White Stripes Vs Black Keys

Icky Thump

Icky has some cool guitar work in spots, but is also kind of a weird tune.


I've only recently "discovered" The Black Keys and this is the first time I've heard this tune. I do like it and they get my vote.

Not a fan of either band but Black Keys get my vote in this one.

This is a really hard vote, but since I have been a long-time Jack White fan, and listen to his music more often than the Black Keys, I'm gonna have to go with Icky Thump.

The Black Keys for me in this one

black keys

Just Got to Be

Both bands are talented and worth listening to, but this should not even be close. Specific albums aside, The White Stripes are by far the more important band overall. They came along first, and co-started a trend instead of coasting on the jet stream that a pre-existing trend had already created. Beyond that, Jack White is both this generation's guitar hero and unapologetic purist...almost like he combines Eddie Van Halen's and Tom Petty's respective contributions to the 80s (albeit in much smaller individual doses). He's shared a stage with The Rolling Stones. That's important in that they allowed it (despite not owing anything to anyone or standing to particularly benefit from connections to anyone more current than they are...it was mostly out of respect) and that he had the historical perspective to make it seem fitting. The Black Keys are good, but won't matter in ten years like The White Stripes (specifically Jack White) will.

The white stripes

I love both bands and both songs are great, but "Icky Thump" just edges it.