Five Star: A look at albums
that are so good that they impress even the most cynical of critics. Very
few albums are superior enough to obtain a five star rating but occasionally
a band slips through the river of mediocrity that is the modern music industry
and they produce an album that restores our faith in the future of rock!
This series is a look at such albums.
The duo known as The White Stripes had
a lot to prove with “Elephant”, their fourth album. Since they broke wide
open with their last album, a lot of people were curious if they could
actually live up to the hype. Did they? If you were a fan of the group’s
previous work then you will most definitely fall into the “they sure did”
camp. On the other hand, if you are one who wrote this band off as a couple
of “retro rockers” then this album may just change your mind. As it did
mine.
Knowing the pressure they were under to
deliver must have weighed heavily on their minds as they entered the studio
but in the end they didn’t compromise their core sound to accommodate anyone,
they simply expanded on what they have always done and the result if their
best work to date.
Forget the backlash over the hype for a
moment and concentrate on the music. While there are plenty of reasons
to degrade The Strokes, The White Stripes give you an equal number of reasons
to sit up and pay attention. Unlike the Strokes who trend toward simplistic
chords and melodies that are catchy at first but eventually end up sounding
hollow, The White Stripes keep their raw edge and retro sound and yet take
it in a variety of different directions. When you consider that this
band is a duo, the fact that they are capable of creating such a wall of
sound is astounding (of course the studio opens up possibilities not available
live). Unlike their previous work, which was lacking a really strong driving
undercurrent on the low end, the music here has a full and complete sound
driven by the bass and drums. Add in the distorted guitar and keyboards
and you have a lot to contend with here. The vocals are the icing on the
cake as Jack White explores his full register and comes across far more
powerfully than with his previous work, mixing an Iggy Pop vibe with a
little Van Morrison, a young Robert Plant and even Freddie Mercury.
But it’s the total package here that’s
impressive as the White Stripes manage to capture the groove of the street
level pre-punk glam rock mix it with dirty blues and bring it into the
21st century without sounding dated. Even when they aren’t rocking full
throttle they manage to put their own unique stamp on these styles which
when played by others sound rather played out but when delivered by the
White Stripes come across as refreshing. Even the middle of the road, “There's
No Home For You Here,” isn’t predictable with it’s Plant like tone in the
vocals on the verses and unconventional lyrical phrasing. This isn’t
a band like The Strokes that relies on one simple formula. That only
becomes even more evident with the next track, “I Just Don't Know What
To Do With Myself”. A song that if you have only heard the singles from
this band before you probably wouldn’t recognize the source if this came
blaring out of your radio. It too has a Zep quality to it but mixed with
a little Van Morrison.
If you were expecting an album of full
in your face retro rock you might be disappointed as The White Stripes
do their best to explore the middle ground on a lot of the tunes here.
“In The Cold, Cold Night “ is further evidence of this as Meg takes the
mic and delivers a song that would have been right at home during the Summer
of Love. The melodic piano driven and soulful “I Want To Be The Boy To
Warm Your Mother's Heart” is a definite highpoint and is the perfect example
of the real diversity at work with The White Stripes. Of course, the first
two tracks “Seven Nation Army” and “Black Math” give us the powerful side
of the group but it’s the middle of disc where the band explores their
mellower side that this group really shines. Listen to a track like “You've
Got Her In Your Pocket” and you might wonder who in the hell you’re listening
to. Is this a lost Zeppelin track for the Zeppelin III sessions?
They kick it back into the distorted blues
with “Ball And Biscuit”, and then into full on retro-glam with “The Hardest
Button To Button” which echos with a Iggy meets the Stones vibe. “Little
Acorns” is one the rawest track here and rocks unmercifully. That is only
followed up with the riff happy punk meets early Judas Priest like “Hypnotise,”
and then the powerful and yet soulful “The Air Near My Fingers,” which
in reality is a song that is far more hypnotic than “Hypnotise”.
“Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine,”
just solidifies the Stooges comparisons and is remarkable in the fact that
is sounds as if it was taken directly out of the original glam scene but
has an originality to it.
For the closing track, “Well It's True
That We Love One Another,“ the group has a little fun with all of the rumors,
speculation and innuendo that surround what the real relationship was between
Jack and Meg. While this tongue in cheek mid tempo tune isn’t close to
best track on the record, it’s a fun duet between Jack and Meg and seems
like the perfect close to the album.
So there you have it, this scribe’s take
on this collection of music that draws heavily from rock’s past but still
manages to break through today. I give this disc a five star rating because
it quite simply surprised me and was far better than I expected it to be.
While you may debate that high of rating there should be no debate that
Jack and Meg more than meet the challenge they faced when they entered
the studio to record this album. If you were turned off by the singles
from the White Stripes last album you might do better to take a listen
to all they have to offer on this disc. They definitely are not a one trick
pony and actually do have a lot to offer, if you’re willing to give them
an honest listen.
CD Info
The White Stripes – Elephant
Rating:
Tracks: Seven Nation Army
Black Math
There's No Home For You Here
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
In The Cold, Cold Night
I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's
Heart
You've Got Her In Your Pocket
Ball And Biscuit
The Hardest Button To Button
Little Acorns
Hypnotise
Air Near My Fingers, The
Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine
Well It's True That We Love One Another
Posted by sheriff butthead:
White Stripes rock (period) anyone that says different, go f__k yourself
Posted by Isaac:
the strokes rock so much harder
Posted by Jim Morrison:
This f%ck$n album, made me go out of my grave in Paris and rock again. The best group of rock since The Doors!! They are not some a%%holes trying to sell music, they love it, they just rock. That`s for all the gays of the pop and all the niggers of the hip - hop. Suck that one. The Lizard King is alive Yeah. majo I love u
Posted by Sk8er H8er:
I found them to be quite good actually. I wasn't terribly impressed with what I heard on the radio. Seven Nation Army is an alright song for me. But when I bought the CD, I was hooked. "Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine" is the best track on the album. De Stijl is a good album, as well as White Blood Cells and their self titled debut album. They are Rock. Not like that "pop-punk" watered down teenage angst with lightly distorted guitars and whiny vocals stuff.
Posted by ROTTEN FISH:
THEY NEED TO GET A F*KING BASSIST OR GUITARIST WHATEVER IT WAS
! THEY SUCK!
Posted by ROTTEN FISH:
THEY NEED TO GET A F*KING BASSIST! THEY SUCK!
Posted by nicole:
the white stripes rock. i love them
Posted by Eli:
The White Stripes rock, Meg and Jack are a divorced couple, Well It's True That We Love One Another is a duet between Jack and Holly Golightly, Meg is in four lines. Meg is my hero!! ~rock on~
Posted by smiley and jubesta:
white stripes rock. we are doin a project on them. RoCk On!
Posted by Sarah:
WOW! i'm so proud of The White Stripes!! They've gone so far! Elephant was such a good album.
I listen to all their singles and studio recordings and I must say they should really consider putting some of them on a album. If they make a fifth one.
oh and Jack White is very sexy!! He sure looks different from when i saw him at one of his first concert.
Posted by Suzy Lee:
I love the white stripes. They are my hometown band i've known them since they were just a little band playing at coffee houses. they are like family. my friends guitar teacher always makes fun of them i just want to punch his fat face!!! it makes me so mad when people diss one of todays greatest bands
Posted by okuyala:
Instead of Kate Moss in a bikini dancing around a pole can we have Jack doing the same?...please
?
Posted by me:
f*** who all disses them
Posted by princess of the underground:
white stripe is the bomb no doubt and Jack is a sex god i would rock his world
Posted by jack whites wife:
i love the white stripes they are the best band iv herd jack is the SEXEST MAN ALIVE and im going to marry him he is such a fox! meg is so pretty and they are both so talented I LOVE THIS BAND! and if u hate them why are u reading this?
Posted by Jack White:
Please children of the dark woods consume yourselfs with cardboard custards and velvet bacon. I want everyone to know that I'm a freaking sex freak and I love robots. My sis is a freakin robot and she eats hollowed nut shells. My brain is an expansion of visual parodoxies and wet syringes. Call me hypothyretically insane of just drive me through a wall of cement cheese. I can't stand brainless bark eating monkeys who have nothing better to do than write about me and my sis. Go have a f*cking pill and sit on your mothers face you balless pathetic meat chunks!
Posted by Ksenija:
CD je jebeno do jaja,bre!!
Posted by dilldo:
rad torad and alsome
Posted by hmmharpua:
I agree with you except the last track on Elephant is a duet with Holly Golightly-not Meg White!!
Posted by Mrs. Samwise Gamgee:
The White Stripes were my very first concert this summer, and it was one of the best nights of my life!! Since then, they've been my favorite band. While I love Elephant, Seven Nation Army has been ruined for me by this annoying kid in my Algebra class that is always humming it, his pubesscent mustachio bobbing. It makes me want to throw a piece of dung at him. Currently my favorite album is their first, The White Stripes, but that often changes. I also enjoy De Stijl for its individuality. White Blood Cells has some excellent songs, but the song based on Citizen Kane, The Union Forever, really creeps me out for some odd reason, so I avoid it more than the other three.
Comments to reviewers:
1) All of you who hate this glorious band- why are you even on this site?
2) Yes, Jack is a little sex bomb and Meg is pretty in her own way, but isn't there more to it than that?
3) To a certain reviewer who thinks they're nifty on the album but yucky live, I think you have it completely wrong.
Good day to all of you, even you Peppermint dislikers.
Posted by bigmantatloveswhitstripes:
i love jack and im a guy!!
Posted by #1 white stripes fan090:
the white stripes rock!f*** all who hate them! they dont care neither do we!
Posted by jonnny:
i agree seven nation army rules....im gonna fight um off a seven nation army coudnt hold me back.........
Posted by Aaron, no1whitestripesfan:
excellent album, except whoever wrote that review is an idiot. the last song is a duet between jack white and holly golightly, involving meg white for only a couple of lines. Ugh, what i have to work with these days...
Posted by loz:
top album. i luv jack
Posted by andy the man:
i agree, this is the best band going right now, white blood cells redefined music, and elephant did one step better
Posted by rocknrollgirlie:
I love "Elephant"! the Stripes' rock n' roll talent is visible when they completely changed the style of "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself."
CD of the moment: "Everything Will Never Be OK" by Fiction Plane. check 'em out: fictionplane.com
Posted by meg white:
this cd is by far the best ever! the white stripes are such a hot band...they're very talented!! what's also gr8 is that their songs are somewhat easy to play...they're so vintage rock 'n' roll...in a good way! oh, and jack is a rock 'n' roll sex god...
Posted by jack white:
yeah this cd kicks ive listend to it so much i now practically all the songs so its nothing new but iam still looking for white blood cells cd, well anyway the white strips kick ass and they always will..
Posted by Ben:
this cd deffinately kicks A$$. the best cd ive ever listened to. the hardest button to button is just so powerful. definately amazing. but what i really wanna say is whats with all the hatered? u dont have to like the white stripes. and if some1 doesnt, what does it matter you Jacks stalker? they dont have to like them. it doesnt mean that they dont have taste. they just have different taste. i say calm the f*ck down. sure they r the best band in the world, but not every1 thinks that
Posted by mrs.nicholls:
I agree.totaly.My fave band is the vines,but the white stripes are GREAT too.I have they're white blood cells album.I just listen seven nation army,and i think that this song ROCK!!!wow!the white stripes are great.not good,great.
Posted by sk8tbam:
the white strips c'est cool surtout live je trouve qu'il sont totalement stupid mais du bon sens entk saleuuuu
Posted by josh:
Man this cd has a little bit of everything and i think that the stripes rock ass and seven nation army well thats a song all on its own it is killer...
Posted by aG:
Thanks for the 411 Jacks. The version I got was an advance with no info or liner notes and I didn't see any mention of Holly Golightly in the material I looked at to research this. .
Posted by Jacks Stalker ; ):
Oh one thing though antiGUY Its true that we love one another is not a duet. Actually it is a trio involving Meg, Jack and Holly Golightly.
Posted by Jacks Stalker ; ):
JOHN ANTHONY GILLIS (JACK WHITE 3RD) IS THE SHIZZZZZ
Posted by Jacks Stalker ; ):
All You people that are saying they suck you are fuc*ing stupid because if you don't like them then why the hell are you reading this article. It is great you f*ckers just don't have any taste in good music so go listin to some sh*tty rap or whatever and f*ck your selves. Oh and I love jack too girls he is the sh*t but on top of being incredibly hot he also has the tlaent of a musical god. And that is my 2 cent take on that.
Posted by Jacks Stalker ; ):
I totally agree this album is great. I although being a huge fan was not all too impressed with the last album. I however loved this album it sees and jumped the bar of what was expected I give it 10 stars!!!********** :)
Posted by Daniel:
I like the album but I like De Stil better though and I would like to say that if you don't like this band then either haven't given them a chance because your too caught up in the hype or you don't like blues, punk, garage and old country music because that's basicly their influences
Posted by Ashley:
I love the White Stripes. I love their music, the lyrics, Jack. As much as I like Elephant, my favourite album would have to be their self-titled. But I love them all, no questions asked. It`s just hearing Jack screech on the song Screwdriver... love it. I agree with Nikki White, he is the sexiest most attractive man in the entire world. But anyway, The White Stripes are probably my favourite band. They are so simple but so complicated at the same time. Their music has really helped me discover what real music is all about.
Posted by Nikki White...:
I love the white stripes' music, & also think that jack white aka John Gillis is the sexiest most attractive person in the ENTIRE WORLD! His eyes...his hair...his butt, his arms...all so freakin sexy its almost scary...no its not really but yeah i love the white stripes!- l8r!
Posted by kill artfags:
what do you call the white strips? yeppie rock? i hate all that hipster stuff i hate their style and their music has been done to death
Posted by mike:
jack white is annoying
Posted by ritalin:
i saw em live and they were just as good, if not better.
Posted by ...:
this cd gets old fast
Posted by Jonny:
Hell yea I totally agree cuz this is a great album. I never really gave the White Stripes a listen cuz i thought they were just another "Vines" or "Strokes" band that had nothing to offer. But damn, this cd sure changed my mind fast and i'm lovin it. I hear a lot of Zeppelin in these songs.
Posted by The Bob:
The White Stripes are incredible. If it is possible to be more popular than the Beatles were, they will be the ones to figure it out.
Posted by to: Wonka:
What the fukk??
Posted by Wonka:
No Sir... I don't like it! Meg has a nice rack, but that's about all she can offer.
Posted by BOB GANJA:
SUCKS... I CAN SEE WHY THEY WERE IN CONCERT WITH THE DATSUNS.... KEEP EM DOWN UNDER
Posted by someone in the world...:
A+.
Posted by Dr Fever:
I have been converted. As I have stated in a couple rants/columns; I hated the White Stripes. But this album made me do a complete 180. So VERY good.
Posted by someone in the world...:
dumb ass....
Posted by someone in the world...:
Yeah, like you know anything...
Posted by bolica:
they're freakin awesome and adioslave isn't even close to being better
Posted by someone in the world...:
Hella good, but AUDIOSLAVE is better.
Posted by Glenn J:
Absolute Quality!They've really surpassed my expectations with this one.A must.
Posted by this band rocks:
(I mean the 'this band blows' guy.)
Posted by this band rocks:
fluck off you damn d1ckhead
Posted by [print name here]:
I think that Elephant is the best album made in 10 years. I think that more complicated drum beats would make it a lot better rather than a simble crash here and there
Posted by Steph:
The new album of the White Stripes is their best yey.
Posted by Master:
I Believe the band as a whole are great, their last few albums have been right up there with the verve and oasis and i believe they have proved themselves once more with Elethant and personally I believe that if you like bands that can rock your socks off or have a soft mellow sense crossed between starsailor and the vines then you should buy their new album as it is another white stripe masterpiece.
Posted by DONTCALLMEJEROME:
THEY ARE GOOD ON RECORD BUT THEY SUCK LIVE.
Posted by me:
the white stripes are awesome
Posted by Amazing Spiderman who hates White Stripes:
Actually, I LLLOOVVVEEE the White Stripes!!! I was just kidding!! I'm a freak!!
Posted by Amazing Spiderman who hates White Stripes:
THIS BAND SUCKS BIG TIME!
That stupid voice which detonizes and altered by really bad effects, and his really-sucking-voice shouting! I CANT STAND TO THEM BUT DAMN RADIOS PLAY IT!
WHILE THEY'RE PLAYING REALLY GOOD SONGS LIKE FOO FIGHTERS, O.A.R. U2, TOM PETTY, LINKIN PARK, THE WHITE STRIPES COME UP ALL OF A SUDDEN. BUT I DON'T WANNA CHANGE THE CHANNEL! SO THIS BAND SUCKSSSSSSSSSSS!
Posted by Carp:
I like the one that says.. " Why look here for a joke when your holding one in your hand".
Posted by why do you care?:
Yeah, goths should die. Hey, once I saw this sign in the pissing room and it said "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.
Posted by Die Goths:
Hey remember kiddies..after taking a crap, dont forget to wipe your WHITE STRIPES !
Posted by THATS BECAUSE GOTHS ARE PATHIC LITTLE LOSERS WITH NO IDENTITY AND THEY RUN AROUND ALL DRESSED IN BLACK AND THAT DEAD BLOATED WHITE LOOK THINKING THEIR MAKING A STATEMENT. WELL GUESS WHAT ? ITS BEEN DONE, IT DOESNT IMPRESS OR APALL ANYONE ANYMORE, YOUR AS COMMON PLACE AS A FRIGGEN STARBUCKS.. SO GO CORREL YOURSELFS AT THE MALL YA LOSERS :
.
Posted by this band blows:
To: this band rocks shut up ya poser. Is this the current trendy bandwagon your on now? Yeah this band sucks for the fact that it sounds like a dying cat on vocals set to someone dragging their nails done a chalkboard. Hell I'd rather listen to 24 hours of Yoko Ono than this sh!T !!! so go FU.CK yourself
Posted by this band rocks:
why does everybody hate the white stripes? dumb asses. if you dont like them then get the hel away from here and go listen to your stupid avril lavine crap or whatever you pieces of sh*t listen to. and what was with the goth comment?
Posted by What?:
.
Posted by * HUH *:
Richards just what the fu.ck are you saying ? Your cluess
Posted by Richards:
This is definitly the band of the 21st century.. i feel that they have brought back the music of the 50's 70's and 80's, conbined it into one and made it f*cking amazing
Posted by Critic:
this band sucks.
Posted by 69 and staying :
Man I hate you goths and Buffy the Vampire Slayer dorks
Posted by VampireRyan:
IM FU*KING QUEER AS HELL
Posted by The White Stripes:
SUCK ASS
Posted by Hey Roxy "Fairy Chick:
fu.cking grow up
Posted by Roxy "Fairy Chick":
WhiTe StriPes Are GoOd...i Love tHat Song "sEVEN nAtIOn ArmY"...my QuoTe: lOVe fAiRIes,sTArs, And The MoOn, cAUse SoMeThInG GoOd wiLL cOmE sOoN... *rOXY*
Posted by yeah:
The White Stripes are hella good.
Posted by Reeener:
LOVE THEM!!!! MARRY ME JACK!
Posted by J-Rock:
on seven nation army, the tuning isn't made to be bass, i think it's open tuning he uses a slide for most of the distorted parts, and a digitech whammy down an octave for the "bass" part, either way it kicks major ass, go see the white stripes they are totally amazing live!
Posted by My butt is so huge !!:
Bye ??
Posted by Jack's voice is so awesome!!:
hi??
Posted by bemolka:
one of the best albums of 2003!!! for sure!!!
Posted by I don't know:
i totally agree with you "Heehaw". The White Stripes DO rock! i have no life either! And I like to post things and creep people out too! Creepy! Is your name Bobby Joe? Tell the truth!
Posted by Carp:
Hey Neon Scorezinsky how old are you? Your comparing this band to Led Zep ? you doorknob, its two different types of music and style! Quit trying to act like you know what your talking about, either that or go work for Rolling Stone Mag.
Posted by heehaw:
i luv the white stripes! they totally rock! im bored and i have no life so i decided to creep ppl out and post stuff. *heh heh* cya!
Posted by Stinky:
p.s her name is Holly Golightly
Posted by Neon Scorezinsky:
The guitar is not tuned to sound like a bass, Jack uses and effects pedal called an octavia that lowers the pitch 12 semitones. It is a decent album, but not comparable with Led Zeppelin III.
Posted by Stinky:
If one more of you little MTV kiddies says their "Cool" again Im going to puke. Your as bad as the Creed fans who judge the band by their looks and not the sound. Grow up and go back to your N'Stink sites if you wanna comment about an artists looks and hair
Posted by jessica:
hey i agree, its the best album in like 10yrs (excepting nirvana's). but you made some errors. one: the last track isnt a duet between meg and jack, its a trio w/ holly somebody (shes a major garage rockgirl in englnd) jack and meg. also there is no bass, only a guitar tuned to sound like a bass. and also- "ball and biscuit" is not blues at all- its hendrix
Posted by tina:
i bet you they made the video seven nation arm for stoners like me so we can trip out all the time when we watch it KOOL!
Posted by tina:
i bet you they made the video seven nnation arm for stoners like me so we can trip out all the time when we watch it KOOL!
Posted by tina:
they rock they always have had talent and always will they deserve every good thing that comes to them!
Posted by music person:
i like the white stripes but i dont have their cd so yeah im cool bye
Posted by Jan:
Jack looks cool in the videos...but i saw him live on conan...and what is up with his chin??? he looks fat..
is he?
Posted by Shayn:
This is a good album, done in a somewhat concept sort of way, which works in the end. It's not as "heavy" as their last CD, but it definantly is their most diverse. I say listen to the first two as well, and especially the raw single, Pain. You want to hear a early Jack White and what he has to offer, listen to their singles from the era of their first two albums. They'll blow your mind.
Posted by Sucker:
Yeah i think that Jack actually looks way hotter in white rather than red!! but in a suite he is just god damn sexy! Phwoar Jack White uh uh
Posted by Bitch:
PLEASE PEOPLE GET A LIFE AND GO SOME WHERE ELSE? PLEASE. THIS MUSIC ISNT ABOUT REVIEWS ITS ABOUT WOT U THINK OF IT URSELF AND WHAT IT DOES FOR U! SO YES U HAVE UE OWN OPINION BUT LEAVE IT AT THAT. ITS A LITTLE THING CALLED PRIVACY!! LUV HEL
Posted by duff:
Well said Duff's on dope.
Posted by Sucker:
JACK WHITE HAS TO BE THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE! DITCH UR SIS JACK AND GO SOLO!
Posted by Duff's on dope.:
um reviews aren't supposed to have opinions or like compare things ya know so people who haven't heard them have like a point of reference. the review should say like duff like likes it ya know. yeah, I know duff's like a tool who makes stupid comments like that. luv, Axhole
Posted by Razjml:
Yes, I agree that the subsequent singles put out were very good, I like Hard To Explain and Hotel Yorba quite a lot. I'm not sure if The Vines ever got a 3rd single or not, but if they didn't then they DEFINITELY were the most misrepresented by their singles. Why they couldn't tap Mary Jane or Country Yard or 1969 for a single is beyond me. Yes, I fully agree an album cannot be judged by a couple songs, but if I'm not grabbed by the songs I hear from it then there is no incentive for me to buy the album. I must object to you saying I "really want" to like the White Stripes but I can't somehow overcome my objections to them, implying that I *need* to listen to them to prove my "indie" tastes and credentials or something. I listen to far too many bands to be obsessed with the idea of wanting to listen to one I'm not incredibly drawn to. I'm not exactly sure what I need to "give up," but you can trust that I'll be listening to other bands (not to imply I'll stop listening to the songs by the White Stripes I talked about before)- perhaps one of the 5 cds I've bought in the last 4 weeks that I haven't fully aquainted myself with. In all honesty, I'm grateful I don't have to punch myself for buying yet another cd and making Elephant the 6th.
Posted by Duff:
Ok Razjml. I agree that the songs that you mentioned were not the strongest on the records. They were the singles that the record companies decided to put out. There were also several very good songs that were put out as singles (hard to explain, dead leaves, hotel yorba). Also... to fully enjoy Elephant, don't just listen to a few songs. It is an album, a complete work. It also seems like you really want to like the white stripes, but you don't. Give up and listen to another band.
Posted by Shannon:
Wow haha. this cd is great. i lvoe the white stripes. ive loved them for a ong time! i have all there cds/ they are the gresatest band! whooooo hoo.
Posted by SOURCHUX:
Can you say JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION? I know. It's only Rock n'Roll. But I like it!
Posted by Razjml:
Lol, no Duff, I am not a white stripes fan. I like a number of their songs and respect them as a band, but I don't own any of their cds and so, in my opinion, i would say I'm not a very big fan of theirs. I said that about Fall In Love With A Girl because, like many of the so-called "Garage Rock Revival" bands, imo, their first single was incredibly misleading to their musicianship as a whole. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, Fell In Love With A Girl, Get Free, and Last Night were all arguably some of the weaker and less interesting songs from the respective bands. Each of the bands could have put out a better song from their cd. I still want to know what they're fist single off of Elephant is...i'm guessing Seven Nation Army. As for the cd itself, I've checked out a couple songs from it (Hardest Button To Button and Seven Nation Army) and while they're pretty good songs they just remind me of too many other songs for me to properly enjoy them. The bridge riff in Hardest Button To Button alone reminds me so much of other songs that it ruins it for me. This isn't a criticism of the band- though I guess it could be, that's just not my intent- it's just my personal reaction the songs.
Posted by half a great man:
yeah, new cd is really bringing out their more bluesy folk side.
Posted by Prosthetic Penis:
Well my uncle used to be in the white stripes but he quit because he said the pay was no good. Now look at them, and you know what. My uncle commited suicide last week!
Posted by duff:
I'm sorry Razjml, but I take offense to that. I would say that you are not a white stripes fan. Why don't you go to the local starbucks and check out the next "hip indie" thing.
Posted by slim_341!!!:
BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!!!
Posted by simon:
i think it's the best band of the world!they are 2 and they rock like if they were 5!!!THEY ROCK!!god bless the white stripes
Posted by Razjml:
I'm not sure if anyone will take offense to this or not, but any incredibly obnoxious songs like "Fell In Love With A Girl" on this album? I haven't heard a single from this yet (I'm sure there is one but I don't listen to a ton of radio), but hopefully it isn't a horrible misrepresenting song like that one was.
Posted by TheSouthernDandy:
I think it is very impressive that they can create such a great sound with only drums, piano, guitar, and vocals. Instead of adding to the band, the duo has experimented with different pedals and effects. These boundaries allow the White Stripes to try new things but still keep their signature sound. Excellent album.
Posted by MaxPower324:
I've been a solid White Stripes fan for a couple of years now and had their first three albums. When I heard news of a fourth album on the way, I wasn't really planning on buying it. I love the White Stripes, but I figured they didn't have anything left in them. Then I saw the reviews and on just about every place I checked "Elephant" was rated as their best work to date. I picked it up on vinyl (one record red, the other white!) shortly after and was immediately impressed. "Elephant" shows that they aren't just using the fact that they are a duo as a gimick as they add in bass, keyboards, and persue many new directions with this album.
Posted by duff:
what's with all the comparisons? don't you know how to write a decent review? i don't care about your opinion of the strokes.
Posted by boone:
Man, they give the musci industry a little whos your daddy, if you knw what I mean.
Posted by Boone:
ya, they rock
Posted by TreyJunkie:
unbeleivable album, I had my doubts but WOW
Posted by Magustyle:
The White Stripes are fantastic.......while other bands seem like they have to try to write in a past style....you can feel that this is the kind of music the Stripes write naturally.....
Posted by Joey Wolverine:
This album is magnificent, i know everyone's een saying it recently, but believe the hype
Posted by VampireRyan:
Everybody I know is praising this album. Even Rolling Stoned gave it 5 stars.
