De Stijl (album)

De Stijl is the second studio album by the American rock duo the White Stripes, released on June 20, 2000, by the Sympathy for the Record Industry. Produced by the band's guitarist and lead vocalist Jack White, the album was recorded on an 8-track analog tape in his living room following the covert divorce of members Jack and Meg White, who nevertheless continued working together.

The album takes its name from the art movement of the same name, and features their early blues-inspired sound. De Stijl received positive reviews from critics, and earned a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry. The album became a sleeper hit after appearing on Billboard's Independent Albums chart in 2002, and is considered a cult classic.

Recording
The White Stripes band members Jack and Meg White divorced in 2000, however Meg insisted that they continue working together. De Stijl was recorded by the duo in Jack's living room, exclusively using an 8-track analog tape.

On February 5, 2008, Canadian media reported that former Radio-Canada host Dominique Payette filed a lawsuit against the White Stripes for using a nine-second clip of her interview with a little girl at the beginning of "Jumble, Jumble". She demanded $70,000 in damages and the removal of the album from store shelves. The dispute was settled out of court.

Composition
De Stijl takes its name from the De Stijl ("the style" in English) art movement, which included the painter Mondrian. Jack had been an admirer of the style for some time, especially of furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld, who designed the Rietveld Schröder House which the band had visited. De Stijl was dedicated to both Rietveld and Blind Willie McTell.

De Stijl features the band's early blues-inspired sound, which was prominent on their self-titled debut album. Tom Breihan of Stereogum said the album showcased delta blues, hard and psychedelic rock influences, and Lizzy Goodman of NPR similarly noted its "camp" blues sound.

Artwork
The cover art of De Stijl sets Jack and Meg against an abstract background of rectangles and lines in red, black and white. It utilizes common elements from the aesthetics of its namesake, and had an impact on the band's image, presentation, and visual style.

Release
De Stijl was released on June 20, 2000, through the Sympathy for the Record Industry label. A re-issued vinyl LP version of the record was pressed at United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee and mastered all-analog from the original master tapes. The album was re-issued again for its 20th anniversary.

Reception
De Stijl earned positive reviews from critics, who noted its simplicity and fusion of blues and "scuzzy garage rock". A critic for the New York Times described the album as "what many hip rock fans consider real music."

AllMusic gave the album 4.5 stars out of 5, writing that "As distinctive as it is diverse, De Stijl blends the Stripes' arty leanings with enough rock muscle to back up the band's ambitions." Pitchfork gave the album a rating of 9.1, writing that the album "contained thunderous, honky-soulful, lacerating pop at various stages of evolution". Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 stars out of 4, calling it "feisty and clever" and praising the drumming, guitar and vocal performances, stating that "like everything about the White Stripes, it [De Stijl] proves that you don't need bombast to make a blues explosion."

De Stijl was a sleeper hit, earning a following after the White Stripes began to grow popular outside of Detroit. After the band had achieved worldwide fame with their third album, White Blood Cells, De Stijl appeared at number 38 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart in 2002. It has since been considered a cult classic. The song "Why Can't You Be Nicer to Me?" appeared on The Simpsons in 2010, used in the episode "Judge Me Tender" from its twenty-first season. The song "Apple Blossom" was featured in the 2015 Quentin Tarantino film The Hateful Eight.

Track listing
All songs written by Jack White except where noted. All music is composed by Jack and Meg White.

Personnel

 * The White Stripes
 * Jack White – lead vocals, guitar, piano, double bass on "I'm Bound to Pack It Up", production
 * Meg White – drums, tambourine, backing vocals on "Your Southern Can Is Mine", shaker & floortom on "I'm Bound to Pack It Up"


 * Additional musicians
 * John Szymanski – harmonica on "Hello Operator"
 * Paul Henry Ossy – violin on "I'm Bound to Pack It Up", electric violin on "Why Can't You Be Nicer to Me?"