The White Stripes
Live at the Masonic Temple, Detroit
October 1, 2005
For all the national attention given to the White Stripes as the current “Detroit band” – Jack’s liner notes for the new Stooges reissues, the ubiquitous critical references to auto factories and smokestacks – it’s rarely acknowledged that, quite frankly, Jack and Meg don’t play hometown shows all that much. Since 2002, when the indie-breakthrough gravy train really kicked into high gear, the Stripes in Detroit have been a semi-annual prospect at best; with touring commitments in countries as far-flung as …

Late Registration
Kanye West
(Roc-a-Fella)
Late Registration is not just any album. Like it or not, it’s one of those keynote releases that come along every year, accompanied by a buzz which simply cannot be denied; and when 2005 rolls to a close, you can bet your only copy of Speakerboxxx that it will be gracing “Best of the Year” lists left and right, even in publications which, frankly, don’t have much business writing about rap. I don’t know or even care who started the tidal wave of hype that’s been carrying Kanye …