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Their colour scheme may be tailor-made for the festive season, but The White Stripes' Christmas gift is decidedly unmerry. 'Candy Cane Children' - a song from 1998 - is an eerie chunk of portentious blues growling that's less gently falling snowflakes and more a violent storm on the horizon. Listen loud to keep Boxing Day blues at bay. The B-side is Jack reading from the book of Matthew before Meg sings 'Silent Night' unaccompanied and they argue over the words. It's ace, mainly as an insight into their Christmas Day, pre-divorce.

Pat Long

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