The White Stripes

The White Stripes: Under Blackpool Lights DVDUnder Blackpool Lights DVD (2004)
V2

Reviewer Rating: 2.5

Contributed by: 1234go1234go
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on February 4th 2005Led Zeppelin are arguably a great influence on the White Stripes. You can't deny the similarities in their shrill vocals and blues-based rock. You could say they just so happen to have similar influences. You could pick apart Stripes songs here and there and find evidence one way or another, but you.

Led Zeppelin are arguably a great influence on the White Stripes. You can't deny the similarities in their shrill vocals and blues-based rock. You could say they just so happen to have similar influences. You could pick apart Stripes songs here and there and find evidence one way or another, but you don't need a microscope to see the influence of Led Zeppelin's Royal Albert Hall portion of their self-titled DVD (released in 2003) on this footage.

I'm not the hugest Led Zeppelin fan, but during my stint as a record store clerk around the release of that DVD I had to watch that footage over and over, day in and day out for months...with the sound off. I have no idea what songs are on that DVD, but I know that footage like the back of my hand. Dick Carruthers, the director of "Under Blackpool Lights," has obviously spent some time with it as well. Visually, you're getting essentially the same product. Raw, grainy, 8MM footage that is as much a part of the film as the people captured on it. You couldn't ask for a more vintage feel unless Toerag studios opened a film division.

Sonically, you couldn't ask for a better recording either. However, in concert, I can't tell if Jack White is a genius or a hack. Every song in their set is brutalized. Some are murdered with ham-fisted guitar freakouts. I don't need to go to a show and hear the song just like it is on the record - that's what I have the record for. You don't have to color inside the lines but at least stay within the book, honey. You're ruining the coffee table. I'm willing to admit I don't play guitar, so maybe there's some really impressive noodling going on that is out of my realm. But after this, as a fan, I don't need to buy another live recording from the band. I feel the same way about seeing them in person. I didn't feel so bad when I saw them for $10 with 150 people but two years later when I paid $40 to see them with 3000 I felt a bit cheated.

And then there's the extras. There aren't any at all. Maybe I've been spoiled by the audio commentaries, alternate takes and additional footage that usually loads other concert DVDs but it's really disappointing that there isn't one additional thing on here.

In all honesty I haven't been disappointed by any legitimate release the White Stripes have done except this one. Artistically it's a nice package, but in all honesty, I watched it once and I doubt I'll put it in again. I do have to say though that when you put all the elements of this package together it's still quintessential White Stripes. Strong visuals, no frills, raw rock and roll.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (February 15, 2005)

This Yanni guy knows his shit. Honestly man, you want to see extras and a polished sound, get the Britanny Spears DVD, or just get Crossroads and save yourself the time. I bet you get whiplash when you rock out to Rush or Phish, when your long hippie hair gets stuck in your buttcheeks. This is "punk news" eh? You think "punk" is about sounding as clean as possible?? How do you even write for a punk site man..serious..i'm not punk, but I bet you think Good Charlotte is. Next time save yourself some embarrasment, and review the lastest Celine Dion album, cuz "Honey", that shit's probably even got a coaster under it on your goddamned coffee table.

Anonymous (February 15, 2005)

I bet people would prefer a Good Charlotte DVD, which ONLY has extras, and no music. You people who like garbage music piss me off. Jack White rocks, and only Good Charlotte, or Nickleback fans might disagree. You show me a band that has that shitty of a drummer, and only one other person that is that good. I'm sure this jerk off likes his coffee table polished, just like the bands he probably likes, and probably like his gleaming nutsack. If you honestly can diss Zepplin AND Jack White and you work at a music store, i bet you only sell Yanni and John Tesh. Loser.

Not-To-Regret (February 10, 2005)

For a two man group, Local H is alot better than the White Stripes, and at the same time they are not overplayed nor even exposed to the main stream in the slightest. Score is for the white stripes getting huge mainstream success while a much more deserving band wallows in the scarce grunge underground.

swingline (February 7, 2005)

"I drove to my stupid job today.

Got stopped at an intersection, 15 minutes of my life just rolled away"

Cause i'm young and i'm hopeless, i'm lost and i know this, i'm going nowhere fast thats what they say."

misfits, twilight zone, r.a.m.o.n.e.s., r.a.m.o.n.e.s., ramones

Anonymous (February 7, 2005)

As far best music DVD goes, ya gotta go with "Stop Making Sense" by The Talking Heads, that shit is awesome.

IheartAdam (February 7, 2005)

Score is still for herpes. I'm having a flare up again.

Crookedsuperhero (February 7, 2005)

Jesse (February 7, 2005)

This band does suck, but this line:

"You don't have to color inside the lines but at least stay within the book, honey. You're ruining the coffee table,"

is great.

Big_Guy (February 6, 2005)

I'll say it again, this band sucks

Anonymous (February 6, 2005)

"I drove to my stupid job today."

Got stopped at an intersection, 15 minutes of my life just rolled away

Anonymous (February 6, 2005)

This thread is hilarious:

http://p073.ezboard.com/fboyz44019frm2.showMessage? topicID=7.topic

Anonymous (February 6, 2005)

I drove to my stupid job today.

Anonymous (February 5, 2005)

score is for rawness

Anonymous (February 5, 2005)

i still havent heard this band, but they sure do piss all you people off.

IheartAdam (February 5, 2005)

Score is for herpes. Why can't I just be a normal young man?

Anonymous (February 5, 2005)

He must just be really stupid.

-BSD

swingline (February 5, 2005)

guy below me, i really hope english is not your first language.

Anonymous (February 5, 2005)

The white stripes is probably one of the crappiest bands of all time. At least, learn to play the drums (my grandmother could probably play them better) and please tune the guitar....I don't care what the critics or fans say, like: you don't understand the music, the rawness, "the message" or whatever. I mean use your ears, they sound at their best like crap or like something falling of the roof. Truly a great proof of how the media can hype a shitty band. Enough said...

Anonymous (February 5, 2005)

"I thought this was a punk site. Not altrocknews.org"

"Wow, people are still making these jokes? I guess some people can't get over the fact that they just aren't funny."

the best part is,the kid that made that comment seems to be a fan of as i lay dying and alexisonfire. bands that are getting much more play on altrock radio stations than the white stripes nowadays.

Unabated_Silence (February 5, 2005)

Am I among the chosen few who notice that this band is extremely overrated and in fact, really sucks ass?

Anonymous (February 5, 2005)

Anyone who's having trouble sleeping, Chinatown is writing a review on the new ....Trail of the Dead album. Boring band, douche bag interviewer.

Big_Guy (February 4, 2005)

Fuck this talentless band