The White Stripes | The Leak | Album Preview

The White Stripes never fail to find obscure glowing intricacies in the rudiments of music. And though what started as a howling two-piece Zeppelin-blues revival has evolved into something much more complex, it is still those fundamentals that turn their gut-twisting gears. On their latest album, Icky Thump, their appreciation of history is as apparent as ever. Whether it be in the church organs and country-fried chicken-pickin' of "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)," in the lonesome bagpipes of "Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn," or in the booze-slurred slide of "Catch Hell Blues," these are the roots of rhythm and, with the White Stripes, the roots of rhythm remain. A veritable Rosetta Stone of all things rock 'n roll, Icky Thump doesn't go public until June 19, but we're very excited to offer a free stream of the whole album, right now, only on The Leak.