Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bends for the noughties, November 7, 2005
I can't believe that Elbow are so unknown. I only bought "Cast of Thousands", their second album, when I heard one track ("Fallen Angel") on a movie soundtrack, and then was hooked. "Leaders of the Free World", their third album, is even better.
While Cast of Thousands was mostly pretty mellow, Leaders of the Free World mixes very touching emotional moments with some good crunching rock, often in the same song! Listen to "Station Approach", as an example. A superbly-layered slowly building-then-exploding epic.
Comparisons with Radiohead are justified. The similarities with Radiohead's "The Bends" are there - the crunchy rock riffs, the emotionally charged lyrics, the wrenching vocals.
Other artists worth comparing to include Peter Gabriel, for the similarity of lyrics and vocals, Joy Division, for their post-modern punk edginess, and Coldplay. This is what Coldplay would sound like if they ditched their mainstream sound and added a bit more thought and edginess to their lyrics and music.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
And then there were three.., September 29, 2005
Elbow's third CD sneaks up on the listener. Upon first listen I was a little disappointed, given the fact that Asleep at the Back is my all time favorite CD, and Cast of Thousands was a very worthy follow up, I suppose my expectations were terribly high. Leaders of the Free World starts off with a bang so to speak with a song that is subtle in the first minute or so, but Station Approach evolves into a monster of a song, that leaves the listener begging for more after it's conclusion, followed by two great songs Picky Bugger and Forget Myself, which when listened to a few times, makes for one of the best 14 minutes of music I've heard all year.
The title track, Mexican Standoff, The Everthere, and Great Expectations are my other favorite tracks, but really there are no bad songs on this CD. Somehow I only discovered this band about a year ago, but they've quickly become my personal favorite band, and hugely under appreciated here in the US. This is a top 10 CD in the UK and Europe, but hopefully Elbow will find their audience here stateside. I beleive this CD is the one that could propell them into the next level.
I do wish though that they would release the DVD 2 disc version here. I purchased the UK version, but unfortunatly the Soup Collective DVD that I have been hearing such great things about, doesn't play on my DVD or US computer. Hopefully someone from the V2 label or the band might hear this, and release the 2 disc version in the US.
You can not go wrong if you've heard anything from Elbow, this CD you WILL like, so buy it! If your totally new to the band, I guess I would describe them as a cross between Peter Gabriel (when he was good), and Radiohead (although I hate to compare bands).. they are just Elbow.. and right now they are leaders of my world for CD of the YEAR.. Good job boys!!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
magic, November 10, 2005
elbow is my all time best finds ever. i stumbled accross them by accident a few years back. i remember being absolutely mesmerized by their soundscapes and almost poetic lyrics. minimally monumental would be an apt description of their music. music that gets richer and subtler with each listen. these guys and especially guy are pure genius and magic. i am at the age (43)where i only go to classical concerts, yet when i heard that the guys were in town, i knew i had to go and see them. the show last saturday in toronto was disappointing in only one aspect. it was way too short. still, an hour and a half of pure magic sending chills and tingles down my spine. thanks.
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