Elephant Review: Two People, One Enormous Sound
9/10 — The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
Pros
- 'Seven Nation Army'
- Raw analogue sound
- Jack White's guitar tone
Cons
- Basic drumming
- A couple of slight songs
Elephant was recorded in two weeks on analogue equipment at Toe Rag Studios in London, with Jack White and Meg White playing everything. It contains one of rock’s most famous riffs.
What works
‘Seven Nation Army’ is a stomping anthem, ‘Ball and Biscuit’ is a sleazy blues, and ‘The Hardest Button to Button’ and ‘I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself’ are tight and thrilling. Jack White’s guitar tone is wonderful.
Where it falters
Meg White’s drumming is deliberately basic, and a couple of tracks are slight.
Verdict
A raw, fun and confident album.
