The White Stripes De Stijl 180g LP

Named after the Dutch art movement and magazine of the same name from the early 20th century, The White Stripes' sophomore release finds the band recording in the comfortable confines of Jack White's Third Man Studios, then housed on the ground floor of his house in Southwest Detroit.

This is the album that would propel the band into globe-trotting rock and roll prominence. The on-point covers of Son House and Blind Willie McTell pair wonderfully with both the minimal downtempo somber numbers and the maximum energy explosions of unadulterated power.

Pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a Stoughton tip-on sleeve, this is undoubtedly the best version of De Stijl to hit the shelves

Despite their reputation as garage rock revivalists, the White Stripes display an impressive range of styles on their second album, De Stijl, which is Dutch for 'the style.' Perhaps the album's diversity - which incorporates elements of bubblegum, cabaret, blues, and classic rock - shouldn't come as a surprise from a band that dedicates its album to bluesman Blind Willie McTell and Dutch artist Gerrit Rietveld. Nevertheless, it's refreshing to hear the band go from the Tommy James-style pop of 'You're Pretty Good Looking' to the garagey stomp of 'Hello Operator' in a one-two punch. It's even more impressive that the theatrical, piano-driven ballad 'Apple Blossom' and a cover of Son House's 'Death Letter' go so well together on the same album. Jack White's understated production work and versatile guitar playing and vocals also stand out on the languid, fuzzy 'Sister, Do You Know My Name?' as well as insistent rockers like 'Little Bird' and 'Why Can't You Be Nicer to Me?' As distinctive as it is diverse, De Stijl blends the Stripes' arty leanings with enough rock muscle to back up the band's ambitions.