With all the red, white, and black colored garb, the White Stripes' venture into the bull-fighting ring appeared imminent. And with the brand new music video for "Conquest," the Detroit-bred duo's latest single -- set to arrive with three fresh B-sides and contributions from Beck -- from new LP Icky Thump, Jack and Meg White fulfill their fashion wet dreams, donning traditional Spanish pants, jackets, and naturally, characteristic black hats opposite a horned opponent. Jack, entering the crowded arena on horseback as the tune's south-of-the-border brass introduction blares, soon dismounts and prepares to duel the beast. Meg, standing idly and indifferent nearby (possibly due to her acute anxiety… of bulls…?) observes as Jack executes his calculated, fancy moves, taming the bull and winning over the swashbuckling crowd. But, as the lyrics warn, the "rolls were reversed," and soon the "hunter became the prey."

As you can probably guess, the raging bull then turns on Mr. White when his killer conviction falters. The rocker is tossed across the ring, and pulverized in the dirt and manure as fans' disgust takes a turn for the worse. Sure, the aesthetic simply remedies the tune's narration, and Jack looks the matador part in every detail, but that's the problem; the storyline is too convenient, even if Jack prepped with bullfighting lessons for effect. 

On the Web:
The White Stripes at MySpace
whitestripes.com

Talk: Jack White: talented bullfighter or poser?