Fell in Love with a Band: The Story of the White Stripes

In 2002, a year in which the charts were dominated by the likes of Nelly and Nickelback, the White Stripes' third full-length album, White Blood Cells, was hailed as an instant classic. A noisy salvo that would prompt legions of critics to search for synonyms for ""stripped-down"" and ""bluesy garage rock,"" it also propelled the White Stripes from the clubs of Detroit into the homes of MTV viewers. Now, two short years later, comes this reverent biography, thick with stories told by Detroit regulars who observed the Stripes' development firsthand. True devotees will enjoy Handyside's recounting of Jack White's boyhood, Meg White's high school years, the duo's early married life, divorce and subsequent sibling mythology. At times, however, the book's forced back-porch tone grates, as do its detours into rock critic caricature (""pub rock choogle"" for example). So much of the book is narrated by the Stripes' friends, co-workers and former bandmates that the absence of Meg and Jack's firsthand voices becomes noticeable. Still, for those with a serious interest in the White Stripes and their burgeoning legend, this volume will be part of the true completist's collection.