First impressions of Elephant
Published April 01, 2003
Well, I've listened to most of the songs on Elephant now, and I gotta say I'm impressed. Usually when a band has such an unexpected (and unwanted) hit of an album they retreat into art rock to justify the critcal aclaim (reference everything the Archers of Loaf did after Vee Vee). But the White Stripes have continued to rock.
Really, though, where else did they have to go? They're a two person band that uses minimal overdubs. They couldn't exactly put out some sort of Radiohead-like opus. Still, though, I'm impressed by how much most of these tracks rock.
My favorite songs so far are "Seven Nation Army", "Hypnotise", and "The Air Near My Fingers". "In the Cold Cold Night", Meg's solo singing debut, is a waste of time. Once I've listened to the whole thing a couple of times in my car I'll let you know what I really think.
- First impressions of Elephant
- Published: April 01, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Writer: Matt Moore
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Agree that "I Want to be the Boy" is great. Jack actually manages to sing very prettily and gently.
The White Stripes are so often lumped in with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, but, other than having the word blues in their name, the JSBX is nowhere near as bluesy as the White Stripes.
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I've Limewired (new verb alert) most of Elephant and am also impressed--Jack White as Gen Y's savior of the Blues? More than hyperbole here.
"I Want To Be The Boy" is my favorite, a standout that sounds like it could have come of of Rod Stewarts "Every Picture Tells a Story". Great stuff, and (can you hear this BMG!)I will go buy it, as my local megaplex media outlet has it for $9.99.