R.I.P. White Stripes

The best rock band of a generation called it quits today, presumably so Jack White can have time to start five more bands. The White Stripes were raw, in a way that most blues-based rock bands wish they could be. The Black Keys, though possibly tighter musically, lack the stomp and lyrical punch of the Stripes in their prime. White Blood Cells is probably my favorite of their albums, but they all have some great songs. Though people maligned Meg White for her child-like form of drumming, Jack and Meg had real chemistry that brought out the best in Jack, focusing and fine-tuning his songwriting to match her simplistic thump. The world just lost a great band. Sad day.