," which has no real chorus and features a string of quirky, surrealist lyrics like"Carry my obituary / My coffin doesn't have a phone," while the B-side was a deliciously melodramatic cover of Dolly Parton's"Jolene." Jack produced the record himself, and the band put it out on the niche West Coast indie Sympathy for the Record Industry. They titled it, after the obscure-ish midcentury Dutch art movement devoted to the pleasures of austerity.
Youth, sex and rage for certain. But as importantly, timing and circumstance. Scene-building is partially about literal shared geography, but it's also about audiences in search of a narrative. What these artists truly had in common was a sense of connection to the visceral, analog, IRL aesthetic of punk rock, and the frustration of making really good music you are told no one will ever care about.
They’re still one of the best. They’ve really made extremely good quality content that have maraud our ears for good and for haters to poop on.
rsingel, I still remember when you introduced me to this pair.
It is a work of art. I think it is their best album.
I’m here for the lack of love for De Stijl, the art movement. It wasn’t mid-century; it started in 1917, and I don’t think it was intended to be self-consumed or austere. It was it’s own style (no pun intended) with its own emotion.
I know it’s true. But “20 years ago” and “year 2000” don’t feel like they should be in the same sentence.
This was a game changer.
Fuck, I’m old.
Jackie White may have lost his mind but those first several WS albums are great. RIP
I listen to them everyday. I like them between Weezer and AC/DC.
Love Jack White! 🤩♥️👏
Oh yeah you're pretty good looking For a girl. And your thoughts have been stolen By the boys. Who took you out and bought you everything you are now...
gblanstonku
Those were good days. The local scene in Detroit was banging. And I was there so I kind of know what went down when things started to change in Detroit when it came to Jack.
Lol
That whole album is a fucking masterpiece.
Can't believe it's been 20 years. 😒
Love them both. Don’t give a rip about who they are making music for. They are too cool for all of us.
Amazing album
Most of is trash, but this article is a worthy read.
If The White Stripes are now classic rock I need to apologize to my prostate.