Get Behind Me Satan
by The White Stripes
  • Record Label: V2 / XL
  • Release Date: Jun 7, 2005
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 283 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 242 out of 283
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 283
  3. Negative: 19 out of 283

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  1. ShawnG
    Jun 9, 2005
    8
    Probably more like an 8.5. I have to agree with what was said previously about most people who are thrown by this being people who think "Elephant" was all Jack and Meg's previous repertoire. That's not to say there aren't flaws in the album. Some of the material does seem 'too' rushed. Some of the songs weren't even finished when they went into the studio, Probably more like an 8.5. I have to agree with what was said previously about most people who are thrown by this being people who think "Elephant" was all Jack and Meg's previous repertoire. That's not to say there aren't flaws in the album. Some of the material does seem 'too' rushed. Some of the songs weren't even finished when they went into the studio, and one can sense that in a way that wasn't possible in the previous efforts. That said, a good White Stripes album (and this is) is still better than most bands could 'dream' of making. And I think a lot of the reviews publications are making are the long-expected backlash. The opening four tracks are some of the most dizzying and delightful bits of genre-hopping in rock since, well... De Stijl, which this compares more closely with in their catalog than anything else. Is it their best effort? No. But it's intriguing and enjoyable...a very good effort, by any mortal band's standards.… Expand
  2. JaneC
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    This one rocks. A nice combo of previous sounds- some De Stijl-type mixes, blues, bluegrass, and piano stompers.
  3. jojon
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    maybe not what anyone expects, but who wants a predictable artist?
  4. AaronR
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    The Stripes continue to crush on every other rock band with great songs that range from hard nosed rock to blue grass. Jack is the man and Meg is as wonderful as ever!!!
  5. juliog
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    hmmm.... i have this sneaking suspicion that the people who are most thrown for a loop by this album are the ones that had only heard 'elephant.' i hear a lot of "i like blue orchid but..." i don't know, everyone's free to like what they want, but it seems akin to saying "i like 'i wanna hold your hand' but what's this sgt. pepper's crap?" people hmmm.... i have this sneaking suspicion that the people who are most thrown for a loop by this album are the ones that had only heard 'elephant.' i hear a lot of "i like blue orchid but..." i don't know, everyone's free to like what they want, but it seems akin to saying "i like 'i wanna hold your hand' but what's this sgt. pepper's crap?" people also keep mentioning hipness and coolness. "it's cool to like this band" and another saying the white stripes have become so overexposed that they are uncool, but he likes them anyway. human beings are messed up man. the cool wars must end now. a big part of this album's appeal for me is that it appears the white stripes don't care what we think is cool, they just want to explore the music they love--like they've been doing from the start.… Expand
  6. briand
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    At first listen I was like what the f*&( is this garbage. After 4 listens, I think it is going to be a masterpiece. Once the initial shock wears off, people will truly appreciate this work of art. Look it could be like the new Coldplay album that took a thousand years and puts you to sleep after three songs. In your face, pure energy, from Jack's soul; just with a new outlet.
  7. Sauw
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    There is no denying that this is a much different album than any of the White Stripes' previous releases...and for a good reason. Its difference lies in its introduction of non-conventional rock band instruments (including the marimba and more piano) and acknowledgement of more international influences that have rarely been seen in any of The White Stripes' previous efforts. There is no denying that this is a much different album than any of the White Stripes' previous releases...and for a good reason. Its difference lies in its introduction of non-conventional rock band instruments (including the marimba and more piano) and acknowledgement of more international influences that have rarely been seen in any of The White Stripes' previous efforts. These changes have not taken away from The White Stripes strength as a band, but rather enhanced it. This album is a step in the right direction to the White Stripes being able to show off their versatility to audiences, as well as proving to the world that they are still one of the most consistently successful bands of the 21st century.… Expand
  8. RogerY
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    The White Stripes take this album in a new direction and their careers to yet another level. Jack and Meg White have become the Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon of the next generation. They are not only making music, but also creating art.
  9. cleopatraj
    Jun 8, 2005
    8
    i was beginning to think after "elephant" that jack white was running out of ideas. he perfected his spontaneous, no nonsense blues-rock on de stijl and seemed to be re-hashing the same formula on the subsequent releases. well, ole jack proved me wrong with this one. the new direction, if not absolutely necessary, is intriguing and fun. the same "press the record button as soon as you get i was beginning to think after "elephant" that jack white was running out of ideas. he perfected his spontaneous, no nonsense blues-rock on de stijl and seemed to be re-hashing the same formula on the subsequent releases. well, ole jack proved me wrong with this one. the new direction, if not absolutely necessary, is intriguing and fun. the same "press the record button as soon as you get in the studio" creative process of all their prior releases continues along with sharp and witty songwriting. the only difference is that the instruments have changed, which in turn transform the tone and mood. jack white is all about honesty, which is precisely why he purposefully recorded an album in a short amount of time. the most important part of his music is taking the first thing that pops into his head and stretching it into something--a song, a lyrical idea, a bridge...not to mention i would be pretty depressed if the stripes spent more time on their albums for obvious reasons. i'm sorry craig, but sitting in the studio for 10 months and crafing intricate soundscapes does not qualify your band as superior songwriters (actually in the beatles case, george martin who did all the studio work...or in pink floyd's case, a lot of engineers...the beatles didn't even have to play live for god sakes when they were camping out in the studio)...besides i love the beatles white album the best, which was hurried, raw, a mess, interesting and fun solely because of it. don't get me wrong, studio craftemanship and provocative uses of technology are fantastic but thank god that's not the only way for people to make a rock album. who says rock has to be polished anyway? wasn't that the whole point of it back in the early days? (robert johnson, muddy waters, early stones, etc.). i mean, sometimes i get tired of hearing thom yorke's voice through ten thousand effect filters and just want to hear a naked, raspy jack white wail. the point is to express that haphazard human spirit the best way it knows how: through nuance, imperfection, and honesty.… Expand
  10. BrettL
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    the people who say this album isn't genius are the people who think that linkin park and sum 41 are genius, and their opinions don't really matter because they don't have souls. the idea that a great album can't be recorded quickly is stupid. According to you guys then, when Chinese Democracy comes out, it will be the greatest album of all time. I don't think so.
  11. JeffW
    Jun 8, 2005
    8
    This album is a must have for any fan of music in general and is much better than other new releases this week... *cough* Coldplay *cough*. It lacks The killer songs like Ball and Biscuit, True we love.... and Seven Nation Army off of Elephant but it makes up for that with Little Ghost, Denial Twist, Take Take Take and I'm Lonely. I Think Elephant is a better album so thats why I This album is a must have for any fan of music in general and is much better than other new releases this week... *cough* Coldplay *cough*. It lacks The killer songs like Ball and Biscuit, True we love.... and Seven Nation Army off of Elephant but it makes up for that with Little Ghost, Denial Twist, Take Take Take and I'm Lonely. I Think Elephant is a better album so thats why I only gave it an 8 but this is the must buy before X and Y… Expand
  12. Gnarles
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    Lookit: all you haters need to go listen to Jet, the Vines, or some other such easily digestible "garage" rock garbage destined to be forgotten in a year. Any REAL White Stripes fan will enjoy Get Behind Me Satan, because it's the songs that matter, not whether or not every song is a guitar-o-rama. How long could they keep re-making De Stijl before they got pathetic? Grow up, people. Lookit: all you haters need to go listen to Jet, the Vines, or some other such easily digestible "garage" rock garbage destined to be forgotten in a year. Any REAL White Stripes fan will enjoy Get Behind Me Satan, because it's the songs that matter, not whether or not every song is a guitar-o-rama. How long could they keep re-making De Stijl before they got pathetic? Grow up, people. The Stripes had the stones to take a real risk here and they should be applauded, not subjected to your elitist scrutiny. The sheer speed at which GBMS was completed was not only brave but succeeds in establishing a loose, rootsy sound that's as comfortable as an old shirt; the fact that some call it "sloppy" only reinforces how soulless and pro-tooled music is today, and that includes many of their "peers". A few tracks could have been fleshed out a tad more, and the murky production is trying at times, but in the end, GBMS feels ALIVE, and that's what rock music is supposed to be. History will vindicate this album. Try not to make us wait too long for the rest of you to catch up.… Expand
  13. arnabm
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    very confident song-writing and recording, and the songs grow you quite quickly. i bought this at the same time as x&y, and this record represents all that x&y could have been: ballsy, experimentative, and catchy. take, take, take is my favorite song so far. get it.
  14. ShaunT
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable... like "let it bleed" era Stones with some bluegrass thrown in. Great stuff
  15. andrew
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    If you don't like it, you just don't get it. That's not your fault, it's just that you probably aren't even one of those who the Stripes HOPE get it. You probably want something more accessible and safe. And that's fine - go pick up another bland offering from Coldplay instead.
  16. AndreiC
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    This album made me so happy when i heard it just because it's so perfect. It has everything just like previous albums, especially Elephant. Blue orchid is an awsome new 7NA, instinct blues is great just like my doorbell... everything sounds excellent and different... and the lyrics are poetry.
  17. Carrie
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    This album proves the pointlessness of pinning labels on the things you love and tucking them away into their shoebox. Listen to it with an open mind. You won't be disappointed.
  18. BDW
    Jun 7, 2005
    8
    A phenominal album that is held back from being a classic by an inferior middle section. Any of tracks 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, or 13 could be thrown into any part of any mix CD and instantly take a compilation to the next level. Some great artists make totally new albums each time out; other great artists make the same album again and again...you could make a case for the White Stripes belonging A phenominal album that is held back from being a classic by an inferior middle section. Any of tracks 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, or 13 could be thrown into any part of any mix CD and instantly take a compilation to the next level. Some great artists make totally new albums each time out; other great artists make the same album again and again...you could make a case for the White Stripes belonging in either category (which is a testament to their ability to expand and contract their boundries within a single moment). Well worth the $8 Meijer is currently charging.… Expand
  19. Josh
    Jun 7, 2005
    8
    Like most Stripes fans, this album caught me off guard and I was a little dissappointed at first. But, like so many are saying, if you keep listening to it for what it is, not what you expect, it's a really unique and cool record. People who enjoyed their garage rock sound the most will be dissapointed, as this album bares very little resemblence to their earlier work, but I think Like most Stripes fans, this album caught me off guard and I was a little dissappointed at first. But, like so many are saying, if you keep listening to it for what it is, not what you expect, it's a really unique and cool record. People who enjoyed their garage rock sound the most will be dissapointed, as this album bares very little resemblence to their earlier work, but I think most people can agree that what you'll find is very interesting, if nothing else.… Expand
  20. ChrisC
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    Get Behind Me Satan is fully of more extremely energetic, well crafted songs. But, the White Stripes branch out musically and do more experimentation than in their previous records, so people who hate it when bands change their sound will hate this album. Open minded music fans, on the other hand, should love it. One of the best of the year.
  21. johng
    Jun 7, 2005
    7
    this is beyond words..... but not in a good way. The Nurse is so creepy, its stupid. good songs: Blue Orchid, My Doorbell, The Denial Twist, Instinct Blues, ...Take, Take, Take,... Red Rain. bad songs: the nurse, Forver For Her( Over For Me), White Moon, Passive Manipulation, As Ugly As I Seem. the rest are somewhere in between, more or less badley.
  22. JW
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    To the most recent poster: Yes the song are underdeveolped...thats the point, but they're anything but sloppy. Unlike with the Beatles and the other bands you mentioned the studio is used today to make crappy songs (and bands) sound good, not to "push the sonic boundries of music." Also, Radiohead was better when they were a rock band not whatever they are today with thier To the most recent poster: Yes the song are underdeveolped...thats the point, but they're anything but sloppy. Unlike with the Beatles and the other bands you mentioned the studio is used today to make crappy songs (and bands) sound good, not to "push the sonic boundries of music." Also, Radiohead was better when they were a rock band not whatever they are today with thier overproduced alums fully of computer made noise... though they still rock in concert...… Expand
  23. NielsR
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    This is a first impression score, although it may get higher with more listens. this album is certainly different, but in line with the Loretta Lynne work and other stuff jack W has been involved with, This is the best wide distribution band in the world right now, and I think critics judge their work at a higher standard than most everyone else, which is somewhat justified since they are This is a first impression score, although it may get higher with more listens. this album is certainly different, but in line with the Loretta Lynne work and other stuff jack W has been involved with, This is the best wide distribution band in the world right now, and I think critics judge their work at a higher standard than most everyone else, which is somewhat justified since they are 1 or 2 more great albums from legendary status.… Expand
  24. DaveD
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    It kind of ticks me off that this record is so good. It's a masterpiece, blah blah blah, the Jack White seems invigorated from working with Loretta, blah blah, there isn't a weak track here, blah blah. The White Stripes have released the best album of the year. How boring. Is this 2001?
  25. aaronr
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    I hope every "fan" hates this album. get rid of em, the direction is not shocking (listen to cold mountain soundtrack, and to van lear rose), it is perfect. soul never sounded so good.
  26. Clint
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    Although it contains a lot of strong material, I think it's telling that of my three favourite songs on the album, two are electric guitar-based ('instinct blues' and 'red rain', the other one is 'the denial twist'). When I buy a record by the White Stripes, I expect to buy a record by a rock band. That problably explains my initial disappointment (I Although it contains a lot of strong material, I think it's telling that of my three favourite songs on the album, two are electric guitar-based ('instinct blues' and 'red rain', the other one is 'the denial twist'). When I buy a record by the White Stripes, I expect to buy a record by a rock band. That problably explains my initial disappointment (I think that's called cognitive dissonance or something...). I'm still a little frustrated by the lack of the phenomenal electric guitar-driven songs that made the WS' reputation and, to me more importantly, made me love and admire their music so much. But the wealth of the material on display here compensates for a lot. PS: What the hell is 'passive manipulation' doing on there? It is just as self-indulgent and superfluous as 'in the cold, cold night' was on elephant (and I think the latter kinda had a nice vibe and atmosphere going thanks to the guitarline that supported Meg's terrible voice, but this time round it sucks and annoys all the way).… Expand
  27. Jax
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    It took me a bit of time to warm up to Get Behind Me Satan, as it seemed a bit sparse but after a dozen listens it is clear that The White Stripes are the only real straight-up American rock band out there right now. Perhaps that be overstating a bit but this album is a wonder. I expect it will not get the praise it deserves because I doubt many critics will take the necessary time to absorb it.
  28. IanR
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    This is a really eclectic, experimental, and all around different album for the White Stripes... but even so, it's definitely a White Stripes album, and it rocks hard, even when it plays it cool.
  29. Joe
    Jun 7, 2005
    9
    Somehow Jack White stays years ahead of other songwriters by taking his musical cues from older artists. The Stripes have made an album that is strange, unnerving and beautiful all at once and Jack's vocals sound like he has been possessed by the devil himself at times. This album is a welcome departure from their other records, and as long as the Stripes keep doing their own thing Somehow Jack White stays years ahead of other songwriters by taking his musical cues from older artists. The Stripes have made an album that is strange, unnerving and beautiful all at once and Jack's vocals sound like he has been possessed by the devil himself at times. This album is a welcome departure from their other records, and as long as the Stripes keep doing their own thing they will keep making great music!… Expand
  30. IanS
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    It
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Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best Album of 2005
16
#16 Most Discussed Album of 2005
49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. The New York Times
    100
    It's an album so strong and so unexpected that it may change the way people hear all its predecessors. And that's just a start. Listen long enough, and this album might change the way you hear lots of other bands, too.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    A very strange album, which shreds the old White Stripes rulebook (no bass, just guitar and drums) and pushes into territories way beyond the blues and rock of their previous four records.
    Read full review
  3. Paste Magazine
    50
    A sidestep that’s as easy to admire as it is hard to love.
    Read full review
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