Elbow - 'The Take Off and Landing of Everything'

[BritishRacinGrin]

There was an Elbow thread but search couldn't find it...

TOLE arrived in March, I think. I went from being initially disappointed to thinking that it's the best thing they've done yet within the space of about six plays. I think it's amazing.

No discussion here yet though?

[conkerman]

Hugely disappointing, monotone and lacks dynamics.

Charge and Honey sun are decent tracks though.

[ViperPict]

One of the most over-rated bands ever. And the new album only adds to that. Pretentious rubbish.

[BritishRacinGrin]

well apparently it divides opinion!

I cannot agree with 'pretentious', I don't see how it is pretentious in any way- It's a middle aged northern man singing about normal middle aged northern things...

[AdeTuono]

Elbow are the complete antithesis of pretentious.

Have to agree that they've lost their way of late though. For me, Asleep In The Back is their finest hour, and they've never quite lived up to it's promise since. Saw them in Bournemouth a few years ago, just after they won the Mercury prize, and the musicianship was absolutely stunning.

[THX]

ViperPict said:

One of the most over-rated bands ever. And the new album only adds to that. Pretentious rubbish.

As a drummer and rhythm section enthusiast, I'd say they're in no way overrated. Quite the opposite.

Also, as stated above, a middle aged man singing about middle aged 'stuff'. A far cry from pretentious.

Basically, you're wrong about everything. But that's OK. Carry on.

[BritishRacinGrin]

conkerman said:

Charge and Honey sun are decent tracks though.

My favourite is 'Fly boy blue / lunette'... The bass and rhythm section got my attention, kind of like a later Paul Weller track, but then the what it phases and transitions is so beautifully executed there is (dare I say it?) a slightly Pink Floydish tempo change which works so well.

There are a couple of tracks which don't deliver so well musically but they are both redeemed by fantastic lyrics and delivery.

[conkerman]

The tracks from the new album didn't seem to get that great a reception when I saw them a few months ago.

Truly disappointed, but all bands need to be allowed a duffer. A happy and contented Guy Garvey may not be a great thing for his writing.

The cynic inside me is waiting for African rhythms soon. Then the debt to Gabriel will be paid in full.

[dave_s13]

Saw them play at Leeds arena a couple of months ago and thought they were stunningly good.

You need to sit down and really listen to elbow to appreciate what is guy garveys poetry. His use of the language is breathtaking sometimes.

[mikees]

ViperPict said:

One of the most over-rated bands ever. And the new album only adds to that. Pretentious rubbish.

Only when compared to Big County or Wet Wet Wet


Just saying.

[ViperPict]

BritishRacinGrin said:

well apparently it divides opinion!

I cannot agree with 'pretentious', I don't see how it is pretentious in any way- It's a middle aged northern man singing about normal middle aged northern things...

It is perhaps the way they are 'appreciated' that is pretentious. A sort of middle class attempt at getting 'gritty'. All those wky awards too...

[ViperPict]

mikees said:

ViperPict said:

One of the most over-rated bands ever. And the new album only adds to that. Pretentious rubbish.

Only when compared to Big County or Wet Wet Wet


Just saying.

Good artists:

Tool
Willie Nelson
Reverend Horton Heat
Black Label Society
Junior Brown
System Of A Down
Motorhead

Bad artists:

Elbow

[BritishRacinGrin]

ViperPict said:

Good artists:

Tool
Willie Nelson
Reverend Horton Heat
Black Label Society
Junior Brown
System Of A Down
Motorhead

Bad artists:

Elbow

Metal, Country, Country, Country, Country, Metal, Metal...

Sounds like your contribution to this thread is about as worthwhile as me starting a thread slating Niki Minaj's new record.

[ViperPict]

BritishRacinGrin said:

ViperPict said:

Good artists:

Tool
Willie Nelson
Reverend Horton Heat
Black Label Society
Junior Brown
System Of A Down
Motorhead

Bad artists:

Elbow

Metal, Country, Country, Country, Country, Metal, Metal...

Sounds like your contribution to this thread is about as worthwhile as me starting a thread slating Niki Minaj's new record.

I like all kinds of music. Country AND Western. Oh, and metal.

I'm just quite passionate about how over-rated elbow are.

P.S. Rev Horton Heat are NOT country! And Black Label Society?! Have a word with yourself...

[tr7v8]

The whole album is on Youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv-YPOh4e2U

[PurpleTurtle]

I'm a big fan of Elbow but this album doesn't really float my boat. I really like 'My Sad Captains', but that's about it. I don't particulalrly dislike it, but it's not the 'best work ever' as in some fawning reviews.

I'm more of an 'old stuff' fan myself, but they play very little of it live. Then again, if I'd struggled for years only to make it big on the stadium circuit I'd play what the masses apparently want too!

[Hub]

The last two albums have really disappointed me. Prior to that they hadn't made a duff album, and on a different day I could say that any of them was my favourite (though Asleep In The Back probably does grab it).