We’re only a week away from the release of the White Stripes’ epic Under Great White Northern Lights box set, but a few trailers and scenes of Jack White bowling aside, this is our first complete listen of a rather notable piece of the bundle: the first ever official live album from the White Stripes.
NPR is streaming all 16 tracks from the record, which compiles various performances from their 2007 whirlwind Canadian tour that arguably contributed to Meg White’s tour-canceling “acute anxiety.” In light of that last bit (not to mention the final scene in Emmett Malloy’s film), this whole project intrigues me even more than their last documentary, 2004’s The White Stripes Under Blackpool Lights.
Opening with one of their very first singles, “Let’s Shake Hands,” the Northern Lights live set contains songs that span their entire six-LP discography, including their unstoppable cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” the Stripes’ very own stadium anthem “Seven Nation Army,” and 14 other tracks.
I should quit talking, though: you only have until March 16 to list for free, so stream away!