The Great White Stripes

Red and black blaze across the screen as the beret-wearing Meg White and tartan skirt-clad Jack White rock out in their new DVD/Blu-Ray album, “The Great Northern Lights.” More a documentary of The White Stripes’ 2007 Canadian tour than anything, director Emmett Malloy wonderfully captures the essence of the garage-rock band in the new live performance album.

After viewing the DVD, it is undeniable that the co-ed duo can work a crowd. The body shaking, convulsive dance styles displayed by the audience are a testament to the position the band holds as modern rock royalty. That said, The White Stripes are neither entirely rock nor indie, but a fusion of the two genres. The band is able to maintain the weighty strumming of the guitar without falling into the arguably passé sounds of classic rock. Indeed, it is easy to forget there are only two performers on-stage.

Hardcore White Stripes fans will be disappointed to learn that apart from covering Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” there are few new songs. Most numbers performed are from their last album, “Icky Thump,” which is a welcome treat for all who view “The Great Northern Lights.”