Recorded in Blackpool, England's Empress Ballroom in January 2004 with 8mm cameras, the White Stripes' Under Blackpool Lights comes dang close to capturing the feel of their live show. The band has always eschewed the modern contrivances of digital music-making, opting for vintage guitars, a trap kit, and tube amps to lay down their synthesis of Americana and British invasion fuzz. The grainy film stock is the perfect visual complement to the peals of feedback and strong-armed beats the band delivers in 26 tunes that keep the audience bouncing. Highlights include a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," Leadbelly's "De Ballit of de Boll Weevil," and the band's own "Ball and Biscuit" and "Seven Nation Army." Fans who cherish the songs in this set on CD (or, better yet, vinyl) are in for a treat as every number is reinterpreted, with Jack White mining for new licks and singing like he's imbibing on a secret stash of Howlin' Wolf's moonshine. Meg, stomping her bass drum barefoot, has never looked or sounded as confident behind her kit, especially when she plays whole songs--literally, folks--with one hand behind her back. The disc contains no extras to speak of, just wall-to-wall rock, but true disciples of the Stripes won't leave disappointed. --Ryan Boudinot

I love the White Stripes, and have since they first came out when some weirdo at a bar gave me a demo. I have been to see them live twice and was consistently blown away at their live performance. So why the low score on this review? Meg and Jack were spot on as always, unfortunately this video both looks and sounds as if it were shot on a cell phone. Now I was okay with the grainy video, I know they are an anti-establishment band and the grainy look goes with their vibe. It would have been nice had it been inter cut with some higher quality shots so that we could actually see both Jack and Meg, specifically since they are such wonderful entertainers.

My biggest problem is with the sound, it's the tinny metallic sound of someone recording without being plugged into the sound board. The same as if you were to take a camera to the concert and record it yourself, the quality just isn't there. Sadly I couldn't listen though this from beginning to end because the terrible sound made Jack sound as if he was mumbling and the guitar just sounded terrible, I ended up with a migraine rather than a fun evening of dirty Detroit rock. If you didn't already know the words to his music, you certainly won't be able to pick them out on this DVD.

I love the band, and had really high hopes for this DVD, unfortunately I am very happy that I rented rather than purchased. True all of their great songs are included on the DVD, they just don't sound any good. And since you can't really make out what they are doing due to the grainy video, you really can't get into the vibe of it all. I hope that their next DVD will be more professionally produced, because if this had sounded half as good as their live show I would have bought it directly.

For now stick with the CDs.

I enjoyed the white stripes music, but had no idea how much talent they had until is saw this video, jack white is the next Hendrix!

Wanna know what makes the White Stripes so special? Just check out this show! Jack's guitar and vocals accompanied by Meg's pounding drums is fun and exciting.

I am biased. I love these two. I think they are the best ever and I would give my left eye to play guitar like Jack White. I haven't seen them in concert but hope to before I die. This video is raw just like their music but if you love The Stripes like I do , you will love this video. I watch it all the time.

The herky-jerky grainy thing really bothers me: Meg looks like a white blob with arms. Even the Beastie Boys' "Awesome..."--which had many reaching for the Gravol--wasn't as bad as I had been told, given that it took the occasional breather and offered up a clear, well-composed static shot. Rather than being indie, hip, or uncompromising, the visualization approach taken here seems merely lazy and thoughtless. Still waiting for the video collection...