Ben L'Oncle Soul
The White Stripes are one of bands who brought blues/garage band-grunge back to the popular music scene a little over ten years ago. One of their more popular songs is “Seven Nation Army,” off Elephant, the duo’s fourth album. With it’s overly-simple bass line and drummer Meg White’s simplistic style, this song is not only instantly recognized, but it’s become a White Stripes classic. It takes shape when Jack White’s gnarled guitar comes in and displays that grunge-DIY punk sound along with the blues influences using the guitar slide. The whole song builds up throughout and then explodes with that White Stripes sound that everyone has come to know.
In one of the best covers I’ve heard this year, relatively unknown soul man Ben L’Oncle Soul covers this White Stripes classic. I couldn’t find much on this soul singer but he’s nice to look at, so I’m perfectly fine with just looking at pictures to learn more about him. Looking like a way more classy and dapper Travie McCoy, this young man puts a whole new flavor on “Seven Nation Army.” The bass line is not as sustained and much more instruments are used to achieve this soulful sound. There are horns (muted and otherwise), piano, organs and drums. And let’s not forget Soul’s voice, which fluctuates with such ease, attitude and sexy-ness (despite it’s slight nasal sound), making this song sound like more of a love song. This guy is definitely someone to look out for in the near future, especially with the resurgence of the neo-soul/soul genre with bands like Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings making names for themselves.
This song is something great to put on when you’re sitting at home having some classy drinks with some of your closest friends. You kind of forget that it’s a cover to begin with!
Bonus Video: Ben L’Oncle Soul plays “Seven Nation Army” live
Some other pages you may want to take a dive into:
- Covers Revue - Herman’s Hermits covers Sam Cooke
- Album Review – Brothers by The Black Keys
- Artist of the Week – Lee Fields & the Expressions
- Album Review – Sea of Cowards by The Dead Weather
- Artist of the Week – Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
