Elephant (DMD Album)

The White Stripes | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 1, 2008
• Release Date: July 1, 2008
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Copyright: 2008 Third Man Records, LLC, exclusively licensed to Warner Bros. Records Inc., A Warner Music Group Company.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 49:47
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B001B9BEF4
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (708 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,189 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 97 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If it ain't broke don't fix it April 9, 2003

By John

Format:Audio CD

It's the same White Stripes you've always known. Great garage rock mixed with folky acoustic songs. Somewhat odd song titles and somewhat odd lyrics. Still no bass (the "bass" on Seven Nation Army is actually a guitar). And who's complaining? Not a soul.

Despite how similar Elephant is to the rest of the White Stripes catalogue (in a couple instances songs even partially use the exact same chords and melodies as songs from White Blood Cells), it does show continued musical maturation and experimentation. In addition to longer, more creative solos, songs such as Black Math, There's No Home For You Here, and Ball and Biscuit show some changes to the White Stripes sound. Black Math juxtaposes a punk rock chord riff with a more heavy metal sounding guitar (like the acoustic and electric in Now Mary from White Blood Cells). There's No Room For You Here is almost a rewrite of Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground until the music breaks off and there is only feedback and the chorus sung in harmony. Ball and Biscuit contains a classic blues riff repeated over and over, until it bursts into an amazing blistering solo. These songs are different from the normal White Stripes formula (is there such a thing?), and provide even more evidence of Jack White's songwriting skill.

Some fans of the hard garage rock songs may be turned off by the softer, acoustic/piano songs on here. There are three; You've Got Her in Your Pocket, In the Cold, Cold Night, and Well It's True That We Love One Another. Well It's True (a country sing-a-long type song, with Jack, Meg, and Holly singing to each other about Jack's love for Holly) is the worst song on the album, because of it's novelty. The others, however, are good acoustic songs, much like Hotel Yorba from White Blood Cells, although not as great.... Even if you don't like these types of songs, I think the strength of the electric material would outweigh the acoustic, and you would like the album anyway.

The White Stripes have done it again. Another great garage rock album you can listen to on a day when you feel like banging your head and air guitaring (or playing real guitar, depending), without skipping a track. Any fan of White Blood Cells should buy Elephant without hesitation. Read more ›

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Same Sound, Same Great Result February 28, 2003

By mark

Format:Vinyl

There are things in life that we just don't want to see change because they're so damn good the way they are. They're comfort food for the soul. The White Stripes are such comfort food for me. Following up the massive breakout record White Blood Cells they've given us another fabulous record that bleeds classic White Stripes sound. . The title, Elephant, was chosen because the animal represents their personalities: regal, innocent, compassionate, and subtle. The musical rules are loosened a bit from the previous record's tight restrictions, but it's hardly anything new, even in the world of Jack and Meg White. IN the end it's still all about guitar and drums, indistinct relationships, and red and white outfits.

Jack's confidence as a songwriter really shows through. It's as Jack has stated an album about the death of the sweethearts (note the dying country lovers the album cover depicts) and, for the most part, the songs center around the ways of love, relationships, commitment and the rules that govern going about them. Nothing too new here, much like a lot of White Blood Cells lyric wise; personal with keeping enough hidden to still be mysterious.

The musical structure is quite familiar, but there's enough "new" elements to satisfy. They're quite comfortable with themselves and their musical formula and they should be because it works quite well. The first single and lead track "Seven Nation Army" kicks in with a false bass groove (guitar w/ pedal effect) and kicks the album to a charging start with the usual charging blues based riffs that have become Jack's trademark. The loud riffing continues on such songs as the building then bombastic "Hardest Button to Button", the crunching "Little Acorns", and the punk, could be hit single "Hypnotize".... Then there's the softer side of Jack White with the acoustic, tender "You've Got Her in Your Pocket" and "Cold, Cold Night", which has Meg takes over on vocals.

The record just reminds me why the White Stripes are so much beyond just another garage revival band (not that the rest of the bands are without merit). Even with all the relationship rumors that float around the band and their personas they never pretend to be something they're not. Even with their simplistic musical styles they're still put out more a more interesting sound than the rest of the lot. The slow going evolution of Jack White's songwriting is certainly something to be excited about and I think they've yet to make their best record, but this one is pretty damn close if not. Read more ›

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good rock album, with blistering energy. May 17, 2003

By D. Mok VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Not being a big fan of low-fi garage rock, or Jack White's singing voice, I thought The White Stripes' last album was overrated. I bought Elephant with reservations and was delighted to find a much stronger, groovier, and more musical album that retains the punk attitude of White Blood Cells but ups the songwriting, production and performance ante.

Jack White's frequently offkey, whiny singing sounds more polished on this record, doing much more singing than shouting, and it's a welcome change. His voice is still more about attitude and urgency than body or finesse, but it just sounds so much better on Elephant. But it's the songwriting and arrangement that really make this record shine: The positively primordial riff to "Seven Nation Army" stuck to my head for days, the 'Black Sabbath Vol. 4' guitar sludge of "Black Math" is aggressive and rocks out like a maniac, the cover of "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" outdoes Elvis Costello's version thanks to an unusually sensitive and soulful Jack White lead vocal, and "Ball and Biscuit" taps into the deep grooves of the best classic-rock bands. There's a heavy Stones/Zeppelin vibe to this record that's highly suitable to the ragged soul of The White Stripes, hitting that groove which only blues and blues-based rock can muster.

A great record for the year, showing major progression for this band.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I swear to God, if ONE more person bashes Meg... August 29, 2005

By dylman91

Format:Audio CD

Listen, I've been a drummer for about 5 years now. And not to sound cocky, but I'm pretty damn good. And I can tell by listening to other drummers if they are good or not. Yes, Meg White's drumbeats are not hard one bit. They are probably the easiest drumbeats ever caught on tape. But that does not mean they are bad. They fit these songs perfectly. Jack has said it himself; if she was trying to be a hotshot drummer like most other drummers, it would not work. She blends perfectly. So shut the hell up, Meg bashers.

Now that I got my little rant out, I can now say that this is one of my favorite albums of all time. I never get sick of this album. I can rock out to this any time I want; in the car, at a party, in my room, etc. This music is completely infectious. From the opening guitar in "Seven Nation Army" to the rather amusing ending to "Well It's True That We Love One Another," I feel hypnotized (no tie-in intended).

Jack White, whether you want to admit it or not, is an amazing guitarist. The things this guy can do never fail to astound me. He has some solos on this disc that are almost Hendrix-worthy. His vocals are also incredibly powerful. He isn't the greatest singer in the world, and he doesn't need to be. Like Meg's drumming, his voice fits this music perfectly. Let's go through the songs, shall we?

"Seven Nation Army" - The perfect opening to this album. A very hypnotic guitar part and some great lyrics. Meg's drums sound incredibly powerful in this one. I personally think it was worth the radio play that it got.

"Black Math" - One of the hardest rockin' songs on this album. The vocals are stinging, and the slight tempo change in the middle is really cool. This is even better when played live....

"There's No Home For You Here" - Whenever someone asks me what my favorite song on this album is, I always have an argument with myself between 3 or 4 songs, and this is one of them. The harmonies between Jack and...Jack are great. They almost sound like Beatles harmonies. His guitar is rarely more powerful. Just a completely kick-ass song.

"I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" - Another one of my favorite songs. The mellow parts are very good, and the ending is very fitting. Only Jack and Meg can turn a Dusty Springfield song into this.

"In the Cold, Cold Night" - The most hypnotic song on the album. Meg's vocals totally bring you out of your world and into theirs. They're just so darn mesmerizing. The organ adds a nice touch.

"I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart" - A very nice song with meaningful lyrics. Guys, don't we all remember the girlfriend's mom we tried to win over? Excellent slide guitar solo in the middle, I might add.

"You've Got Her In Your Pocket" - Excellent heartfelt ballad with awesome guitar playing and vocals. The only Stripes song to ever feature only one of them.

"Ball and Biscuit" - 7 minutes and 23 seconds of pure brilliance. 4 amazing guitar solos that would make Eddie Van Halen drop his jaw. Great bluesy lyrics and solid drumming. Even Bob Dylan was impressed with this song. Enough to bring Jack on stage in one of his concerts to perform it (no joke!). I could listen to this all day.

"The Hardest Button to Button" - The White Stripes have bass in one of their songs!! Don't worry, they aren't selling out. The bass really adds to the attitude of this song. The absolute best thing are the lyrics. They are so odd, yet they walk on the edge of ingenious. Good job, Jack.

"Little Acorns" - Yes, the opening is a little weird, but it ties in with the song. The guitar is greatly heavy.

"Hypnotize" - Jack and Meg made this song short and sweet. It goes by quick, but every second is hypnotizing (once again, no pun intended).

"The Air Near My Fingers" - Another one of my absolute favorites on this album. The lyrics are very good and the guitar is just plain awesome. I love the rockin' organ as well.

"Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine" - Don't let the title turn you off. I can't explain how awesome this song is. It is probably the single hardest rockin' song on the album. The lyrics are sung very fast, but they are brilliant. I could listen to this song all day.

"Well It's True That We Love One Another" - Yes, they probably could have found a better way to close out the album, but this isn't necessarily a bad choice. Some of the lines are pretty funny, and everyone gets in on the fun.

If you couldn't tell by now, I frickin' love this album to death. The White Stripes are brilliant and I can't wait to see them live in September. So don't listen to all the Meg-haters. If you appreciate good music whatsoever, get "Elephant." I don't think you'll be disappointed. Read more ›