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I really do not like this album - the only worthwhile tracks here were the singles - "Leaders of the Free World" and "Forget Myself".... Read review
Leaders of the Free World, Elbow's third album, sees the band try to beat down their major ... more
league contemporaries (Coldplay, Doves) with a more ambitious set of songs. In truth, they didn't need to try so hard; Elbow have arguably been making better and...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
This review is being rewritten at the moment, and will reappear when I'm happy with it. I'm currently rewriting all of my old reviews to make them better and more in line with 'proper' reviews like you see on the liks of Pitchfork or Stylus, and naturally that's going to take a bit of work. Sorry for being massively inconvinient, but that's just how I roll, folks! I'll try to rewrite this review as quickly as possible, but for the moment I've written ... more
This review is being rewritten at the moment, and will reappear when I'm happy with it. I'm currently rewriting all of my old reviews to make them better and more in line with 'proper' reviews like you see on the liks of Pitchfork or Stylus, and naturally that's going to take a bit of work. Sorry for being massively inconvinient, but that's just how I roll, folks! I'll try to rewrite this review as quickly as possible, but for the moment I've written a basic guide to the album below which should hopefully serve as a place holder until my glorious full and proper review is created.
I really do not like this album - the only worthwhile tracks here were the singles - "Leaders of the Free World" and "Forget Myself".
Advantages: A throughly decent album with a couple of tracks everyone will love, nice and layed back Disadvantages: A couple of tracks that a lot of people might not be so keen on,
...release their 3rd studio album, Leaders Of The Freeworld. The album title alone showed that the album was influenced heavily by recent political instances such as Live 8.
Instead of getting a producer in to help them with the album, Elbow decided that they would much rather produce this album themselves. It is perhaps this fact that has made the album better than the previous 2. The fact the band were producing means the album has a unique sound ... ...sound they were looking for. In the past I've been a little dubious of bands producing their own material but in this case it seems that Elbow really have a talent for it. The sound they have created is a joy to listen to.
It isn't an album that will hook you from the first minute though. For me there were a couple of tracks I loved straight away and that kept me listening while one by one the rest of the album started to grow on me. Of course the ...
Andy.mack 07.10.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leaders Of The Free World - Elbow
Advantages: beautiful singer backed up by quality lyrics Disadvantages: none
...into the overly gentle pitfall. Leaders of the Free World makes an outstanding impact between two gentler songs- the second An Imagined Affair just as good as the rest of the album.
Mexican Standoff is what i would term the comedy song of the album, but its still musically great, and so very enjoyable it makes me smile every time i listen to it.
Everthere has to go down as one of the best songs on the album- a sweet but not too gentle melody reflects ... ...not effect the relationship with his target. Great Expectations sings of a momentous meeting on bus, over in seconds but making a big impression.
Finishing with a short Puncture Repair it's actually hard to describe this album except that it really deserves to be heard. I bought it having heard one song, and the rest of them make it money well spent. It became my favourite album after just a few times of hearing it. It is quality music that you'll ...
happyelemma 12.02.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Leaders Of The Free World - Elbow
Originality
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Quality and consistency...
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Advantages: Melodic, thoughtful and endearing Disadvantages: Like all Elbow albums you have to put in effort to get enjoyment back.
As with Doves, who Elbow have spent many a time touring with, aren't a band that instantly jump out at you. It's very much a case of putting in effort to get out enjoyment. Which is perfectly fine for me and the many fans of the 'bow. But in the days of Ipod shuffling it's worth pointing out.
After that almost - disclaimer I'll talk about the album.
Station Approach, the lead track from Leaders of the FreeWorld begins gently, with a count-in picked up off-mic and acoustic guitar picking. Garvey's well-worn voice enters, singing of the bittersweet feeling of homecoming. The song builds, the guitars kick up dust, organs shiver and the song ends without overstaying its welcome. When you can slip in lines like "You little sod, I love your eyes" and they don't seem out of place you must be onto a winner.
Recent single, Forget ...
Advantages: Melody driven, vocal led, beautiful music Disadvantages: None, just takes time to appreciate
Elbow are an intelligent band, that passionate, intelligent people often love.
This isnt the sort of album you can pop on shuffle and rock out too. It takes concentration the first couple of times round to appreciate the full meaning at beauty of these songs. It is music that you should put on to sit and actually listen to. It is not background music, and treating it as such would be a crime!
If you like indie, melodic, beautiful music, then once you are in the right frame of mind to pay attention to this album, you will never look back.
The lyrics, are funny, meaningful, moving, clever, and pefect for each specific song.
Guy Garveys has the most gorgeous male voice I have ever heard.
This album has a mix of song styles again, from plain quiet love songs, to thoughtful musing on coming home, to a bouncy and slightly angry ...
rogueleaders
Genre:Action/Adventure -Publisher:LucasArts -Developer(s): Fa ...
Product Information for "Leaders Of The Free World - Elbow" »
Product details
Title
Leaders Of The Free World
Performer
Elbow
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
12/09/2005
Recomended Retail Price
15.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2005
Label / Distributor
V2 / Universal Music
Engineer
Mike Tarantino; Danny Evans
Producer
Elbow; Tim Rothrock; Marius De Vrie
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
5033197325521
Catalogue Number
VVR 1032552
Additional notes
Album Notes
U.K. edition. On its third full-length studio outing, the Manchester, England, quintet Elbow deftly balances ambition and accessibility, creating yet another fascinating album in the process. As with its lauded predecessors (and many of the best rock records, in general), LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD reveals its charms with repeated listens; although frontman Guy Garvey's plaintive vocals and the band's lush arrangements are immediately striking, their subtleties are slowly unveiled. The weighty opening number, "Station Approach," gradually gains steam, while "Picky Bastard" coasts along on a slinky, mischievous melody. The album's centerpiece, appropriately enough, is the fierce title track, which features scathing guitar work that plays off of chiming keyboard lines. Elbow also excels at soaring songs of heartbreak, as best evidenced on "My Very Best," where Garvey emotes "you've gone and made a beautiful hole in my heart" over a swooning string section. Although Elbow doesn't quite have the mass appeal of its contemporary Coldplay, the group's staunch adventurousness is one of its finest attributes, and those willing to spend some time with LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD will be rewarded with a rich, dynamic record.
Album Reviews
Entertainment Weekly (p.64) - "[T]he quintet still generates intensity from rich, economical guitar-strings-piano strokes, but the gloom-rock tunes are as sophisticated as ever..." -- Grade: A- Mojo (p.108) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]he album's genesis is apparent in the deft combination of emotional intimacy and musical ambition." Uncut (p.108) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Elbow are splendid: a group with integrity, prepared to take risks and possessed of actual musical ability."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Station Approach
2.
Picky Bugger
3.
Forget Myself
4.
Stops
5.
Leaders Of The Free World
6.
An Imagined Affair
7.
Mexican Standoff
8.
Everthere
9.
My Very Best
10.
Great Expectations
11.
Puncture Repair
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