A collection of classically reworked White Stripes tracks is to be released. Actually 'classically reworked' is a stupid and misleading phrase. Here's what they've done: they've taken ten White Stripes tracks and got classical musicians to play them. See, that spelled it out better.
'Aluminium' was devised by XL Recording's Richard Russell who enlisted composer Joby Talbot to bring together some of the UK's "finest young classical musicians" to work on the project. Russell says: "I've grown up on popular music, but in the last couple of years I've begun to appreciate classical music, and for some reason I've often thought of The White Stripes when I've heard it: the hypnotic, repetitious, enigmatic nature of it."
Explaining why he chose to go with the British spelling for the title of the album, he adds: "I decided to call the album 'Aluminium'- the English spelling, with the 'i', because this is going to be an album of English interpretations of great American songs written by a great American songwriter, and someone who's inspired me constantly, Jack White (the song 'Aluminum' will retain its American spelling - no 'i')".
'Aluminium' will be released on 6 Nov, via the album's own website, on a limited edition run of 3,333 CDs and 999 vinyl albums. It is also expected to be made available via download. The tracklisting is as follows:
Aluminum
I'm Bound To Pack It Up
Why Cant You Be Nicer To Me?
Astro
Never Far Away
Little Bird
Let's Build A Home
Who's A Big Baby?
The Hardest Button To Button
Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)