The band tour in the UK in April

After the huge success of their third album, White Blood Cells, fans have high expectations of the band's latest work.

"Elephant has switched up a gear from White Blood Cells, embracing fresh ideas in the same way that its predecessor journeyed back to basics after De Stijl," wrote BBC News Online's Chris Charles.

So what do you think?

Is it the best yet? Were you expecting a different direction on this album?

Best pure rock'n'roll album since Definitely Maybe.
Philip Clark, England

Over hyped. Some good songs, but a little patchy. They even rip off one of their own songs. If they are so good why did it take NME three albums before they "discovered" them? They just wanted to create a scene so they could sell more copies.
Mark, Scotland

The White Stripes are superb. I used to be one of the Radiohead fans but forget them, Jack and Meg are the King and Queen of rock.
Robert, UK

Elephant had me hooked right from the start - some of the best stuff the White Stripes have made yet - powerful music very simply made. It just goes to show how there's no need for spending loads of money over producing an album. Genius.
Becky, UK

Possibly the greatest band to appear in the last decade. Just magic.
Courtney Leacock, UK

So the NME says they are great and everyone falls for it. And they put this in their top 100 albums and it wasn't even out yet! If people had listened to it without the hype we'd be getting different reactions now. It's nothing more than a good album and they are not even a patch on previous bands to come out of US e.g. Pixies who had a groundbreaking sound as opposed to the Stripes who are steeped in 1970s blues rock.
Michael, UK

Great album. Nice to see they're developing their own unique style but being just as successful with new ideas.
Tom, England

The White Stripes are my favourite band ever. I have seen them play live at both a small gig when they were unknown and at Glastonbury last year. It's quite unbelivable that two people can make such noise and have so much talent. Elephant is so good that it just proves what everyone else knows - that this is rock'n'roll blues at its very best! Jack and Meg - we salute you!
Nia Jones, Wales

Elephantastic!
Claire Hill, Manchester, UK

Their best album by far I think. The perfect "anti-pop" album - which is just waht the music industry needs right now. I'm looking forward to seeing them at Briston Academy this coming weekend.

However I will say this - when most other bands hear Hail to the Thief by Radiohead they are gonna admit defeat, pack up their gear and go home!
Rob, UK

I have only listened to the Elephant a couple of times so far, and I thought it was well up to White stripes standard. At present I still think that Red Blood Cells is their best album, but the new one may grow on me. I am always amazed at the energy of the band, especially Jack's guitar work. Jack's songs also have originality, with variety of pace and strange lyrics. He is brilliant.
Eric hall, England

It is warming to the mind that the White Stripes hold true to the things they believe in. Elephant is a welcomed addition to that warmth.The genius of the White Stripes will forge a new path for Rock'n'Roll. You sound sooo sweet, thank you.
Bunny B, USA

It's way too early to say whether it's their best or not! Like all Stripes records so far, it's sure to be a grower but what is clear is that it sounds fantastic Peter Jones, UK

How can you say that a band who has released one hit album (and were practically unknown before that) are the best band in the world!? Surely that sort of accolade should be bestowed on a band with a lot more experience and with a formula that has been proven to work. I'm not saying they won't be one of the best but to make that judgement now is surely a bit of an exaggeration. Look at bands like REM, RHCP and others who churn out hit album after hit album.
Tim, Bristol, UK

Same as the other three albums - some great songs and loads of below average rubbish. If the White Stripes put the good bits of all their albums together they'd have one classic album. If you liked the other three, you'll like this.
Carl, UK

About as far removed from White Blood Cells as that album was from De Stijl (my favourite White Stripes album). At least they've progressed between albums, which a lot of bands don't, but they've progressed to a point where it's no longer my cup of tea. Maybe it's an album which will come into its own when the songs are witnessed live...
Chris Collins, UK

I agree completely with Anon's comments from the UK. The White Stripes are talented, yes, with that I agree. But they don't have the real deep overall talent that U2, Depeche Mode, or a Led Zepellin does. I think they need to grow and live some life and grasp a deeper meaning of what real music is. That's just my personal observation of course.
Jeanne, United States

Mojo called them the best band in the world. It's hard to argue with them. I saw them two years ago when they were little or nothing. There was only 50 people at the gig, but I knew they were going to go far. Elephant only proves it. Magnificent.
Martin, Co. Tyrone

It's way too early to say whether it's their best or not! Like all Stripes records so far, it's sure to be a grower but what is clear is that it sounds fantastic, totally at odds with all other mainstream music. This morning reminded me of Christmas when I was a kid...
Peter Jones, UK

A good effort. They have tried to do something different from their previous albums. This new release is not quite as good as De Stijl but much better than White Blood Cells.
Robert Dilks, UK

Perfect. End of story.
Adam, UK

Elephant just sums up what is so great about them - raw, powerful music from two people who clearly love what they are doing, and make no apology for sticking to their musical ideals. I adore it already and I've only listened to it once! Long may they continue.
Phil, UK

Again, this magnificent duo trap you into a dream and take you on a rollercoaster ride that you'll never forget Katie, Leeds, England

It's not a bad album but to call them the greatest band in the world is a bit of a joke. It seems that critics are afraid to criticise and the public just buy what the music papers tell them.
David Grover, UK

When are they gonna get a bass player?
Joe, UK

It brings together the best parts of around 12 musical styles, and blends them into one perfect album with just the right mixture of light and dark moments. It's like stuffing your face with chocolate and bourbon.
David Wilkie, Sebastopol, Wales

Top banana!
Katie Paterson, UK

In this world of throw-away pop stars, a true genius shines through. God bless you Jack & Meg.
Savo, England

Again, this magnificent duo trap you into a dream and take you on a rollercoaster ride that you'll never forget. You feel every bit of pain that Jack White feels from the moment he sings his first note until the last, but at the same time Meg White's voice drips like medicine soothing Jack's pain. Together they are the coolest rock'n'roll band in the world. They proved this ages ago, Elephant just reminds those people who may have forgotten.
Katie, Leeds, England

There was massive expectation and a lot of hype around Elephant. But it's finally out and, yes, it IS as good as they say.
Johnny C, UK

You owe it to yourself to listen to this Josh, UK

These two are real NME hype-darlings. They're absolutely terrible. In a record shop the other day the staff had on the promo and were complaining about their friends and people like me that apparently just don't get it. Maybe we're just not so desperate to be off the mainstream.
Nige, UK

You know when you like a band and only you and maybe a couple of your friends know about it? Then everyone starts listening to them? That's how I felt about The White Stripes but their talent can't be hidden. So now all I can do is enjoy their music and live with the fact that good bands will be heard! The Stripes are a phenomenal band and this is a phenomenal album that will turn the heads the other albums didn't! In true Stripe manner it took a little bit of a change but it still feels like them.
Daniel Ramirez, Canada

Superb, raw, inventive, only two weeks to record it at the at Toerag Studios in London using analogue recording equipment pre-dating 1963 - genius...
Jack Bennie, Sydney, Australia

I was so excited about this album and at first when I heard it I was a little disappointed, but the more I have listened to it the more I have fallen in love with it. It's absolutely brilliant.
Jill, US

Good but not as good as Radiohead's Hail to the Thief.
Dale 'Firky' Collis, England

Martin, surely this is supposed to be about the merits of the record and not about you? Don't try to kid us that you knew they were going to go far. If you believe all that's written then the Sex Pistols Manchester gig should have been in a slightly larger venue.
Shtee, USA

Wow, and I thought their last album was good. You owe it to yourself to listen to this.
Josh, UK

On first impressions it sounds like it could well be a corker! Adam Young, UK

Jack and Meg are here to save rock'n'roll! In a world of hi-tech, synthetic, manufactured pop music excuses, The White Stripes offer a glimpse of what makes popular music fresh and exciting. The raw quality oozes from every track.
David McManus, UK

Everything - absolutely everything that justifies rock music is present and accounted for in this CD. Fantastic!
Robert del Valle, Detroit, USA

The best album of their career. The production on There's No Room For You Here is astounding, and the extended blues wigout of Ball And Biscuit shows how much a man out of time Jack White is. Elephant will be the one truly essential album purchase of the year. It's just a shame they bothered to include the naff final song.
Joe G, Wales

Hard to say as I've only given it a few plays but on first impressions it sounds like it could well be a corker!
Adam Young, UK

Having only ever heard the singles, Hotel Yorba and Fell in Love With a Girl, I wasn't too sure on what to expect.

However, after my first full listen I'm very impressed, both with Jack's voice and the overall standard of their music.

They have managed to put together an album that at times is raw, punchy, and exciting, and at other times is mellow and thought-provoking.

It's amazing how well-constructed these songs are, and Jack's voice just makes me want to listen to him all day.

Overall, go out and buy this album, you won't be disappointed.
Stoo, UK

The first and last couple of tracks are absolutely amazing, as is Ball and Biscuit. But I'm afraid there's quite a lot of filler in between Cat, UK

I thought this album could have been better, there are a lot of good tracks on it but it doesn't measure up to White Blood Cells, the album that made them.
Marty McGread, Drumlish, Co. Tyrone

Elephant is a great album. As a stand alone piece of work it's their best yet. But nobody seems to realise how melodically similar certain tracks are to high points of the previous album, White Blood Cells. The riff for There's No Room For You Here is almost exactly the same as Dead Leaves. There are other instances throughout. They are re-treading ground too recently stepped upon for it to be the true classic I hoped for.
Stephen Donnelly, Scotland

If this album was a car it would be a cadillac pulling a gypsy caravan. Fantastic.
Alex Evans, UK

Have to agree with Firky, it's nice, but Hail To The Thief is on a different plane.
Ian Thornton, UK

I listen to a lot of records, but Elephant is one of the first in ages to be on nigh permanent rotation. Fantastic.
Mike, Herts

I've had Elephant for some time now and so I've had a chance for it to grow on me. The first and last couple of tracks are absolutely amazing, as is Ball and Biscuit. But I'm afraid there's quite a lot of filler in between. (By the way - Stephen Donnelly - There's no Room For You Here is actually meant to be a re-working of Dead Leaves.)
Kat, UK

Another over-hyped and generally sub-standard album from "rock's next big thing". The UK media and record companies should invest more time and money in homegrown talent instead of this imported, banal rubbish. How many new UK bands get the same coverage as The White Stripes, The Vines, The Hives, The Strokes etc??
Paul, UK

A most welcome breath of fresh air amidst the stale and stiffling pap that dominates the chart these days (and perhaps always will)...

Personally, I prefer their last album (just!) but suspect that this has an element of first kiss syndrome!
Matt Prescott, Oxford, UK

One of the most looked-forward to records of the year? Yes it was. Exhilerating speakers all over the place? Yes it is. Will it go down as a classic? Yes it will.
Thom Wood, UK

Radiohead has been de-throned as the world's best rock band. Long live The White Stripes!
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

I'm still amazed at their mass appeal, but it hasn't changed their recording ways at all (apart from having the album last over 40 mins). Very good, De Stijl better though just for sheer song quality.
Dan Tappin, UK

Joe - listen carefully, there's a bass line in a lot of the new songs on the album! And they REALLY add to the albums overall effect...

It seems popular to slag off The White Stripes, because well... they are popular! With the press at least. But this is one instance where the hype is worth it, totally. Forget your preconceptions and just give them a try... there hasn't been such understanding of what makes rock'n'roll work since Zeppelin.
Adam, UK

My personal opinion - an average album from an average over-hyped band..... When is the music world going to hear and see a new band on a par with U2 and early 90s Depeche Mode? Now, that is true musical genius.
Anon, UK

TV-generated pop trash should listen to this album. This is how it is done, there is a probability of this being the album of the year. BRILLIANT.
Baz, UK

Firky and Ian are right on: Elephant is a step in the right direction for the Stripes, but Hail to the Thief is better! (And that's only the leaked, non-mixed tracks).
Chris, Canada

The White Stripes are great, but it's a shame that only a few bands attract media attention, while many equally great bands are ignored. There's a lot of talent out there to support if you have the courage of your own convictions instead of the courage of the convictions of the music paper you read.
Nick H, Sweden

Always got time for the Stripes. Over-hyped? Maybe, underrated? They were? Am I concerned? Yep. This will deffo go to the no.1 slot, which kind of worries me, because like all treasured posessions, you never really want to share them with people who won't understand or truely value the contents. Taste is certainly the enemy of art so please don't buy it little ones, spend yer cash on Limp Basket or Tat-oo'say'X muzique! Over
Guy Rushworth, UK

Going from strength to strength. Between his guitar and voice Jack is sounding like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin at their best.
Douglas Murray, Scotland

Wicked. The best album we've heard this year so far!!!!!
Little Miss Red, Scotland

The White Stripes are the Pixies and I claim my American Gothic cowboy hat. Best LP of the decade.
Keith, Scotland, UK

Oh dear. Heard it all before. Been there, got the T-shirt. Still, I guess it pleases those that verge on the deaf!
Dave, Medway, Kent

Fantastic record - possibly the best to be released in the last 10 years! This band are truly blessed!!!
Raj Castillo, UK