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He has become my first real idol. Music has always played a huge role in my (at this point quite short) life. But Jack White was the one who transformed my life into being really addicted to music and playing instruments.

He is one of the best guitarists in history and his way of life suits perfect into my image of a perfect musician. The fact, that he is doing his thing because he believes in music, wants to rescue the Rock ‘N Roll and the blues was so inspiring to me. He is one of the most honest people in the business, never stops expanding his techniques. He was the one exposing me to blues and blues-rock music for the first time and his attitude stopped my illusion, that there are certain things in life that are impossible.

Because he is just 34 but is the owner of a very prosperous label and is singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and drummer – fulfilling these roles in three different bands which have different aspects in there music. But he serves this all.

Concerning the music he makes, “The White Stripes” are definitely the band, which impresses me the most – every time I hear one of their songs. There is so much dynamics and passion in this music, that it makes you forget, that there are just two people performing that stuff.

He has (until now) done things other people could not even achieve in a whole life – that is really impressing. And all he needed to get to his reputation was a certain attitude: Never stop believing – nothing is impossible. Seems a cool way of living to me. And is really successful.

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This song is a perfect example for what dynamics can do with music. The acoustic guitar changes to natural distortion in the refrain which creates a complete new part with a different atmosphere.

Man must dance by Johnossi:

Two men are able to achieve this complex groove. This is done with perfect fingerstyle guitar and perfectly chooses percussion.

Coming back to life by Pink Floyd:

David Gilmour is the master of ambient, atmospheric guitar. The intro of this song is nearly the best example for the ability of a guitar to get the listener in a special mood.

Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze:

Nearly every song written by Jimi is remarkable. But Purple Haze is so full of power and a perfect example how to use Fuzz distortion to get a unique sound.

Guns’N'Roses – Paradise City:

Slash is a guitarist that denies any special technique like fret tapping and prefers clean and distorted sounds. Paradise City is his song to show this.

Van Halen – Eruption:

This solo is probably the best ever produced. Eddie Van Halen shows up his various techniques combined with really impossible velocity.

The White Stripes – Blue Orchid

The sound you will hear is achieved with just two instruments. The White Stripes are the best way to show up what people can do with musical nihilism.

Cream – Sunshine of your Love:

Single notes make up Creams most recognizable riff. And Claptons solos are just stunning.

The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely:

Bluesrock is not dead. And with this song The Raconteurs define the genre quite new. Stunning rhythm with more than three changes in velocity are combined with really cool, effected singing.

RHCP – Under the Bridge:

Frusciantes breakthrough. Under the Bridge is a song that every acoustic guitarist should learn. Playing it teaches you nearly everything about both fingerstyle and rhythm guitar.

And this film is a perfect example for a niche-based documentation. Every guitarist should get this movie. It shows up many guitars and songs/styles and inspiration as well. Combined with these three extraordinary musicians, director Guggenheim got it really well to produce a movie which directly speaks to the heart and want of any guitar player.
It is also a really good source of inspiration. All the sound examples given in the about 94 minutes are worth to listen to after the film as well and are examples of nearly any kind of musical style – there are examples from classic folk up to punk rock and pop. So if you are a guitarist or even an interested musician “It might get loud” should get its place in your DVD shelf.

Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits

And while hearing the 15 songs right now I realized in nearly every song, what the role of an experimenting musician and songwriter is – most of the time concerning the mainstream and popular media. You are the ones to change people’s mind.
Although I know Waits is quite the most popular musician besides the mainstream, he has some really unusual approaches in his aural art. Every song I heard in this LP features one big difference compared to mainstream music.

But by highlighting things like the use of sharp dissonances, exotic percussion or breathing instead of singing in rhythm you sharpen the listeners mind to concentrate on exactly those things. And implementing such things in popular music like techno or piano ballads, the way music is presented to the wide mass is changed slowly but steadily.