White Blood Cells
by The White Stripes
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. PopMatters
    100
    This fine, fine album (quite possibly the finest of year) signals that the White Stripes have arrived. Hype or no hype, this is a band of significance...
  2. Pitchfork
    90
    White Blood Cells doesn't veer far from the formula of past White Stripes records; all are tense, sparse and jagged. But it's here that they've finally come into their own, where Jack and Meg White finally seem not only comfortable with the path they've chosen, but practiced, precise and able to convey the deepest sentiment in a single bound.
  3. HOB.com
    90
    The White Stripes' songs are so strong, so deliciously simple, it's genius.
  5. AllMusic
    90
    It sounds exactly how an underground sensation's breakthrough album should: bigger and tighter than their earlier material, but not so polished that it will scare away longtime fans.
  6. Splendid
    90
    Make no mistake about it, The White Stripes are the real deal, and if they can continue to kick out the jams as they do on White Blood Cells, everyone else would be well advised to get the fuck out of their way.
  7. Nude As The News
    85
    The White Stripes are a great rock and roll band, and White Blood Cells a suitable coming-out party.
  8. Mojo
    80
    The Detroit duo spin sordid tales and lovelorn drama with just the right amount of restrained percussion, blooze picking and screaming confessionals. [Sep 2001, p.93]
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  9. Billboard
    80
    It trades in the Robert Johnson and Dolly Parton covers that go over so well live for more of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jack White's hard-blues, garage-rock originals.
  10. Alternative Press
    80
    The only twang on the record is the sound of strings breaking as Jack attacks his guitar. [Sep 2001, p.104]
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  11. The A.V. Club
    80
    The White Stripes can create an ungodly amount of noise, and it opens White Blood Cells by doing just that. But it makes some of the most memorably melodic ungodly noise on the market.
  12. Uncut
    80
    Few other performers have electrified country blues to such plaintive and non-parodic effect since the heyday of Led Zeppelin. [Sep 2001, p.100]
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  13. Q Magazine
    80
    Their sonic ingenuity enhances even the most basic garage-rock templates. [Sep 2001, p.122]
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  14. Austin Chronicle
    78
    While a few songs aren't quite as fleshed out as others, nearly every selection on White Blood Cells provides the sort of bluesy good-time kicks otherwise unavailable in today's pop marketplace.
  15. Spin Cycle
    75
    By delivering pert '60s-esue pop numbers with a twangy drawl, and by playing rockabilly riffs on torchy blues odes, Jack and Meg balance their divergent influences well.
  16. CDNow
    70
    Though nothing new -- instrument-wise -- is added to the mix of drums, guitar, and piano, the White Stripes' recipe cooks up heavier overall on White Blood Cells, while still retaining some of the cheeky, barroom brashness that has become their stock in trade.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2001
18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2001
25
#25 Most Shared Album of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 151 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 163
  3. Negative: 8 out of 163
  1. TexasRez
    Apr 14, 2012
    10
    This album really leaves you speechless at how great it sounds. You don't hear albums like this everyday, as White Blood Cells defines who theThis album really leaves you speechless at how great it sounds. You don't hear albums like this everyday, as White Blood Cells defines who the White Stripes are really. Key Tracks: "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground", "Hotel Yorba", "Fell in Love with a Girl", "We're Going to Be Friends", "This Protector"… Full Review »
  2. JawsPapi87
    Oct 19, 2011
    10
    Absolutely brilliant album. For most bands, a masterpiece like this would be their best album but Elephant makes this band an exception. JackAbsolutely brilliant album. For most bands, a masterpiece like this would be their best album but Elephant makes this band an exception. Jack White is one of music's biggest genius's and White Blood Cells was the first clear representation of that… Full Review »
  3. Vampire25
    Dec 23, 2010
    10
    White Blood Cells is like my new favorite garage rock album. It's catchy, the lyrics are great, the musicianship is astounding. Jack White'sWhite Blood Cells is like my new favorite garage rock album. It's catchy, the lyrics are great, the musicianship is astounding. Jack White's voice is amazing. "We're Going To Be Friends" is a catchy, fun song. "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground" is a great starter. And "Aluminum" is a really good instrumental song. All In All, The Best White Stripes album. A… Full Review »
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