicates its album to bluesman Blind Willie McTell and Dutch artist Gerrit Rietveld. Nevertheless, it's refreshing to hear the band go from the Tommy James-style pop of "You're Pretty Good Looking" to the garagey stomp of "Hello Operator" in a one-two punch.

It's even more impressive that the theatrical, piano-driven ballad "Apple Blossom" and a cover of Son House's "Death Letter" go so well together on the same album.

Jack White's understated production work and versatile guitar playing and vocals also stand out on the languid, fuzzy "Sister, Do You Know My Name?" as well as insistent rockers like "Little Bird" and "Why Can't You Be Nicer to Me?"

Their best asset lies in the space between the music, not what is played. There is just enough emptiness around for an impeccable gunshot drumbeat and a guitar man to assume the total power focus.

They know all this. They know they’re good. They can move comfortably from fuzzed up freewheeling carnality of “Let’s Build A Home Together” or “Hello Operator” and then bring it down to a more candy striped melodic level “I’m Bound To Pack It Up” or “Apple Blossom”.

As distinctive as it is diverse, De Stijl blends the Stripes' arty leanings with enough rock muscle to back up the band's ambitions.

This album is a 2022 reissue on 180 gram black vinyl with a printed insert, pressed in Europe via Third Man Records and Sony.