Ten White Stripes tracks have been given new orchestral readings for an album dubbed “Aluminium,” due Nov. 6 internationally via XL Recordings. A North American release date has yet to be announced.
White was not involved in the project, which was spearheaded by XL head Richard Russell. “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,” he says.
Working with composer Jody Talbot, Russell drafted a “specially assembled orchestra comprising many of the U.K.’s finest young classical musicians” to perform tracks like “The Hardest Button to Button,” “I’m Bound To Pack It Up,” “Let’s Build a Home” and “Forever for Her (Is Over for Me).” Four Tet has remixed the latter cut but it has not yet been revealed how that version will be released.
“Aluminium” will only be available through the project’s Web site in a limited run of 3,333 CDs and 999 vinyl albums, the latter edition of which will include a silkscreen print by artist Rob Jones. The album will also be sold in digital form.
Here is the track list for “Aluminium”:
“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)”
