Album Review: The White Stripes – Elephant
Album Review: The White Stripes - Elephant
Despite their marriage and divorce, the dynamic duo known as The White Stripes has done it again! In London’s Toe Rag Studios in 2002, they worked hard to produce an album full of songs that would define the band forever. Whilst listening to this masterpiece, I was blown away by the immense variety of this incredible work of art.
In Seven Nation Army, Jack White sings about his fear of becoming famous, fully embracing his love of garage rock. In Ball and Biscuit, however, he takes full advantage of his blues heritage. He uses his knowledge of distortion to his full capabilities in songs such as Black Math, Seven Nation Army, The Hardest Button to Button and Little Acorns.
His partner Meg White plays a valuable role on the album as well! Meg’s simplistic combinations of snare, bass drum and crash are the backbone to many songs, whilst she also proves to have promising singing abilities – as seen on In the Cold, Cold Night and It’s True That We Love One Another. All in all, she plays a vital part in the duo.
I would give this five stars, top marks, whatever you want to call it, for an absolutely awesome album full of songs that leave a lasting effect on music, culture and society to this very day.
– Jonah Davis
The lyrics on this album are simply ingenious. In Seven Nation Army, Jack sings of his worries about his growing popularity, and my favourite lyrics are the opening words of the song:
“I’m gonna fight ‘em off/A seven nation army couldn’t hold me back/
They’re gonna rip it off/Taking their time behind my back.”
What a great way to start an incredible song that’s full of mind-blowing lyrics, amazing riffs and explosive choruses. As for other songs, on It’s True That We Love One Another, The Stripes plus guest vocalist Holly Golightly sing of the problems between a couple, whilst on The Hardest Button To Button, Jack sings a garage-rock song about the troubles of having a baby and you even get some life advice in the rock-and-roll anthem Little Acorns.
All in all, I would give this five stars, top marks, whatever you want to call it, for an absolutely awesome album full of songs that leave a lasting effect on music, culture and society to this very day.
The Breakdown
Explosive
All in all, I would give this five stars, top marks, whatever you want to call it, for an absolutely awesome album full of songs that leave a lasting effect on music, culture society to this very day.
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Retweeted by Rockhaq Community
March 6, 2018
Just want to say a big thanks for covering one of my all-time favourite acts. It’s great to see The White Stripes finally being recognised on the Community.
Also love how you acknowledge and celebrate Meg White’s contribution to this unrivalled partnership. Not everyone recognises that. Great work Jonah 😀
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March 7, 2018
What an awesome first review this is. Completely amazed by the knowledge that you have on The White Stripes’ production techniques. The part where you mention about the use of effects such as distortion is quality. Stellar analysis Jonah! 🙂
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March 7, 2018
Thanks a lot mark! do you like any of their songs?
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March 8, 2018
To be honest with you Jonah, if I told you the songs that I liked you would be ridiculously disappointed with me as the ones I really like are the most well known songs. I really do love tracks such as the grungy Icky Thump and the acoustic Hotel Yorba. Really staggering what The White Stripes can do with just a two member ensemble!
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