Aluminium - Aluminium

The brainchild of Richard Russell, founder of XL Records, Aluminium is a passionate project which has birthed ten avant garde orchestral recordings of classic White Stripes tracks. Recording commenced without Jack and Meg's knowledge so this is no mere vanity project, in fact it's a hugely enjoyable and impressive re-imagining, spanning all of the band's output but with an emphasis on their lesser known, earlier albums. What were previously sparse, raw blasts of sonic energy or simple acoustic ditties have been transformed into technicolour romps that excite the imagination in the same way as the classic film and TV soundtracks of the 1970s. The reinvigorated pizazz of 'Astro' and 'The Hardest Button to Button' also serve as a timely reminder of the once mercurial talent of Jack White, now that he seems content in playing hoary rock God with the Raconteurs. [Milo McLaughlin]