Icky Thump

The blues are back. On the White Stripes' new album, Icky Thump, the best rock band in America jumps back to the blues influences of its earlier work after sojourning in piano-and-percussion-land on 2005's Get Behind Me Satan. But Icky is no rehash. On the contrary, it's the most inventive--and, at times, downright bizarre--album in the White Stripes' discography. Really, there's no other word but bizarre to describe songs like "Conquest." Indeed, that sentence is mildly incoherent--because there aren't any other songs like "Conquest." It's Tarzan-meets-'70s sci-fi. Just imagine that crew rocking out in your garage.

But alongside the delightfully eccentric experiments, there are some conventional rockers that fans of Elephant (and earlier work) will appreciate. "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)" is one example, and it's one of the Stripes' best songs. And those who prefer their guitars screeching and squeeling will find plenty to like, including the first hit single from the album, its title track. Near the end, though, things slow down a bit. "A Martyr For My Love For You" dials down the guitars in favor of near-balladry, and Icky ends on a characteristically lighter note with "Effect & Cause."

Anyhow, it all adds up to another triumph for Jack White and the White Stripes. How many is that now? Four? Five?

James Blood Ulmer Has The Blues

The best new blues artist of the last several years isn't exactly a new artist. James Blood Ulmer earned his reputation in music playing electric guitar with jazz legend Ornette Coleman. Ulmer was the first electric guitarist to record and tour with Coleman in the '70s. From there, and throughout his solo career, he built an impressive body of work in jazz over the course of two decades. At the turn of the century, Ulmer left jazz and turned to the blues. Fans of the genre are lucky to have him.

2001's Memphis Blood is the first of three albums released on Hyena Records. It's an audacious blues debut. Every song is a cover. Many equal or surpass their antecedents. Give a listen to Ulmer's take on John Lee Hooker's "Dimples" and you'll get a good idea of what to expect [Direct link to .mp3 of "Dimples"]. His second album, No Escape From The Blues, continues on this tack, but it mixes in some originals as well.


The third Hyena release is 2005's Birthright. It marks a departure from his earlier two. Whereas those albums feature Ulmer's guitar and vocals against the backdrop of an excellent band, Birthright is all Ulmer. All 12 songs feature his vocals alone with his guitar. 10 are originals. The effect is astonishing for its minimalism and impressive for its musicianship. Ulmer has a distinctively rough guitar-picking style, and nowhere is this more apparent than on Birthright. Listening to "High Yellow," it's hard to think of any adjective more appropriate than "edgy." "Geechee Joe" is another highlight and an instant classic. [Direct links to .mp3's of "High Yellow" and "Geechee Joe"]

If you enjoy these samples, consider supporting Ulmer by buying his music. Memphis Blood: Amazon; eMusic. No Escape From The Blues: Amazon; eMusic. Birthright: Amazon; eMusic.

NOTE: Music files available here are meant to be samples only, and only for a limited time. Please support the people who produce the music by buying it if you enjoy it.