Jack White has become one of the most prolific musicians of the last 25 years. Between his work in The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and his solo outings he's proven himself to be the torchbearer for rock and blues music in a time when these genres have needed a champion.
Most musicians could only hope to have the discography that White has, and going through every album is not a light lift. But we did it — listening to all 19 of them.
In all honesty, there's not a "bad" album here, just some that are a bit less stellar than others. With that, let's examine the storied career of Jack White together to see what album comes out on top.
19. Entering Heaven Alive
Fifth solo Album, Released 2022
There's not a ton to say about this album. By and large it kind of just came and went. It's mostly a collection of acoustic tracks with some piano sprinkled in. It's not a bad album, just forgettable.
It does have a couple songs worth checking out though. Your must-listens on this album are "Love is Selfish" and "A Tree on Fire From Within."
18. Help Us Stranger
The Raconteurs third (and final — at least for now) studio album, released 2019
Again, this is not a bad album per se, just sort of forgettable. It was released in 2019 and the world has not heard from The Raconteurs since. But it has a pretty ripping harmonica solo with the band's Donovan cover of "Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness)."
It makes for a fine record to put on while you're cleaning the house.
Your must-listens on this album are "Sunday Driver" and "Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness)."
17. Sea of Cowards
The Dead Weather second album, released 2010
In my opinion The Dead Weather has always been the most experimental of White's projects (besides maybe one White Stripes album that we'll talk a few entries down). White plays the drums in this group and shares vocal duty with Alison Mosshart from The Kills.
The band always looked cooler than cool but didn't always stick the landings with their music. Sea of Cowards does some interesting things — take for example the spooky rocker "The Difference Between Us" and the souped up wackiness of "Blue Blood Blues." But besides those two (and maybe the more standard blues rocker "I Can't Hear You") it doesn't have a lot of standout moments.
16. Boarding House Reach
Third solo album, released 2018
This record came out after two stellar solo releases from White. Unfortunately, it didn't rise to the heights the previous two did. Instead, it came off like White was just going through the motions. It has solid rock songs on it, but nothing that really sticks out. There are some genuinely weird headscratchers as well — and not in a good way.
Your must-listens on this album are "Over and Over" and "Connected By Love."
15. Horehound
The Dead Weather debut album, released 2009
This album is a good example of style over substance. It's the debut album by The Dead Weather, and at the time it was cool that White was on the drums. After we get used to his drumming (which doesn't take long) we're left with a collection of dark bluesy rock jams that meander in place.
Despite having four people in the band compared to The White Stripes' two, The Dead Weather failed to produce as full of a sound on this album. This record has a vibe for sure, but for the most part it's a one note offering.
Listen to "I Cut Like A Buffalo" and "Treat Me Like Your Mother."
14. The White Stripes
The White Stripes debut album, released 1999
I might get a little hate for putting this one here, but oh well. As far as debut albums go this is just okay, and it didn't showcase The White Stripes at their best. However, it did introduce the world to the dynamic duo of Jack and Meg White, so for that it's an important piece of music history.
It's a raw record, maybe too raw. But that might be just what people love about it.
With this album, your must-listens are "Stop Breaking Down" and "When I Hear My Name."
13. Fear of the Dawn
Fourth solo album, released 2022
This is the first of two solo albums White released in 2022, and this is the better one. Where Entering Heaven Alive (number 19 on this list) went mostly acoustic, Fear of the Dawn is an electric assault.
White tried some really interesting things with this album, and the opening track "Taking Me Back" is undeniably awesome. Another great aspect of this record is the sequencing. If you close your eyes and let your mind wander it's almost like one epic, crazy blues rock song, and it has more peaks and valleys than you can shake a stick at.
We even have a track here with Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest.
It's a great album, and the fact this is number 13 in the ranking is proof of how solid White's discography is.
Listen to "Taking Me Back," "Hi-De-Ho" and "Fear of the Dawn."
12. Icky Thump
Sixth album by The White Stripes, released 2007
This is the final White Stripes album, and didn't rise to the heights of what came before. Overall, it sounded like the band was tired, and they broke up shortly after its release.
That being said, the title track is a certified rock classic, and "Conquest" is a ton of fun.
On this album, listen to "Icky Thump," "Conquest," "Little Cream Soda" and "Rag and Bone."
11. Broken Boy Soldiers
Debut album by The Raconteurs
The debut album by The Raconteurs is a fun rock record. At the time the album came out the world was only accustomed to White and his mysterious White Stripes ways. This new project made him seem approachable, and proved he could do more than just blues rock.
"Steady As She Goes" is still a radio staple to this day, and the record has aged well. There's nothing wrong with fun rock music!
Your must-to listens on this album are "Steady As She Goes," "Blue Veins" and "Level."
Everything from here forward is excellent work; some albums are just a little sharper than others.
10. Dodge and Burn
Third album by The Dead Weather, released 2015
After two okay records The Dead Weather really seemed to lock in on their third album Dodge and Burn. It has a looser feeling and sounds like the band wasn't taking themselves so deadly serious.
The overall mix of dark bluesy rock is still here but it's mixed with a little bit of punk rock and a little bit of piano ballad, which is great sonic diversity and a very welcome switch-up. Additional unexpected sounds like reggae-infused drums and spacey keyboards really help flesh this album out.
It's a solid piece of rock 'n' roll.
Be sure to listen to "Lose the Right," "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)" and "Impossible Winner."
9. Counselors of The Lonely
Second album by The Raconteurs, released 2008
The second album by The Raconteurs continued what Broken Boy Soldiers started, with this album upping the overall "vibes."
The songwriting is more epic and there's a Wild West feeling throughout that works quite well. The band incorporated fiddle, banjo and more slide guitar than before. That typically would feel like an Americana record, but Counselors of The Lonely rocks hard and proved that The Raconteurs were more than a one-trick-pony band.
Listen to "Salute Your Solutions," "Carolina Drama" and "Many Shades of Black."
8. Lazaretto
Second solo album, released 2014
This was a very good sophomore solo release from White.
At this point nobody was doubting his ability to play the blues, but you get the feeling with Lazaretto that if you put White in a time machine and sent him to the Mississippi Delta circa 1934 he'd fit right in with a local band in the time period. The title track is an incredibly fun speaker blower. The guitars rip, the vocals are sharp and we even have violin.
Your must-listens on this album are "Lazaretto," "High Ball Stepper" and "Temporary Ground."
7. Frozen Charlotte
Seventh solo album, released 2026
Here's the latest solo release from White, just released in July. This is a record that doesn't let up. It grabs you right from the start and doesn't let you go. It takes you on a no-speed-limit thrill ride that's just plain fun from start to finish. At 51 years old, White's showing no signs of slowing down either. This is one of the better solo albums of his career.
Listen to "Dollar Bill," "You'll Never Fix Me" and "G.O.D and The Broken Ribs."
6. Blunderbuss
Debut solo album, released 2012
Blunderbuss was White letting the world know he’s more than a rock revivalist. He’s a one‑man wrecking machine.
You get barroom blues, haunted Americana and explosive guitar work, all stitched together with his sharpest songwriting in years. As far as debut solo albums go it's hard to beat this one.
Listen to "Sixteen Saltines," "Freedom at 21" and "Love Interruption."
5. De Stijl
Second White Stripes album, released 2000
De Stijl achieved what The White Stripes' debut album did not. It brought attention to the band and was sharper, more electric and just downright better than the band's debut. It made the world pay attention to the duo and got us properly ready for the masterpieces that would follow.
The timing of the release was great as well. The garage rock revival of the early 2000s was about to blow, and for those paying attention, De Stijl was the wick that lit the powder keg.
On this album you have to listen to "Hello Operator," "Truth Doesn't Make a Noise" and "Death Letter."
4. No Name
Sixth solo album, released 2024
This is the strongest solo offering from White.
No Name enters into punk blues territory and explodes from the speakers like a punch to the gut. It's just pure, volatile creativity from an artist who refuses to sit still. It’s the sound of a musician letting us know that he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.
The whole album's great, but be sure to listen to "Old Scratch Blues," "That's How I'm Feeling" and "Archbishop Harold Holmes."
3. Get Behind Me Satan
Fifth White Stripes album, released 2005
Some people love this album and some people don't. I happen to fall into the love it category.
This is The White Stripes at their most experimental and weird. The band had never made anything like this before and they never made anything like it again. I mean, the main instrument on "The Nurse" is a marimba for crying out loud! Honky-tonk piano populates "Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)." Meanwhile "Blue Orchid" might remain the weirdest rocker The White Stripes ever recorded.
Get Behind Me Satan is a truly unique offering in White's discography, and absolutely deserves to sit at such a high spot on the list of his work.
Listen to "Blue Orchid," "My Doorbell" and "Take, Take, Take."
2. Elephant
Fourth White Stripes album, released 2003
A lot of people would give this album the number one spot, and they wouldn't be wrong. This is the album that turned The White Stripes into legends. With the track "Seven Nation Army" opening the album you instantly know that the White siblings were not messing around. But it's not JUST that track on the album. We also have "Ball and a Biscuit," "The Hardest Button to Button" and "Black Math." It's simply banger after banger with Elephant.
This is easily one of the best albums of the 2000s and is an important offering in the history of rock.
Listen to the whole album, but especially "Seven Nation Army," "The Hardest Button to Button" and "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself."
1. White Blood Cells
Third White Stripes album, released 2001
This is the record that truly established The White Stripes as one of the most important bands of the 2000s and made White one of the modern guitar gods.
This album was a lot of people's introduction to the band — the red, white and black aesthetic, the weird brother/sister (lover?) relationship, the pure rock explosion of "Fell In Love With A Girl" (and its awesome Lego music video). These elements all combine to make this the pinnacle of The White Stripes.
And hey, who doesn't love the sweetness of "We're Going To Be Friends?"
Again, this whole album is a must-listen, but if you're short on time, listen to "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," "We're Going To Be Friends" and "Fell In Love With A Girl."
