Album Review: The White Stripes - The White Stripes Greatest Hits

When reflecting on The White Stripes early career, it is probably unfair to say that divorced couple Jack and Meg White were more famous for pretending to be siblings than they were for their music, however, it was certainly an interesting talking point. Formed in 1997, they didn’t achieve widespread success until their third album, 2001’s White Blood Cells. By the time they disbanded in 2011, they had achieved two UK Number One albums, six Grammys, and one of the most recognisable guitar riffs in popular music history. Their career-spanning compilation The White Stripes Greatest Hits is successful in showing there is far more to the blues-rock band than their slightly gimmicky, red and white, ‘brother and sister’ aesthetic.

By the time they disbanded in 2011, they had achieved two UK Number One albums, six Grammys, and the most recognisable guitar riff in popular music history

Whether there is still a place for Greatest Hits albums is an oft-debated topic. Whilst some say they are dead, others declare them alive and better than ever. Although streaming platforms can create ready-made artist playlists, this doesn’t necessarily render compilation albums pointless. In fact, quite the opposite seems to be happening. By October, nine of the UK Top 40 most-streamed albums of 2020 were Greatest Hits compilations. This is little wonder in a year where the uncertainty of lockdown has caused listeners to be more nostalgic in their music consumption.

The White Stripes – Greatest Hits certainly plays up to this sense of nostalgia. The album’s cover features the tagline ‘My Sister Thanks You and I Thank You,’ alluding to their early naughties insistence that they were siblings, and the phrase Jack reportedly used when leaving the stage at the end of live shows. Beginning with ‘Let’s Shake Hands,’ their 1998 debut single recorded in their living room, the album takes the listener through the highlights of their back catalogue. Although the album would have probably been better suited to the title Best Of, as few of its 26 songs have ever charted in the UK, it succeeds in giving listeners a feel for the breadth of The White Stripes’ work. Furthermore, the eclectic choice of songs gives it more of a handpicked quality compared with algorithm-led playlists, such as Spotify’s ‘This Is The White Stripes.’

few of its 26 songs have ever charted in the UK, yet it succeeds at giving listeners a feel for the breadth of their work

The White Stripes Greatest Hits features some of their most popular tracks, such as ‘Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground’, ‘Hotel Yorba’ and the frenetic ‘Fell In Love With a Girl.’ The latter, despite being just under two minutes, is one of the best on the album. Taken from 2001’s White Blood Cells, the upbeat song about the illogical nature of falling in love can be considered as the band’s breakthrough into the mainstream.

Peaky Blinders fans may be unknowingly familiar with several of the tracks on The White Stripes Greatest Hits. The blues influence on songs such as ‘Ball and Biscuit’ is fitting with the early 20^thcentury period portrayed in the crime drama. Also on the show’s soundtrack are ‘Hardest Button to Button,’ about a baby born into a dysfunctional family, and ‘I Think I Smell a Rat,’ the introduction to which seemingly takes inspiration from Earth and Fire’s ‘Seasons.’

The attempt to give equal attention to material from all six of their albums is admirable; but leads to some weaker moments. This is particularly evident on songs taken from their debut album The White Stripes. ‘Screwdriver’ fails to make the most of Meg’s distinctive drumming that came to be a hallmark of their sound. Likewise, ‘I Fought Piranhas’ is said to be based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, but its convoluted lyrics make it difficult to decipher. That said, The White Stripes Greatest Hits aims to showcase the band’s entire career. Therefore, the inclusion of these earlier songs is justified, even if only to show how their sound developed on their subsequent five albums.

Equally worthy of discussion are the songs that arguably should have made it onto the compilation but were omitted

Equally worthy of discussion are the songs that arguably should have made it onto the compilation but were omitted. One such song is the cover of blues classic, ‘St. James Infirmary Blues’. Jack White’s voice lends itself particularly well to the song, retaining the sombre mood of the original. Admittedly, the album already features excellent versions of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’, Son House’s ‘Death Letter (Blues)’ and Dusty Springfield’s ‘I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself,’ so they possibly did not want to rely too heavily on cover material.

The White Stripes Greatest Hits concludes strongly, and somewhat predictably, with ‘Seven Nation Army.’ The feeling of nostalgia present throughout the album ramps up when the distinctive riff is heard, reminding listeners of a time when it was commonplace to hear this chanted by large crowds at festivals and sports fixtures.

Unfortunately, the album doesn’t include any new or previously unreleased songs. Whilst not entirely surprising – Jack White has previously said The White Stripes will not reunite unless they ‘went bankrupt or really needed the cash’ – fans may be reluctant to buy a physical copy of an album that doesn’t offer any unheard material.

Whilst the improbability of a reunion is certainly disappointing to long-term fans, it may be for the better

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether The White Stripes Greatest Hits was released to capitalise on the current wave of nostalgic music consumption, or to establish an appetite for potential new releases from the band. It seems more likely to be the former, given Jack White’s continued success as a solo artist means he is unlikely to ‘really need the cash’ anytime soon. Whilst the improbability of a reunion is certainly disappointing to long-term fans, it may be for the better. The album highlights the strength of The White Stripes discography, meaning any subpar new releases risk tainting their legacy.