Review of It Might Get Loud (2008) by Elissa M — 30 Sep 2009

I'm not a big fan of documentaries as a general rule, but I found this one to be particularly enjoyable and fantastic. Far more so than I ever would have imagined. I was worried going in that The Edge would get sidelined by Jimmy Page--the revered veteran--and Jack White--the brilliant maverick--but my fears were completely unfounded.

If anything, U2's music played a predominant role both as a showcase for Edge's technique and during transitional narrative moments--more so than the work of Page or White.

But here's a bit of a breakdown:

Jack White. I dismissed the White Stripes more than a decade ago because I thought their music sounded unpolished--and as I said then, "like it had been recorded in a garage." Hell, in truth their first album was probably recorded in a field using a guitar made out of driftwood and a coke bottle and a bucket for a drum. Since then, White has impressed me with his talent for producing, writing and performing. In many ways, he's older than Page and The Edge combined. He's blunt, wears a bow tie and suspenders, still records analog and plays music until his fingers bleed. All admirable traits in my book.

Jimmy Page. Joy. Pure joy. That's the look on Page's face when he's playing the guitar. And it was fascinating to see the progression of his art throughout the years. His beginnings were much humbler than I would have imagined, but it comes as no surprise that the guitar was a part of his life from a very early age. He's completely without pretension. There were a lot of LZ fans in the audience and I heard the woman next to me proclaim, "Isn't Jimmy Page SO captivating?" to her friend when the movie was over. Captivating indeed.

The Edge. The man is a technical genius. His brilliance lies in his unparalleled ability to use technology to its fullest advantages. His "sound" doesn't just come from his guitar, it comes from the way he simplifies the notes and then fills in the void using amps and pedals and equalizers. Hearing him describe his techniques, as well as reminisce about the early days of U2 was a pure treat for me. He visited the school where he and the rest of the band first met--and even got a bit choked up listening to an old cassette where he and the boys were working out the details of "Where the Streets Have No Name," remembering the process of finding the perfect timing. He's soft-spoken, thoughtful and insightful. But if you piss him off he will punch you in the mouth--just ask Bono.