Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lusciously dark, November 13, 2004
Elbow is one of those deeply depressed British rock bands (like South) that don't have a lot of CDs out -- but what they do have is truly phenomenal. The murky, lush music swirls with unhappiness and a sort of downtrodden desperation, making "Asleep in the Back" a morbidly sweet experience.
It opens softly with a spacey electronic backdrop and some solid drums, and Guy Garvey's sweet vocals over it in the solemn "Any Day Now." A hint of piano-rock comes in with the rich "Red," title song and complex "Powder Blue." Other songs like "Bitten by the Tailfly" are more conventional rock song, with funereal chants, muted vocals, sizzling basslines and ominous percussion.
And that's before it gets really dark. "Don't Mix Your Drinks" is an eerily downbeat, almost suicidal-sounding, complete with ghostly feedback popping up here and there. "Presuming Ed (Rest Easy)" sounds like pop for a funeral home. And in the gentle "Can't Stop," Garvey moans, "This has battered me/That's my history/Hold this shaking frame/Pull this back together..."
Only a handful of debuts sound half as good as Elbow's does, especially in rock circles choked by pale imitations of great bands. So to have a band that feels and sounds truly original is a rarity. Here and there are things that remind one of Radiohead or Pink Floyd, but never enough that it feels like they are ripping one of the greats off.
What is really great about "Asleep in the Back" is the instrumentation -- rich, haunting and spacey. Only two songs have that harder rock-y edge; the others are softer, compiled out of piano, some subtle acoustic guitar, and drums that can come to the forefront or melt away into the dense musical backdrop. The most effective touches are the electronic effects, which add an otherworldly edge to already beautiful songs, and the ethereal strings that appear in songs like "Red."
Guy Garvey has an unusually angelic voice for a rock vocalist -- he also is quite a good singer, letting his voice soar and almost burst from the weight of his emotion. Though with these songs he would have to sound emotional -- they drip with darkness and chilliness, inner demons and drugs. "You burn too bright/You live too fast/This can't go on too long/You're a tragedy starting to happen..."
Listening to "Asleep in the Back" is like floating down a cold, dark river in the middle of an abandoned city. Beautiful and awe-inspiring, yet sad and lonely -- not to mention a highly recommended album.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The future of British music is in Elbow's hands., December 3, 2002
Elbow's "Asleep in the Back" has been described as the first great album of this century.
And it is hard to disagree because this album, when given time, is the most haunting yet beautiful release from a British band for as long as I can remember.
Garvey and co have managed to produce a finally-crafted, multi-layered piece of work packed with gorgeous melodies and spooky effects, all of which are amplified perfectly by Garvey's inimitable voice which is simultaneously husky, tuneful, powerful and subtle.
With "Asleep in the Back", Elbow have mastered the art of subtlety (except in their choice of band name!).
Powder Blue, said to be a love song about two heroin addicts, is a song which I cannot see being bettered for a long long time. Despite its morbid theme, its build up is gradual, centered around a falling piano sequence and a melody which floats along effortlessly, carrying the track to its goose-pimpling conclusion.
To pick out all of the strengths of this hugely promising band would take me all day.
Quite simply, I have only one piece of advice to you all - BUY IT!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
....time well spent, March 8, 2003
I've been actively listening to music for about 45 years and I continue to have a thirst for new music from anyone putting out something unique and challenging. I have purchased over 300 CDs in the last year or so and this is the best of the bunch. Definitely have to give the nod to Coldplay, as having some similarities, but the musicianship, the mix of sounds, and musical textures and well placed experimentation on Elbow's premier are absolutely amazing! Gorgeous, "dark" lyrics, great talent, unusual haunting arrangements, good production. You can hear Dave Matthews-like vocal quips too, but don't try to pigeon hole this group too much. They are unique and destined for stardom, if they can stay together long enough. Check out NEWBORN, I believe that's the hit single. Hope they have another one coming soon. If you're interested in great vocal "alt-rock" music this is a must have.
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