Review of The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights (2009) by Mike M — 10 Mar 2010
That first film ["Under Blackpool Lights"] was a rather charming introduction to the style and sound of a band determined to stay close to their R'n'B roots by following in the footsteps of countless musicians and entertainers before them - that acute awareness of lineage that John Peel loved the Stripes for.
Shot in front of adoring crowds on a very deliberately chosen grainy monochrome stock, this follow-up betrays more than the odd sign of "Rattle and Hum" Syndrome: it's a work designed to further the myth of the White Stripes without giving too much away in return.
Molloy, to his credit, captures the energy and spontaneity of the band's live performances: there's the heady thrill of hearing "Icky Thump", one of the most demented records ever to become a Top 10 hit, in Dolby surround sound.
Backstage, though, Jack tinkles the ivories; Meg smokes, and smiles enigmatically, and - in the final sequence - breaks down in tears for some reason; together, the pair barely exchange ten words between them.
(I suppose you could say the Whites let their music - their onstage dynamic - do all their talking.)... Good-looking, funny, occasionally striking as the poses being thrown here are, they're poses nonetheless, from a band who've always prided themselves on their authenticity.
This review of The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights (2009) was written by Mike M on 10 Mar 2010.
The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights has generally received very positive reviews.
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