You always get the sense that his image is a little calculated, but his solo album was absolutely unbelievable.... He's one hell of a lyricist.

I'd say more than a little. Jack has a way of deliberately catching the media's eye. Living in Nashville, I see it pretty often. I'm not complaining though, because he does so in creative ways. Divorce Parties, trying to set the world record for the most metaphors in one concert, covering Mozart with ICP...it's great fun.
But as you said, it has nothing to do with his music.

Haha, and there was his attention grab of the 'shortest concert ever' world record :) ....

The Edge can obviously play guitar but I was a little taken aback at the reliance on all the pedals and effects, especially when contrasted with Jack using a coke bottle, a piece of wire and a pick-up. I'm not really a U2 fan, so I haven't scrutinized it that much, but they are fairly ubiquitous, so I have heard plenty of their music and the thing that really got me was that, even with all those banks and banks of effects, the Edge's guitar basically sounds the same in damn near every song - that same chugging, ringing tone. You'd think he would mix it up a little once in awhile, but then I guess that's the danger of being a monstrously popular band - you don't want to mess with the formula too much and you end becoming a prisoner of your own sound.

I never liked U2 at all but recently I've come to like them more, they're not bad and they have some songs I enjoy. The edge does have some skill at the guitar, but I can agree with the part about his stuff relying on effects so much, but still, he's good.
Better than jack white? I'm not sure. He's more technical but I like jacks style more. He's written some of the nastiest riffs in a while.

Anybody who says anything negative about Jack White simply doesn't know music. The guy is a genius at writing catchy melodies and the best of the best in his genre.

White Stripes, Raconteurs, Himself...great great stuff.

No Dead Weather? I haven't kept up with the critical/commercial success of them but I think they're more than able to stand up to the rest of Jack's stuff.

I remember when the White Stripes started getting famous, some people we're calling him the "Kurt Cobain" of Blues.. at that point I was thinking "yeah right, take it easy there" - anyone remember when they called Nickelback the next Nirvana? --> 100% Captain of the fail-boat!

Anyways.. these days, I'm thinking they might have hit it pretty close with the "Kurt Cobain" - blues-edition, cause Jack White is very very gifted that's for sure!

I like Cut Like a Buffalo. Don't remember much after that. CDs aren't with me.

Jack White is ok. Nothing special but.

Nothing special huh? I don't suppose you'd let us know who is special?