Concert Review: White Stripes, Greek Theater, 9/13/03

Simply un-friggin'-believable. This band is scary talented. I don't think it would be an exagerration to say that Jack White is the greatest guitarist of his generation. There is nothing clean or neat about his playing, it simply howls. He throws himself around the stage like a caged animal while Meg stares him down with laser-beam eyes. Most bands put on concerts - the White Stripes put on a SHOW.

The opening band: I'm a Robot. Bowie-ish glam rock meets early Cure with a singer channeling Geddy Lee. Great sound, crappy songs. Also, their set seemed to really drag on. It was almost as long as the Stripes's.

Low point: The Stripes show old Betty Boop and Little Lulu cartoons in between the warm-up act and their own set. At first, we all liked it, but after the third or fourth Little Audrey cartoon it got a bit old. It would have been more fun had the house music played before and after the concert not been so amazing; lots of Hank Williams and other "old-timey" country and bluegrass. Bring on more of that.

High point: Jack did a spoken-word rendition of Johnny Cash's "I've Got Stripes". Just Jack, reading off of a lyric sheet, but it was so honest and heartfelt and somehow more appropriate than the Cash cover song we thought we'd hear.

Best of set: "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself", followed closely by "Ball and Biscuit". "I Just Don't Know" has some truly spectacular guitar work, the equal of any of the bone-crushing solos on "Ball and Biscuit".

Run, do not walk, to see this band in your town. I give 'em ****1/2. I deduct half a star for having a set run under an hour. It may be that Jack is still recovering from a broken finger, but Django Reinhardt only had three. You make do with what God gave you, and you turn in a 90 minute set (at least). Sorry to be stern, but that's the law 'round these parts.