You know you've made it when Vitamin fetes your music with a string quartet tribute. While it might have been cute for the label to feature only violin and cello, or a bass and viola only, the ten
White Stripes favorites here are played on violin, cello, and viola. There's none of the duo's ragged, cutting fury here, or even much of its childlike wonderment. However, what does stand out are the melodies. "We're Going to be Friends" is even more of a lullaby with a quietly surging cello and lead violin; "Seven Nation Army" retains its foreboding tone -- it threatens to explode at any moment. And the trilling violins of "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" return the song to its
Bacharach/
David roots. Overall, The String Quartet Tribute to the White Stripes is really more curiosity than a standalone recording. ~ Johnny Loftus