Icky Thump
by The White Stripes
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 247 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 221 out of 247
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 247
  3. Negative: 8 out of 247

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  1. jefframone
    Jun 19, 2007
    9
    Always sonically interesting, Jack White rarely disappoints. I certainly would not classify "Icky Thump" as a disappointment, but it just slightly misses the mark. But even his slight misses overshadow every crappy rock tune currently on the radio. It's good, but is it great? No. Is it interesting and original? For sure. Will I listen to it over and over again? Most definitely. Will Always sonically interesting, Jack White rarely disappoints. I certainly would not classify "Icky Thump" as a disappointment, but it just slightly misses the mark. But even his slight misses overshadow every crappy rock tune currently on the radio. It's good, but is it great? No. Is it interesting and original? For sure. Will I listen to it over and over again? Most definitely. Will it be as good as "Elephant" or "Get Behind Me Satan"? Nah. But it's still worth listening to.… Expand
  2. JosephA
    Jun 19, 2007
    10
    Holy crap, this album is awesome. Plain and simple.
  3. fynnm
    Jun 19, 2007
    10
    the best and most diverse album i have heard in a long time. For those who dont think just listen to it a few times, front to back and then write your new review. Rock is alive and well and kicking ass and taking names
  4. ErikV
    Jun 21, 2007
    8
    Good overall album but not great, probably their 3rd best offering behind Elephant, White Blood Cells, and right there with Get Behind Me Satan. Nice to see the band progress with new and experimental sound elements but it seems to lack the listening simplicity that made their previous albums great. Lyrically not as fulfilling as previous albums.
  5. greg
    Jun 21, 2007
    8
    pretty damn good. the village voice review is sort of sad--an airing of the author's own issues rather than anything useful or interesting about the music.
  6. Time
    Jun 21, 2007
    10
    Rolling Stone and Spin have become such douchebags. RS only gave them their INFAMOUS 3 and a half stars because they felt the Stripes hype was fading and Spin has needs to grow a pair. They've turned into Rolling Stone's bitch. This is one of the White Stripes very best.
  7. Davie
    Jun 21, 2007
    9
    tubs of fun & energy.. what's not to like?
  8. JasonM
    Jun 24, 2007
    6
    Good, but not great. It seems to be all over the map musically, touching too many genres without really clicking on any of them. Still a generally enjoyable album, though somewhat disappointing.
  9. tomD
    Jun 25, 2007
    4
    he still cant sing, she still cant play the drums beyond a beginner's level. their success seems due more to hype than talent. they were better off sticking to the stripped down sound without getting all progressive. this cd hurts my ears
  10. CarlosC
    Jun 25, 2007
    10
    Simply put, if you do not like a White Stripes song, give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you are not a mindless fool and just listen to it again...
  11. EthanW.
    Jul 13, 2007
    10
    incredible. epic, experimental. this may be the next turn in music. they've made 5 excellent records, but who saw the next landmark in music history comeing?? best album released in my lifetime
  12. MikeD
    Jul 29, 2007
    9
    Terrific record. If it's not quite the stone classic that White Blood Cells or Elephant are, it's damn close. The greatness of this band lies in their complete sincerity and seemingly total lack of pretension in what they do. They're clearly not afraid to explore different styles of music. But more importantly, they understand that ultimately what matters is great songs, Terrific record. If it's not quite the stone classic that White Blood Cells or Elephant are, it's damn close. The greatness of this band lies in their complete sincerity and seemingly total lack of pretension in what they do. They're clearly not afraid to explore different styles of music. But more importantly, they understand that ultimately what matters is great songs, and if that means primarily the garage and blues rock that were used to from them, that's OK, too. Possibly the record of the year, so far.… Expand
  13. BrendanD
    Jul 31, 2007
    6
    If I have to hear one more person call Jack White a genius, I might have to puke. That being said, Jack White is a genius (barf). One listen to the way he deftly appropriates pesudo-Celtic music on "Prickly Thorn, Yet Sweetly Worn" and "St. Andrew" will leave you breathless, wishing you were surrounded by the Scottish Highlands or the Northern-Irish Giant's Causeway. The title track If I have to hear one more person call Jack White a genius, I might have to puke. That being said, Jack White is a genius (barf). One listen to the way he deftly appropriates pesudo-Celtic music on "Prickly Thorn, Yet Sweetly Worn" and "St. Andrew" will leave you breathless, wishing you were surrounded by the Scottish Highlands or the Northern-Irish Giant's Causeway. The title track is a fun romp through White's typically Zeppelin-meets-Dylan bluesy charade -- nothing new, nothing as deep as "Blue Orchid," but entertaining nonetheless. And "You Don't Know What Love Is" is the best non-freakout song the duo has done since "Hotel Yorba" off their third record. Those four tunes, plus the weird half-song/half-sketch "Rag and Bone," save the album from being a completely rehashed disaster. Seriously. If not for the Celt-inspired tunes in the middle of the record or the two "true" rock tunes that start it off, you'd be reading a very different review. The problem here isn't that the songs aren't any good on their own; they range from decent to brilliant, as I've said. But they don't form a cohesive record. What made "Get Behind Me Satan" work so well was that it committed to the freakout-country mode that Loretta Lynn put Jack into during the recording of "Van Lear Rose." "Elephant" worked because Jack just wanted to do Zeppelin. But on "Icky Thump," he never finds a cohesive message. Listen, for example, to "Conquest," and explain how you get from that to "Prickly Thorn" in a matter of two songs. That might work on the mixtape your little brother made for you before you went away to college because he was just throwing on everything that you might like to listen to on your drive from suburban Seattle to Berkeley; but in the midst of a single record, it seems more jarring for the sake of being jarring, as if Jack's just tossed on a bunch of ideas, rather than molding them into a cohesive work of art, as he's done so deftly before. "Icky Thump" is experimentation for experimentation's sake; and while that's a laudable goal, the end result is, unfortunately, the worst project with which Jack White has ever been associated.… Expand
  14. MarekK
    Aug 24, 2007
    9
    Very good album to me. I'm not a rock fan, like more jazz stuff, but White Stripes' new album is very strong, even after two weeks listening. I also listened their older stuff and maybe I can understand some of negative comments here. This new album is really different sounding (but best album for me), I like how it lives, it rocks (but not in classical way - this is positive Very good album to me. I'm not a rock fan, like more jazz stuff, but White Stripes' new album is very strong, even after two weeks listening. I also listened their older stuff and maybe I can understand some of negative comments here. This new album is really different sounding (but best album for me), I like how it lives, it rocks (but not in classical way - this is positive aspect for me). And ... this simple drumming and clear quitar playing is exactly how it sounds good. Most 4-8 people rock bands just sound too messy, too oversounding, too nonnaturally ... White Stripes is simple, its streightforward ... but its not bad I think. Catch Hell Blues, Martyr For My Love For You and Rag and Bones are highlights, maybe Bone Broke is the weakest song here, also I think Conquest is halfly done - its not bad, but I feel, its weakly done. I listen very many styles and really think that White Stripes is not overrated. Maybe to serious rock fans it does just too different sounds.… Expand
  15. dude
    Oct 8, 2010
    9
    I think they are getting more danggoures each album....!!! and this one is just weird ,peculiar,brave and also unique & brilliant ......but some times i wish there was some place to settle down...i mean some country tracks or something...but because this is pretty awesome i dont mind...! i mean common this is Rock & Roll...!! what ells do you need...!? and if you dont compare it withI think they are getting more danggoures each album....!!! and this one is just weird ,peculiar,brave and also unique & brilliant ......but some times i wish there was some place to settle down...i mean some country tracks or something...but because this is pretty awesome i dont mind...! i mean common this is Rock & Roll...!! what ells do you need...!? and if you dont compare it with "elephant" you will see that it definitely has it`s own moments that dont let you down.… Expand
  16. jAbMaN
    Apr 13, 2011
    10
    I love the title of this album's song "Icky Thump". It kicks ass and The White Stripes are an awesome band. Too bad they broke up though.
  17. j30
    Sep 22, 2011
    6
    This might be my least favorite White Stripes album. You get the feeling they're losing their importance in rock music. There some good songs here and there, but nothing compares to their earlier work.
  18. hydrawithears
    Nov 2, 2011
    8
    Now, this is my favourite album by The White Stripes. It has the harshness of Elephant but is also lovely in its oddness. The cover image showing Jack and Meg as Pearly King and Queen and the title (the correct spelling is â
  19. Ricko
    Jun 28, 2012
    7
    Solid final album from the blues rock duo. It's not got any songs that are complete magic, which is not something you would say about the 3 records previous to this, and that is where it loses out. It's a consistent record, mostly full of bluesy rock, typical ofwhat we've come to expect from Jack and Meg White. Opener and title track Icky Thump is by far the most interesting thing on it -Solid final album from the blues rock duo. It's not got any songs that are complete magic, which is not something you would say about the 3 records previous to this, and that is where it loses out. It's a consistent record, mostly full of bluesy rock, typical ofwhat we've come to expect from Jack and Meg White. Opener and title track Icky Thump is by far the most interesting thing on it - and by White Stripes standards could be classed as experimental. After that they play it safe for the most part. Bone Broke is the other standout track for me. Not the worst record you'll hear but Jack White has put his name to far superior records.… Expand
  20. Mccusky
    Mar 17, 2018
    10
    I hadn't really listened to The White Stripes for about ten years and I was a fan but didn't think they were particularly good songwriters but this album is on a whole other level to anything I have heard, the ear bleeding guitar is jaw dropping, riffs are ridiculously good! Its a beautiful sound and there are some classic songs, I would say its a classic rock album. Wow
  21. alecvl08
    Oct 14, 2014
    6
    This album isn't a masterpiece, but it definitely has more character than some other White Stripes albums, so I'm ok with it. I just don't get The White Stripes' style at all. Favorite track: Catch Hell Blues
  22. Rooniedoo
    Nov 7, 2015
    8
    Meg sounded like she was bored of drumming during most of this album, rag and bone and conquest were great songs, so was Icky Thump. The album is good, just Meg sounds like she's done with the band (Which, she was)
  23. Tmz
    Jan 3, 2020
    9
    Sujo, brilhante e ousado
    White Stripes traz mais um álbum incrível, é tão estranho como o álbum é tão sujo e ao mesmo tempo tão polido
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Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best Album of 2007
18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2007
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    This is a heavyweight album in every sense of the word.
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    70
    This is by far The White Stripes’ most peculiar record.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    80
    A compellingly weird experience. [Jul 2007, p.92]
See all critic reviews »