From the Mexicali-tastic new WHITE STRIPES album "Get Behind Me Satan", "My Doorbell" is one of the album's more consistently linear moments and - after the more superficially recognisable "Blue Orchid" - a song more obviously cut from the dependable White Stripes rock'n'roll template, even allowing for it being utterly devoid of Jack's trademark hard'n'bluesy guitar.
For, make no mistake, "My Doorbell" is very much more of the same, from Meg's unwholesomely basic proto-Bronze Age beats through to the rustle of shakers and Jack's sub-Jerry Lee Lewis piano pounding. Indeed, as they revel in the absurdly simple excitement of the desire-fuelled kiss-off line ("I'm thinkin' bout my doorbell, when ya gonna ring it?" repeated ad infinitum) it makes you smile and wonder how they can get away with something so utterly base and primal in this world of sonic envelope-pushing and still have the pundits on their knees. But however they do it, good for them anyway.
|
Just to remind us they haven't entirely jettisoned the infinite thrill of plugging that customised guitar through a loud and ferocious amp, there's also a messy, primal version of "Screwdriver" recorded at their critically-acclaimed Brazilian show in Manaus a couple of months back. It's a smeared and rough affair laced with edge and a screeching, edge-of-the-ravine crescendo which reminds you there's nothing the Whites enjoy more than sending their detractors on a lengthy wild goose chase. Good for them once again.
|
