Album

Henry, Copenhagen
Sometimes I have to remind myself to listen to other bands than this.Never seen them live as they have never played in Denmark. So I'm off to Hamburg in a week or so. Cant wait.

Shreeves - NJ, USA
Just found out about this band after hearing their title track on WXPN 2 weeks ago (thank you xpn for continuing to introduce me to new and great music).Amazing Album!!I haven't been into any single album from any artist like this one in years.These guys are meticulous with lyrics, clearly talented in crafting sound and make listening an enjoyment.Drinking Man's Coldplay...hmmm.I can see the some resemblance here, but I don't think that doesnt really capture them completely.Coldplay gets tired after 3-4 songs, Elbow does not. Even after 1-2 albums!I was so impressed by Seldom Seen Kid, I picked up Leaders of the free world, and am just as impressed.Very soon I WILL own all they have published.Elbow - come back to the states for more concerts, dying to see you live!

Jim, Ayr
Gorgeous sweeping layers of sound with Guy's powerful vocals. Astonishing melodies. Powerful stuff!

al welsh, elgin scotland
Had never heard this band before but seen them on telly and thought id give the album a try - WOW am so glad i did. Absolutely brilliant.

John, Sutton Surrey
This album is just a total revelation to me. The heart-catching beauty of it may turn out to be stadium eventually, but it's sublimely crafted and kicks the arse out of any tired Manchester competitors . In fact it pisses all comers. When so much music is meaningless shallow shite this is deep and doleful but utlimately scintillating gorgeous stuff, just like life. I agree the line "you are the only thing in any room you're in" is the best line I have hear in a long time. What a band and I think "Audience With The Pope" is brilliant despite another reviewers inexplicable rating of it as a low point.

Pete,Surrey
Just got this album today, have only listened to it once , but a definate grower.Not that keen on the last album but this is superb.I am a fan who appreciate good music like this, i was a huge Radiohead fan- but now Elbow top it for me with being so consistent, one of the uk music's best kept secrets - better than all that chart trash! definatley the of the most underated bands ever -enough said! Pure genius.

Steve, Newhaven, UK
"You are the only thing in any room you're ever in"... sublime, beautiful lyrics, beautiful, crafted music that picks you up and carries you through each song. Buy the album, listen, digest, enjoy - this is music created by one of the finest bands ever.

Richard, Cambridge
Got the album after seeing them win the Mercury Award. Starlings brought tears to my eyes. Not Happened since listening to Morrissey's Never Played Symphony. Simply awesome.

stocky
Their performance at Glastonbury this year, with the sun going down, all the people, the waffell I had in my had and the new songs played from the other stage is a memorie I will cherise for life. As soon as I came back I bought their new album, and yes, it's oh so fantastic and I think it will be the best album of this year, not even Metallica or can top this (metallica fan) this is perfection.

Craig, Worcester
Elbow have always been ..well not ahead of the game..just sort of, going in a different direction and this album is the final proof that there is no better songwriter than Guy Garvey working in music today. Anyone who was at Pilton Farm this year and experienced seeing Elbow perform One Day Like This will never forget that moment. Awesome

Michael Vandromme, Chard Somerset
Thanks Lou this is a much better review than drool of the Gardian's Alexis Petridis! I'm liking the sound! more experimental than most albums of late!

Mick - Burton
This is quite simply the dogs bits!!!!!!

Andy, London
Steve from Bolton - Please please please don't diss Ariel. It's a Kate Bush masterpiece and a stunning return to form after The Red Shoes. Give it another chance - she dont make em that often!

Beresford du-Cille
Elbow are what I have been waiting for in music of today. Proper songs with lyrics and tunes instead of the endless intros that pass for recordings these days, or choruses endlessly repeated from beginning to end . How I missed this band before I do not know. I now have all their albums and they reward repeated playing. I think Garvey is a great lyricist and snger. Best thing seen at Glastonbury among the over-hyped dross (Raconteurs et al). They will be evn bigger and not before time.

Derrick, Christchurch NZ
Stunning, gets better every play, I love these Guys. Wish I had gone over to Aussie to catch them last year.

Mike, Merseyside
Saw them play these tracks live at the Academy in Manchester and not had the CD off since. Been a fan since the first album and I have to agree with JG's comments about it being a return to form. Its something that will be played on my stereo for years to come. Radioheads 'In Rainbows' is a watered down mush in comparison (and I'm a Radiohead fan). 'Seldom Seen Kid' is a stunning and inspirational album where every word, phrase and note hits home and leaves you in no doubt of the bands vision for each song. No one is currently putting lyrics together like Garvey and long may he do so...top job done by the band, its a classic album :-)

Steve, Bolton
So many bands have left me cold with an uninspired offering after a long wait (Kate Bush why did you release Aerial, it only seemed to diminish the quality of what went before) Elbow however have shown that they are not just a fleeting presence on the British music scene but imaginative, cynical, witty, soulful and intelligent musicians who should be celebrated as the best of British. The musicianship is excellent and Guy Garvey's lyrics have the vocal quality of a young Peter Gabriel with greater emotional content (Garvey - Gabriel duet would be amazing). After Playing One Day Like This Jonathan Ross labelled the track as 'Dad Rock - , driving music' He totally missed the mark there. Elbow have filled the vacuum left by the 'prog rock' greats of the 70s and 80s, providing the sort of varied music style not seen in mainstream rock/pop. This is music to listen to and digest to really appreciate the nuances, musicianship and sentiment.

Lesley, Wrexham
An album with each track holding numerous lyrical conitations, supported by varying sounds, from orchestration to rock all of which is supported by the depth of Garvey's voice. Seldon Seen Kid, has the ability to send your heart to the depths of despire or to the heights of love, one emotional journey.

Sue, Northumberland
Seldom Seen Kid. Play it twice. A guaranteed classic of the future. Have played it over & over, wake up with the songs in my head.....Fantastic & well worth a listen

stef, cape town
Wow - it's a bobby dazzler alright!

Steven, Acton
Amazing album.

Dave, Gainesville, Florida
This album makes me cry. Incredible album.

Jim, Leamington Spa
If confirmation was needed to their genius, along comes the Seldom Seen Kid. Mirrorball, Weather to Fly, Tower Crane Driver, infact the whole album. Songs to enter you heart, never to leave. I went to see them last night at Birmingham and what a sublime concert. They are one of our greatest bands. Cherish them.

Charlie, Preston
I heard 'Grounds for Divorce' on the radio, liked it. So bit the bullet and bought the CD, didn't like it after my first play.Came back to it a couple of days later and since then it has been growing on me. I really like, something different to what I have been listening to recently. I quite like 'On a day like this' and other good songs make it a great album.

Jonny, Wirral
This album is sublime. So good. Just buy it, listen to it 3 times and you'll be hooked I promise!

Graham Lamb, Whitefield
This album has barely been off my old midi hifi since I purchased it on Monday. Moving, lush, tender and just a beautiful, sincere and brilliant fourth album by by fellow Bury-ites. 'Friends', Garvey's dedication to old singer songwriter Bryan Glancy nearly got the tear ducts a flowing, you just know he means every word of that song. Lots of highlights, but to me, 'Weather to Fly' and 'Bones of you' JUST top the rest of the tracks on here. A simply, brilliant and consistent band....looking forward to my 5th Elbow live experience in Manchester next month. Well Done lads !

Chris UK
Awesome. I was so worried they wouldn't be able to keep up their standards for their 4th album, but this is as good as 'Leaders of the Free World'. The fact Elbow exist makes life that bit more worth living!

JG, Portsmouth
Ignore the review, it's the usual result of a critic reading 'how to review a cd for dummies', with the obligatory metaphors, references and little evidence of knowledge of the band.Admittedly I'm an Elbow fan, so biased. I didn't like the last album. I thought 'Asleep at the Back' had a few truly classic tracks, 'Cast of Thousands' I thought was better as a whole.I think personally this is a return to form - it's even a grower as you realise how melodic and excellent they are. And I'm sorry, 'Audience with the Pope' is great stuff - Garvey has that ability to write songs that make you smile but realising there's menace somewhere in there.So you can keep your 'In Rainbows' - as an old Radiohead fan I played it once and that was it. 'The Seldom Seen Kid' really is worth a listen.

dan, cov
can't wait for the album. i know its bound to be a gem from the ''drinking mans coldplay'' as they get called.