This five-track EP is clearly not intended to expand on Get Behind Me Satan, the Stripes' ambitious, ethos-stretching studio album that preceded it by a few months. Instead, the studio cover version and four recent live cuts culled together here seem equal parts roots-retrenchment and chronicle of Jack and Meg White's recent gig grooves. The title studio track (a cover of a standout from Canadian identical twin punk-pop duo Tegan and Sara's '04 "So Jealous" album) has been a fan favorite in recent Stripes set lists, and here Jack White invests it with a familiar, chunky-chorded foundation and equally solid vocal hooks, setting them off with evocative, just-this-side-of-Mars guitar breaks that pay tribute to Brit invasion heroes the Yardbirds. Hailing from June '05 Brazilian shows, the spare, stop/start "Screwdriver" finds Jack warbling in early Robert Plant mode, while his haunting acoustic take of White Blood Cells' "Same Boy I've Always Known" epitomizes much of the Stripes' stripped-down, back-to-the-future appeal. L.A. radio versions of Satan's gently infectious "As Ugly As I Seem" and the distortion-drenched "The Denial Twist" are forceful reminders that the Stripes' artistic bent may be minimalist, but its musical ambitions are anything but. --Jerry McCulley

Japanese version includes the same five tracks found on the US EP along with a previously released B-Side, 'Shelter Of Your Arms'. Other tracks include, 'Walking with a Ghost' (Tegan & Sara cover) and four live tracks, 'Same Boy You've Always Known', 'As Ugly as I Seem', 'The Denial Twist' and 'Screwdriver'. V2.

If you're new to the White Stripes, don't get this album. Get one of the five LP's, which are all incredible. This is more for people who are already fans of the band. I actually don't care a whole great deal for the cover of Tegan & Sara's hit "Walking with a Ghost," but it's alright. Actually, I liked the live tracks more. Even so, while they are all amazing Stripes songs, it is more like something intended for fans than anything else. I don't really think they're newer releases will be a template from this.

On the other hand, a new album, "Icky Thump" is coming out in awhile. We'll see how that one turns out.

The title track is great and the live cuts are classic White Stripes. Its a great buy to hold over until the next album comes out. See also "Under the Blackpool Lights" DVD.

Unsurprisingly, a new White Stripes album is going to overshadow a small live/cover EP like "Walking With A Ghost + 4 Live Tracks." But this little collection is worth checking out anyway,

It opens with a cover of indiepop sisters Tegan & Sara's "Walking With A Ghost," now White-Striped. This version is much hard-rockier and more angular, with jabs of rough guitar and wails from Jack White. Where Tegan and Sara sounded mildly perturbed by their "walking with a ghost," Jack sounds on the edge of breaking down completely. Steady there.

And, this having "+ 4 Live Tracks," we're then treated to some fairly good, low-key renditions of White Stripes tunes: a mellow version of "The Same Boy You've Always Known," where you can hear cheers and handclaps from the audience, the mournful "As Ugly As I Seem."

After the sorrowful pair of songs, we finally get some rockin'. Jack and Meg smash through the tune of "The Denial Twist," with snarly singing and lots of rough drums'n'bass. And after a hearty round of applause from the audience, they launch into the roaring bass of "Screwdriver."

Wedged in the midle of the last song is "Passive Manipulation," a solo where Meg sings, "Women, listen to your mothers/don't succumb to the wishes of your brothers..." Then Jack lets rip for one grand finale, a blast of raw vocals and equally raw instrumentation.

Well, the White Stripes know how to make their odds and ends worth the money -- smashing together a quirky cover with their live performance. While the cover is good -- not as enticing as the original, admittedly -- the live performance is what really rocks.

At first, things don't seem to be too energetic. Jack sounds very depressed, and only acoustic guitar and a few drums break through. But after a couple of very low-key songs, Meg and Jack start giving it their all. The result is absolutely electric -- kinetic music, ripping singing, and to judge from the applause, the audience loved it.

There's a muddy edge to the music, like many live performances, and it's a credit that their musical skills that the White Stripes can make this EP a good addition to any fan's collection. And yes, the cover is nice too.

The live stuff on here is great, I can never hear enough versions of "Screwdriver".

The title track, a cover of a Tegan & Sara song, is great too. It actually served as a springboard for me to check out the original band, of whom I am now a big fan.

The cover song was not what I expected, but then I had never heard the other version until recently. I like the Stripes version better. It's enjoyable.