# Icky Thump **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 11, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368 "2007-07-11T15:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/1 "2007-07-11T15:08:45Z")
I didn’t even know the White Stripes had a new album coming out, but Icky Thump came out in June. Their last album Get Behind Me Satan had some good tracks but didn’t grab me as much as their first 3 albums. Anyway, Icky Thump rocks. I don’t love every track but every one is interesting and listenable. The highlights for me are Rag and Bone, Catch Hell Blues, and plain basic rockers like Little Cream Soda, and Bone Broke. The lowlights are probably Conquest and Prickly Thorn, Sweetly Worn. Both of those songs are fine, but it just seems like other bands have already done that sort of thing better. Conquest is just weird. Overall it’s an excellent album and a must for any White Stripes fan. ---
**Author:** ![alreadymichigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@alreadymichigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alreadymichigan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/2 "2007-07-11T15:19:21Z")
OMGhowareyounotmentioning “You Don’t Know What Love Is”???!!?!? Best track on the album! Yeah I agree, it’s a good album. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/3 "2007-07-11T16:14:26Z")
I am really enjoying it - I would put De Stijl and Elephant ahead of it, but it is a great, solid offering. I love Conquest - the goofy Spanish feel and the high-drama vocals… About the only one I struggle with is Rag and Bone - the conversation is interesting at first, but gets a bit old with repeated listens… I love Catch Hell Blues and also You Don’t Know What Love Is - the lyrics on that one are really, really great in capturing a point of view for character of the narrator… ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/4 "2007-07-11T16:58:01Z")
I just love the fact that it’s named for a obscure skit from [The Goodies](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goodies). It helps that the music is good, too. ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/5 "2007-07-11T17:17:27Z")
[QUOTE=yanceylebeef] I just love the fact that it’s named for a obscure skit from [The Goodies](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goodies). [/QUOTE] But mis-spelt. It’s _ecky_-thump: [A dictionary of slang - 'E' - UK Slang.](http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/e.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_B.Phart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Capt\_B.Phart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_B.Phart)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/6 "2007-07-11T19:40:26Z")
[QUOTE=yanceylebeef] I just love the fact that it’s named for a obscure skit from The Goodies [/QUOTE] Actually the sketch is known as the one that caused someone to literally laugh himself to death > [@](#): > > From **Wiki** > _Mitchell was unable to stop laughing whilst watching a sketch in the episode “Kung Fu Kapers” in which Tim Brooke-Taylor, dressed as a kilted Scotsman, used a set of bagpipes to defend himself from a black pudding-wielding Bill Oddie (master of the ancient Lancastrian martial art “Ecky-Thump”) in a demonstration of the Scottish martial art of “Hoots-Toot-ochaye.” After twenty-five minutes of continuous laughter Mitchell finally slumped on the sofa and expired from heart failure_ You can’t buy reviews like that ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/7 "2007-07-11T20:35:00Z")
I’ve been pretty much in love with this album since a friend forced me to listen to the title track. It’s actually been on repeat on my stereo all day long. My favorites are Catch Hell Blues and Martyr for My Love for You. Everything else I’m fairly fond off, though I think St. Andrew is probably the weakest effort on the whole album. Conquest is kind of goofy, but the weirdness of that one makes it interesting enough that I love to listen to it, and I can’t say the same for St. Andrew. The lyrics for most of the tracks are a bit better than previous efforts, IMHO. I’ve had fun listening to what Jack’s singing, instead of just listening to the sound of it, which is how I usually enjoy the White Stripes. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/8 "2007-07-11T20:44:18Z")
I’ve only heard the title track, but I don’t like it for no reason other than the following line: Americans want nothing better to do, Why don’t you kick yourself out, you’re an immigrant too. First off, thank you for lumping all Americans together and insinuating we all hate immigrants and want them to go home or whatever. Secondly, you’re wrong. I’m not an immigrant, nor are most Americans. Sure, most of us are descendant from immigrants, but being born in American sort of makes it impossible for me to actually be one. It’s a stupid, insulting line, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/9 "2007-07-11T20:58:08Z")
**bouv** - I can see your point, but considering the minimalism of the lyrics in that song, it’d be rather cumbersome to change the lyrics to: To those Americans who are disapproving of immigrants and have nothing better to do, You should kick yourselves out as you or your ancestors were at one time immigrants, too. Though, seeing as how Jack White was born in Detroit, I imagine he wasn’t actually directing those two lines at _all_ Americans and his meaning was closer to the above interpretation. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/10 "2007-07-12T01:23:04Z")
Anyone want to give their stuff to me? I can use it. Gorgonzola can use it! We can make some money from it, at least. If you ain’t gonna use it, give it to us. We’ll give it a home. Great album. Gorgonzola and I saw the White Stripes in concert a couple of weeks ago - it was the best concert I’ve been to since we saw Quadrophenia in the early 90’s. The energy level on stage was fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/11 "2007-07-12T04:36:58Z")
Love the record. I **really** love “Rag and Bone.” And I love that Jack takes chances on things like “Conquest.” (Note to Jack: don’t try any more things like “Conquest.”) ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/12 "2007-07-12T09:24:50Z")
There are no real hits on it, but in general it’s a very strong and unique album. Perhaps the third best Stripes album after Elephant and De Stijl. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/13 "2007-07-12T15:14:38Z")
I’ve only had it for two days and also bought the new QOTSA that same day, so I haven’t completely formed an opinion yet. Sometimes I can’t love albums on first listen, but after a few times I get into it. I’m thinking that will be the case with this one. ---
**Author:** ![Sebhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@Sebhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sebhal)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/14 "2007-07-12T16:28:43Z")
Can I put in a mention for 300M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues? I love that record. Also, it’s nice to see De Stijl being mentioned; I still think it’s their best album. Incidentally, in the age of ‘Shuffle songs’ on the ipod (i.e. shuffling over your entire music collection), does anyone else find that they’re losing track of which tracks come on which album? I suspect I’d have trouble naming which album 30% of my favourite songs came from. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/15 "2007-07-12T16:58:02Z")
I like mr. jp’s stance that there’s no real hits, but the album on the whole is solid all the way through. Where as GBMS has a lot of hits, but then areas of boredom for me. Listening again right now… good stuff! ---
**Author:** ![Slop\_Shop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@Slop\_Shop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slop_Shop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/16 "2007-07-12T17:03:03Z")
Love this album! “Conquest” is the only song I skip ---
**Author:** ![some\_white\_dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icky-thump/411368/17 "2007-07-12T22:22:58Z")
A lot of Conquest hate here. That’s one of my favorite tracks, simply because of the weirdness. _shrug_ I bought it when it came out, but I really haven’t gotten around to listening to it much. Conquest was just one of the tracks that stuck out to me.