Had heard of, but not listened to, Elbow before Electric Picnic '08, and it was really by chance that I went to their show, wonderful, a revelation. Which of course led to this latest album. It's certainly doesn't easily fit into what I've been listening to this year which has tended towards indie, off-kilter, loud. The album is subtle, lyrical, romantic, definitely romantic.
The opener Starlings is a love song, the object of his affection '[is] the only thing in any room you're ever in', while he deprecates his own attractions '...back a horse that's good for glue...'. The Bones Of You changes pace, as he reminisces about five years ago, he's smashed the momentos but 'I love the bones of you, that I will never escape'. The Fix has a Jacques Brel feel, in its sound and seedy theme. One Day Like This, the single, is as you'd expect, a swooning, joyous celebration of love. Throughout Guy Garvey's voice is warm, husky, and earthy, holding it all together.
To tackle The B Word. Some have called them boring, and you know, if you only briefly listened to a couple of tracks you might leave with that impression. But it's about time and patience, and (to nick a great word used elsewhere) the music gradually unfurls to reveal its emotional and lyrical depths. Beautiful.
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2 comments:
I've been meaning to get back to this sinvce they won the mercury music prize- i'm afraid i was one of the ones who didn't listen enough and thought it was quite boring...
Understandable though. Maybe cos I saw them live first and had such a positive experience I gave myself more time to grow into the music. It worked but may not be for everyone.
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