Elephant
by The White Stripes
  • Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: Apr 1, 2003
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 457 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 406 out of 457
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 457
  3. Negative: 32 out of 457

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  1. hydrawithears
    Oct 27, 2011
    6
    Elephant by the now-much-missed The White Stripes is a game-changing album that brought millions of youngsters into blues, accelerated the bandâ
  2. alecvl08
    Oct 14, 2014
    6
    It's ok. It's not great because it has no theme or underlying message, the instrumentals are a little sloppy and get boring occasionally, and I don't care for Jack White's lyrics. Seriously, Ball and Biscuit is a pretty good song, but did it have to be seven minutes long? Maybe I've missed the boat on the White Stripes, but I just can't get into them.
  3. john
    May 2, 2003
    4
    its not even half as good as their 3 past efforts. although 7 nation army is a great first single.
  4. Dragonfly
    Jul 14, 2003
    4
    I seriously don't hear what should be so special about this c.d. One of my greatest deceptions this year...
  5. MarkC
    Jul 23, 2003
    4
    Take all of their other albums, remove the urgency, the heart, and the good songs, you have Elephant. A less than ok release from a great band.
  6. ChrisM
    Jan 1, 2004
    4
    The most overrated album of the year. An album made for lame music fans to jerk off over. 'Elephant' is an album that only a "master of the obvious" magazine like Rolling Stone or a website like metacritic would regard so highly.
  7. chris
    Feb 13, 2004
    6
    the tracks on this album that are good: phenomenal garage rock gems (girl, you have no faith in medicine and hypnotize). but, too much boring filler (tracks 4 - 9; the last cutesy track gets annoying) and overall waaay too much hype from critics and media attention. i recommend de stijl instead.
  8. PopeJohnPaul
    Sep 19, 2004
    4
    Disappointing. It does have 4 unbelievable tracks, but the remainder of the album adds nothing to those songs. And I had to take an extra point off for 'It's True That We Love One Another'. Dear Lord that song is horrible.
  9. PelleS
    Dec 2, 2005
    4
    Sorry, these guys obviously have the ability the cloud reviewers' minds. This band is totally derivative, and the problem is that their influences are painfully (and often shriekingly) obvious--and many weren't even that good in the first place. There are a few decent songs here, but overall the plodding and amateurish drumming, 'minimalist' sound and faux dramatic Sorry, these guys obviously have the ability the cloud reviewers' minds. This band is totally derivative, and the problem is that their influences are painfully (and often shriekingly) obvious--and many weren't even that good in the first place. There are a few decent songs here, but overall the plodding and amateurish drumming, 'minimalist' sound and faux dramatic lyrics are just plain annoying. People who find this album--and the White Stripes--great are seriously lacking in their exposure to pre-90s music.… Expand
  10. MattR.
    Apr 16, 2003
    6
    This is by no means a bad album, but it absolutely pales in comparison with their previous efforts. Whereas, in the past, the Stripes took their influences and created a style of their own, here they seem to be covering other artists' songs (aside from the Bacharach tune), as well as some of their own. Only a slightly different chord structure for the chorus of There's No Home This is by no means a bad album, but it absolutely pales in comparison with their previous efforts. Whereas, in the past, the Stripes took their influences and created a style of their own, here they seem to be covering other artists' songs (aside from the Bacharach tune), as well as some of their own. Only a slightly different chord structure for the chorus of There's No Home For You Here prevents the song from sounding exactly like Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground. Seriously, it 's even the same strumming pattern. And Hypnotize sounds an awful lot like Fell in Love With a Girl. There is a number of high points, but there is also more than a fair share of disappointments. It's definitely worth a listen, but the lack of diversity really hurts this album.… Expand
  11. AllanJ
    Apr 18, 2003
    6
    It's an ok album, but the White Stripes seem to have run out of ideas. So many parts sound repeated from their other albums, and at times it's just dull.
  12. hellohere858
    Sep 22, 2021
    6
    These guys had a pretty amazing and unique sound, but the songwriting isn't great, pretty middle of the road.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2003
7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2003
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Blender
    80
    They break their own rules, even adding expansive guitar solos, to keep themselves interested and fans off-balance. [May 2003, p.123]
  2. Pitchfork
    69
    Therein lies the contradiction of The White Stripes. How do you combine the shit-hot with the "twee?" Elephant's shortcomings suggests the enterprise is futile.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    100
    It is a glorious thing to hear. It will be one of the best things you hear all year.
    Read full review
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