The White Stripes – White Blood Cells

I bought this record for retail on release (UK, and so it was £350, I think). As per my comments on one of the threads below, I was really disappointed with the SQ and the value proposition. So I sold the thing for a slight loss.

Anyhow, as a result of a convoluted set of circumstances, I’ve now come into possession of a second mint copy. It was a swap, and so - less the record that went in the other direction - it didn’t actually cost me anything. Even though I wasn’t impressed that first time, I’m a collector of all things White Stripes… So what can you do?

Anyway, all of this has given me an opportunity to relisten without the burden of expectation and that lofty price.

My opinion largely remains unchanged. This is not the best version of White Blood Cells (my vote would go to the 2021 repress - by a fair distance). But the ERC version does have a few things to commend.

Firstly, the jacket is fantastic. Unlike Mike (from the InGroove), my copy is flawless. No scratching, no scuffs, no sharpie. The spine as has cracked a little. But it isn’t obnoxious. The quality of the card and printing (with embossing) puts the jacket head and shoulders above all other versions in my collection. It’s really, really good. And, yes, on my copy, the embossing lines up with the print - so Mike’s copy was definitely defective.

The record itself is flat, flawless, quiet, and immaculately pressed. No issues at all in that regard.

The SQ, however, remains unwhelming to disappointing, in the main.

The main issue is with the drums: far too soft, spongy, and recessed. This is particularly evident on some of the harder hitting songs - Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground, Fell In Love with a Girl, etc. However, the guitar and vocals do benefit, in the main - my assumption being that the cutting chain excenuates the mids at the expense of the lower and top end. The cymbals here produce a very shallow splash - there isn’t the same bite present on other pressings.

And so, for example, Little Room sounds great - from a vocal/guitar perspective. But the kick drum is basically so recessed as to be gone. Ditto Union Forever - kickin’ guitar, splashy, indistinct drums.

We’re Going to Be Friends unambiguously sounds better than my other pressings, I’d say. But otherwise, it continues to be a very mixed and confused affair.

And so, in conclusion, if you are a collector and can’t do without, you won’t be disappointed by the quality of the package. Just know what you are getting: a well pressed slab of standard vinyl, and a superior replica of the original jacket and insert, along with an ERC obi and plastic outer sleeve. That’s it.

If you’re an audiophile looking for the best sounding version of this album - this ain’t it. By a distance.

If you are looking for a value proposition, in my opinion, this is priced £275 too high. Imo.

If, however, you are a completeist, can stomach the cost (or, like me, get lucky), then the ERC does offer pleasures. Particularly on those tracks where Meg’s playing is a secondary consideration.

But to be clear, I originally described this as shite. That isn’t really fair. It’s just unwhelming and over-priced. But with a gorgeous, gorgeous jacket.

Third Man Records UK still have some copies of this for sale on their site. https://thirdmanstore.co.uk/products/erc-x-white-blood-cells

I've got a copy I'm looking to sell or trade. I'm after other ERC releases, especially, The Doors, and Pieces Of A Man by Gil Scott-Heronz although I'm also after most of their jazz releases too. Please message me if you're interested.

My review below is a repost from 2021. I tried to fix the 1 star rating-I don’t know where that came from or how to alter it. So it’s still showing. Grrrr….
Suffice to say the music is worth 5/5 whether heard on a luxury pressing and an audiophile set up or through a shitty Smartphone speaker.
Just played this ERC pressing again for the first time in over a year. Still sounds bloody great to me…….5/5 all the way.

My copy is pristine with none of the issues reported in the video referenced below. The pressing is flawless too. Totally silent backgrounds and flat as a pancake. Initial impressions of SQ interesting.
The highs are a tad soft compared to the SFTRI 1st press. Bear in mind this is stated to be a flat transfer with no EQ to goose things up. That’s what it sounds like.
Bass is deep and extended with good slam. I don’t hear the muddiness reported below but agree the overall tone is darker. . And I think the drum kit sounds more like a live drum kit in a room without extra zip and attack through added eq at the mastering stage. Guitars and vocals outstanding. Clear separation air and space present on the ERC pressing not so much the SFTRI.
Where the ERC pulls way ahead is the room sound,decay,reverb tails:the sense of musicians playing in a space. But it is different and I’d entirely respect anyone who feels it sounds a bit ,ahem,flat.
There’s a place for both sonic views IMHO.

I’m using a Kuzma turntable and cartridge and big full range ATC active speakers.

Sound amazing to me. My copy was perfectly produced- including the jacket embossing. My ERC recordings are some of the most treasured in my collection.

I’d like to ask why Discogs allows negative comments from speculative non-owners about price and the stupidity of buyers to be part of their website. If you haven’t even heard the vinyl, then please move along. How would you like if random people started criticizing other people’s choices on all the other album reviews out there? Let’s make a request to remove these clowns. 🤡

Just received my copy from Third Man Records Nashville. Happy to say I did not get any of the issues that Mike from The In-Groove got with his copy. The embossed lettering was spot on, no scuffing on the gloss cover finish, and no inking on the edges. Record came in two anti-static polyline sleeves, despite this, the record was incredibly filthy and required cleaning.

All the complaining etc. etc. but does it actually sound good?

Third Man has several copies for sale on their website today. $450/ea.
https://thirdmanrecords.com/products/erc-x-white-blood-cells

Has anyone else got the private press edition?

I confirmed with ERC that an additional small number were printed outside the main 333 edition.

I got mine from TMR London. Don’t know how many ERC never replied but I think maybe 10/15. Mines sub 10